Deborah Bostock-Kelley - Page 9

After watching a documentary series, Michael Proft was inspired to pen Dionysus on the Down Low. The play tells the story of Ugandan LGBT activist David Okello’s (played by Theron Butler) whose existence is threatened by a proposed anti-homosexuality bill. He finds shelter in Boston, MA with Matthew Teitman (played by Jonathan O'Brien), an LGBTQIA rights advocate with the ACLU.

THINKTANK DEBUTS TYA PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL AND GEN NEXT FESTIVAL at Stageworks Theatre

Under the direction of Matthew Belopavlovich, the cast is putting on Mamma Mia! after just two weeks of rehearsing dance number choreography, blocking, dialogue, and song.

Recent high school graduates, 19-year-old Ronald Spoto from Harrison School for the Arts in Lakeland and 18-year-old Jillian Cossetta from Gulf Coast High School in Naples, will represent the Straz Center at the 2021 Jimmy Awards online due to the pandemic.

Led by Open Mic director, Cheryl Flowers, Powerstories will reopen its doors, closed 19 months since the pandemic, to showcase local storytellers, spoken word artists, poets, and singers of original works on July 8, 2021 at 7:30 PM.

A collaboration with area veterans and civilians called the Straz Center Veteran and Civilian Dance Ensemble will debut an original spoken-word piece, “Freedom Tree,” under the artistic direction of Katurah Robinson and John Park at Straz’s Riverwalk Stage.

In collaboration with Thrϋ-Line Theatrical Production Company, Powerstories is currently seeking submissions from female playwrights around the world of any age and level of experience. The submission deadline is July 15, 2021. Ten selected productions will be performed live in the theatre and live-streamed worldwide or produced virtually online in the Festival's debut on October 6-17, 2021.

Steel Magnolias is an emotional journey that combines the perfect balance of comedy that doesn't go saccharine with a heartbreaking drama. Directed by Lisa Malloy, it features Callie Gray, Morgan Courtney, Madison Claire, Bri Filippelli, Georgia Kosloski, and Leah Conway.

TampaRep will present Every Brilliant Thing in an outdoor open-air setting at Ybor City Museum State Park on June 3-12. A generous grant from The Gobioff Foundation enables the theatre company to provide free tickets, though registration is required.

Starring Mark Williams Myers, Richard Isaacs, Avery Anderson, Samantha Marti Parisi, Daniel McKay, and Daniel Lyons, Daniel's Husband is a contemporary American play about the perfect couple – Daniel and Mitchell - who happen to have polarized worldviews views on gay marriage. These conflicting views set in motion an important chain of events.

To celebrate the return of in-person theatre to the community, American Stage is presenting Pop-Up! Performances: Uncaged on May 14-16 at The Factory St. Pete’s outdoor venue, an ideal backdrop for live entertainment in a safe outdoor setting.

After a year of unexpected quiet, ThinkTank is back, debuting Snoopy the Musical with the beloved characters from the endearing “Peanuts” comic strip of Charles Schultz, May 7-16 at Stageworks.

Powerstories is reaching out to talented 8 to 18-year-old artists of all original plays, scenes, monologues, spoken word, songs, and dance with original music, to be performed in the theater at 2105 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, and using the latest technology, live-streamed.

Thirty-two performers of all abilities come from as close as the U.S. and Canada, and as far away as England, Ireland, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Each will get the opportunity to be showcased in a role they’ve always wanted to play, or try their hand at something new they’ve never experienced before.

Off Kilter, a newly-launched theatre company is ready to give the Avant-Garde a safe place to call home. Located in The Mar St. Pete, Off Kilter’s founder, artistic director Derek Baxter is thrilled to have his ground-breaking, experimental company part of the artsy vibe that is in St. Petersburg, FL.

Twilight, Los Angeles, 1992 is an unflinching look at race relations from the voices of the people that were there, whether in the heart of it or bystanders portrayed by one woman: Andresia Moseley.

The Arts Legacy REMIX “Lift Every Voice & Sing” will feature OperaTampa, Patel Conservatory Advanced Chamber Ensemble, and other artists.

Directed by Ted Lange of “The Love Boat” fame, opening February 19 and running through February 28 with 12 pre-recorded performances, “Satchmo at the Waldorf” is set in 1971, Louis’ last public performance, four months before his passing. The show takes place in a dressing room backstage at the Empire Room of New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, where Louis is reminiscing into a tape recorder about his life and relationship with his manager.

A collaboration with Outcast Theatre Collective, The Voices of Truth Festival makes its inaugural debut from Powerstories Theatre’s technology-updated venue on March 10-28, 2021. Sixteen thought-provoking, conversation-starting productions - fourteen original plays and two curated as the dream productions of its directors - will take three different directions to the virtual stage. The playwrights had a choice to produce their play live-streamed from Powerstories, via Zoom, or as a prerecorded theatre experience.

For two weekends, January 15-17 and January 22-24, theatre patrons will be treated to four staged readings of new and original plays curated from over 200 submissions on American Stage's Virtual Stage. The 21st Century Voices: New Play Festival, now in its fifth year, features virtual live-streamed productions coupled with post-show discussions with the playwrights, and mental health clinicians, panel discussions, wellness workshops, and community conversations about mental health.