FST Announces New Adult Theatre Labs

Florida Studio Theatre presents a new season of Adult Theatre Labs, beginning the week ofSeptember 13th. Last year, FST greatly expanded its education programming, experiencing a tremendous growth in enrollment. This year, FST continues to make improvements, and introduces several new classes to fit every theatergoer's interest. New to the FST Theatre Lab spectrum, includes a Playwriting Workshop, a Sketch Comedy writing class, and an Advanced Acting Class that will focus on contemporary scenes andperformances of short plays.

"It is an exciting time of growth and possibilities for our Adult Education Program," Director of Education Beth Duda said. "For those interested in being on the stage, our acting and improvisation classes offer solid methodology in a spirited setting while our theatre appreciation classes allow a deeper understanding intothe art and craft of theatre which has proven to be very popular. We have also added additional Behind theScenes classes to keep up with the demand.

"The Behind the Scenes and TrueSpeak workshops debuted last year to an overwhelmingly positive response.These workshops return this year with an expanded schedule throughout the year. Behind the Scenes gives participants a backstage look at how a show is produced, from initial concept, rehearsal process, all the way to opening night. The TrueSpeak workshop is for those interested in the art of storytelling, and carefullycrafting their own."I've discovered that not only do we all have a story to tell, but each of the class members has wonderful, dif-ferent and fascinating true-life experiences," said Frank Robinson, member of last year's TrueSpeak class.The Improvisation classes have expanded, as well. Last year, Improv enrollment increased 50%, according to the Director of the Improv Program and Managing Director of FST, Rebecca Langford. This year, FST is of-fering introductory classes, advanced classes, and classes where students can perform on stage in front ofan audience or in the community.

"FST Improv has seen tremendous growth in the last year," Rebecca Langford said. "I have enjoyed workingwith a vast array of students and now in addition to the main performance troupe we have Vintage Whine. This senior group is bringing a whole new perspective to improv through their tremendous life experience. Beginning this fall, we have another group that has made it to the Improv for Performance level that will be-gin performing in the Cabaret. It is exciting to see the work expand and we are looking foward to expanding further this season."All classes are held in FST's professional rehearsal studios in the heart of downtown Sarasota. 1241 NorthPalm Avenue. Prices range from $59 - $299.

Reservations can be made by contacting FST's Education de-partment at 941.366.1350 or by visiting www.floridastudiotheatre.org .

The adult teaching staff is comprised of a core of theatre professionals trained to teach free from personaldictates. Our methodology helps each person find his or her own "door" to creative achievement.

In addition,guest artists and teachers visit throughout the session.The list of workshops and labs follows below.

ThEATRE APPRECIATION Behind the Scenes at FST Join the professionals for a behind-the-scenes exploration of play creation. This program allows you to followthe visiting professional artists and FST staff from initial concept through the final performance. Through-out the Mainstage Season you will be invited to a series of readings, rehearsals and discussions. Join theprofessionals for: Script Analysis, Design Concept Meeting, First Read Through with actors and designers, Play Panel Discussion, First Run Through (first time actors run through show in rehearsal), Tech Rehearsal and Dress Rehearsal. 8 classes throughout the Winter Mainstage Season. Space is limited to the first 32 applicants.

Fee: $99

Session I - Follows Winter Mainstage Show #1 - Begins Oct. 12Session II - Follows Winter Mainstage Show #3 - Begins Dec. 21Session III - Follows Winter Mainstage Show #4 - Begins Mar. 1Play Reading Club Just like a book club, but with a focus on plays, Play Reading Club is for anyone with an interest in the the-atre. We will meet weekly to read and analyze scripts. Participants will have reading assignments outside of class, and will discuss plays with an eye toward production and performance values. Subject matter willrange from classic to new plays. Each class will be a mix of lively discussion and exploration. Maximum en-rollment is limited to 25 participants per class.Wednesdays 2 PM - 4 PMSession I - Begins Sept. 15Fee: $89 per 8 week sessionSession II - Begins Nov. 104 Sessions: $267 Save $89Session III - Begins Jan. 26Session IV - Begins Mar. 30Playwriting WorkshopNew this year, this class is for writers interested in developing work for the stage. The class will read and discuss short plays and scenes written by each other. We will examine audience expectations, theatrical conventions and the basic craft elements involved in hooking an audience. We will also discuss how to liber-ate yourself in the writing and how to maximize the dramatic possibilities for your play.Thursdays 2 PM - 4 PMSession I - Begins Sept. 16Fee: $199 per 8 week sessionSession II - Begins Nov. 114 Sessions: $597 Save $199Session III - Begins Jan. 27Session IV - Begins Mar. 31 -MORE- florida Studio Theatre 1241 N. Palm Avenue Sarasota, FL 34236 Box Office 941.366.9000FloridaStudioTheatre.org

Acting Level I and Acting Level IIStart your training by building a solid foundation. Learn the building blocks of a professional acting tech-nique, from being comfortable in front of an audience to utilizing your mind, voice, and body to communicatetruth on stage. This class is designed for full group participation, as well as one-on-one work. Students willbe challenged with new material during each 8 week session. Meets once per week.Mondays 7 PM - 9PMSession I - Begins Week of Sept. 13OR Saturdays 12 PM - 2 PM Session II - Begins Week of Nov. 15Fee: $199 per 8 week sessionSession III - Begins Week of Jan. 244 Sessions $597 Save $199Session IV - Begins Week of Mar.28Adult Acting Advanced Strengthen your professional acting technique through the exploration of contemporary scenes and shortplays. Students will utilize objectives, text analysis, listening, physicality and focus to bring their work to life. Using in-class exercises, we will also focus on concentration, emotional connection and specificity, self-awareness, and self-confidence. This 20-week class will culminate in a performance. Meets once perweek.Thursdays 7 PM - 9 PMSession I - Jan. 6 - May 19Fee: $375 per 20 week sessionTrueSpeak (Stories of Our Lives)Storytelling is exploding into a thriving genre all its own. Develop and perform your own true narratives in afriendly and supportive environment. Share your experiences to connect, teach, and entertain. Inspired by storytelling series, such as The Moth, and StoryCorp (as heard on NPR), TrueSpeak teaches skills needed to communicate truthfully and authentically. Performance opportunities such as open classes and recitalswill occur throughout the year. Students signing up for all four sessions will be challenged to develop new stories in each session. Meets once per week.Mondays 2 PM - 4 PMSession I - Begins Week of Sept. 13Or Wednesdays 7 PM - 9 PM Session II - Begins Week of Nov. 10Fee: $199 per 8 week sessionSession III - Begins Week of Jan. 24 4 Sessions $597 Save $199 Session IV - Begins Week of Mar.28 ADULT IMPROV CLASSES

Introduction to Improvisation

Discover the freedom of spontaneity! Introduction to Improvisation is the launching ground for developing one's skills as an improv performer. Students are given the opportunity to explore creativity, hone presenta-tion skills, and build self confidence through team work.Mondays 7 PM - 9 PM Session I - Begins Sept. 13Or Mondays 2 PM - 4 PMSession II - Begins Nov. 15Fee: $199 per 8 week sessionSession III - Begins Jan. 24 4 Sessions $597 Save $199 Session IV - Begins Mar. 28 ImprovisationStudents are placed into an ensemble and continue to build the fundamentals of improvisation while ad-vancing scenic and character skills. Students will discover their strengths while exploring different forms and styles of improvisation. This class is intended for those who have an immediate working knowledge of the rules and styles adhered to by FST Improv.

Admission to this class is by instructor recommendation only. 

Wednesdays 7 PM - 9 PMSession I - Begins Sept. 15Fee: $199 per 8 week sessionSession II - Begins Nov. 10 4 Sessions $597 Save $199 Session III - Begins Jan. 26Session IV - Begins Mar. 30Improvisation for PerformanceAn in-depth class designed to develop and refine the individual's ability to work in an ensemble. Structured around performance, students perform regularly in the FST Cabaret. Special attention is paid to the indi-vidual performer's ability to create believable, emotionally based characters that have the ability to drive ascene forward though character modification and change. Admission to this class is by instructor recom-mendation only.Tuesdays 7 PM - 9 PM Session I - Begins Week of Sept. 13Thursdays 7 PM - 9 PMSession II - Begins Week of Nov. 10 Fee: $199 per 8 week sessionSession III - Begins Week of Jan. 24 4 Sessions $597 Save $199 Session IV - Begins Week of Mar.28 Sketch ComedyMaster the skills of writing sketch comedy. Learn basic scene structure, character development, establish action, and styles and genres of comedy. Weekly writing assignments and in-class exercises generate mate-rial and establish regular writing schedules. Class builds towards working with actors and other writers to create scenes for an ensemble sketch show.Wednesdays 7 PM - 9 PM Session I - Begins Sept.15Fee: $199 per 8 week sessionSession II - Begins Nov. 10 4 Sessions $597 Save $199 Session III - Begins Jan. 26 Session IV - Begins Mar, 30

AbOuT FLORIDA Studio Theatre

Known as Sarasota's Contemporary Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre was founded in 1973 by Jon Spelman. Starting out as a small touring company, FST traveled to places such as migrant camps and prisons. Thecompany eventually settled down into a permanent home, acquiring the former Woman's Club building -now renamed the Keating Theatre. In the years that followed, Florida Studio Theatre established itself as amajor force in American Theatre, presenting Contemporary Theatre in its three theatre venues: the Keating Theatre, the Goldstein Cabaret and its newest space, the Gompertz Theatre.

Even with its growth, Florida Studio Theatre remains firmly committed to making the arts accessible and af-fordable to a broad-based audience. Under Richard Hopkins, Artistic Director and CEO, FST develops theatrethat speaks to our living, evolving, and dynamically changing world. As FST grows and expands, it continues to provide audiences with challenging, contemporary drama and innovative programs.

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