FST Launches Online Forum for NEXT FALL

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) continues its online forum at FST-BLOG.COM with a discussion of the new play Next Fall by Geoffrey Nauffts, which opened last week in FST's Keating Theatre. 

This online forum, moderated by Associate Director Kate Alexander and Literary Manager Amanda Cayo, serves as a community discussion about FST's Mainstage plays, their themes, and subject matter. FST first launched the blog with the hit musical Next to Normal, which opened the 2011-2012 Mainstage Season.  More than 1,000 audience members accessed the blog during the run of Next to Normal. 

Next Fall by Geoffrey Nauffts explores the difficulties that arise when two people on opposite sides of the faith spectrum meet and fall in love. The online conversation features opinion pieces by four national and community leaders about the intersection of love and religion and the social constraints that define who we are and how we love. 

Those contributors include:

Geoffrey Nauffts, playwright of Next Fall

Pastor John Syster, senior minister of First Congregational United Church of Christ of Sarasota 

Rabbi Simon, Chairman of the Robert and Esther Heller Israel Advocacy Initiative Committee of the Sarasota/Manatee Jewish Federation.

Paul White, LCSW, a psychotherapist in private practice. 

FST invites the Sarasota community to read, discuss, and question the thoughts shared through this discussion. Readers can add to the discussion by sharing their opinions on the topic through the comments, or even submit long-form posts at www.FST-BLOG.com. 

The 2010 Outer Critics Circle award winner and three-time Tony Award nominated play, Next Fall portrays the ups and downs of an unlikely couple's five-year relationship with sharp humor and unflinching honesty. The new contemporary drama opened in the Keating Theatre (1241 N. Palm Avenue) on Friday, January 27.  Tickets are on sale through March 31^st and can be purchased online at www.FloridaStudioTheatre.org, by phone at (941) 366-9000 or by visiting the Box Office.

ABOUT FST FORUMS

Florida Studio Theatre's mission is inspired from the wellspring of creators of theatre, the ancient Greeks. They saw theatre as a communal forum where we come together as a society to explore what it means to be alive, to be human. In the same vein, these discussions embrace the dialogue form of ancient philosophy – where we do not defend a "truth" or conclusion, but present ideas and an atmosphere of openness in the search for the ever changing definition of truth. Our destination is unknown, however we invite you to come along for the journey and join the discussion. 

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. The company 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 a major 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 affordable to a broad-based audience.  Under Richard Hopkins, Artistic Director and CEO, FST develops theatre that 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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