Florida Studio Theatre Announces Richard & Betty Burdick Play Reading Series, 4/21

The Sarasota Festival of New Plays is in full swing at Florida Studio Theatre. As a part of its ongoing commitment to new play development Florida Studio Theatre, in addition to the Richard & Betty Burdick Play Reading Series, will present numerous events. 

The opening of the Goldstein Cabaret's Night Train to Memphis on March 23, 2010, developed by FST, kicked off of the two month festival. Last week, Florida Studio Theatre opened The National New Play Networks Rolling World Premiere of Shotgun by John Biguenet. The events surrounding the festival include a discussion with Playwright John Biguenet, April 21, 2010 at 5:30 PM in the Keating Mainstage.

The festival continues with the Richard & Betty Burdick Play Reading Series; three staged readings of new works, will take place on Monday, May 10; Monday, May 17 and Monday May 24, all at 7:00 PM. The play reading series will include: Auctioning the Ainsleys by Laura Shellhardt, a quirky drama about an auctioneering family, their connection to objects, and their dysfunctional connections to each other. The Taste Test by Frank Higgins, when the King Cola corporation decides to introduce New King to the masses, the resulting fiasco tests the abilities and ethics of three executives as they navigate through corporate America and The Mourners' Bench by George Brant, centered around the living room of one particular house, the play is divided into three acts, each focusing on a different twosome who are connected by the room's dark history.

And on Saturday, May 15 Teresa Eyring, Executive Director of Theatre Communications Group will be the keynote speaker at the 2010 Young Playwrights Festival, honoring the winning plays by students through out the state of Florida and Internationally from Israel, Scotland and Russia. Following the days festivities, Florida Studio Theatre will host Florida Artists Day, where Florida theatre professionals will be invited to participate in the Sarasota Festival of New Plays. Teresa Eyring will lead a special discussion in the Keating Mainstage at 5:00 PM on the national state of non-profits arts.

The Sarasota Festival of New Plays is a two month-long celebration of new plays, however new play development at FST extends beyond its festivals. FST is continually developing new works through a series of commissions, closed-door readings, workshop productions and development roundtables that create new work on a year-round basis. The Richard & Betty Burdick New Play Reading Series is often the culmination of years of work by writers and FST staff.

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.

Florida Studio Theatre is grateful to the Florida Arts Council and the Sarasota County Arts Council, a Tourist Development Funded Program, for sponsoring the Sarasota Festival of New Plays.

Sarasota Festival of New Plays

Schedule of Events

Box Office: 941.366.9000

Website: www.floridastudiotheatre.org

Keating Mainstage

Shotgun by John Biguenet

Now Playing through May 29 in the Keating Theatre

National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere! Shotgun takes place in a little shotgun apartment in New Orleans four months post-Katrina. In the wake of natural disaster, the drama is just beginning. Families clash and racial tensions rise. A play of love, hope and humor in celebration of the human spirit.

Shows play at 8pm Tuesday through Sunday, with 2pm (Sat), 3pm (Sun) matinees on the weekends. Ticket prices range from $30 - $32.

Discussion with Playwright John Biguenet

And FST Artistic Director, Richard Hopkins

Wednesday, April 21st at 5:30 PM in the Keating Theatre

FREE to Public - Based upon Availability, Reservations Required

At the height of our 2009-2010 season, join us to discuss FST's commitment to New Play Development. Richard Hopkins will be joined by John Biguenet, the playwright of Shotgun, the fourth show in FST's Winter Mainstage Season, and part of FST's 2010 New Play Festival. Shotgun is being produced at FST as part of a National New Play Network rolling world premiere in conjunction with Southern Repertory Theatre and Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, and it is a pleasure to have Mr. Biguenet here in Sarasota to join in a discussion of his play and New Play Development.

John Biguenet (Playwright) is the acclaimed author of The Torturer's Apprentice: Stories and Oyster, A Novel, among other books, as well as such award-winning plays as The Vulgar Soul and Rising Water. His new play, Night Train, was developed on a Studio Attachment at the National Theatre in London. Shotgun, the winner of a National New Play Network Continued Life of New Plays Fund Award, will have rolling world premieres at Southern Rep Theatre, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, and Florida Studio Theatre. His stories have appeared in such magazines as Granta, Esquire, Playboy, Storie (Rome), Story, and Zoetrope and been presented in Selected Shorts at Symphony Space on Broadway. He has twice been elected president of the American Literary Translators Association. An O. Henry Award winner for his short fiction and a New York Times guest columnist, he is the Robert Hunter Distinguished University Professor at Loyola University in New Orleans.

The Richard & Betty Burdick New Play Reading Series:

Auctioning the Ainsleys by Laura Shellhardt

May 10th at 7:00 PM in the Keating Theatre

FREE to Public - Based upon Availability, Reservations Required

The Ainsley family is the auctioneering business. As mother Alice nears the end of her natural life, she calls her four children together to organize their final auction: that of the Ainsley estate.

As preparations for the auction begin, we learn the comical details of the quirky family and a

dark past is revealed by the return of oldest daughter, Avery. Auctioning the Ainsleys is a humorous and whimsical look at one family, their connection to objects, and their dysfunctional connections to each other.

Taste Test by Frank Higgins

May 17th at 7:00 PM in the Keating Theatre

FREE to Public - Based upon Availability, Reservations Required

From the creator of Black Pearl Sings!; The Taste Test follows the aftermath of The King Cola Corporation's fall from grace when they lose a blind taste test to a competitor. Struggling to make a comeback, they decide to launch a new innovative product. This witty and engaging new play follows three women charged with the daunting responsibility of creating the successful launch. Through personal turmoil and continuous scheming, will the product launch put the crown back on King Cola?

The Mourners' Bench by George Brant

May 24th at 7:00 PM in the Keating Theatre

FREE to Public - Based upon Availability, Reservations Required

A horrifying event in the childhood home of Melissa and Bobby changed their lives forever. The Mourner's Bench tells the mysterious tale of how one family overcomes a room's dark history and how outsiders are eerily drawn to it. With the past long covered up, the events have lasting effects as the home's new owners, Joe and Sarah, begin to feel the weight on their relationship. What happened in the room to cause such lasting effects and connect each pair of visitors?

Florida Artists Day
Florida theatre professionals are invited to partake in the Sarasota Festival of New plays and join in a discussion with Teresa Eyring, Executive Director of Theatre Communications Group (The national organization for non-profit professional theatre).

May 15th at 5:00 PM in the Keating Theatre

FREE to Public - Based upon Availability, Reservations Required

Join Teresa Erying in a discussion on the national state of non-profit arts. Florida theatre professionals and the public are invited to listen and partake in the conversation.

Teresa Eyring is Executive Director of Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for non-profit professional theatre. Prior to arriving at TCG in 2007, Ms. Eyring spent more than twenty years as an executive in theatres around the U.S. Positions included: managing director of The Children's Theatre Company (CTC) in Minneapolis from 1999-2007; managing director of the Wilma Theater in Philadelphia from 1994-1999; and assistant executive director of the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis from 1989-1993. She began her theatre career as director of development for the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington, D.C in 1983. She holds a BA in International Relations from Stanford University and an MFA in Theatre Administration from Yale School of Drama.

Eyring is currently active as an executive committee member of the Performing Arts Alliance, is chair of the follow-up process for the 2008 National Performing Arts Convention, is a member of the National Advisory Council for the August Wilson Center for African American Culture in Pittsburgh, and a member of the Tony Awards nominating committee.

Goldstein Cabaret

Night Train to Memphis

Now playing through June 5 in the Goldstein Cabaret

Memphis, Tennessee, birthplace of America's greatest music and the careers of Elvis Presley, B.B. King and Johnny Cash. Night Train to Memphis is an evening of sultry and smooth sounds including "Blue Suede Shoes," "Chantilly Lace," "Great Balls of Fire," "Always on My Mind" and more, where the cultural crossroads come alive!

Shows play Tuesday through Sunday. 6pm shows on Tuesdays, Friday and Saturday; 7:30pm shows on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday; 9pm shows on Friday and Saturday; and a 2pm matinee on Sunday.

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