'Permanent Collection' Exploring Art & Race

Permanent Collection Explores Issues of Art and Race

The Third Production of FST's 2006-2007 Mainstage Season

Permanent Collection, the third offering in Florida Studio Theatre's Mainstage Season begins Wednesday, February 7 in the Keating Theatre.

An insightful piece of theatre, Permanent Collection is written by Thomas Gibbons, who also wrote Bee-Luther-Hatchee which FST audiences will remember from the 2004 Summerfest Season. This play, like Bee-Luther Hatchee, asks questions about cultural perspectives in a modern society. Permanent Collection specifically looks at how perspective influences the world of art.

Permanent Collection follows the path of Sterling North, the newly appointed Executive Director of a private art museum. The collection belonged to the late Dr. Alfred Morris, a rebellious art collector who upon his death, appointed control of his foundation to a traditionally black university.

Several years later when North is appointed Director, things get interesting. In Dr. Morris' will the most significant stipulation is that the collection is to remain constant. Nothing is to be changed, added or removed from the Permanent Collection. Controversy ignites and sparks fly when Mr. North demands changes to the predominately white art adorning the walls citing racial discrimination in the collection.

Gibbons poses many interesting questions (though giving few answers) in this play, perhaps none more significant than that of whose culture deserves display in the modern world. Also, who gets to make that decision?

The Los Angeles Times calls Permanent Collection "sophisticated and deft," and the New Times Broward-Palm Beach says "what we get is a compelling and thought-provoking look at this country's most intractable issue: race."

Permanent Collection begins February 7 and plays until April 6, 2007. Tickets may be purchased from the FST Box Office in person or by calling (941) 366-9000.  Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Avenue Sarasota, FL 34236 Website: www.fst2000.org

FST's production will be directed by Artistic Director Richard Hopkins. Having served as Artistic Director for over 25 years, Mr. Hopkins has directed numerous productions most recently including Moonlight and Magnolias, Metamorphoses, The Bully Pulpit and God's Man in Texas. The cast includes returning FST actors Jeffrey Plunkett, Donei Hall, Debra Whitfield and Bob Mowry as well as Kim Sullivan and Sharon Hope who are both new to the FST stage. Designers working on the show include Scenic Designer Roman Tatarowicz, Lighting Designer Martin Vreeland, and FST's Resident Designer, Marcella Beckwith doing costumes.

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