FST Wins WEDU Be More Knowledgeable Award

Florida Studio Theatre was presented the 2013 WEDU Be More Knowledgeable Award at the WEDU Be More Awards ceremony on February 21st. The Be More Knowledgeable: Education Outreach Award recognizes programs that offer guidance, knowledge, emotional support, and mentorship to the community.

The award recognizes the work being done by FST's WRITE A PLAY program. WRITE A PLAY is designed to inspire students from all backgrounds in grades K-12 to write plays through high energy, interactive performances, workshops and in-school residencies. WRITE A PLAY, which supports Florida Sunshine State Standards and National Standards for Arts Education, has been proven - through over a decade of outcomes analyses - to inspire creativity, promote literacy, strengthen language and communication skills, and instill an appreciation for the arts. Since WRITE A PLAY's inception, the program has impacted children and teens in 61 of 67 Florida Counties and the program continues to grow from this momentum. A special emphasis is placed on underserved schools.

This year, FST has expanded the program to new audiences. FST teaching artists have taken the WRITE A PLAY program to military bases in the Southeastern U.S. through a partnership with Theatre Communications Group and Blue Star Families with funding from the MetLife Foundation. FST teaching artists also traveled to Kiryat Yam, Israel this season to bring the program to children who are primarily Ethiopian immigrants. Through the years, FST has traveled as far as Dunfermline, Scotland; Vladimir, Russia; and Tel Mond, Israel to teach the WRITE A PLAY program in partnership with Sarasota's Sister Cities Association. FST will continue expanding the program every year to reach more underserved communities.

Director of Education Beth Duda accepted the award. Of the honor, she says, "We are honored to receive the Be More Knowledgeable award. The work we are able to do in the schools with our Write-A-Play program is an integral part of the mission of FST. To be recognized by WEDU for the impact our program has on 50,000 children each year warms the heart of each of our teaching artists. We are grateful for the recognition, and even more grateful to help nurture the creativity of the youth in our community."

This was FST's first time participating in the WEDU Be More Awards, which has recognized hundreds of area nonprofit organizations, volunteers and individuals over the years. In addition to the Be More Knowledgeable Award, FST was also honored as a finalist for the Be More Encouraged: Judge's Award recognizing an organization that is appealing due to its extraordinary approach to its projects and the Be More Unstoppable: Nonprofit of the Year Award recognizing an organization displaying overall excellence. Rebecca Hopkins, FST's Managing Director, said, "We were very honored to be nominated in three categories and very proud to receive the Be More Knowledgeable Award. Our teaching artists are extremely committed to the work we are doing in the schools. We are looking forward to continuing this important program well into the future."

For questions and requests, please contact Jessica Schubick at jschubick@floridastudiotheatre.org or at 941-366-9017 ext. 338.