FST Welcomes New Director of Artistic Operations and Marketing Director

Florida Studio Theatre is pleased to announce the appointments of the Director of Artistic Operations, Greg London and Marketing Director, Becca Jennings.

In his role, London will serve as a "Chief of Staff" for the Producing Artistic Director. This newly created position comes as a result of the tremendous growth seen in the last few years at Florida Studio Theatre. London will work as liaison with the Production Department, Casting and Creative Staff hiring, as well as the Literary Department and New Play Development. London comes to FST with over 20 years of professional theatre experience. Having worked at numerous theatres throughout North America, Greg is a highly experienced director, teacher, actor, and theatre manager. Working with a variety of theatres across the country such as Celebration Music Theatre, The Palace Theatre, Richmond Free Shakespeare Festival, and the Spoleto Festival, USA, he also holds an MFA from Arizona State University. He has even graced the FST stage as Edna in the 2014 production of Hairspray.

According to London, "Since FST is so prolific in its yearly offerings, I will serve as a new resource to assist Producing Artistic Director Richard Hopkins and help ensure that additional support is available to FST's hard working staff. I'm also excited that I will have an opportunity to teach and direct. I couldn't be happier that FST has invited me in and given me this opportunity."

In her role as the Marketing Director, Jennings will oversee the entire Marketing Department. Jennings will manage all aspects of Public Relations, Communications, Advertising, and Digital/Social Media. Jennings speaks to her excitement of joining the FST team. "Arts accessibility is a core value for me," said Jennings. "I'm excited to join the team here at Florida Studio Theatre, an organization committed to providing artistically excellent theatre to the broadest possible audience."

Joining FST all the way from Philadelphia, PA, Jennings previously served as Marketing and Communications Manager for First Person Arts. An artist herself, Becca holds a BFA in 2D Fine Art and a Minor in Art History from Moore College of Art & Design. Working with lead marketers at Philadelphia's local NPR station WHYY, she also helped create and launch a
co-branded WHYY/FPA news-themed storytelling event series, podcast, and radio hour, Commonspace, which debuted on air in January 2017.

Over the years, FST has grown into a thriving theatre operation with a total of five performance spaces. In house artistic operations are in effect year round for the Winter Mainstage and Cabaret series, Summer Mainstage and Cabaret series, Stage III series, Improv series, Children's Theatre series, and year-round Education classes. As a direct result, it has become necessary to expand staffing to meet this growth in programming needs.

Artistic Director Richard Hopkins speaks to the positive effects of this expansion as it relates not only to FST staff, but to the quality of theatre produced for future audiences. "Over the past few years FST has enjoyed the growth of our Artistic Staff with the addition of Catherine Randazzo and Jason Cannon who came on board as Associate Artists. The creation of this position is another step forward in the advancement and enhancement of our Resident Artistic Staff. Our goal is one of constant improvement that results in the highest caliber experience for both artist and audience."

London states, "The focus and scope of the work at FST is astounding. I love to enable artists to do what they do best and FST's commitment to actor centered production and play development is a perfect match for my aesthetic. Personally, I have always hoped to be a part of a likeminded, supportive theatre community."

Jennings concludes, "Even more than a fun night out, theatre is a mirror through which we come to better understand ourselves, each other, and the world around us. I'm excited to join the team here at Florida Studio Theatre, Sarasota's contemporary theatre committed to presenting professional artistic performances that are both entertaining and challenging."

ABOUT FLORIDA Studio Theatre

Known as Sarasota's Contemporary Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre was founded in 1973 by Artist Jon Spelman. Starting out as a small touring company, FST traveled to places such as migrant camps and prisons. The company then acquired the former Woman's Club building, becoming the first permanent venue. Shortly after Producing Artistic Director, Richard Hopkins arrived, the building was purchased and 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 five theatre venues: the Keating Theatre, the Gompertz Theatre, the Parisian style Goldstein Cabaret and John C. Court Cabaret, and Bowne's Lab Theatre.

Even with its growth, Florida Studio Theatre remains firmly committed to making the arts accessible and affordable to a broad-based audience. 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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