Florida Studio Theatre's Stage III Series to Present GROUNDED

FST's Stage III series presents Grounded by George Brant. This powerful production of strength and self-discovery runs from March 22 through April 7 in Bowne's Lab Theatre. Tickets can be purchased online at www.floridastudiotheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at (941) 366-9000.

An unexpected pregnancy ends an ace fighter pilot's career in the sky. Reassigned to operate military drones from a windowless trailer outside Las Vegas, she hunts terrorists by day and returns to her family each night. As the pressure to track a high-profile target mounts, the boundaries begin to blur between the desert in which she lives and the one she patrols half a world away.

Critics weigh in on this intense drama. According to the New York Times it's "Gripping and intriguing." The Wall Street Journal says it's "A taut piece of storytelling." The Guardian agrees calling it "A searing piece of writing."

Cast in this one-woman show is returning FST company member, Rachel Moulton. She first made her debut on the FST stage in the production of Jericho by Jack Canfora. Moulton's other FST credits include The Columnist, Alabama Story, and The God of Isaac.

Moulton speaks to the personal responsibility she feels in approaching such a role. "To be entrusted to portray such an incredible character in a one-woman show is an absolute honor and one I cannot quite begin to articulate my gratitude for. I'm both thrilled and admittedly quite nervous to dive in because it is a very different world than I have existed in as an actress previously."

Diving into that truth and authenticity of Grounded will require some serious leg work. The start of this exploration will begin during the first week of rehearsals with a visit from LTC (Ret.) Scott Mann. A Green Beret, Entrepreneur, Storyteller, Trainer, Coach, and Author, Mann will work directly with Moulton to give training and insight behind the truth of being inside the cockpit.

Alexander further comments, "Having performed a one woman piece myself, I can also offer Rachel the guideposts - the work can be challenging for you are out on stage alone, depending on yourself. We call this experience, 'the Green Beret' work of acting. It is very demanding. Working on a one woman show is rewarding because you are delving into an interior landscape of the mind and heart. In two or more character plays the characters are in conflict with each other. Here, she is in conflict with herself and ultimately our society. Plumbing these depths of the interior, is like going deep sea treasure hunting. Both actor and director are plumbing depths together. That discovery process is deep and shared, a joy."

Grounded runs from March 22 through April 7 at Bowne's Lab Theatre. Tickets can be purchased online at www.floridastudiotheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at (941) 366-9000.

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.