The Florida Studio Theatre or FST is a non-profit theatre located in Sarasota, Florida. It produces contemporary plays, with over 32,000 subscribers a year, more than any theatre its size in the country. It has been in operation since 1973 and currently serves over 200,000 attendees per year. Its major programs include the Mainstage Series, the Cabaret Series, Stage III, New Play Development, Education, and WRITE A PLAY. Available spaces include the historic Keating and Gompertz Theatres, the Parisian-style Goldstein Cabaret, the John C. Court Cabaret, the Bowne's Lab Theatre and The Green Room café and bar.
Mainstage
Florida Studio Theatre Overview - An Overview of Florida Studio Theater, Sarasota's Contemporary Theatre.
The Mainstage is FST’s flagship program, producing the best in contemporary American theatre by presenting plays that speak to a living, evolving and dynamically changing world. The Mainstage Series features seven annual productions that draw from new works, regionally produced works and the latest Off-Broadway and Broadway plays. The creation and fostering of new works is a cornerstone of FST’s livelihood, having produced 33 world premieres and 89 regional premieres in the Mainstage series.
Cabaret
The Cabaret series had its inaugural season in 1996 and now houses entertaining musical and improvisation performances. Popular music of all forms has come to life over the past 19 years on the intimate stage. This program celebrates the lyric poets of our time, as well as presenting social and political satire. The Cabaret is also integral to the creation of new work, and has produced 40 world premieres.
Stage III
FST's Stage III presents socially significant productions, with challenging content in unique forms. It has featured productions like Edward Albee’s The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?, Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Shear Madness.
WRITE-A-PLAY
WRITE A PLAY is celebrating its 25th anniversary! Since its inception, the WRITE A PLAY program has impacted over one million children throughout Florida and beyond, inspiring students to open their minds, explore their imaginations, and then, write it down. During the course of a school year, professional artists encourage students in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade to write their own original plays through the WRITE A PLAY arts in education initiative and submit to FST's annual Young Playwrights Festival.
Education
FST’s education program offers children and adults a wealth of opportunities to discover their creativity, with offerings of over 20 classes weekly. Classes are offered each week to students aged five to 95 in theatre, dance and music. Florida Studio Theatre is happy to provide community outreach programs for financially disadvantaged, physically and mentally challenged youth, and nursing home residents. FST’s Children and Adult Scholarship Program provides about 15 percent of all participants with full or partial tuition waivers.
New Play Development
New Play Development is the lifeblood of Florida Studio Theatre. FST’s philosophy of new play development is one that goes beyond the World Premiere. This is why, along with developing World Premieres such as Ethel Waters: His Eye is on the Sparrow, FST frequently provides plays with their second, third, or fourth productions. For example, in 2006, Around the World in 80 Days received an early production at FST before going on to an Off-Broadway run. FST receives 8,000 new plays a year from established, emerging, and young writers. Many new scripts developed through this program reach the Mainstage and Cabaret Theatre stages.
Improv
FST Improv is a successful comedy troupe performing in Bowne's Lab Theatre. Hailed as "Sarasota's Original Anti-depressant", they perform sketches and create wacky characters for sold out audiences.
References
External links
Official website
