(Sarasota, FL) —Do you ever get that feeling when you can’t stop laughing? Don’t worry, even after the festival, you don’t have to stop. Before returning home to Austin, TX, Available Cupholders will perform their original video stylie show, Crass Menagerie on July 16 and 17 at 7:30pm. This hilarious team will also host two workshops on July 14 and 15. Tickets for Crass Menagerie are available for $15. To purchase tickets please call the Box Office at 366-9000 or visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org. Single workshops are $30 or two for $50. To enroll, please call Pamela Smith, Education Administrator at 941-366-1350.
Audiences may remember Available Cupholders hit show from last season after the festival, 15 Minute Hamlet. FST Improv Director, Will Luera speaks to the anticipated return of this festival favorite stating, “Available Cupholders are one of America’s premiere improvisation troupes and FST is proud to host them again as a special post-festival guest. Following our 7th Annual Festival, Available Cupholders will host a couple of their signature workshops plus the FST premiere of Crass Menagerie. Crass Menagerie begins with a series of short films that act as seedlings to improv inspiration. After viewing several pre-shot video pieces, you, the studio audience, will vote on which one you would like to see the Cupholders improvise to completion using their brand of fast and funny long form improvised theatre. Then on Saturday, the Cupholders will rotate in a new video that they have just shot in Sarasota to replace the one that was picked Friday night! The show is a unique experience for all fans of comedy.”
For those who want to strengthen their funny bones, the Cupholders will also be teaching a workshop called Storytelling Bootcamp. These improvisers are nationally renowned for their brand of narrative improv that strives for the look of a scripted play. The Cupholders use this workshop time to lead some of the storytelling exercises that they have utilized to achieve their look and their reputation. Every form of improv has storytelling at its base, whether its short form, long form, mid form, stretch four, peek and pop, flowey, mastication, Revolve (TM), or even The Dissertation (TM). You’ll come away a better improviser whatever form you practice, even if it was just made up for this workshop description.
Keeping the laughs going, on Wednesday July 15, the Cupholders will teach their final workshop, The Inner Game of Improv. The Cupholders will walk students through their unique take on what makes improv tick and how to train yourself to improvise better, faster, and as painlessly as possible. To get specific, this class is based on one of their favorite books of all time, The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey. The crossovers to improv are numerous and particularly enlightening.
Tickets for Crass Menagerie are available for $15. To purchase tickets please call the Box Office at
366-9000 or visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org. Single workshops are $30 or two for $50. To enroll, please call Pamela Smith, Education Administrator at 941-366-1350.
About Florida Studio Theatre
Known as Sarasota’s Contemporary Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre was founded in 1973 by 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 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.
Available Cupholders Post-Festival Schedule
Tuesday, July 14
Storytelling Bootcamp Workshop, 7-9pm, Bowne’s Lab
Nationally renowned for their brand of narrative improv that strives for the look of a scripted play, the Cupholders use this workshop time to lead some of the storytelling exercises that they have utilized to achieve their look and their reputation. Every form of improv has storytelling at its base, whether its short form, long form, mid form, stretch four, peek and pop, flowey, mastication, Revolve (TM), or even The Dissertation (TM). You’ll come away a better improviser whatever form you practice, even if it was just made up in this description.
Tuesday, July 16
The Inner Game of Improv Workshop, 7-9pm, Bowne’s Lab
The Cupholders will walk students through their unique take on what make improv tick and how to train yourself to improvise better, faster, and as painlessly as possible. To get specific, this class is based on one their favorite books of all time, The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey. The crossovers to improv are numerous and particularly enlightening.
Thursday, July 16
7:30pm – Crass Menagerie, Bowne’s Lab
Crass Menagerie begins with a series of short films that act as seedlings to improv inspiration. After viewing several pre-shot video pieces, you, the studio audience, will vote on which one you would like to see the Cupholders improvise to completion using their brand of fast and funny long form improvised theatre. Saturday, the Cupholders’ll rotate in a new video that they have just shot in Sarasota to replace the one that was picked Friday night! Saturday’s show will be completely different.
Saturday, July 17
7:30pm – Crass Menagerie, Bowne’s Lab
Crass Menagerie begins with a series of short films that act as seedlings to improv inspiration. After viewing several pre-shot video pieces, you, the studio audience, will vote on which one you would like to see the Cupholders improvise to completion using their brand of fast and funny long form improvised theatre. Saturday, the Cupholders’ll rotate in a new video that they have just shot in Sarasota to replace the one that was picked Friday night! Saturday’s show will be nearly completely different.
