(Sarasota, FL) — Florida Studio Theatre will host a 60’s Shindig on February 22, 2016 at 5:30pm in the Hegner Theatre Wing. Celebrating FST’s ongoing campaign to support the Rosemary Artist Housing Project, this 60’s shindig will also include the presentation of this year’s Jon Spelman Award. Tickets are $200 per person with proceeds supporting the ongoing work of FST. To reserve a seat, please call Steve Turrisi, Development Associate at (941)-366-0932.
The evening kicks off at 5:30pm with a festive wine and hors d’oeuvres reception that will take place in the Hegner Theatre Wing, followed by a performance of From Yesterday to Today in the Gompertz Theatre. This one-night only performance will showcase the music of the 1960’s and feature the cast of Yesterday along with other FST artists. Also returning to the FST Stage are the Blue Eyed Bettys, a harmony driven string-band who first met while performing in FST’s previous Cabaret production of Poems, Prayers, and Promises. Concluding the evening will be a seated dinner in FST’s Green Room Café, John C. Court Cabaret, and Bowne’s Lab that will treat guests to food, music, and entertainment.
The 60’s Shindig will honor Ernie Kretzmer, who recently made the leading gift to the Rosemary Artist Housing Project in loving memory of his wife Alisa. The funds raised will help offset the remaining cost of the project, providing visiting artists, interns, and apprentices with safe, accessible housing in close proximity to our campus. An artist’s comfort at home translates into a superior performance in the workplace and a higher quality artistic product.
FST actor Gil Brady speaks to the impact of having an artistic home away from home stating, “I cannot begin to tell you how grateful and lucky I am to have had all the opportunities I’ve had at FST both on and off stage – playing a huge range of roles, being able to teach classes, being able to take classes, and being able to do readings and workshops of new plays. I’ve worked with some of the best people, incredibly talented people, but people who also have incredibly good hearts – and that’s rare to find in my business. FST just seems to have a knack for finding them. I have made lifelong friends at FST – not to mention the best restaurants and beaches in the entire country are there, all of which I’ve enjoyed multiple times.”
Now a permanent Sarasota resident, FST actress Liz Power explains her move from the Big Apple to Sarasota. “I lived in New York City for 13 years and I just recently moved to Sarasota. So, why would I move from NYC to Sarasota? Well, Sarasota has become a beacon of arts and culture and I feel that FST is a cornerstone of that scene. People come here from all over, not just for the great beaches but to experience world-class art – and that’s what FST provides.”
FST veteran actor, Richie McCall also agrees stating, “I’ve had the opportunity to work at FST many times over the last 16 years and for me one of the greatest things I love is to be surrounded by the creative energy that’s there. At one time there might be five different productions being played at night while at the same time at least three more new productions being rehearsed during the day. So between all artists, designers, and production team, this place is a creative vortex for me and a pretty terrific and liberating place for any artist to want to work at.”
On February 22, 2016, these theatre artists and their supporters will all come together for a groovy gathering to celebrate FST’s ongoing campaign to support the Rosemary Artist Housing Project.
The 60’s Shindig kicks off at 5:30pm in the Hegner Theatre Wing. Tickets are $200 per person with proceeds supporting the ongoing work of FST. $100 of the ticket price is tax deductible. To reserve a seat, please call Steve Turrisi, Development Associate, at (941)-366-0932.
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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