FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Nicole Clayton
Public Relations Associate
(941) 366 – 9017 ext. 338
[email protected]
DATE: March 6, 2014
FST’s announces the Favorite Poem project
(Sarasota, FL) Florida Studio Theatre is pleased to announce the beginning of the 2014 Favorite Poem Project in partnership with BookStore1Sarasota. FST will host the 2014 Favorite Poem Reading with special guests, Mark Doty, winner of the National Book Award, and Kevin Young, award-winning poet on May 3, 2014 at 3pm in the Keating Theatre. Submission forms are available at the FST box office or at BookStore1Sarasota. All submissions are due in to BookStore1Sarasota no later than April 7. For more information please call the FST Box Office at 941-366-9000, visit floridastudiotheatre.org, or visit BookStore1Sarasota.com.
The Favorite Poem Project is just one component of the Poetry Life Weekend. This is an opportunity for community members to read their favorite poem aloud and to bring to life the work of their favorite poet. During this weekend from May 2nd – 3rd, students, educators, and poetry lovers will have the opportunity to listen to notable guest poets and be completely immersed in the written word. Bookstore1Sarasota will be hosting this weekend of beautiful words and inspiring poetry.
The Poetry Life program provides memorable opportunities for others who love poetry to listen to and celebrate the written word from individuals in the Sarasota community and from notable guest poets. BookStore1Sarasota and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation have made it possible to host this event along with Florida Studio Theatre.
One previous winner of the Favorite Poem Project and FST Board Member, Barbara Lupoff, speaks to the rewarding opportunity of participating in this event, “I participated in the first Favorite Poem Project in 2012. I read The Guest House by Rumi, a 12th century poet. Being part of the project was exhilarating! I loved the wide range of ‘favorite poems’. Humor; life and death; nature – all areas seemed to be part of the experience. Reading my ‘favorite poem’ was cathartic. Hearing it spoken out loud (and by me) gave it a new meaning and a new dimension. The whole event was joyous from beginning to end.”
Doty and Young will explore their work and methods with teachers at a luncheon honoring community educators, and students have the chance to submit their own work to present to the honorable poets for the Student Poetry Readings. All members of the community are encouraged to submit their favorite poem – written by an established poet – for the opportunity to participate as part of the Favorite Poem Reading.
The deadline for all submissions of favorite poems is April 7, 2014. Submission forms are available at the FST box office or at BookStore1Sarasota. Please send all submissions to PoetryLife Favorite Poem Project c/o Bookstore1Sarasota 1359 Main Street, Sarasota, Fl. 34236. You may also drop off materials at the store or by email at [email protected]. For more information please call the FST Box Office or visit floridastudiotheatre.org or BookStore1Sarasota.com.
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 eventually settled down into a permanent home, acquiring the former Woman’s Club building – now 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 Goldstein Cabaret, the Gompertz Theatre, the John C. Court Cabaret, and Bowne’s Lab.
Even with its growth, Florida Studio Theatre remains firmly committed to making the arts accessible and affordable to a broad-based audience. Under Richard Hopkins, Artistic Director and CEO, 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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Florida Studio Theatre 2013-14 Season
Winter Mainstage:
Monty Python’s Spamalot – November 13 thru January 25
Thurgood – December 11 thru March 8
Daddy Long Legs – February 5 thru April 5
Tom Jones – April 9 thru June 1
Winter Cabaret:
The Prima Donnettes – October 23 thru February 15
Poems, Prayers and Promises January 1 thru April 20
Too Darn Hot – February 19 thru June 7
Improv:
Out of Bounds –February 4, 7, 9, 14, 16, 22, 27 | March 1 | April 5
52 Card Pick Up –February 1,8, 15, 21, 28 | March 4, 9, 14, 16, 27 | April 4, 12
Text M… For MURDER! –March 7, 8, 15, 22, 28, 29 | April 1, 6, 11, 13, 24
Special Events:
Freud’s Last Session– March 12 – 23
Thurgood Forums Project – January thru February
For the Ages – October 1 thru May 1
Kids Komedy Club – December 21, 28, January 4, February 8, March 1
