This Week at Florida Studio Theatre, May 12, 2015

 

Katelyn McKelley and Adam Ratner. Photo by FST.

Come see the cast of FST Improv perform in their new show, Kids Comedy Lab, on SATURDAY, MAY 16 AT 11 AM. FST Improv performs for kids! This improv and music extravaganza is completely made up on the spot every week based on your suggestions and your participation. The cast of FST Improv performs scenes, create songs, and tell stories that are appropriate for all ages. Cool down with a snow cone from the Baltimore Snowball Factory. These will be available for purchase at this special Kid’s Comedy Lab performance!

Kids Comedy Lab offers an entertaining and engaging afternoon for both youth and adults to have fun and laugh out loud. FST’s Director of Improv, Will Luera, speaks to the approach of this exciting and youthful brand of humor stating, “The FST Improv approach to our new family-friendly show is to borrow from the Pixar success formula – to create an experience that is accessible to children but enjoyable for audiences of all ages.”

FST’s Lead Children’s Teaching Artist, Adam Ratner, has experienced first-hand the benefits of Improvisation for the youth population.  “Improv with kids creates a great opportunity for them to express themselves creatively. I find that once they become comfortable on stage, it’s hard to get them off. It makes them comfortable in social situations, speaking in front of others, standing up for themselves, and often their humor is presented without a filter that we as adults impose on ourselves,” said Ratner.
Join in the laughter Saturday, May 16 in Bowne’s Lab, with Kids Comedy Lab. The performance begins at 11am and doors open at 10am. Tickets are $6 with free admission for kids 5 and under, making it affordable and fun to bring the whole family. Fruit roll-up and juice box will be provided. All tickets can be purchased online at floridastudiotheatre.org, by phone at (941) 366-9000, or by visiting the

FST Box Office.

 

Jason Cannon.

Jason Cannon is an Associate Artist here at FST, where his responsibilities include directing New Play Development, leading the Acting Apprentice Program, teaching in Adult Education, directing and acting in various productions, and participating in community outreach.

Jason spent most of his life in the Midwest and is a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan but can’t imagine ever living away from the water again. He joined FST in 2012 after 14 years freelancing in St. Louis as an actor, director, playwright, producer, and educator.  He just appeared as “Ever Montgomery” in Dancing Lessons on the FST Mainstage.

He is a seven-time Kevin Kline Award nominee (and one time winner for Outstanding Leading Actor), an alum of DirectorsLab Chicago, co-founder of the GreenHouse New Play Festival, co-founder and former Board President of the Professional Theatre Council of St. Louis, and former Producing Artistic Director of Ozark Actors Theatre in Rolla, MO.  He holds an MFA in Directing from Lindenwood University, an MA in Drama from Washington University in St. Louis, and a BA in Theatre and English from Greenville College. Jason is a proud member of SDC, AEA, and SAG-AFTRA.

Outside of work, Jason embraces the Gulf Coast lifestyle and enjoys running, kayaking, biking, the downtown famer’s market, and the beaches. He also enjoys playing old-school board games and trying out new recipes such as key lime pie, tiramisu, and smoked pulled pork.

“FST is the most mission-driven theatre I have ever worked with, and very quickly has come to feel like my true artistic home.” 

– Jason Cannon, Associate Artist