Named in honor of FST Founding Artistic Director, John Spelman, the Spelman Award is an annual award presented to an individual or corporate sponsor who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership by providing FST with spiritual, financial, and/or in-kind support. On February 26, 2018 at Shakespeare’s Shindig, FST was proud to present the 28th Annual Spelman Award to Mr. Arnold Simonsen in recognition of his generous $1 million gift for the purchase of 1234 1st Street, located adjacent to FST’s administrative parking lot. Dedicated in October 2017, the new building will provide much needed room for additional workspaces and rehearsal studios, as well as accommodations for the company’s growing production needs.

“Arnold Simonsen has not only provided critical working space for our staff and additional parking, but this purchase completes our southern campus, giving us so much greater flexibility looking into the future,” said FST Board President Dennis McGillicuddy. “It is his vision and understanding of the strategic nature of the projects which he has supported that we so greatly appreciate.”