by Caroline Kaiser

Now in its third year, FST’s Children’s Theatre series is soaring to new heights with magic, adventure, and holiday spirit for the whole family.

First up is a new take on the timeless classic, Peter Pan. Journey with Peter and friends to Neverland, a magical island where there are no parents, no chores, and fairies and pirates rule! This show is the perfect introduction for a whole new generation of children to the characters you loved from J.M. Barrie’s masterpiece: Wendy Darling, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook, a horde of mischievous Lost Boys, Nana the dog, and – last but not least – a very hungry, ticking crocodile.

Then, just in time for the holidays, we’re getting into the spirit with Deck the Halls: Home for the Holidays, an all-new cabaret celebrating everything that makes the Winter Season in Sarasota special.

Beginning in February, we dive into a magical fairytale world that features a beautiful princess, her evil queen, a huntsman, one magic mirror, and the legendary seven dwarfs – all brought to life by two actors in Snow White.

Our Children’s Theatre season concludes with our annual showcase of winning plays written by children in Kindergarten through Fifth grade in A Beary Big Adventure and Other Winning Plays. This production is the culmination of our 28th Annual award-winning WRITE A PLAY (WAP) program, encouraging young people to expand their imaginations and write plays of their very own. An audience favorite every year, this series of plays highlights the exceptional achievements of children in our own community, as well as our partnerships with Camden, NJ and our sister cities abroad.

“At FST, we produce theatre for children for the very same reason we produce theatre for grownups,” said Artistic Producing Director Richard Hopkins. “We do it to create the uncreated conscience of the race. The only difference between theatre for adults and theatre for children, as the great Russian director Konstantin Stanislavski said, is that theatre for children must be better!”

Keeping with Florida Studio Theatre’s mission to make theatre accessible and affordable, shows play during the week to school groups and are available to the public on the weekends. A season subscription for all four shows is just $20, which is less than the cost of a movie ticket.

Subscriptions and single tickets are available for Children’s Theatre at 941.366.9000
or floridastudiotheatre.org.