This May, Florida Studio Theatre recognized Mrs. Cookie Boudreaux as the WRITE A PLAY Partner of the Year for her dedicated support of children in Sarasota and Manatee counties. A Sarasota-based business consultant and senior partner with Mark Kamin & Associates, Mrs. Boudreaux has been an Underwriter of FST’s award-winning arts-in-education program, WRITE A PLAY (WAP), for over five years. Mrs. Boudreaux was honored at … Continue reading Cookie Boudreaux: WRITE A PLAY Partner of the Year

Named in honor of FST founding Artistic Director, Jon Spelman, the Spelman Award is presented to an individual or institutional sponsor who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership through philanthropic support, stewardship, or service. Last month, we were proud to present the annual Spelman Award to program underwriters Wendy and Bob Grady at FST’s Denim and Diamonds Shindig fundraiser in recognition of their generous enthusiasm and financial … Continue reading FST Presents 29th Annual Spelman Award

By Meg Gilbert As Sarasota’s Contemporary Theatre, New Play Development is at the core of FST’s programming. FST’s annual Sarasota Festival of New Plays is dedicated to presenting fresh theatre by some of the top living playwrights of our time. The Richard and Betty Burdick Play Reading Series presented as part of the Festival provides a platform for works in progress to be heard, discussed, … Continue reading Old Friends and New Voices: The Sarasota Festival of New Plays

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 … Continue reading FST Presents 28th Annual Spelman Award

by Alex Hill Every year, FST presents The Richard and Betty Burdick New Play Reading Series, an endowed workshopping experience in which three new plays receive readings every May. Since its beginning in 1996, the series has gone on to help numerous shows reach the stage, including this season’s How to Use a Knife and Honor Killing. During the series, actors, playwrights, and audience members … Continue reading The Richard and Betty Burdick Reading Series

by Amanda Moths and Melody Mora-Shihadeh Muriel O’Neil was not just an avid fan of Florida Studio Theatre productions. She was also a great friend of the theatre. In addition to many years of attending shows at FST, her dedication and selfless hours of volunteer work further demonstrated her passion and appreciation for the art of theatre. Muriel sadly passed away in 2013. But thanks … Continue reading Planned Giving Matters

by Amanda Moths and Becca Jennings On February 26th, FST will celebrate rebirth and revival at Shakespeare’s Shindig: A Modern Day Renaissance. Inspired by an iconic period of artistic and cultural transformation, this year’s annual fundraiser celebrates some of FST’s own exciting transformations with a nod to one of the most influential artists of the English Renaissance, William Shakespeare. American theatre itself is experiencing a … Continue reading A Nod to the Past, An Eye Towards the Future