I was recently asked “Did the Pandemic change your theatre?” And the answer is a resounding, “Yes.” The biggest change is in the audience. Their ears are “more prickly.” They are more easily offended. And many of them tend to take political sides, and indeed, politicize issues that were not intended to be political at all. The good news is that FST makes every effort … Continue reading Prickly Ears: The Post-Pandemic Years
Welcome back. It’s the beginning of a new season. And this new beginning is filled with anticipation, excitement, and just the right amount of gleeful fear. Why? Because now, we set out on a journey to bring the best in Contemporary Theatre to one of the best audiences in the land. I am entering my 43rd Season as your Artistic Director. When I started in … Continue reading FST is Back in Full Swing – A Personal Note from the Producing Artistic Director
As the Winter Season comes to a close, it is a time of reflection. We had a very successful winter despite the obstacles of COVID. But now, we have mostly come through it and we are the stronger for it. When I reflect on this past Winter Season, especially Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story and The Legend of Georgia McBride, I am reminded of how … Continue reading A Florida Studio Theatre Summer – A Personal Note from the Producing Artistic Director
We are living in an extraordinary time. The pandemic has demanded that we experience something dramatic and tragic together. And we have experienced it as a community and as a nation. Indeed, everyone on the planet is experiencing a common foe: COVID. And during all of this, theatre and art survive. People have poured into the theatre since our reopening in March. We have produced … Continue reading The Artistic Home & Why We Need It
Dear Friends and Patrons, There’s a light at the end of the tunnel…and it’s the spotlight on our stage! We know you’ve been eagerly awaiting an update on what this season is going to look like. We have good news and bad news. The good news is that there is a vaccine, and it’s well on its way. The medical community is projecting that a … Continue reading A Message from the Producing Artistic Director
(Abridged From Dangerous Ladies Shindig – February 24, 2020) When I arrived in 1980, we started with 72 seats and tin cans for lights. We had 103 subscribers and a budget of $140,000. That year, we survived and grew to 450 subscribers. I remind myself: Never forget your roots, Richard. We wanted to make great contemporary theatre that our friends could afford to come and … Continue reading FST Leading the Way
I am often asked, “What in the world prompted you to build five theatres!?!” My answer is simple: I did not set out to build five theatres. It just happened. Here is how it happened and why… We started the “resident operation” of FST in 1980. Before that, FST was an alternative touring theatre. The first five years we focused on producing challenging contemporary theatre. … Continue reading Five Theatres: A Case for Diversity
Welcome back. It’s the beginning of a new season. And this new beginning is filled with anticipation, excitement, and just the right amount of gleeful fear. Why? Because now, we set out on a journey to bring the best in contemporary theatre to one of the best audiences in the country. I am entering my 40th Season as your Artistic Director. When I started in … Continue reading Towards A Fervent Theatre
At FST, we are lucky to have such a large subscriber base. Subscribers are those individuals who sign up for an entire season of plays. There are significant dollar savings for the subscriber, plus subscribers get their choice of the best seats first. According to facts and figures provided by Theatre Communications Group (the service organization for the non-profit professional theatre in America), FST has … Continue reading Theatre for Audiences
New plays matter because they speak to the contemporary consciousness. FST has been developing and producing new plays since the mid-70s when Jon Spelman founded the theatre. Our New Play Development Program was “formalized” in the mid-80s. FST has produced over 100 new plays that have gone on to productions throughout the United States. We do it because new plays matter. New plays matter because … Continue reading New Plays Matter (More Than Ever)
FST Stage Directions 