They say, “What’s past is prologue.” For playwright Mark St. Germain, though, the past is the main event. Throughout his career, St. Germain has thrilled and moved audiences with intimate looks at some of history’s most famous figures – from Doctor Ruth to Albert Einstein – making the past come alive in a way few other playwrights can. With this track record of combining the … Continue reading The Past is Present With Mark St. Germain
Kenneth Jones has always enjoyed theatre. For decades, he was an active voice in theatrical journalism, reporting on and writing reviews for shows across the Detroit area. Then, he decided to make a career change. Today, in addition to writing about theatre, he writes for theatre. His play, Alabama Story, has been produced by theatres across the country, (including FST, where it received its Regional … Continue reading Challenge and Change with Kenneth Jones
If laughter is the best medicine, then playwright Sandy Rustin has healed countless people. From musical sketches about the struggles of parenthood to a Noël Coward-esque romantic comedy, Rustin has shown she has a knack for making audiences laugh with plays that are as timeless as they are hilarious. Even now, she is bringing humor to theatre, with multiple new projects in development as a … Continue reading Finding the Funny with Sandy Rustin
Playwright Jeffrey Couchman has spent his career bringing historical stories to life that are as fascinating as they are shockingly true. As a part of FST’s Playwright Collective, Couchman is developing his latest project: Master of the Revels, a Shakespearean drama about an unassuming writer with a big secret. We sat down with Couchman to learn more about his involvement with the Collective and how … Continue reading Forging the Forger with Jeffrey Couchman
Sarah Bierstock has never been one to be boxed in. In addition to being an accomplished stage and screen actress – appearing on The Walking Dead, The Good Wife, and in Lincoln Center’s 2012 concert revival of the musical Chess – she is also a playwright and producer. Her debut play, Honor Killing, had its World Premiere production at FST in 2018, and has gone on to … Continue reading Catching Hope with Sarah Bierstock
It’s not every day that the Los Angeles Times describes a playwright as “a post-modern Clifford Odets.” Meet Jason Odell Williams. His plays have been performed Off-Broadway at New World Stages and Westside Theatre as well as theatres across the country. He has received numerous accolades for his work, including an Emmy nomination for his television writing and producing. He is also a dedicated member … Continue reading Building Bridges with Jason Odell Williams
Playwright Thomas Gibbons is not afraid to tackle tough questions. His previous work includes two plays that Florida Studio Theatre produced in the mid-2000s: Bee-luther-hatchee (2004) and Permanent Collection (2007). Both plays dive headfirst into complex issues surrounding the narratives we inherit and the stories we leave behind. Today, Gibbons is continuing to use theatre as means to explore the complications and contradictions of the human condition, … Continue reading Forging New Paths with Thomas Gibbons
Most playwrights strive to write plays that speak to the present. Jacqueline Goldfinger, however, goes several steps beyond. She writes plays that speak to the past, the present, and the future. She has earned countless awards for her bold theatrical vision, including the Yale Drama Series Prize and the Smith Prize for Political Theatre. We sat down with Goldfinger to learn more about her work … Continue reading A Timeless Vision with Jacqueline Goldfinger
First, we’re going to laugh. Then we’re going to talk. Even with 12 full-length plays under her belt, these ten words continue to shape Rachel Lynett‘s creative approach when writing for the stage. One of the newest additions to FST’s Playwright Collective, Lynett uses humor to bring the audience into a play’s world. Then she challenges them to reflect on topics like gender and race. … Continue reading A New Addition With Rachel Lynett
FST has long believed that all children deserve an outlet to energize their creativity and inspire their imaginations. That’s why we are so excited that José Casas, an award-winning author and professor of playwriting at the University of Michigan, is now bringing his creative spark to FST’s Playwright Collective. We sat down with Casas to learn more about his love for Children’s Theatre and how … Continue reading Sparking Inspiration with José Casas
FST Stage Directions 