Theatre professionals from the state of Florida will be travelling to Florida Studio Theatre to participate in Florida Artists Day, with a special highlighted discussion with Teresa Eyring, Executive Director of Theatre Communications Group, on Saturday, May 15.
Ms. Eyring will discuss the national state of non-profit arts. Florida theatre professionals and the public are invited to listen and partake in the conversation on Saturday, May 15 at 5:00 PM in the Keating Mainstage. The discussion is free, but reservations are required by calling the box office at 941.366.9000.
Teresa Eyring is Executive Director of Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for non-profit professional theatre. Prior to arriving at TCG in 2007, Ms. Eyring spent more than twenty years as an executive in theatres around the U.S. Positions included: managing director of The Children's Theatre Company (CTC) in Minneapolis from 1999-2007; managing director of the Wilma Theater in Philadelphia from 1994-1999; and assistant executive director of the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis from 1989-1993. She began her theatre career as director of development for the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington, D.C in 1983. She holds a BA in International Relations from Stanford University and an MFA in Theatre Administration from Yale School of Drama.
Ms. Eyring will also be the keynote speaker at the Young Playwrights Festival Award Ceremony that afternoon at 2:00 PM at Holley Hall.
"Teresa Eyring, as Executive Director of Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for non-profit professional theatre, is committed to the health and well-being of the American not-for-profit theatre," Artistic Director Richard Hopkins says. "She is a passionate and focused leader who works tirelessly to advance non-profit theatre through-out the United States. FST is very honored to have her as our keynote speaker for the Young Playwrights Festival and later at Florida Studio Theatre, providing a comprehensive speech on the state of American Theatre today. Audiences are invited to attend along with the professionals who will be in the audience."
In addition to the discussion, Florida theatre professionals may also participate in The Sarasota Festival of New Plays, by attending two new world premiere productions in the Winter Mainstage and Cabaret seasons - Shotgun by John Biguenet and Night Train to Memphis, developed by Richard Hopkins & Rebecca Langford.
The Sarasota Festival of New Plays is a two month-long celebration of new plays, however new play development at FST extends beyond its festivals. FST is continually developing new works through a series of commissions, closed-door readings, workshop productions and development roundtables that create new work on a year-round basis.
Known as Sarasota's Contemporary Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre was founded in 1973 by Jon Spelman. Starting out as a small touring company, FST traveled to places such as migrant camps and prisons. The company eventually settled down into a permanent home, acquiring the former Woman's Club building - now renamed the Keating Theatre. In the years that followed, Florida Studio Theatre established itself as a major force in American Theatre, presenting Contemporary Theatre in its three theatre venues: the Keating Theatre, the Goldstein Cabaret and its newest space, the Gompertz Theatre.
Even with its growth, Florida Studio Theatre remains firmly committed to making the arts accessible and affordable to a broad-based audience. Under Richard Hopkins, Artistic Director and CEO, FST develops theatre that speaks to our living, evolving, and dynamically changing world. As FST grows and expands, it continues to provide audiences with challenging, contemporary drama and innovative programs.
Florida Studio Theatre is grateful to the Florida Arts Council and the Sarasota County Arts Council, a Tourist Development Funded Program, for sponsoring the Sarasota Festival of New Plays.
