Florida Studio Theatre Opens the NNPN Rolling World Premiere, SHOTGUN 4/7-5/29

Florida Studio Theatre wraps up its Winter Mainstage Season with John Biguenet's, National New Play Networks Rolling World Premiere, Shotgun. "Exposes with power and grace," exclaimed The Times-Picayune, Shotgun begins April 7 and continues through May 29, 2010.

The place is a little shotgun apartment in New Orleans, four months post-Katrina. In the wake of natural disaster, the drama is just beginning. Families clash and racial tensions rise. A play of love, hope and humor in celebration of the human spirit.

"There's still hope," Biguenet stated in a recent interview, among the people of New Orleans. There was an element of optimism after the crisis that maybe New Orleans would take this opportunity not just to fix houses and infrastructure, but maybe they would fix education, crime, and racism in the city. According to Biguenet the central question of the play is "Is it possible to change?" Shotgun explores this question on many levels. Can the characters change to adapt to a new way of life? Can a city change to re-establish its national identity?

Shotgun is the second installment in John Biguenet's "Rising Water" trilogy. Florida Studio Theatre is the third and final stop of the National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere, part of the NNPN's Continued Life of New Plays Fund, a cooperative venture designed to ensure that new plays will see future productions beyond the initial debut. Partnerships of three theatres receive funds in support of multiple productions of the same new play, guaranteeing the play national exposure. The "rolling" premiere began at Southern Rep in New Orleans, May 6, 2009 and recently opened at Orlando Shakespeare Theater. 

Shotgun includes the talents of; retuning cast member New York Actor Freddie Bennett as Willie Williams, who is currently in the critically-acclaimed Ruined at FST. His regional credits include Puck in A Midsummer Nights Dream, Casca in Julius Caesar and Ruben in The Age of Grace, New York Actor Robert Kya-Hill as Dexter Godchaux, whose credits include Crooks in Of Mice and Men, Othello in numerous productions of Othello and television roles in One Life to Live, Eight is Enough and Good Times, and New York Actor Tom Patterson as Eugene Harlan. His regional credits include Macbeth in Macbeth, which he received an outstanding performance award (ShakesFest at Notre Dame), Whit in Of Mice and Men and Edwards in the National Tour of The Color of Justice.

Completing the cast is New York Actor William Peden as Beau Harlan, whose regional credits include Kippy in Take Me Out, Davis in Red Light Winter and Young Bear in Bear County. His television credits include Guiding Light, All My Children and Law and Order, and New York Actress Maya Lynne Robinson as Mattie Godchaux. Her regional credits include the Helen Hayes nominated performance as Izzie Mae in Insurrection: Holding History, and Sally Simpson in Tommy, the Musical, and Echoes of the Past and Voices of Hope, which are both one woman shows.

Associate Director, Kate Alexander directs the production. Ms. Alexander ministers to the artistic needs of the theatre and its many community and state educational programs: pioneering the acting training method for children which serves as the foundation for the FST School and co-developed the award-winning WRITE A PLAY program touching the lives of over 55,000 children annually. She has directed over 25 shows, including are Shirley Valentine, , Pure Confidence, Wit, Proof, The Exonerated, Brooklyn Boy and this year's Bridge & Tunnel and performed in leading roles such as Golda's Balcony, Master Class and The Occupant. . . Ms. Alexander is the recipient of numerous acting, directing and public service awards. She co-authored the book Ideas for the Animated Short: Finding and Building Stories.

Designers for the production include Bob Phillips as Scenic Designer, Melissa Schlachtmeyer as Costume Designer and Robert Perry as Lighting Designer.

The engaging Shotgun opens April 7 and continues through May 29, 2010 at the Keating Theatre. Tickets are $19 - $32 and may be purchased from the FST Box Office in person, by phone (941) 366 - 9000 or online at www.floridastudiotheatre.org ! 

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 Robert and Bonny Israeloff, Dennis and Graci McGillicuddy and Jules & Sheila Rose for underwriting the 2009 - 2010 Mainstage Season and to the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice, Florida Arts Council, Sarasota Arts Council, Tourist Development Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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