Summertime Brings A Jam-Packed Season Of Comedy At FST

Summertime Brings A Jam-Packed Season Of Comedy At FST

After the snowbirds have fled, comedy will descend on Sarasota with an action-packed summer of laughs! Florida Studio Theatre is bringing back another season of FST Improv, where Sarasota's homegrown troupe of funny guys are back for more shenanigans. The FST Improv season returns to its Saturday Night spot on June 25, and will continue on Saturdays this summer at 8pm in the Goldstein Cabaret. General admission seating is $12 each.

In addition to the FST Improv season, FST's Sarasota Improv Festival will bring two-nights of non-stop comedy to Downtown Sarasota with 10 of the hottest groups on the Improv scene nationwide. On July 15 and 16, acts from New York City, Boston, Austin, Miami, Atlanta (and everywhere in between) will perform on the Cabaret stage in the festival that Sarasota Magazine called "high-energy" and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune called "hilarious." Pricing varies for the weekend, with passes available for the weekend at $49, nightly at $29, and per individual show at $10/each.
In one-hour slots, favorite groups like Available Cupholders (Austin, TX), Dad's Garage (Atlanta, GA), ImprovBoston (Boston, MA), Just the Funny (Miami, FL), SAK Comedy (Orlando, FL), and City Hall (New York City) will perform different types of Improv shows: traditional Improv games, long-form comedy, short sketches and musical improv.

Rebecca Hopkins, coordinator of the FST Improv program and the Sarasota Improv Festival, said, "The past two years have been an absolute blast, and we are excited to bring back many of Sarasota's favorite groups from the past festivals in this years' bigger-than-ever 3rd annual fest. There is something for everyone... especially if you like to laugh a lot."

The full Sarasota Improv Festival line-up and schedule will be available soon.

The artist enthusiasm makes for a rollicking festival. Interest from participating artists to return began as soon as last year's festival ended. "It really speaks to the success of the festival that the performers are so eager to return," Mrs. Hopkins said. "We have no trouble getting our favorite groups to come back and be apart of the fun again."

David Charles from SAK Comedy said, "The Improv Festival is such an amazing event as both a participant and an audience member. It was such a joy to bring ‘Is This Seat Taken?' and our SAK show to such an appreciative audience, and a great chance to see so many inspiring pieces and performers... I was truly impressed with what you've managed to create here at Florida Studio Theatre. Thanks so much for giving improv such a vibrant home in central Florida."

Also, FST is happy to announce that Austin, Texas' troupe, Available Cupholders, will remain in Sarasota for an additional week for Improv master classes and two special performances. The master classes will take place in the evening on July 19, 20 and 21 and will span Improv comedy education and more. The master classes will be $25/each or $50 for all three.

Their special performance shows will be on Friday July 22 and 23 at 8pm in the Cabaret. Tickets are $15 per show. Mrs. Hopkins said, "They are putting together a special show together just for the weekend that will be completely off-the-wall and different from their Festival performance. The troupe is always exciting to work with. We have really enjoyed building a partnership with this Austin-based group."

For ticketing information, please find them online at www.FloridaStudioTheatre.org or call the box office at (941) 366-9000.

FST COMEDY SEASON SCHEDULE
FST Improv: Saturday, June 25 at 8pm
FST Improv: Saturday, July 2 at 8pm
FST Improv: Saturday July 9 at 8pm
Sarasota Improv Festival: Friday, July 15 beginning at 5pm
Sarasota Improv Festival: Saturday, July 16 beginning at 11am
Improv Workshops with Available Cupholders: July 19-21
Available Cupholders Special Performance: Friday, July 22 at 8pm
Available Cupholders Special Performance: Saturday, July 23 at 8pm
FST Improv Late Night: Saturday, July 23 at 10pm
FST Improv: Saturday, July 30 at 8pm
FST Improv: Saturday, August 6 at 8pm
FST Improv: Saturday, August 13 at 8pm
FST Improv: Saturday, August 20 at 8pm
FST Improv: Saturday, August 27 at 8pm

Florida Studio Theatre 1241 N. Palm Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34236
Box Office 941.366.9000
www.FloridaStudioTheatre.org

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