The Burt Reynolds Institute Presents SHOTS!

Managing Director Donna Carbone announced the first offering in the Burt Reynolds Institute's new Plays in Progress black box theater series. Carbone, a published author and playwright, is also the moderator of the Institute's creative writing class. SHOTS! was written by 18-year-old Christina Karabiyik, a student in that class, and offers an in-depth look at gun violence from the perspective of those facing the possibility of death. Her reason for writing this play was personal. A few years ago, she lived directly across the street from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

According to Carbone, Karabiyik is unusual for someone so young. "She is a deep thinker and able to see the world with exceptional peripheral vision. She is an avid reader open to all viewpoints. Christina considers everything she hears and reads before forming an opinion," Carbone said in a recent interview.

Karabiyik wrote her first novel - Lethal Dejection - at the age of 14. With Carbone's help, the book was edited over the past year and is now in the hands of a literary agent. Karabiyik is also a talented vocal performer and recently celebrated her 18th birthday by singing for her favorite movie star, Burt Reynolds, and his guests at Reynolds' by invitation only master class. "Christina will be graduating college in a few months... long before most students get to wear a cap and gown. She is poised for a brilliant and successful career in whatever field she chooses," Carbone said.

Featured in the play will be Institute students James Hook, Daniel Condon, Megan Zwaans, Robert Romero, Elizabeth Londre, Tashna Richards and Debbie Dailey. Hook, Richards and Dailey are students in Burt Reynolds master class. Condon, Zwaans and Romero study with Marc Zatorsky and Sherman Roberts, who is also directing the play. Londre is another of Carbone's writing students whom Carbone describes as the perfect coupling of Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Edgar Allan Poe.

Making the production of SHOTS! even more special, Carbone is partnering with the owner of Entre Nous Bistro, which is located just a few steps from the Institute's front door. "Every ticket sold will include a $10.00 gift certificate toward dinner at Entre Nous, one of the best restaurants in northern Palm Beach County.

Ticket holders can use the gift certificate to enjoy a meal before the show or on any evening of their choosing. Reservations are required. With access to such a beautiful restaurant, a dinner theatre type production seemed the perfect fit. The Institute is blessed to be located at the Village Shoppes of North Palm Beach, where every business is supportive of each other," Carbone beamed.

Show time is 7:00 pm. Tickets are $20.00 and include a $10.00 gift certificate toward dinner at Entre Nous Bistro. Seating is limited. Information and tickets are available by calling 561 743-9955.

For more information and directions, contact Donna Carbone at info@burtreynoldsinstitute.org.

The Burt Reynolds Institute is located at: 115 U.S. Highway One, North Palm Beach, Florida. Carbone advised NOT using GPS. She will send directions to anyone not familiar with the location.

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