FST Adds 2/8 & 15 Improv Performances

Due to a successful opening, the FST Improv troupe will continue to bring on the laughter with two additional performances on Friday, February 8 and Friday, February 15 at 8:30pm. The Improv troupe creates characters and sketches on the spot. Not even the performers know what to expect - until it happens. Sarasota's original antidepressant performances will take place in the Goldstein Cabaret on Saturday nights at 8:30pm through February 2, with the added performances on Friday, February 8 and Friday, February 15 at 8:30pm.

FST's resident funny girl and Improv director Rebecca Hopkins, who also happens to be the Managing Director of the theatre, said "What originally drew me to improv back in the last century was the roughness of it. It was instant. I was drawn the idea that comedy happens everywhere. It is right in front of us every day - you just have to know how to look at things. I have done improv in parks, movie theatres, offices and parking lots, but my greatest joy has been performing on the Goldstein stage. There is nothing like working with 100 people every Saturday night to create a new show. That's what we do - instant new play development. We take the audience's seed of an idea, interpret it, twist it and reflect it back in a way that is surprisingly true and (hopefully) funny." Taking what is right in front of them in the form of audience suggestions, the element of the unknown makes every improv show unique - and creates some exciting and hilarious moments onstage.

The FST Improv returning cast includes Adam Ratner, Christine Alexander, Tim Beasley, Angel M. Parker, Darryl Knapp, Steve Turrisi, Chris Friday, Catey Brennan, and Jim Prosser on the piano. This season will welcome special performer Jay Hopkins from Orlando's Jester Theater.

Jay Hopkins has been improvising, acting, directing and writing professionally since 1988.

In 2004, with his wife Diana, he formed Jester Theater (Orlando's only professional all-comedy theatre company), where he has performed in or directed several shows over the company's eight seasons. These include A Tuna Christmas, Moonlight and Magnolias, Noises Off, the Southeast premiere of The Musical of Musicals: The Musical and most recently Almost, Maine. In 2008, Samuel French, Inc. published his play The Iliad, The Odyssey and All of Greek Mythology in 99 Minutes or Less which is currently being performed all around the US.

FST Improv performances will run for a limited engagement on Saturdays at 8:30pm through February 23, 2013 in FST's Goldstein Cabaret, with the added performances on Friday, February 8 and Friday, February 15 at 8:30pm. Tickets are $12 per person and may be purchased from the FST Box Office in person, by phone at (941) 366-9000 or online at www.FloridaStudioTheatre.org. FST is located in historic downtown Sarasota at 1241 North Palm Avenue, Sarasota FL 34236.

To post a comment, you must register and login.