New Dragonfly Studio 129 Officially Opens in Ocoee with Four First Names Improv Team, 6/29

To officially commemorate the opening of Ocoee, Fla.'s only performance space, the brand-new Dragonfly Studio 129 will be welcoming the acclaimed improve team Four First Names, featuring Richard Regan Paul and Chris Barry, for a monthly residency of improvised music, scenes, and conversations.

The first "It's Improvised at the 129" show will be Friday, June 29 at 8:00 p.m. and will feature some of Orlando's best and most active independent improv teams; The Runaways (Carolyn Fin and Rebecca Walters Penguin), Knife Fight (Crystal Gray and Danny Loeken Marvy), Lemons (Laura Davis and Jillian McNamara) and The Business Women (Rachel Dabney and Ray Cartegena). Dragonfly Studio and Production's owner and executive producer Elaine Pechacek will join in the festivities at the piano.

You can purchase tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/its-improvised-at-the-129-tickets-46900544792. Tickets will be $10 online in advance, or $12 cash at the door. Beer and wine will be available for purchase, and complimentary snacks will be provided.

Four First Names will be back at Studio 129 with other guests and hilarious improv on July 27 and September 14.

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Dragonfly Studios and Productions officially opened in downtown Ocoee in April 2017 as Pechacek's teaching studio and expanded next door earlier this spring with the opening of Studio 129 (129 West McKey Street, Ocoee, FL 34761). The new studio will serve as both a second teaching studio, as well as the only public, commercial performance space in Ocoee.

Dragonfly Studio 129 is a charming, intimate performance venue that is fully convertible to fit the needs of any given production or event. Over the coming weeks, Pechacek­, who is also an award-winning composer, and producing artistic director Matt Tamanini will announce the venue's first full season of events, including additional residencies, concerts, cabarets, theatrical productions, readings, workshops, and more.

Pechacek envisions this unique space as a home for the Orlando performing arts community to try new things in a safe, supportive, and cost-efficient environment.

"I have always wanted a small performance space to not only have for my own purposes, but to also help the theatre community," Pechacek said, "to provide a space where they can explore their craft, learn via workshops and master classes, and perform. This new venue is just that, a place where we all can come and grow together in an environment that is loving, kind, and supportive. We are a community, and when we connect our gifts, amazing things can happen."

Tamanini added that the unique confines provide a special opportunity for artists to reimagine plays, musicals, concerts, cabarets, and more.

"The beauty of this venue is that it allows artists of all types to take risks in a space that is focused specifically on that," he said. "Because of the size and flexibility, artists will be able to create without the pressures associated with expensive rentals or the unrealistic physical expectations that saddle independent artists. With those stresses mostly eliminated, they can get back to doing what they do best, telling stories, singing, creating, and entertaining."

One pillar that Pechacek says will be at the center of what Dragonfly Studio 129 stands for is providing emerging and independent artists a home to develop their voices and their works.

"I want Dragonfly Studio 129 to be an incubator that launches new works, concepts, and artists into this industry," Pechacek said. "I want Dragonfly to be a starting point on peoples' journeys, a place where they can fail safely and without judgement en route to making the most of their talents and their art."

You can follow Dragonfly Studio and Productions on:
Facebook: facebook.com/Dragonfly-Studio-Productions-132573807272801
Twitter: @DflyStudio129
Instagram: @dragonflystudioandproductions

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