Single Tickets For The 10th Anniversary Sarasota Improv Festival Are Now On Sale

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) announces the onsale of single tickets for its 10th Anniversary Sarasota Improv Festival. Over the course of the three-day Festival (July 12, 13, and 14), locals and tourists will travel to this destination event to see some of the world's best improvisers from all over the nation and as far as France and Spain. Known in the improv community as the "Festival of Headliners," the 10th Anniversary Sarasota Improv Festival is a whirlwind of laughter, comedy, and surprises, packed with over 75 artists and 28 performances over the course of the three-day event. Headliner single tickets for the critically-acclaimed musical improv group Baby Wants Candy (Chicago, IL), the inventive storytellers of ImproMadrid (Madrid, Spain), and the clever wordsmiths of Impro Theatre (Los Angeles, CA) can now be purchased for $25 each. Single tickets to all other performances are $10 each. All festival tickets and passes are now on sale and may be purchased by calling the Box Office at 941-366-9000, or online at www.floridastudiotheatre.org.

There's no better time to come to the Sarasota Improv Festival: this year, there are THREE headliners in celebration of the event's 10th anniversary, two groups making their Sarasota Improv Festival debut, and two troupes reuniting specifically for this hallmark event. Almost every style of improv will be represented at this year's Festival, and those performing are the cream of the crop. "[The] Sarasota Improv Festival is one of the best improv festivals in the country," shared Trivia Bitetto, a member of ImprovBoston, an ensemble that specializes in All Form improv. "The acts are carefully curated, the venue is second-to-none, the atmosphere is electric, and the comedy is hot. 10 years is a big deal and something to celebrate."

In true improv form, every performance is created in the moment with nothing planned ahead of time. Whether you're learning yoga with ImprovBoston in the aisles of FST's Gompertz Theatre or watching STACKED's improvised musical involving ninjas, bears, and motorcycle chases-both of which have happened at the Festival-the performances can and will never be repeated. "I always look forward to what I don't expect," shared Sarasota Improv Festival founder and FST Managing Director, Rebecca Hopkins. "That is what separates this festival from other types of theatre festivals. It is based on the unexpected. It is the fact that I know I'm going to be surprised that makes me look forward to it."

Founded in 2009, the Sarasota Improv Festival has grown significantly over the past decade. In its first year, the Festival lasted just two days and featured only 13 groups. Now the Festival spans three days and is comprised of almost twice as many groups and performers. In 2015, the Festival expanded its footprint even further, bringing in groups from as far as Spain, France, and Mexico. "We had a great time when we showed 'Corten' to an American audience," said Ignacio Lopez, a member of ImproMadrid, Spain's preeminent improv group. "They helped us a lot with the language and the story."

Whether a group is making its Festival debut or has been part of the Sarasota Improv Festival from the very beginning, all of them are passionate about comedy, spontaneity, and communication. Hopkins shared, "Improv draws its comedy off of connection. How we as humans react to each other and off each other. The misunderstandings that lie in the crevices of our different points of view. That keeps it fresh. That's why I love it."

The 10th Anniversary Sarasota Improv Festival takes place July 12,13, and 14 at Florida Studio Theatre. Tickets to headliner performances-featuring Impro Theatre, Baby Wants Candy and ImproMadrid-can now be purchased for $25 each. Single tickets to all other performances are available for $10 each. All Festival tickets and multi-day passes are now on sale and may be purchased by calling the Box Office at 941-366-9000, or by going online at www.floridastudiotheatre.org.

About Florida Studio Theatre

Known as Sarasota's Contemporary Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre was founded in 1973 by Artist 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 five theatre venues: the Keating Theatre, the newly renovated Gompertz Theatre, the Goldstein Cabaret, the John C. Court Cabaret, and the new Bowne's Lab 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, Producing 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.

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