FST's Burdick Reading Series Begins 4/30

Florida Studio Theatre announces its annual Richard and Betty Burdick New Play Reading Series, which will present three new staged readings by contemporary American playwrights. The series will take place in the Keating Theatre on Saturday, April 30 at 2:00pm, Saturday, May 7 at 2:00pm, and Saturday, May 14 at 2:00pm. It is part of FST's Sarasota Festival of New Plays. Tickets for the series are 3 staged readings for $25, or individual readings for $10. Additionally, FRIENDS of FST can purchase a subscription for all 3 staged readings for $15. They may be purchased by calling the FST Box Office at (941) 366-9000 or by visiting floridastudiotheatre.org.

Seeking to present the best new plays being written in America today, FST continues to grow their New Play Development Program each year. In theatre, the "process" is spoken of with the highest regard, as the essential component of creation. The playwright has a process that is often longer and more solitary than any other theatre artist. The process of page-to-stage often takes years of rewriting and reimagining. FST recognizes the playwright's need for process.

FST's Associate Artist Jason Cannon speaks to the fundamental importance of this series stating, "As we are fond of saying at FST, without any new plays we won't have any old plays. Classics require time to become classics. As a contemporary theatre, developing new work is part of the lifeblood of FST. We are constantly soliciting plays, seeking out the most exciting new work, and developing relationships with playwrights. Most importantly we demonstrate to playwrights that they can trust us, that we are most interested in the process, in cultivating an environment in which new work is appreciated and supported. The annual Burdick Reading Series is a chance for the playwright to put the finishing polish on their work while simultaneously offering our audience a sneak peek into possible new classics. I find the entire enterprise incredibly exciting! "

This series begins on Saturday, April 30 with Teenage Dick by Mike Lew. Shakespeare's Richard III gets a contemporary makeover in this dark high school comedy. Richard, an ambitious and fiercely intelligent teenager with cerebral palsy, is determined to become Class President. However, his competition is the able-bodied, handsome, and popular football jock Eddie. Through an escalating series of schemes and plots, Richard will stop at nothing to defeat his competition-but at a devastating cost.

How do you relate to your fellow kind? Playwright Julie Marie Myatt asks these challenging questions through a lively group of rescue animals. Over one day in a suburban home, these bruised, lovable, and resoundingly human group of cats and dogs pontificate the meanings of life, love, and freedom while their new owners are away.

The final play of the series is How To Use A Knife by Will Snider on May 14. Set in a fast-paced, high-stakes kitchen, How to Use a Knife tells the story of George, a recovering alcoholic who lands a head chef job at a high-end restaurant in New York City. There, he meets Steve, a mysterious, quiet dishwasher from Africa who has a similarly broken past. When disturbing questions about Steve's past begin to surface, both men are forced to confront their inner demons and move on with their lives.

Each reading is followed by a talkback with the playwright where audience members have the unique opportunity to provide feedback. This series gives audiences the opportunity to be a part of the development and creation of exciting potential new plays here at FST.

Cannon concludes stating, "Playwrights are true alchemists, transforming the issues of our day into powerful, moving, funny, provocative theatre. I also enjoy stated readings in general because they align with our minimalist aesthetic, which is just a fancy way of saying that we like to rely on the imagination of the audience as much as possible."

The series will take place in the Keating Theatre on Saturday, April 30 at 2:00pm, Saturday,
May 7 at 2:00pm, and Saturday, May 14 at 2:00pm, and is part of FST's Sarasota Festival of New Plays. Tickets for the series are 3 staged readings for $25, or individual readings for $10. Additionally, FRIENDS of FST can purchase a subscription for all 3 staged readings for $15. They may be purchased by calling the FST Box Office at (941) 366-9000 or by visiting floridastudiotheatre.org.

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