It’s a night of celebration and announcement at Florida Studio Theatre tonight, as the crowds gather at Keating Theatre for a kick-off event marking the 25th anniversary of FST’s Write A Play program, as well as a presentation of the Fall Children’s show, Rumplestiltskin, and the night ends with dessert and drinks under twilight skies, alongside a sneak preview of the cast of this year’s Playmaker’s Tour and a special announcement from Sarasota Mayor Willie Shaw.

Formed in 1991, the Write A Play program unites arts and education to help children explore their world and their perspective through storytelling, providing an artistic outlet and early experience with the theater tradition. For the past 25 years, students have not only written their own plays, but then seen them performed live on stage.

“Early exposure to the arts is a fantastic thing for all children, and the program not only gives them their first theatrical experience but is often a child’s first experience writing creatively,” said Caroline Kaiser, the new director for Children’s Theatre at FST. “I can’t think of a better way to encourage that. They can see their work, share it with their families and be recognized for their originality and creativity.”

According to Kaiser, the Write A Play program sees over 50,000 students each year, turning into an international affair with participant programs in sister cities in countries such as Israel, Russia and Scotland.

In addition, attendees will see a performance of the newly opened production of the classic fairy tale Rumplestiltskin, the first show for the Children’s Theater produced under Kaiser.

“Rumplestiltskin is exactly the kind of show I would want to debut with,” said Kaiser. Especially this version, she added, with its twist from adaptors Beth Duda and Adam Ratner. “The core values of love and honesty and family are something that everyone can relate to and are important to instill in our children.”

St. Peterburg native Andrew Deeb takes the stage in the title role, joined by Julia Amundson in her debut season with FST and Cat Patterson, an acting apprentice for the upcoming season. Actor Tim VanBeverhoudt rounds out a cast directed by FST’s own Jason Cannon.

After the show, cast members of the upcoming Playmakers Tour: Write It Up, Write It Down will be on hand to meet and greet local supporters and explain their goals for the coming year, which will see the Playmakers continuing FST’s educational tradition by bringing performances and writing workshops into area schools.

“It goes directly to our mission statement, to make theater accessible and affordable to as many people as possible,” said Kaiser of the confluence of educational and child-focused programs to be celebrated tonight. “And for me that definitely means children and families.”

The celebration begins tonight at 5:30pm at FST’s Keating Theatre, with the performance commencing at 6:30pm. The event is free and open to the public. 

“The Art of Food Festival” to be held on October 17 at The Selby Public Library promises to be an exciting marriage of arts and eats and is certainly my pick for the most anticipated event of the month – even eclipsing my birthday on the 21st! There are myriad reasons to purchase a ticket to this event, not least of which is that the proceeds will benefit the Junior League of Sarasota. The event breaks down into four categories: The Art of the Cocktail, The Art of the Appetizer, The Art of the Entrée and the Art of Desserts. In each category, a selection of Sarasota’s favorite chefs and bartenders will concoct elaborate libations and edible creations inspired by Sarasota’s most exceptional arts organizations. The fact that this soiree will be taking place inside The Selby Public Library is, for me, the most exciting part of what is sure to be an entertaining and unforgettable night.

For tickets, click below or contact The Junior League of Sarasota at 941-953-5600. 

Pictured: Hibiscus, Cucumber and Dill, a dish by Chef Louis Robinson of Spice, a participant in The Art of Food Festival.

The Art of Food Festival

You aren’t a true Floridian yet if you’ve never tasted alligator’s. Courtesy the University of Florida IFAS Extension in Sarasota, we found this recipe to introduce you to this reptilian delight.

Sautéed Alligator Medallions in Dijon Mustard Sauce

Ingredients: 1 pound Florida alligator meat; 4 eggs, beaten; 1 1/2 cups flour seasoned with salt and pepper; 1/4 cup canola oil.

Make sure meat is free of fat. Cut meat into small medallion-like pieces and tenderize with a meat mallet until very thin. Roll the medallions in seasoned flour making sure meat is completely covered. Dip each piece in beaten egg. Then quickly sauté in canola oil until golden brown on both sides. Drain and serve with Dijon mustard sauce, lemon wedges and parsley.

Ingredients for Dijon Sauce: 1 cup low fat mayonnaise; 1 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon lemon juice.

Combine ingredients and mix well. 

University of Florida IFAS Extension

Selah Freedom appointed new members to the Board of Directors and Advisory Board to guide the organization. Selah Freedom has operated under an elected board since the organization’s conception in 2012. Board members include: Misty Stinson, chairman,  It Works! distributor, co-founder of Selah Freedom; Stephen Supe, vice chair, CEO Arena Leadership; Shahla Simpler. secretary, executive director for Baycross Christian Family Foundation; J. Chris McGee, treasurer, senior vice president and senior investment advisor at PNC; Matthew B.R. Nessetti, medical director for AllCare Medical Centers, medical director for Hawthorne Village Healthcare and Rehabilitation; Carolyn Mason, board member at-large, Sarasota County Commissioner; Robyn Schmitt, Southwest Airlines; and John Bowman, vice president of Admissions and Marketing for Inspiration Academy. 

Selah Freedom

Metric Engineering recently leased a 3,539-square-foot office space located on Interstate Court in Sarasota. The landlord was represented by David Greenfield with Greenfield and Associates. The tenant was represented by an advisor with the downtown Sarasota office of Sperry Van Ness Commercial Advisory Group, Tony Veldkamp. 

Metric Engineering