KATE ALEXANDER ministers to the artistic needs of the theatre and its many community and state educational programs: she pioneered the acting training method for children which serves as the foundation for the FST school and co-developed the award-winning WRITE A PLAY program which touches the lives of more than 55,000 children annually. She has directed more than 25 shows, including Alabama Story; Over The River and Through The Woods; Chapatti; Dancing Lessons; Becoming Dr. Ruth; Freud’s Last Session; Thurgood; South Beach Babylon; The Columnist; Talley’s Folly; Jericho; Next Fall; The Savannah Disputation; Ghost-Writer, The Savannah Disputation, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Bridge & Tunnel, Shotgun, Shirley Valentine, Pure Confidence, Wit, Proof, The Exonerated and Brooklyn Boy, and performed leading roles in Taking Shakespeare, Golda’s Balcony, Master Class and The Occupant. Ms. Alexander is the recipient of numerous acting, directing and public service awards. She co-authored the book Ideas for the Animated Short: Finding and Building Stories which now has a second edition available.

JIM PROSSER is the Resident Pianist at FST. Over his many years at FST, Jim has most often performed in the Cabaret, where he has arranged and co-developed many shows including Dancing In The Street, By Gershwin, Laughing Matters, European Cabaret, That’s Life, British Invasion, Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits, Harry Who?, Too Darn Hot, and last season’s production of Never Marry A Girl With Cold Feet. He has also served as resident composer/music director for FST’s Education department, writing numerous songs and scores for children’s shows such as Androcles and the Lion, RAP-Punzel, and the WRITE A PLAY elementary tours.

Ben Liebert is a theater maker originally hailing from New Jersey with an 18 year pit stop in NYC. As a director/choreographer, Ben’s work includes Next to Normal, Into the Woods, The Producers (National tour, assistant director), I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Ordinary Days, Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged) and The Bomb-itty of Errors as well as new works at Theatre Aspen, the Metropolitan Room, Samuel French OOB Festival (festival winner), MST&DA, Planet Connections Festival, Studio Players, and Randomly Specific Theatre. He has appeared as an actor on Broadway in Wicked, off-Broadway in Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish directed by Joel Grey, and regionally in Little Shop of Horrors, Into the Woods, Ragtime, Chicago, Spamalot, and Avenue Q. Ben is the co-creator and puppeteer behind Cam and Ben Sing Songs, a social-emotional learning webseries for kids and families, and the creator of the Portable Number Line, a spacing tool for theater and dance.
He is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. B.F.A.: NYU-Tisch.
BenLiebert.com
CamAndBenSingSongs.com
PortableNumberLine.com

CATHERINE RANDAZZO has been a part of the Sarasota arts community since 1990. Before joining FST’s artistic staff, she was an active part of their New Play Development program throughout the past 30 years. In 1996 she appeared on the Goldstein Cabaret Stage in License to Bash, Sarasota’s original political comedy group. As Catherine continued to perform throughout the Gulf Coast area and touring in regional and international productions, she worked in educational theatre for seven years and developed her own performing arts department for a startup charter school at the State College of Florida. Due to the success of the program, she was nominated for the Manatee Educator’s Award. Catherine’s vast experience and theatrical knowledge has brought her full circle to a place she calls home, Florida Studio Theatre. As Associate Artist, Catherine serves as an in-residence director, professional actor, teaching artist, and literary manager. Catherine has directed for numerous programs including winter cabarets, new play workshops, Stage III, and she is the line producer for the Summer Cabaret Series. As an actor she performs in many new play workshops including the Richard and Betty Burdick Reading Festival and has appeared on the Mainstage. As Literary Manager Catherine oversees FST’s literary office, new play development program, and collaborates with new and established playwrights. In addition she trains and manages literary interns and fellows, provides dramaturgical research for new play development, collaborates on cabaret development, and leads audience outreach programs. Catherine is a graduate of Otterbein University in Ohio with a BFA in performance, she did graduate work at Cal State University, Fullerton, and she is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.

SARAH DURHAM is a comedian and writer from Campbellsville, Kentucky, raised on Mel Brooks and Billy Graham. She is the Head Writer for FST Sketch and is the Improv Associate for FST Improv. At FST, Sarah is the Executive and Artistic Assistant to the Managing Director and is a writer for the Cabaret Stage and Children’s Theatre. Some of her recent credits include Cinderella, Laughing Matters, A Place in the Sun, and Deck the Halls. She hopes to continue to write joy into people’s lives.

AHKIM CHURCH was previously with Alabama Shakespeare Festival for seventeen seasons, two as Assistant Production Manager and fifteen as Director of Production. Ahkim's home state is New Jersey where he was previously the Production Manager for the State Theatre Regional Arts Center & Crossroads Theatre. Ahkim would like to thank Ricardo Khan (Founding Artistic Director of Crossroads Theatre) for inspiration of choosing Theatre as a career. Ahkim is excited to be joining FST and to lead this production team.

ALLISON HANNON is beyond thrilled to be joining FST's company as the Associate Production Manager & Performance Supervisor. After completing her BA in Theatre with an emphasis in stage/production management from Louisiana Tech University, she immediately moved 1,600 miles away to the Berkshires. She had the opportunity to join Berkshire Theatre Group as their Assistant Director of Productions/Production Coordinator, a position she loved for over 4 years. She would like to thank all of her friends, family, and mentors for continuing to inspire and support her throughout the years.

Shira Lebovich is originally from Raleigh, NC but started her FST journey as a stage management intern in 2019. She has since then returned to work on staff. Some of her recent credits include Mainstage: Dear Jack, Dear Louise, Little Shop of Horrors (ASM), Something Rotten! (ASM) and Stage III: Ugly Lies the Bone, Night in November, The White Chip, Paralyzed, The Last Match, and Babel. She is thrilled to continue to tell wonderful stories and mentor the future stage management generation.

ANDREW PATTON is a life long theatre lover who has traveled the country honing his crafts. He enjoys all aspects of live theatre and is excited to see how he can contribute to Florida Studio Theatre.

NICHOLAS CHRISTENSEN Originally from a small town in Pennsylvania, Nicholas has been working across the arts since 2014. From designing sound effects for film and video games, to producing music for a few different artists, and sound designing and engineering for different theatres across the country, he has done a lot and is excited to return to FST and tell some incredible stories to everyone willing to listen to them.

ANDREW GRAY Originally from Glasgow, Scotland, Andrew moved to the states in 2018. With a bachelor’s degree in Theater Performance Technology from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), Andrew has been designing and programming professionally since 2009. Andrew worked onboard Carnival Cruise Line as a designer, programmer, and operator for 6 years. Notable credits included: Giant Spectacular- Liverpool Capital of Culture, Mamma Mia - Surflight Theatre, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story - Beobe Productions, To Kill a Mockingbird - ParkerSnell Productions, and Lost & Found - BPproductions.

CASEY SEILER was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he attended the Pinellas County Center for the Arts and St. Petersburg College. Before moving to Sarasota, Casey worked with the Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center as a set designer, builder and painter. He has also previously worked as an Over-hire Carpenter for FST and as an Entertainment Technician at Legoland Florida.

JILL ZAKRZEWSKI has been back "home" at Florida Studio Theatre since 2014.  She first came to FST in 2003 as a Stage Management Intern and also served as the Production Stage Manager for the 2004-2005 season. In her 8 years away from FST, Jill worked as a freelance stage manager, working at regional theatres and opera companies around the country. Highlights from her SM days include: Metamorphoses here at FST, Growing up 70s Off-Broadway, Camelot at The Depot Theatre, many productions of La Boheme (Virginia Opera, Utah Opera, Indianapolis Opera) and 8 seasons at Sarasota Opera.

JACINTA KAVANAUGH has been an auditor and accountant for several years. She started her career as an accountant but moved to internal audit. After moving to Florida from Philadelphia/South Jersey in 2007, she transitioned back into the accountant side. Prior to joining FST, Jacinta was the Director of Finance at another Sarasota Non-profit, where she learned of her love of non-profit accounting alongside it’s complexities. She believes the employees of FST are her customers, so if team members need anything – just ask.

JACOB OSBORN has been a vibrant part of the theatre and dance arts community since 2009. As an alumnus of the International Thespian Society (Troupe #6328) and the National Honors Society for Dance Arts, Jacob has honed his craft across various performance disciplines. His notable theatre roles include Lurch in The Addams Family, Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, and Judas in Godspell. In the realm of dance, he has brought to life beloved characters in productions such as The Nutcracker and Coppélia.

Jacob’s motivation stems from the profound impact that art has on its audience. He finds joy and fulfillment in creating those moments of nirvana for viewers, akin to the experiences that deeply moved him as a spectator. He advocates the emphasis on authenticity and self-expression, believing that talent lies within oneself.

Jacob plans to further his skills at Florida Studio Theatre, aiming to embrace the power of storytelling and the rich learning environment it offers. His goals extend beyond personal growth; he aspires to give back to the artistic community by supporting the culminating communal forums, both patron and artist, that make up theatre and exploring what it means to be human.

CLARKE WEIGLE moved to Sarasota from Atlanta, where he worked as IT Director at the Shakespeare Tavern and as Database Manager at the Center for Puppetry Arts.  If you are not careful, he will talk your ear off about the glories of Tessitura.  He has a degree in euphonium performance, having studied at University of Connecticut, Indiana University, and UCLA; he toured for several years as a conductor of circus bands.  As a singer he has performed and recorded with symphony choruses and church choirs in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.  He is very, very proud of his 2 sons Tommy & James, and will gladly talk your other ear off about them.

KORINNA PEREZ-NUNEZ was born and raised in West Palm Beach, FL. Before moving to Sarasota, she lived in Orlando and went to UCF. There, she graduated with a degree in Entertainment Management and worked on music festivals and weddings. Now, she is excited to be a part of FST and get back to her theatrical roots.

Sarah Hedges brings over 13 years of specialized experience in arts and live entertainment marketing. As the former Associate Director of Marketing at Asolo Repertory Theatre, Sarah played a pivotal role in driving the theatre's marketing strategy. She is also the co-founder of The BASH/Tom Petty Birthday Bash, a celebrated music festival in Gainesville, Florida that honors the city's iconic hometown hero. Under her leadership, the festival has grown exponentially, attracting over 10,000 attendees from 47 states and six countries

Sarah's marketing expertise extends across various industries, including her work at Gainesville Health and Fitness—recognized by Forbes as one of America’s 25 Best Small Companies. She has also served as Director of Marketing and Communications at the Hippodrome State Theatre in Gainesville, and as Interactive Marketing Manager at the Pensacola Bay Center, a 10,000-seat arena.

FRANKI ARROYO is a University of Kentucky graduate with a B.A. in Arts Administration with a minor in music performance. With free format radio station WRFL,  she served on the Advisory Board (2015-2019) and as the Program Director (2016-18) and General Manager (2018-19). During this time, she headed concerts and other events including the annual Birthday Bash, Queerslang, Institute193 Sound Series, and the WRFL music stage with the CRAVE Food and Music Festival in Lexington. Most recently she completed a season with Actors Theatre of Louisville as the Communications Apprentice.

EMILIANO MEJIAS holds a B.A. in Drama from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus. He loves movies, theatre, and literature. Among his works are the direction and adaptation in Spanish of the play Hand to God by Robert Askins, the choreography: Construct, the dissertation: Chewing French: Albatros Films or How the Russian Émigrés Created a Movie Industry in Paris (1920-1929), and the publication of stories: Pilimierdas and The Discreet Enthusiasm of That Obscure Object of Desire. 

KELSEY WEHDE WILSON is originally from South Dakota. She received her degree in Communication Studies and Theatre from South Dakota State University. After receiving her degree, Kelsey interned for both The Nederlander Theatre Organization and Jujamcyn Theatres in New York, New York. She started her time at FST in 2014 as an Assistant Box Office Manager. In her 8 years at FST, Kelsey has also held the title of Box Office Manager and now serves as the Patron Services Manager.

GIGI DELPERO graduated Cumberland College (now University of the Cumberlands) with a BS. Majoring in Biology and, minored in Psychology and Health. During her time at CC she worked with the theatre, loving every minute of it. Never in her wildest dreams, was she ever thinking Theatre as a profession let alone a degree. Gigi returned to Sarasota after graduating and worked as assistant manager at Kinney Shoes, before moving into banking. She spent 6 years working at Tropicana, before moving to the Post Office for 9 years and then becoming a mom. 12 years ago she applied for a part time position at Florida Studio and has been here ever since. She loves her job; happy to be back in theatre where she felt at home when she was in college.

Matthew Glover has a lifelong commitment to the arts. With an acting career starting at age 11, he has since performed at numerous regional theatres, national tours, theme parks and cruise ships. For the last decade, he shifted to the administrative and artistic side of theatre, serving as a director, choreographer, music director, educator, company manager, marketing director, associate artistic director, and in development. Fundraising and donor relationships have become a passion for him as he enjoys building meaningful personal relationships and a community of support for the arts. Matthew is happy to be with the FST staff as the Director of Development to build upon the established artistic legacy.

ANYSSA HINING has been working in advancement for over a decade and has experience in higher education and the arts. She began her career in student fundraising at her alma mater, Western Illinois University, before transitioning into full-time development work at Penn State University and then the University of South Florida, Tampa Campus. 

At FST, Anyssa oversees annual giving/direct mail, CRM management, gift processing, planned gifts, and Foundation giving. Committed to relationship-building and donor engagement, She works to align donor passions with organizational priorities. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, caring for her two Bernedoodles (Pickles and Wilson), and volunteering for the Save the Manatee Club.

DAVID STEIN is so excited to join the team at Florida Studio Theatre. He’s been working professionally in theater since he first started acting as a child at First Stage in Milwaukee. With his BFA in Acting from UW-Milwaukee, some of David’s favorite acting roles include Barrel in URINETOWN (UW-Milwaukee), Mr. Harari in RUINED (UW-Milwaukee) Igor in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (Theatre Tallahassee) and Duncan in THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT (Bay Area Children’s Theatre) After school, David went to work with The Bay Area Children’s Theater in San Francisco where he was an apprentice, teaching classes and acting in their shows. From California, David went back to Milwaukee to enter the world of radio and was the on air Morning Show producer for the award winning Elizabeth & Radar show at 99.1 The Mix! While working there he also was the theater correspondent, interviewing cast members of the touring Broadway shows. David and his partner Hannah wrote and produced an original farce NOT TODAY in Milwaukee, unfortunately COVID cut the run short (but you can watch the play on YouTube!). In his free time, David loves to bake and make funny videos, from food tastings to comedy sketches. Theater runs through his veins, and he is ecstatic to be a part of the team at FST.

KRISTIN HARTNETT originally worked at FST from 1999-2005 in Box Office, Marketing, Customer Services, and finally, with no prior restaurant experience, as Cabaret Manager. Kristin is also a founding member of the first Improv Troupe at FST and taught some of the first Improv Adult Ed classes.  She married her lead cook in 2005 and left Florida to find adventure. Kristin has lived in Provincetown, Cape Cod; Mystic, CT; and Key West, FL using her public relations skills in tourism, politics, and television production. In 2021 she returned, to fulfill a dream of retiring in the Development Department at FST. She is beyond thrilled to be a part of the team that will build a bright future for FST. Kristin lives on Bradenton’s Riverwalk with her chef husband and beautiful dog.

HAILEY HOGAN (she/her/hers) started at FST in June of 2023 as the Audience Service Intern. You may have seen her around campus in the Box Office or as a House Manager. After just a few months, she has grown to love being part of FST and Sarasota. So much so that she has ended her internship early to join our development team as a staff member.

NOAH SIEG is excited to join the Dev. Team at FST. He has a B.A. in History from the University of North Florida and a Minor in Marketing. While in College, Noah was a Programming Assistant where he planned and oversaw the production of monthly video game tournaments for students. He was also Student Union Operations Assistant serving as the primary point of contact regarding student union services and camps activities.

ABBY JIMISON (they/she) is a writer and dramaturg from New Era, Michigan. Abby is a 2023 graduate of Western Kentucky University with a BFA in Performing Arts (Theatre Concentration) and a Minor in Musical Theatre. They are a multi-hyphenate artist with experience in performance, dramaturgy, directing, playwriting, and education. Some of their credits include Alison Bechdel in Fun Home, the Swing for the world premiere of Synchro by Katie Peña Van Zile, the dramaturg for She Kills Monsters, and Director of Hear Me Out? By MJ Moore. They believe that representation matters, and are passionate about making theatre accessible for disabled, queer, and trans youth.

Twenty years with Florida Studio Theatre in the restaurant, box office, and marketing department. Eight years with General Cinema Corporation. BA in radio/television from the University of Central Florida.

KAREN PRICE comes from Lexington, Kentucky.  She graduated from the University of Kentucky with degrees in Social Services and Business Management. She began working at Florida Studio Theatre in 2001.  She has worked in a variety of areas at the theatre including grant writer, Box Office Manager, Customer Services Manager, and currently is one of the Restaurant Managers.

Joan came to FST after a career working as an executive assistant to the Vice President of Parts Marketing for International Harvester, Agricultural Group, the President of Flavor House Products, Inc., Director of Quality Assurance for the US Department of Defense at O’Hare Field in Chicago and several administrative support roles in the years prior.

Upon moving to Florida, she decided to try a fun job of dressing fashionable ladies and went to work for Chico’s at St. Armand's, followed by Dillards and finally Saks Fifth Avenue in Sarasota.

Her love for theatre made her respond to a job posting for Florida Studio Theatre in December, 2013 and began what really became her dream job in January, 2014.