23 The Last Acorn Background_V2
The Last Acorn & Other Winning Plays
by Young Playwrights
The Last Acorn & Other Winning Plays
by Young PlaywrightsWise, heartfelt, and often comical, this anthology of award-winning short plays celebrates creativity and imagination!
Top plays written by elementary school students from our community and around the world are brought to life by a cast of professional actors. From a dragon with a stubborn case of the hiccups to a boy who couldn't resist pulling hair to an acorn that’s afraid to leave the tree, we've shined a spotlight on the magic of children's creativity through this beloved annual production for more than 30 years. We invite you to join us in celebrating what stories young playwrights will imagine this school year in an all-new play filled with laughter, lessons, and learning for us all.
Running Time
Cast
Benjamin Brandt
Marissa Gast
Jeric Gutierrez
Athena Jean-Ètienne
Storm Tracy
Gemma Vodacek
BENJAMIN BRANDT is an Acting Apprentice at FST. His stage credits include Charlotte’s Web (Homer, Sheep) and Network. He was also a Tennis Consultant for FST’s Stage III production of The Last Match. He graduated from the University of Florida.
MARISSA GAST is a 2022-2023 FST Acting Apprentice. In the fall, she could be found hanging from aerial silks and flying on the Spanish web in Charlotte’s Web (Charlotte). Gast recently finished performing on FST’s Mainstage in What the Constitution Means to Me (Debater). She is originally from NH where she graduated from UNH with degrees in Theatre and Biology. Other favorite children’s theatre credits: Momotaro, Peach Boy Hero (Momotaro) and Sally Jackson/Silena Beauregard (The Lightning Thief).
JERIC GUTIERREZ graduated from the Claire Trevor School of the Arts at UC Irvine with a BA in Drama. You may have seen him in FST’s production of Charlotte’s Web (Wilbur) or in Network (Wardrobe/PA). He is ecstatic to be a part of something that brings out his inner
child again. Find out more at jericg.com
ATHENA JEAN-ÉTIENNE is an Orlando native, and a recent graduate of the University of Central Florida. Her FST credits include The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe (Lucy) and Deck the Halls (Candy). Her understudy credits include Something Rotten! (Woman 1/Portia U/S), and The Last Match (Mallory U/S). Some of her favorite past credits include Ragtime (Sarah), Clybourne Park (Francine/Lena), Blood at the Root (Raylynn), and Much Ado About Nothing (Beatrice).
STORM TRACY is originally from Sarasota, FL, and is excited to be back, rediscovering all this town has to offer. He is a graduate from the University of Florida, where he received his BFA in Theatre Performance. Storm is currently an Acting Apprentice at FST, where he also appeared in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe; Deck the Halls; and several performances of Something Rotten!. Previous credits include: A Little Night Music (Carl Magnus), Pippin (Lewis), and White Guy on The Bus (Christopher).
GEMMA VODACEK is a Rochester, NY native and currently an Acting Apprentice at Florida Studio Theatre. FST credits: Off the Charts!, Charlotte’s Web, Network, and select performances of Something Rotten!. Previously: Little Women, The Wolves, The Normal Heart. gemmavodacek.com
Creative
Director/Choreographer | Ellie Mooney
Additional Direction | Sean Daniels
Associate Director | Shelby Lynhall
Assistant Director/Choreographer | Sydney Scott
Original Music | Jim Prosser
Stage Manager | Katie Chabot
Scenic Design | Clint Wright
Costume Design | Annie Watson
Lighting Design | Joe Storti
Sound Design | Anakin Garner
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