America in One Room

WORLD PREMIERE. When eight strangers receive an invitation to the America in One Room convention, nobody knows what will happen. However, as each attendee files into the aptly titled Liberty Room, their insecurities, strengths, and beliefs are soon on full display. As everyone is convinced they are right—sparks fly, tempers flare, and humor abounds. Can these eight people find a way to bridge the divide? Inspired by the real-life convention of the same name, America in One Room dissects recent headlines and our nation’s past to answer the question: what does it mean to be an American?

Click here to view the online playbill.

America in One Room by Jason Odell William plays December 8, 2021-February 27, 2022 in FST's Keating Theatre. 

This play contains strong language and adult content. Viewer discretion is advised.

FOR YOUR SAFETY: As of September 26, 2021, FST, along with the major arts organizations of Sarasota, is requiring proof of a recent negative COVID test along with a valid ID for entry. If preferred, patrons may volunteer proof of vaccination as an alternative to testing. Masks are required for all, regardless of vaccination status except when actively eating or drinking during pre-show dining. For a full list of safety protocols to help you prepare for your trip to the theatre, click here. #SafeArtsSarasota

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

CREATIVE

Director | Kate Alexander
Dramaturg | Catherine Randazzo
Scenic Design | Isabel & Moriah Curley-Clay
Costume Design | Mari Taylor Floyd
Lighting Design | Ethan Vail
Sound Design | Thom Korp 
Stage Manager | Chris Warren Murry*

CAST

Faith | Almeria Campbell*
Diego | Nicholas Caycedo*
Mike | Sheffield Chastain*
Jessica | Charlotte Cohn*
Shawn | Lawrence Evans*
Pearl | Marina Re*
Rani | Lipica Shah*
Lisa | Sarah Stockton*
Kevin | Linden Tailor*

* Denotes member Actors’ Equity Association. The Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

ALMERIA CAMPBELL (Faith) grew up in Texas where she began acting — first in high school, and then at Texas Christian University. After attending Mason Gross School of Performing Arts at Rutgers University, Almeria made her TV debut on Law & Order Criminal Intent. Most recently, she guest-starred on New Amsterdam. Her film work includes Baby Mama and she recently made her directorial debut with Black and Kinda Republican. FST: American Son. almeriacampbell.com

NICHOLAS CAYCEDO (Diego) FST debut! NY: Good Morning New York (Off-Broadway), La Mama Cantata (La MaMa). Regional: The Realness (Hangar Theatre), Little
Shop of Horrors, Peter and the Starcatcher, Pride & Prejudice (Creede Rep), In The Heights (Seacoast Rep), I Become A Guitar (Kitchen Theatre). This fall, Nicholas created a solo cabaret show called Cockeyed Optimist which premiered at the Green Room 42 in NYC. Training: Walnut Hill School; Ithaca College. @nicaycedo

SHEFFIELD CHASTAIN (Mike) Sheffield’s eighth production at FST. BROADWAY: White Christmas, Is He Dead?, and The 39 Steps (Natl Tour). OFF-BROADWAY: Handle With Care (West Side Theater) and A Dangerous Personality (Perry Street Theater). RECENT REGIONAL: The Guardsman, A Most Dangerous Woman, The Devil’s Disciple, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, The 39 Steps, A Tuna Christmas, The Drawer Boy, Sleuth Lonesome Hollow, Pursuit of Happiness, and many seasons at Shakespeare festivals across the country. TV: The Deuce, Boardwalk Empire, 30 Rock, and Law & Order. FILM: Charmed & Dangerous and The Knight In Glass Armor.

CHARLOTTE COHN (Jessica) was born in Denmark and raised in Israel, serving in the Israeli Army as a commanding officer. She was the Lead Producer of Handle With Care (New York Times Critics’ Pick) and the critically-acclaimed Church & State, both written by her husband, Jason Odell Williams. Directing highlights: Best Friends (JAZZ at Lincoln Center) and Church & State (Berkshire Theatre Group). Acting highlights: La Boheme and Coram Boy on Broadway. Charlotte is an Ovation Award Winner and was nominated for the Bay Area Critics’ Circle Award for her performance in Happy End at A.C.T. charlottecohn.com

LAWRENCE EVANS (Shawn) FST: American Son, The Exonerated, One Man, Two Guvnors, Ruined. Regional: Triad Stage, Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse, Arkansas Rep, Caldwell Theatre, Charlotte Rep, freeFall Theatre, Weston Playhouse, NC Black Repertory Company, National Black Theatre Festival, Short North Stage. National Tours: And Still I Rise, Camp Logan, The Sweet Spot. Television: New Amsterdam, All My Children, One Life to Live, The Good Wife, Law & Order. Film: State Property II, The Devil Wears Prada. Training: Jackson State University and University of Michigan.

MARINA RE (Pearl) FST: Handle With Care, Over the River, God of Isaac, Our Son’s Wedding, Last Romance, Boleros for the Disenchanted, The Miamians. 40- year AEA member, performing in hundreds of productions in NYC, regional, and Nat.l tours. Awards: DESERT STAR AWARD (Master Class); CT CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD (Ripcord), IRNE AWARD, “Boston Best Performance“ (Present Laughter, Ideal Husband, North Shore Fish, Marriage Fool, Sisters Rosensweig, View from the Bridge) FILM/ TV: Confess, Fletch (Greg Mottola), Irrational Man (Woody Allen), The Women (Diane English), Iris, Talking to God, Urban Relics, New Amsterdam, Nurse Jackie, Primetime WWYD. marinare.info

LIPICA SHAH (Rani) is an NYC-based actor, voice actor, and alto who thrives on collaboration and has a passion for new play development. She’s originated several
roles, including at Manhattan Theatre Club, Mixed Blood Theatre Company, American Conservatory Theater, and California Shakespeare Theater. On screen she’s appeared on NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, HBO, and more. Hear her in the English dubs of Pokémon, A Silent Voice, and Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, among others. She’s also Co-Founder of the non-profit 1497. LipicaShah.com

SARAH STOCKTON (Lisa) Based in New York, Sarah Stockton is a member of Resonance Ensemble. MFA: FSU/ Asolo Conservatory. Prior to grad school, she was awarded ‘Best Actor’ at ACTF. NYC: Hilda in The Master Builder (Theatre Row), Rokhele in of Sholem Asch’s With the Current (Center Stage) and Sarah in JB (Project: Theatre). Regional: Bella in Lost In Yonkers (Weston Playhouse), Anisah in In The Book Of and Una in Blackbird (FST), and Laura in The Glass Menagerie (Banyan Theatre Company). sarahstockton.info

LINDEN TAILOR (Kevin) FST debut! NY Theatre: King Lear (NY Classical). Select Regional: The Great Leap (Denver Center/Seattle Rep); The Foreigner (Hangar
Theatre); Tokyo Fish Story (TheatreWorks Silicon Valley); The White Snake (Baltimore Center Stage). TV: Billions, Extrapolations, Law & Order: SVU, Madam Secretary, Shades of Blue, Odd Mom Out, The Detour, Happyish. Training: BFA (Virginia Commonwealth University); MFA (University of Florida). Proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA. Upcoming The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin (Indiana Repertory Theatre). Lindentailor.net

AMERICA IN ONE ROOM IN THE NEWS

American Theatre Magazine  I  March 11, 2022  I Can We Talk? Why I Put America in One Room

The Sarasota Observer  I  January 20, 2022  I Playwright Saw Glimpse of Hope in Political Experiment

SRQ Daily  I  December 24, 2021  I  FST's America in One Room Reconciles Beyond the Stage

Sarasota Herald-Tribune  I  December 3, 2021  I  FST Premieres America in One Room That Takes the Pulse of a Nation 

The Bradenton Times  I  December 1, 2021  I  Political Comedy Up Next for FST

BroadwayWorld  I  November 16, 2021  I  Florida Studio Theatre Produces the World Premiere of America in One Room

REVIEWS

The Bradenton Times
"Bound to strike a chord"
"Magnificent"
"A valuable snapshot"

Sarasota Herald-Tribune
"Challenges"
"Dramatic"
"Impactful"

Sarasota Magazine
“Successfully mixes comedy and drama to good effect”
“Sparks are going to fly”
“Plenty of zingy one-liners”
“[The cast] leaves you feeling a connection to them and to our national quandary”

Total Theater
"Dramatic"
"Meaningful"
 

ARTICLES BY FST

Meet Lisa, The Referee of America in One Room

FST Mounts World Premiere of America in One Room

Meeting: America

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES

Did you know? This world premiere play was inspired by an actual event of the same name. | LEARN MORE

Jason Odell Williams is an award-winning playwright and Emmy-nominated television producer. He is also a member of FST's Playwright Collective. FST audiences may remember his work from FST's 2020 production of Handle With Care. | LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT

One Small Step, a nonprofit initiative created to bridge America’s caustic political divide, has paired up 800 people, with others holding differing views and backgrounds from them, to sit down and talk to each other. | LEARN MORE

There are plenty of parking options available when you visit Florida Studio Theatre, including two adjacent parking lots and three nearby parking garages, plus on-street parking.

Watch the video below to find a convenient place to park while you enjoy the theatre.