IN THIS FORUM

Moderator

Kate Alexander (Forums Director) is Associate Director At-Large for Florida Studio Theatre. An actress, director and educator, Kate has been creating theatre for over 30 years with hundreds of productions to her credit, many regional or world premieres. BroadwayWorld said, “Watching Kate Alexander perform is like having a masterclass in acting.” She recently directed The Heart Sellers, Troubadour, and The Outsider. Kate founded the FST theatre school whose mission and training are cultivated from her passion for “truth on stage.” She has also developed theatre programs in Russia, Scotland, and Israel. Committed to social change, Kate created a city-wide dialogue on race about which Rex Ellis of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture noted, “You are on the pulse of our collective anxiety.” She is the recipient of numerous civic and artistic awards.

Panelists

The Honorable Larry Eger is a longtime and proud resident of Sarasota County. He graduated from the University of Florida College of Law in 1985 and interned with the Office of the Public Defender in the 12th Circuit as much as he could while going to law school. Upon graduation, he knew that indigent criminal defense in his hometown is what he was called to do. He is currently serving his fourth term as the elected Public Defender. As the elected Public Defender Mr. Eger oversees four offices in the counties of Desoto, Manatee, and Sarasota. He manages a staff of approximately 90 individuals dedicated to indigent criminal defense. Outside of the office Mr. Eger continues to champion the needs of the community through his volunteer work. His efforts focus on education and the needs of the marginalized.

Dr. Alejandro Sanchez, a clinical psychologist at Davenport Psychology, holds a doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. His approach blends humanistic, CBT, DBT, trauma-focused, and relational life therapies to foster positive change. Specializing in adult mental health, he addresses trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship challenges, and career stress. Dr. Sanchez also provides premarital counseling to help couples build a strong foundation. Known for his collaborative and strength-based style, he empowers individuals to overcome struggles, envision hope, and achieve a fulfilling life.

Rona Figueroa was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, but her creative force boomed when she arrived in New York City. Here she booked leads and featured roles in Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, studied kung fu and its various sword forms, discovered her knack for songwriting and formed a rock band, received a Fine Arts degree from SVA, and later an MFA in Writing from Columbia University, where she also studied literary translation. She is currently at work on her first novel and a chapbook of mistranslations. Broadway: Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, Nine (Revival), and Lennon. Off-Broadway: Plays for the Plague Year, Dogeaters, Caucasian Chalk Circle. Regional: Rhinoceros (A.C.T.), The King and I (Chicago Lyric), We Will Rock You (Vegas), Wild Goose Dreams (La Jolla), and Jacques Brel is...(Two River Theater). TV: "Madam Secretary," "Elementary," "The Mysteries of Laura," "Gossip Girl." Audio Books: Toxicology and Dream Jungle by Jessica Hagedorn. Original rock albums: Quasilulu, Quasilulu2.