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A Conversation with Richard Hopkins
A Conversation with Richard Hopkins
Kate Alexander sits down with Richard Hopkins, Producing Artistic Director and CEO of Florida Studio Theatre, to reflect on the 2025–2026 Winter Season. Together, they unpack what made the season so successful, exploring how FST’s mission continues to shape its programming and deepen its connection to the Sarasota community. From Mainstage to Cabaret, Stage III to Children’s Theatre, they revisit standout moments, including The Blue-Sky Boys, and discuss how audience engagement remains at the heart of it all.
“We’re small enough to know you, big enough to serve you.”
– Richard Hopkins
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In This Podcast
Kate Alexander
Richard Hopkins
KATE ALEXANDER – FST Associate Director At-Large, Forums Director
An actress, director and educator, Kate Alexander 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 A Tailor Near Me and Bad Books. 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. The 3rd edition of her coauthored book is due out in 2027.
RICHARD HOPKINS – Producing Artistic Director, CEO of Florida Studio Theatre
Richard Hopkins is the Chief Executive Officer of Florida Studio Theatre and is directly responsible to the Board of Directors. He oversees the creation & implementation of all FST programming & fiscal planning, including Mainstage, Cabaret, Stage III, New Play Development, Education and Touring. Since his arrival at FST in 1980, Mr. Hopkins has guided the theatre from a small touring company to a nationally recognized regional theatre, which impacts over 230,000 adults & children annually. He has directed more than 40 productions in FST’s five theatres. He has worked at numerous regional theatres including Capital Repertory, Blowing Rock Theatre, TheatreWorks Palo Alto, The Players of Columbus, Delaware Theatre Company, Long Island Stage, and many others. Mr. Hopkins began his professional theatre career as a resident actor with the Asolo State Theatre in Sarasota, Florida. He was the founding director of Palisades Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., which eventually morphed into what is now American Stage in St. Petersburg, Florida and served as its Producing Director from 1974-1980. Mr. Hopkins has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University. He has served as a Theatre Specialist for the U.S. Department of State to Cairo and Amman, and taught at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College. He served as the President of the Florida Professional Theatres Association from 1983-1985. He served on the Theatre Panel for the Florida Arts Council. Mr. Hopkins is the recipient of numerous awards including the Arts Leadership Award from the Sarasota Arts Council & the Richard G. Fallon Award for Artistic Excellence from the Florida Professional Theatre Association.