Florida Studio Theatre Celebrates Announces Shedding a Skin, a Poignant New Show About Letting Go

Florida Studio Theatre Celebrates Announces Shedding a Skin, a Poignant New Show About Letting Go

(Sarasota, FL) — Florida Studio Theatre (FST) ) is proud to produce the North American Premiere of Shedding a Skin, a transformational one-woman play by award-winning playwright Amanda Wilkin. Directed by Nancy Rominger, this deeply moving play previews April 2-3, with opening night on April 4. The show runs through April 25, 2025, in FST’s Bowne’s Lab Theatre.

When Myah impulsively punches her boss and walks out of her soul-crushing corporate job, her life unravels in ways she never expected. Taking refuge in the spare room of an older woman with her own hidden wounds, Myah embarks on an unpredictable journey of transformation. Shedding a Skin is a story about letting go, rediscovering human connection, and embracing change.

"This play is deeply moving and ultimately uplifting," said Nancy Rominger, the show’s director and FST’s Associate Artist in charge of New Play Development. "Amanda Wilkin has crafted a deeply personal yet universal story, one that explores themes of breaking free, confronting discomfort, and forging connections within our communities. It’s a journey of finding unexpected hope in the most unlikely places."

Nancy Rominger has developed over 42 new American plays and musicals during her career, with many achieving successful runs at regional theatres nationwide. She most recently directed FST’s first Stage III production of the season, Advice.

Amanda Wilkin, a London-based playwright and actor, has received numerous accolades for her work, including the 2020 Verity Bargate Award for Shedding a Skin. Acclaimed actor and competition judge Phoebe Waller-Bridge praised the piece, saying, "I’m excited to see this profound, funny, modern, stark, and hopeful play performed." Previously produced only twice before at London’s Soho Theatre, FST’s production marks the first time Shedding a Skin will be performed in North America.

Bringing Myah’s story to life is Samaria Nixon-Fleming*, making her FST debut. She has appeared on Broadway in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, in off-Broadway and regional productions like Politically Correct and The Club, and on television with FOX, Hulu, and CBS.

The creative team includes Nancy Rominger (Director), Sarah DeSmith (Scenic Design), Rossitza Lovetcheva (Costume Design), Kate Landry (Lighting Design), Nicholas Christensen (Sound Design), Charlotte Perez* (Stage Manager), and Kara Powell (Stage Management Fellow).
(*Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union for professional actors and stage managers in the United States.)

This powerful and moving production runs April 2-25, 2025, with previews beginning April 2 and an official opening on April 4. Single tickets start at $25. This production contains adult language and themes.

The excitement doesn’t stop after this season — FST keeps theatre alive all year long! Experience the best of contemporary theatre with the 2026 Stage III Series, featuring three adventurous productions for as little as $59.

Subscriptions and single tickets are available at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or by calling (941) 366-9000.

Sponsors

Florida Studio Theatre is grateful for the support of its Stage III sponsor, The Shubert Foundation.

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About Florida Studio Theatre

Known as Sarasota’s Contemporary Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre was founded in 1973 by Artist Jon Spelman. Starting out as a small touring company, FST traveled to places such as migrant camps and prisons. The company then acquired the former Woman’s Club building, becoming the first permanent venue. Shortly after Producing Artistic Director Richard Hopkins arrived, the building was purchased and renamed The Keating Theatre. In the years that followed, Florida Studio Theatre established itself as a major force in American Theatre, presenting contemporary theatre in its five theatre venues: the Keating Theatre, the Gompertz Theatre, the Parisian style Goldstein Cabaret and John C. Court Cabaret, and Bowne’s Lab Theatre. 

Even with its growth, Florida Studio Theatre remains firmly committed to making the arts accessible and affordable to a broad-based audience.  FST develops theatre that speaks to our living, evolving, and dynamically changing world.  As FST grows and expands, it continues to provide audiences with challenging, contemporary drama and innovative programs.

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