Florida Studio Theatre Celebrates the Spirit of the Season with Deck the Halls

Sarasota, FL (November 5, 2024)—Florida Studio Theatre (FST) will usher in the joy of the holiday season to families across Sarasota with the 2024-2025 Children’s Theatre Series’ Deck the Halls, an interactive production celebrating the spirit of the season, created by Caroline Saldivar and Sarah Durham with additional material by Meg Mechelke. This exciting show opens on November 30 and runs through December 24 in FST’s Keating Theatre.

Get ready to celebrate the holidays, Sarasota style! Enter a world of palm trees with wintery decorations, sand snowmen, and surfboarding Santa. Since Deck the Halls was first produced in 2016, it has become a cherished tradition for many families on the Suncoast. This year, the festivities return with thrilling new sketches, songs, and memories. It represents everything that makes the holidays in Florida special.

 "As we embark on another rendition of Deck the Halls, we're thrilled to bring a fresh twist to this beloved holiday tradition," said Caroline Saldivar, Creator and Director of Deck the Halls at Florida Studio Theatre. "This year’s production will feature new songs and sketches while keeping the heart, warmth, and joy that our audiences know and love. We’re so grateful to be part of the holiday season for families in our community and can’t wait to celebrate together, Florida-style!"

 The cast includes Dellan Short (Santa Claus), Ava Mastrone (Mrs. Claus), David Allsup (Jangle), Nick James (Jingle), Tilley Jean (Tinsel), Rhea Leonard (Candy), and PJ Pavot (Jolly)—all members of FST’s Professional Training Program.

 The creative team features direction by Caroline Saldivar, choreography by Trisha Stever, music direction by Jim Prosser, scenic direction by Nick Schons, lighting design by Andrew Gray, sound design by Naomi Marin, and stage management by Matthew Parvin.

 Join in on the fun by experiencing a Floridian winter wonderland from November 30 to December 24! Single tickets start at $12.

 Deck the Halls is part of a three-show subscription package. Also included in the Children’s Theatre Series subscription package is Aesop’ Fables, an interactive experience with hijinks-filled life lessons, and The Flying Penguin & Other Winning Plays, a collection of award-winning plays written by elementary school students from around the world. Subscriptions for all three Children’s Theatre shows are now on sale for only $18.75. Subscriptions and tickets are now on sale at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or via phone at 941.366.9000.

DECK THE HALLS PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE*

Saturday, November 30 at 10AM and 12PM

Sunday, December 1 at 10AM

Saturday, December 7 at 10AM and 12PM

Sunday, December 8 at 10AM

Sunday, December 15 at 10AM

Saturday, December 21 at 10AM

Tuesday, December 24 at 10AM

*Additional performance dates may be added.

SPONSORS

Thank you to our sponsors for the 2024-25 Children’s Theatre Series: The Shubert Foundation, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Wells Fargo, The Exchange, Embracing Our Differences, Sister Cities Association of Sarasota, The Patterson Foundation, Manatee Community Foundation, Suncoast Credit Union Foundation, and Publix Super Markets Charities. Deck the Halls is also sponsored in part by the Bank of America Client Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee, The School Board of Broward County, Florida- SEAS Program, and funded in part by a grant from the Suncoast Credit Union.

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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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