Florida Studio Theatre Celebrates Young Playwrights with The Flying Penguin & Other Winning Plays

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(Sarasota, FL) — Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is proud to produce The Flying Penguin & Other Winning Plays, a collection of original short plays written by elementary school students from the local community and around the world. This uplifting and imaginative production, directed by Caroline Saldivar, is the final show in FST’s 2024-2025 Children’s Theatre Series. The Flying Penguin & Other Winning Plays debuts March 15 and runs through April 13 in FST’s Keating Theatre.

A cherished annual tradition for over 30 years, this production brings to life the hilarious and heartfelt stories of young playwrights. During the 2024-2025 school year, 5,000 students submitted plays, and 12 winning scripts were selected from that impressive pool for this fun-filled show. In addition, The Flying Penguin, a beloved play from last year’s production, will return as the titular piece. Featuring stories ranging from an acorn afraid to leave its tree to a penguin soaring through outer space, this production showcases the boundless creativity of children — performed by professional actors who bring their imaginative worlds to life.

"There is an overwhelming joy in bringing a child’s words to life on stage," said Caroline Saldivar, FST’s Director of Children’s Theatre. "These young playwrights have boundless creativity and a way of seeing the world that we, as adults, often forget. Each year, it’s an incredible honor to celebrate their imaginations and step into the worlds they so brilliantly create."

The production will be seen by 51 schools across Sarasota, Manatee, and Hillsborough Counties, impacting 8,500 students. To help create these plays, FST’s Playmakers engage in workshops with teachers, inspiring creativity and strengthening students’ writing skills.

"The students and parents were SO blown away," said Heather Manley from Inspired Minds Leadership Academy. "The students were so inspired they started working on a play as a group during recess. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Bringing these stories to life, this year’s production features Ava Mastrone, Dellan Short, Julia Ruggirello, Nick James, and Hannah Habisreitinger, all members of FST’s Professional Training Program.

The creative team includes Caroline Saldivar (Director), Chelsea Allen (Costume Design), Naomi Marin (Sound Design), Casey Seiler (Scenic Design), Sarah DeSmith (Props and Paint Design), Jim Prosser (Orchestrations), and Tori Martinson (Stage Manager).

Join the fun from March 15 to April 13! Tickets start at just $12 and are on sale now at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or by calling (941) 366-9000.

THE FLYING PENGUIN PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE*

Saturday, March 15 at 10AM and 12PM

Sunday, March 23 at 10AM

Saturday, March 29 at 10AM and 12PM

Sunday, April 6 at 10AM

Sunday, April 13 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, 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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