Florida Studio Theatre Rejoices the Holiday Season with Deck the Halls

SARASOTA, Fla. (November 3, 2025) — Florida Studio Theatre (FST) rejoices in the merriment of the holiday season with Deck the Halls, an interactive production celebrating the spirit of the season, created by Sarah Durham and Caroline Saldivar with musical arrangements by Jim Prosser. The second show in FST’s 2025-26 Children’s Theatre Series, this family favorite opens November 29 and runs through December 24, 2025, in FST’s Keating Theatre.

In Sarasota, the holidays look a little different. From palm trees wrapped in twinkling lights to snowmen made of sand, Deck the Halls captures the uniquely Floridian magic of the season. Since its debut in 2016, the show has become a cherished Suncoast tradition: year after year, families call this show “the perfect way to celebrate the holidays,” “the funniest show,” and “one of our favorite family traditions.” This season, the festivities return with all-new sketches, songs, and surprises.

"What I love most about Deck the Halls is how it reminds us that the holidays are about joy and connection," said Caroline Saldivar, FST’s Director of Children’s Theatre. "Each year, we blend new songs and stories with our favorite traditions, creating a show that grows and evolves, just like the families who come back to see it year after year."

The cast includes Dellan Short, an FST Resident Artist who will reprise his annual role of Santa Claus, joined by performers from FST’s Professional Training Program, an intensive year-long acting internship that provides emerging artists with hands-on professional experience. This year’s cast showcases Jillian Hurley (Mrs. Clause), Flynn Nolen (Jolly), Mareece C. Love (Jingle), Ray Barber (Jangle), Vanessa Smith (Tinsel), and Christiana Allison (Candy).

The creative team features Caroline Saldivar (Director), Jim Prosser (Music Director), Ava Podewitz (Choreographer), Casey Seiler (Scenic Design), Kate Landry (Lighting Design), Nicholas Christensen (Sound Design), Nicholas Ryan (Sound Intern), Julia Hornsby (Costume Design), and Tori Martinson (Sound and Light Board Operator/Stage Manager).

Experience a Floridian winter wonderland from November 29 to December 24! Single tickets start at $12.

Deck the Halls is part of FST’s three-show Children’s Theatre subscription, which also includes Snow White, a tale of courage and kindness, and The Pirate Ship and the Sea Monster & Other Winning Plays, a collection of award-winning plays written by elementary school students from around the world. Subscriptions are on sale now for as little as $18.75. For more information, visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org or call (941) 366-9000.

Deck the Halls Performance Schedule*

Saturday, November 29 at 10AM and 12PM
Sunday, November 30 at 10AM
Saturday, December 6 at 10AM and 12PM
Sunday, December 7 at 10AM
Saturday, December 13 at 10AM
Sunday, December 14 at 10AM
Wednesday, December 24 at 10AM
Monday, December 29 at 10AM
*Additional performance dates may be added.

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Sponsors

Florida Studio Theatre is grateful to its sponsors of the 2025-26 Children’s Theatre Season: The Shubert Foundation, Florida Arts & Culture, Bishop-Parker Foundation, The Exchange, Manatee Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Wells Fargo, Sister Cities Association of Sarasota, The Patterson Foundation, Suncoast Credit Union Foundation, and Publix Super Markets Charities.

Sponsored in part by the Bank of America Client Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee, as well as by the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts. Funding for this program was provided in part by The School Board of Broward County, Florida – SEAS Program.

 About Florida Studio Theatre

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is Sarasota’s contemporary theatre. Founded in 1973, FST has grown to a village of five theatres located in the heart of downtown Sarasota. Each theatre is small in size and large in impact – providing intimate and engaging settings for high-quality, professional performances.

Today, FST has established itself as a major force in American Theatre. FST is the largest subscription theatre in the state of Florida and among the largest in the country, serving more than 225,000 live attendees each year across its diverse programs: Mainstage, Cabaret, Stage III, Children’s Theatre, Improv, The FST School, and New Play Development.

Even with its growth, Florida Studio Theatre remains firmly committed to making the arts accessible and affordable to as many people as possible. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Richard Hopkins, FST develops theatre that speaks to our living, evolving, and dynamically changing world. Hip and historical, entertaining and challenging, we are where everyone is welcome to engage in the art of theatre.