Stage@Home
By Florida Rep
This series occurs weekly on Fridays at 3:30pm via Zoom. We are limited to 100 participants per session, but in the case that a session fills up, you can always watch along later as we will post a recorded version of all sessions the following week.
to watch these videos check out our YouTube page.
Stage@HomeJun 15, 2020
Stage@Home | MAKING THE MIRACLE WORKER
For this week’s Stage@Home, audiences will get a chance to talk to the three amazing women behind Florida Rep’s 2018 production of The Miracle Worker. Director & Ensemble Member Maureen Heffernan joins Liza Jayne Longenhagen and Betsy Hogg, the actresses who portrayed Helen Keller and her famed teacher, Annie Sullivan, for an in-depth discussion about what it took to bring the American classic to life. Now a 13-year-old student at the Sanibel School, audiences will learn how Liza prepared for the monumental role at such a young age. Both emotionally taxing and physically demanding, New York actress, Betsy Hogg, took on the iconic role of Keller’s determined teacher and in this talkback, we’ll find out how she did it.
Stage@Home | Where are they Now?
Where are They Now? Checking in with Florida Rep Interns!
Since the theatre’s early days, its internship program has been training a generation of young professionals in all departments. From actors to stage managers to arts administrators, the program’s alumni are a who’s who at major regional companies and stages across the country. In this virtual talkback, we will hear from past interns about their careers beyond Florida Rep and how the internship set them up for success. This group will join Associate Artistic Director (and 2005-06 Acting Intern) Jason Parrish for a discussion about why internships are an integral part of career development in our industry.
Panelists:
Kim Morgan Dean
Acting Intern Class of 2007
Company Member at Barter Theatre
Stefanie Genda
Costume Intern Class of 2009
Ensemble Member | NYC Based Costume Designer
Tyler Gutowsky
Admin Intern Class of 2010
Executive Assistant to the Global Chairman & CEO
of Universal Music Publishing Group
Jackie Schram
Acting Intern Class of 2010
New York Actor & MFA The New School
Jake Guinn
Acting Intern Class of 2014
Atlanta-Based Actor & Fight Choreographer
Haley Clay
Acting Intern Class of 2018
Actor | MFA The Boston Conservatory
Stage@Home | The Art of Arts Administration
This week’s Stage@Home takes audiences into the seldom-seen world of the theatre’s administration department. From Finance to Company Management, this week’s virtual talkback pulls the curtain back on the office that makes the theatre tick by paying bills, selling tickets, and picking actors up at the airport. Theatre is an art form, and we frequently hear from the actors, directors, designers, and technicians, but this week’s panel will show viewers how much art it takes to make the business run smoothly and to create an environment where artists can create. The panelists are Executive Director John Martin, Finance Director Julieta Figueroa, Marketing Director Bryelle Dafeldecker, Director of Operations Daniel Benzing, and Company Manager Aaron Martin
Stage@Home | Creating Bulletproof Backpack
An in-depth discussion about tackling school violence in the world premiere commission, Bulletproof Backpack. Director & Education Director Kody C Jones and playwright Eric Coble are joined by Dr. Laura Wright, a researcher for the piece and two teens, Brice Kingsley, and Danica Murray, who helped to develop the play. Originally set to be read in the 2020 PlayLab Festival, the world premiere is planned for later in the summer. Don’t miss this incredible discussion about how a new play can take on serious issues in an innovative and accessible way. Eric Coble is a Broadway playwright whose work for Florida Rep’s Theatre for Young Audiences program includes the world premiere commission of ZAP!, The Giver, and the world premiere adaptation of Refugee.
Stage@Home | Inside Barefoot in the Park
A fun and informative chat with Artistic Director Greg Longenhagen and the whole cast of 2020’s HIT comedy, Barefoot in the Park by Neil Simon. The acclaimed American comedy about learning to live together has never been more timely…since we’re all stuck at home with our spouses around the clock. Meet Hannah McKechnie, Brian Hatch, ensemble member V Craig Heidenreich, Katrina Ferguson, ensemble Member Brendan Powers, and newcomer to the stage, Mike Filipowski for a talk about the process of bringing the Neil Simon classic to the Arcade stage.
Stage@Home | Making New Plays in the Regional Theatre
Join Florida Rep for a discussion with some of the playwrights you’ll recognize from PlayLabs past! Back in 2014, Florida Rep made a commitment to nurture new plays and help playwrights develop new work. Florida Rep’s PlayLab is responsible for six world premiere or regional premiere productions, two commissioned works for young audiences and two National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere productions. This roundtable features big names in the world of new plays!
Stage@Home | The Healing Power of Theatre & Brilliant Things
On May 1st, Florida Rep led an in-depth discussion about the making of a groundbreaking play, Every Brilliant Thing, and the unprecedented partnership it helped form between Florida Rep and Lee Health. The one-person-show played in the ArtStage Studio Theatre for three weeks before closing early due to COVID-19. A story of hope and healing and the importance of mental health awareness, the production marked the beginning of a partnership with Lee Health, Kids’ Minds Matter, and Lee County Schools to bring over 1,000 high school students to the theatre to see the play. This Stage@Home talkback brings the show’s director (Eleanor Holdridge), actor (Michael Satow), and stage manager (Amy Massari) together with Paul Simeone, Vice President of Mental & Behavioral Health for Lee Health, and Lori Brooks, Director of School Counseling & Mental Health Services for Lee County Schools to talk about the play, the process, and the newfound partnership.
Stage@Home | Murder by Design
A discussion with the design and creative team behind this season’s hit musical, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. This week’s LIVE discussion brings together set designer David Arsenault, Costume Designer Charlene Gross, Lighting Designer Tyler M. Perry, Projection Designer Rob Siler, Sound Designer Katie Lowe, and Stage Manager Janine Wochna for an in-depth talk about how the hit musical came to the Arcade Stage!
Stage@Home | Jam Session
Florida Rep presents a jam session with some of your favorite actor-musicians, including Brady Wease (Million Dollar Quartet’s Jerry Lee Lewis), Gregg Hammer (Million Dollar Quartet’s Johnny Cash) David Darrow (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder), Molly Coyne (The Fantasticks), Victoria Casella (musical director & pianist, A Gentleman’s Guide & Tenderly), and more.
Florida Rep Stage@Home with a talkback featuring the cast and director of "A Doll's House, Part 2" by Lucas Hnath
Hear from them on how this experience has been uniquely different due to coronavirus and switching to a streamed show.
Join us for future Florida Rep Stage@Home editions! Fridays @ 3:30PM On Zoom