FSU/Asolo Conservatory is Proud to Announce 2018-19 Season
The FSU/Asolo Conservatory opens its season with Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia (October 30 – November 18, 2018): a time-jumping riddle caught between present day and 1809. Academic rivals Hannah Jarvis and Barnard Nightingale race to uncover the truth of Lord Byron, Ezra Chater, and the mysterious hermit of Arcadia. Arcadia was the recipient of the 1993 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play, recognized by the Royal Institution of Great Britain as one of the best science-related works ever written, and nominated for a Drama Desk Award and Tony Award. Directed by Guest Artist James Dean Palmer, Arcadia will feature the entire second-year class.
In January, the Conservatory presents Henrik Ibsen’s masterpiece drama, Ghosts (January 1 – 20, 2019): an emotionally-taut story about the sins of the father and the limits of a mother’s love. Written in 1881, Ghosts follows Captain Alving’s survivors as they wrestle with their public obligation and private hatred for the deceased. Andrei Malaev-Babel, the Conservatory’s Head of Acting, will direct.
The season continues in late February with Craig Lucas’ Reckless (February 19 – March 10, 2019). One peaceful December night, Rachel’s husband admits that he’s hired a hitman to kill her. The insanity ensues as the fleeing Rachel falls headlong into a ridiculous second life (and third, and fourth) with Lloyd Bophtelophti and his paraplegic girlfriend Pooty. Reckless will be directed by Brendan Ragan, a Conservatory alum (MFA ’13) and co-founder of Sarasota’s Urbanite Theatre.
The Conservatory will return to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in April for William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, As You Like It (April 9 – 27, 2019), directed by Jonathan Epstein, Professor of Acting at the Conservatory. Sarasota’s premier outdoor destination will transform into the Forest of Arden as the lovelorn Orlando and Rosalind navigate adventure, intrigue, and a few suitors. As You Like IT follows the Conservatory’s previous Shakespeare-in-the-garden productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2017) and Much Ado About Nothing (2018).
“Our students are bright and talented young artists, eager to begin their careers on the stage,” said Greg Leaming, Director of the FSU/Asolo Conservatory. “I’m excited to pair them with a season of classical and contemporary works that will take both them and our audiences around the world on a wild ride. These are brilliant stories with fascinating characters – a wonderful showcase for our second-year company.”
ABOUT THE CONSERVATORY
The FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training is a celebrated three-year graduate program culminating in a Master of Fine Arts degree. For more than 40 years, tens of thousands of actors from across the continent have auditioned for admission. A maximum of 12 students are admitted each year. In their second year, the students perform in the Cook Theatre, a 161-seat space designed to create an intimate experience for the audience and actors. Third-year students are seen on the Mertz Stage working with the Asolo Repertory Theatre’s professional actors in exciting and significant roles.
For more information, visit Asolo’s Website.