Media Room
© Greg Wilson 2013
MEDIA CONTACT
All media inquiries are handled by Sarah Hedges, Director of Marketing To request interviews with the casts and/or directors of FST productions and programming, please call at (941) 366-9017, ext. 383.
To download 2024-25 Season Artwork, click here
59th Street Bridge (Nov 20, 2024-Mar 30, 2025)
59th Street Cast Bios
Joe Casey | FST: Take It To The Limit, Blue Suede Shoes, American Pie, Million Dollar Quartet (Johnny Cash). Regional: The Crucible (John Proctor), The Bridges Of Madison County (Robert Kincaid), Betrayal (Jerry), 9 to 5 (Franklin Hart), Honeymoon In Vegas (Tommy Korman). NYC: Allen Wilder 2.0 (Michael), The Great American Backstage Musical (Johnny Brash). TV: The Knick, American Dynasty, A Crime To Remember. FILM: Self Help, The UTI Fairy, There For All The Moments
Michael Jayne Walker is an actor, singer, and rock musician based out of Brooklyn. They’ve been seen around the country and around the world in shows like Rent (Roger), Hair (Claude), and Godspell (Jesus), as well as in The Surfer Boys at FST. They also play guitar for glam punk band The Manimals. You can follow Michael’s adventures on Insta @mjwesq!
Brian Ott | FST debut! Selected theatre: Phantom Folktales (Virgin Voyages/PigPen Theatre Co), Twelfth Night (Saratoga Shakespeare Company), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Franklin Stage Company), Anna Karenina (HB Studio/Notch Theatre Company), A New Brain (Iron Crow Theatre), Much Ado About Nothing (Alabama Shakespeare Festival). Film: IF. Tours nationally with A Band Called Honalee. BA: College of the Holy Cross. @brianfrancisott/brianott.com.
Leah Greene is thrilled to return to Florida Studio Theatre for 59th Street Bridge! Leah is a singer, actor, musician and songwriter based in NYC. She holds a BFA in Music Theatre from Elon University. Theatre credits include: the national tour of Sound of Music, international tour of Sister Act, Disney Cruise Line, and more. Leah performs as a singer/guitarist throughout New York and is a regular in the West Village music scene. www.leahsings.com • @wowleahsings
59th Street Bridge Photos
Waitress (Nov. 6-Dec. 29, 2024)
Waitress Cast Bios
* Denotes member Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Kaitlyn Davidson* (Jenna) BROADWAY: R+H's Cinderella; Nice Work If You Can Get It. NATIONAL TOUR: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Judy Haynes); R+H’s Cinderella (Ella); Bright Star (Lucy Grant); CATS (Jellylorum). OFF BROADWAY/NYC: Empire The Musical (Wally), New World Stages; OLIVER! (Strawberry Seller), NYCC Encores!; Austen’s Pride (Mary Bennet), Carnegie Hall; The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Transport Group. SELECT REGIONAL: From Here To Eternity (Karen Holmes), Skylight Music Theatre; Chicago (Roxie), The Riverside Theatre. TV: L&O: Organized Crime (Lizzie Stabler). @kaitlyndavidsonofficial.
Galyana Castillo*(Becky)
Charity Farrell (Dawn) gained recognition as a semi-finalist in the series premiere of "I Can See Your Voice" on Fox. Her versatile career spans across various domains, from film to the stage. Her film credits include "The Father and the Bear", "Forever's End", and "How It Ends." Her off-Broadway credits include original cast for productions such as "Peace Love and Cupcakes," "Select Sections from the Heart," and "Madame Infamy." Charity has also enchanted audiences on cruise lines, including Celebrity and Disney, where she brought beloved Disney characters to life, portraying Elsa, Rapunzel, and Ariel. Currently, she is a member of Divas3 & Rhinestone Cowgirls with Nancy Allen Productions.
Quinn Corcoran* (Dr. Pomatter)
James Larson* (Earl) OFF BROADWAY: Into the Woods (Roundabout), Atomic (Theatre Row). NATIONAL TOURS: Spamalot, The Buddy Holly Story, Twelfth Night. SELECTED REGIONAL: Luck Be a Lady (Asolo Repertory Theatre), Too Marvelous for Words (Florida Repertory Theatre), The Hound of the Baskervilles (Gulfshore Playhouse), The Night Before (freeFall Theatre), Elvis: A Musical Revolution (Walnut Street Theatre), Ring of Fire (Milwaukee Repertory Theater), Million Dollar Quartet, The Buddy Holly Story, Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Playhouse Xmas Show (Bucks County Playhouse), The Other Josh Cohen (Geva Theatre), Insta: @jamesdlarson
Jason Pintar* (Cal) is happily returning to the FST stage after playing Harry Hunter in Network and singing bass in The Wanderers. He spent much of this year touring mainland China and Hong Kong as Admiral von Schreiber (u/s Cpt. von Trapp) in Broadway International’s production of The Sound of Music, directed by Jack O’Brien. Regional Stage: Paper Mill Playhouse, North Shore Music Theatre, The Gateway, The REV, Riverside, New Harmony, Arrow Rock Lyceum. jasonpintar.com
Nick Cearley* (Ogie) is the co-creator of the acclaimed “Undie-Rock” duo known as The Skivvies (www.theskivviesnyc.com). Broadway/Tour: All Shook Up, Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas (Chicago).Nick holds the record for most performances in the award winning one person play Buyer & Cellar across America. Off Broadway: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck),Pageant (Original Off Bway/ Cast Album), Golden Rainbow (The York Theatre), Sex Tips…, Cupid & Psyche. Select regional: Portland Center Stage, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Berkshire Theatre Group, Bay Street Theatre, Bucks County Playhouse, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, Cape Playhouse, American Stage Company, Rubicon Theatre, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, Laguna Playhouse, Two River Theatre. IG:@clearlycearley & @theskivviesnyc. www.nick-cearley.com
Scott Wakefield* (Joe) is thrilled to return having played country western star “Billy Mason” in FST’s Toubadour. He has performed on Broadway in It Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues; Ring Of Fire; and Hands On A Hardbody and Off-Broadway in The Hello Girls; Texas In Paris; Paint Your Wagon and more. Regional appearances include The Asolo Theatre, The Old Globe, LaJolla Playhouse, Cincinnati Playhouse, Alliance Theatre, Seattle Repertory and many others. Mr. Wakefield previously performed at FST in The Fabulous Lipitones and Woody Guthrie’s American Song. He was awarded Best Actor for his portrayals of “Will Rogers” in The Will Rogers Follies, “Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd” in The Best Little Whorehouse, and “Woody Guthrie” in American Song. Scott has recorded two CDs of original music: Older Than Dirt and Vegetarian Nightmare. ScottWakefield.com
Madeline Fansler* (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her FST debut in Waitress. Originally hailing from Telluride, Colorado, Fansler is now a 12-year native New Yorker. She graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee and was most recently seen in the Shanghai company of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812. Other credits include the Australian tour of Six the Musical (Super Swing), the US national/international tour of Kinky Boots (Swing/Lauren and Nicola u/s), and the world premiere of Skates the Musical (Tonya Carson). www.madelinefansler.com
Jazz Madison (Ensemble), a California native, is thrilled to make her Waitress debut at FST! Her previous credits include Royal Caribbean, the Hairspray National and Australian Tour, as well as Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at Ogunquit Playhouse, Tuacahn, La Mirada Theater, and Cape Playhouse. @jazzmadison.
Madalyn Macko (Ensemble) is overjoyed to make her FST debut in one of her favorite musicals! She is an alumna of Florida Southern College, having earned a BFA in Musical Theatre with minors in Dance and Communication. Regional: Olivia in Twelfth Night, Liza in T-Room… The Musical (Endstation Theatre Company), Rosie in Cabaret, Tiresias in Antigonick (Hangar Theatre). More of her work can be found at madalynmacko.com.
Aathaven Tharmarajah (he/him) (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be joining the company of Waitress here at FST! National tour credits: Emmett Forrest in Legally Blonde, Laurie in Little Women. Select Off-Broadway/regional credits: Monsoon Wedding (St. Ann’s Warehouse); May We All (The REV Theatre Company); Hello, Dolly!, Elf (Pioneer Theatre Company); Freaky Friday, Strictly Ballroom (Hale Centre Theatre); A Christmas Carol (The Hanover Theatre). Aathaven is a graduate of the University of Utah’s Musical Theatre Program. @aathaven_
Ryan Hurley (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his FST debut in WAITRESS! Ryan was last seen in the Las Vegas Revival of Jersey Boys (Swing, u/s Tommy, Nick). Additional Theatre: The Gateway Playhouse, Norwegian Cruise Line. Opera: MetLive Arts/Metropolitan Museum of Art, Music Academy of the West. Ryan is an alumni of The LINK Program, a graduate of The Juilliard School and represented by The Collective Talent. IG: @ryanhurleynyc
Waitress Photos
Waitress Creative Team
* Denotes member Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Director/Choreographer | Ben Liebert*
Music Director | Darren Server
Scenic Design | Axis Studios Design: Isabel A. & Moriah Curley-Clay
Costume Design | Chelsea Allen & Jacob Denney
Lighting Design | Ben Rawson
Sound Design | Thom Beaulieu
AEA Stage Manager | Shira Lebovich*
AEA Assistant Stage Manager | Charlotte Perez
Stage Management Intern | Amoreena Tillman
Off The Charts (Oct. 2, 2024 - Feb. 9, 2025)
Off The Charts Cast Bios
Carson Collins is thrilled to be spending his winter in Sarasota with the cast of Off the Charts! Selected credits: Jersey Boys (Las Vegas Residency), The Bridges of Madison County (Signature Theatre), Spring Awakening (Round House Theatre), The Secret Garden (ACT of Connecticut), Jersey Boys (Norwegian Cruise Line), Little Shop of Horrors (Constellation Theatre Company), The Bridges of Madison County (The Keegan Theatre), and Jersey Boys (Mill Mountain Theatre Company). Education: BM from The Catholic University of America. Instagram: @carsoncarson23
Jarius Miquel Cliett is a multi-hyphenate artist from Atlanta, based in New York. He is honored to be making his Florida Studio Theatre debut in Off the Charts. He was recently seen touring as Middala as part of the Golden Plates national tour of The Book of Mormon. Jarius co-hosts the podcast Black Table Read and is the CEO & Executive Producer of JC3 Productions.For more on J.M.C., visit his website at www.thejmc.art @ohitsjmc
Joyce Paulino is thrilled to make her FST debut! Credits include: AIDA (Arts Center of Coastal Carolina), Angelina Ballerina (Int. Tour & Off Broadway), Plátanos and Collard Greens (Off Broadway), Halfway There (Nat. Tour), Grease Forever (New Film Prod.) Voice over/Dubbing credits: Six Is Not A Crowd (HBO), Earth To Luna (YouTube), Mangos Trop. Cafe (Commercial), Reis (Brazilian TV). Joyce is grateful and manifesting many more memories on the FST stages! @Joyce.Music
Katelyn Bowman is happy to be returning to FST; she was previously seen in Little Shop of Horrors. Regional: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, The Color Purple (Denver Center for the Performing Arts), All Shook Up, Grease, Ain’t Misbehavin’. Tours: Legally Blonde. IG: katelyncatalina
Junie B. Jones: The Musical (Sept. 28-Oct 27, 2024
Junie B. Jones Cast Bios
Julia Ruggirello is a recent graduate of Kent State University’s BFA Musical Theater Program and is so excited to be an Acting Apprentice with Florida Studio Theatre! Recent credits include Maureen U/S and Alexi Darling in RENT (Kent State University), Featured Dancer in Kiss Me, Kate! (People’s Bank Theater), and Soupy Sue in URINETOWN (Kent State University). Julia is thrilled to be in Sarasota and can’t wait to keep growing and learning as a performer!
Rhea Leonard is a graduate of the University of Central Florida and has earned her degree in English Literature. She has been involved in community theatre, recording and touring with Grammy-winning gospel artists, and writing her own music. Some of her favorite credits include Cinderella and Into the Woods. Rhea has previously interned in general management and education at FST and is excited to join this season as an acting apprentice.
David Allsup is originally from Dallas, Texas and recently graduated from Baylor University. At Baylor, he received his BFA in Theatre Performance with a Concentration in Musical Theatre. Some recent favorites include the Narrator in Joseph and Stephano in The Tempest. He is excited to get to spend this next year working with FST!
Ava Spinelli Mastrone (She/Her) originally hails from Stamford Connecticut, and is thrilled to join FST’s Acting Apprentice program. She is a recent graduate of Baldwin Wallace University with a degree in Acting and Directing. Past Productions at BW include Measure for Measure (Marianna/Justice), The Importance of Being Earnest (Gwendolen Fairfax), The Comedy of Errors (Emilia) and Boeing Boeing(Gabriella)! Ava has worked with the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival, Chagrin Arts Centre, Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival, and Great Lakes Theatre.
Nick James (He/him) is ecstatic to make his Florida Studio Theatre debut! A recent graduate of Columbus State University's BFA Theatre Performance program, Nick has participated in shows on both the professional and collegiate levels such as Holes (Mr. Sir), Rock of Ages (Jakeith/Mayor/Ensemble), Three Little Birds (Dr. Bird), The Color Purple (Pastor/Adam).
Dellan Short is a current Acting Fellow with FST who made his FST debut in the Burdick New Play Festival reading of Advice by Brent Askari. Some of his previous credits include Off The Charts! and Deck The Halls at FST; Everybody at the Alliance Theatre; 9 To 5, Living Out, Legally Blonde, The Tempest, and The Secret Garden.
PJ Pavot is a DC Based actor. Regional Credits: Catch a Dream (Chris Reilly) CADMusical Co., Rent (Swing) Ohio Valley Summer Theatre, Jack and the Beanstalk (Tour Actor/Director) Missoula Children’s Theatre, Peter and Wendy (Tour Actor/Director) Missoula Children’s Theatre. BFA: Ohio University
Junie B. Jones Photos
Junie B. Jones Creative Team
CAROLINE SALDIVAR (Director) has been at FST for 9 seasons as the Director of Children’s Theatre. Prior to that she served as the Associate Artistic Director at TheatreWorksUSA in New York City developing and casting over 100 productions including Off-Broadway and National Tours. At FST, in addition to her work in Children’s Theatre, she also manages the Acting Apprentice company.
JEREMY WEINSTEIN (Music Director) is an actor, musician, and music director from the Midwest and is currently the Music Directing Fellow at FST. He has instructed students from 3rd grade to “13th” grade in the areas of Yoga, Tai Chi, acting, and vocal performance. Regional Credits include Mamma Mia!, Footloose, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. FST credits: The Power of Peanut Butter, musical arrangements for Deck The Halls, and select performances of The World Goes ‘Round, Take It To The Limit, and Up On The Roof.
NICK SCHONS (Scenic Designer) Recent and notable projects include Off-Broadway: Peerless (Primary Stages at 59E59 Studios), Candida (Gingold Group at TheatreRow), La Race (Page 73 Productions). Regional: From The Mississippi Delta (Westport Country Playhouse), Ragtime (Utah Shakespeare Festival), Kim’s Convenience (Westport Country Playhouse), Rent (Theatre Aspen). Nick’s work has been seen in theaters across the country including: Westport Country Playhouse, Utah Shakespeare Festival, TheatreSquared, Laguna Playhouse, Music Theatre Connecticut, Cherry Lane Theatre, Theatre Aspen, The Broadway Method Academy, and the City College of New York City. nickschons.com
JACOB DENNEY (Costume Designer) is currently the Costume Shop Assistant at FST. He recently graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a B.A. in Theatre. While at MTSU, he costumedesigned many shows including Fun Home, Cicada, and several dance concerts. After graduation, he also worked as a designer and wardrobe supervisor in Nashville. FST credits: The Power of Peanut Butter, The White Chip, and FST’s Under 6 tour.
ANDREW GRAY (Lighting Designer) Originally from Scotland, Andrew graduated from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) in 2012 and has been designing/programming professionally for over a decade. Notable credits include: Giant Spectacular (Liverpool Capital of Culture), Mamma Mia! (Surflight Theatre), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Beobe Productions), To Kill a Mockingbird (Parker Snell Productions), and Lost & Found (BP productions). Select FST credits include: The Outsider, The Music of Laurel Canyon, The World Goes ‘Round, Rhinestone Cowgirls, The Flip Side, Ugly Lies the Bone, Pictures From Home, Take It To The Limit, and others.
NICHOLAS CHRISTENSEN (Sound Designer) Credits include: The Four C Notes, The Outsider, Dear Jack, Dear Louise, The Music of Laurel Canyon, The World Goes ‘Round, Rhinestone Cowgirls, Troubadour, The Flip Side, The Lehman Trilogy, Ugly Lies the Bone, Pictures From Home, Little Shop of Horrors, Take It To The Limit, Up On The Roof, Creedence Clearwater Remixed!, New York State of Mind, Singin’ in The Rain, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, and Ring of Fire.
BEN LIEBERT (Choreographer) At FST, Ben has directed The World Goes ‘Round, Red Riding Hood, and choreographed Up On The Roof and Laughing Matters: Variant 6. Other direction/choreography includes Next to Normal, Into the Woods, The Producers (National tour, assistant director), I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change; Ordinary Days, Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged), and The Bomb-itty of Errors, as well as new works at Theatre Aspen, the Metropolitan Room, Samuel French OOBFestival (festival winner), MST&DA, Planet Connections Festival, Studio Players, and Randomly Specific Theatre. On the other side of the table, Ben has appeared as an actor on Broadway in Wicked, Off-Broadway in Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish directed by Joel Grey, and regionally in Little Shop of Horrors, Into the Woods, Ragtime, Chicago, Spamalot, and Avenue Q. He is the co-creator and puppeteer behind Cam and Ben Sing Songs, a social-emotional learning webseries for kids and families. Ben is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. B.F.A.: NYU-Tisch.
BenLiebert.com
MADISON HAROSKY (Stage Management Intern) is a recent graduate from Emory & Henry College where she obtained a B.F.A. in Stage Management and Directing. Throughout her time in college, she had the joy of Stage Managing works such as Violet, Songs For A New World, and most recently, Built On Shadows. She is excited to be pursuing her career at Florida Studio Theatre and is thankful for the opportunity to continue exploring and creating theatre. FST credit: The Music of Laurel Canyon.
The 4 C Notes (Aug. 6 - Oct 13, 2024)
The 4 C Notes Cast Bios
MICHAEL FERRARO lives in New York City and was born and raised in Chicago. Regionally he has performed at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Ivoryton Playhouse, Porchlight Music Theatre, Actors Theatre of Indiana, Little Theatre on the Square. Michael traveled the globe with The Four C Notes on Princess and Celebrity Cruise Lines and is so grateful to be here in Sarasota at FST! Socials: michaelferraro.online, @_michaelferraro
ETHAN LUPP is psyched to be making his debut with The Four C Notes! Ethan is a Chicago based actor that most recently appeared in Surging Film and Theatrics production of The Drowsy Chaperone (Robert) before that he worked with Music Theatre Works in Shrek The Musical, and The Producers. He graduated from Millikin University with a BFA in musical theatre. While at school he was lucky enough to be a part of productions such as Phantom of the Opera, Carrie: The Musical, and Some Enchanted Evening. He couldn’t be happier to work with such wonderful people with wonderful music.
TYLER MEYER is thrilled to join The Four C Notes and make his Florida performance debut. A graduate of Carthage College’s Music Theatre program, Tyler is a Wisconsin native and recent Chicago transplant. Tyler’s recent theater credits include Sleeping with Beauty (PrideArts), A Chorus Line (Madkap Productions), and Xanadu (Metropolis Performing Arts Center), as well as performing at Six Flags Great America. In addition to theater, Tyler dances and choreographs in the Chicago nightlife scene. IG: tyler.s.meyer
MAX TROTTER is thrilled to be making his Florida Studio Theatre debut with The Four C Notes. He has performed professionally all across the Chicago area with recent select theatre credits including the NW Indiana regional premiere of The Story of My Life (Alvin), A Little Night Music (Henrik), Head Over Heels (Musidorus), Something Rotten (Nigel), Sweeney Todd (Anthony), and Joseph... Dreamcoat (Joseph).
The 4 C Notes Creative Team
CATHERINE RANDAZZO (Line Producer) is an Associate Artist and Literary Manager for FST. Select FST Directing Credits: The Flip Side, Take It To The Limit, Up On The Roof; Reel Music, A Place in the Sun: A Tribute to Stevie Wonder, The ‘70s: More Than a Decade, Friends in Low Places, The Wanderers, Light My Fire, Outlaws and Angels, The Wonder Years, Guitar Girls, Unchained Melodies, and Blue Suede Shoes (Cabaret), Smoke & Mirrors (Mainstage), Babel, Buyer & Cellar (Stage III). Catherine has been a part of the Sarasota artistic community since 1990.
JAMIE THYGESEN (Scenic and Lighting Designer) is a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre: Technical & Design with an emphasis on stage management. Jamie is enjoying her time at FST, bringing shows to life here in Sarasota and making Florida home alongside her homes in Iowa, Kentucky, and Missouri. FST: The White Chip, A Night in November, Visit Joe Whitefeather, Network, Laughing Matters, Rock & Roll Reignited, and New York State of Mind With The Uptown Boys.
NICHOLAS CHRISTENSEN (Sound Designer) Credits include: The Outsider, Dear Jack, Dear Louise, The Music of Laurel Canyon, The World Goes ‘Round, Rhinestone Cowgirls, Troubadour, The Flip Side, The Lehman Trilogy, Ugly Lies the Bone, Pictures From Home, Little Shop of Horrors, Take It To The Limit, Up On The Roof, Creedence Clearwater Remixed!, New York State of Mind, Singin’ in The Rain, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, and Ring of Fire.
MATTHEW PARVIN (Sound & Light Board Operator) has worked on numerous shows at FST. His previous credits include: The World Goes ‘Round, Up On The Roof, Up On The Roof (Remount), How To Draw A Triangle, and Daring Dames Of The Silver Screen. He also has many college show credits from his Alma Maters, Middle Tennessee State University (B.S.) and Northeast State Community College (A.S.). Those credits include: Peter and the Starcatcher, The Language Archive, Dark RItuals, and Wiley and the Hairy Man, where he received a Commendation for Distinguished Achievement Award for Stage Management from the KCACTF National Honors Committee.