Florida Rep has announced a whole slate of digital offerings as its fall 2020 virtual season after detailing plans to postpone its 2020-2021 professional theatre season last month.
The fall season includes the Stage@Home Virtual Talkback Series (through Oct. 30), the 2020 Virtual PlayLab Festival (Nov. 5 – Dec. 11), and a streaming production of “Clue” starring the theatre’s ensemble of professional actors (Oct. 29 – Nov. 1).
In addition, the theatre’s Education Department continues its Virtual Reading Series with The Laramie Project, which is set to be broadcast live from the Historic Arcade Theatre on Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. The theatre’s popular Theatre for Young Audiences Series, which normally tours to schools throughout Southwest Florida, is in rehearsal now starring the theatre’s Professional Acting Intern Company. The first of four titles in the series, “Mockingbird,” will be released for digital streaming later this month.
“Just because we can’t yet gather doesn’t mean we can’t create content to engage and entertain our audiences,” said Artistic Director, Greg Longenhagen. “While it was a difficult decision to postpone our previously scheduled 2020-2021 season, we know it was the right thing to do for the safety of our staff, artists, volunteers, and of course, our audiences. These virtual offerings will feature our ensemble of actors and give audiences a wide variety of content to choose from while we refrain from gathering indoors at the theatre.”
The popular Stage@Home Virtual Talkback Series kicked off a four-episode run on Oct. 2 and continues through Oct. 30. Episodes are $20 each and take audiences behind the scenes for an in-depth discussion with a new panel of professional theatre makers each week. Stage@Home episodes begin every Friday at 3:30 p.m. on Zoom.
The 2020 Virtual PlayLab Festival kicks off with its first live Zoom reading on Nov. 5 at 7 p.m., and continues every Thursday night (except Thanksgiving) through Dec, 10. The festival concludes with a Playwrights Panel on Friday, Dec. 11 at 3:30 p.m. where all the 2020 playwrights will participate in a Q&A with audiences and associate artistic director Jason Parrish. Readings are $20 each, but the theatre is offering two All-Access passes for $99 and $125 for some special VIP access to the playwrights, actors, and directors. For patrons who can’t watch live on Zoom, the theatre will offer each reading for on-demand streaming for four days following the live broadcast.
Available for a limited time, Florida Rep is pleased to announce a special digital streaming production of Clue: the Stay-at-Home Version, which is adapted specially for Zoom and online platforms. Artistic director Greg Longenhagen directs the virtual reading that leads with an all-star lineup of Florida Rep ensemble actors like Viki Boyle, David Breitbarth, Chris Clavelli, Kate Hampton, V Craig Heidenreich, Sara Morsey, Jason Parrish, Graham Smith, Peter Thomasson,and more.
Clue”begins streaming Oct. 29 at 7 p.m., and is only available for four days – through 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 1. The cost is $20 to stream and tickets go on sale next week at FloridaRep.org
“I want to take moment to thank Florida Rep’s generous patrons and sponsors,” Longenhagen continued. “Each piece of virtual programming is generously sponsored by some of Florida Rep’s most enthusiastic supporters. Please join me in thanking each and every one of them for doing their part to help Florida Rep survive this difficult time.”
Digital tickets for Stage@Home and PlayLab are available now at www.FloridaRep.org, and information about how to purchase “Clue” and to stream “Mockingbird” is coming soon! Please follow Florida Rep on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and subscribe to its YouTube page for the most up-to-date information. Call the Florida Rep Box Office at 239-332-4488 Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
All funds raised by this virtual content help to sustain Florida Rep through its 23rd Season.
