FST to Present OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW BETTER as Part of Stage III Lab Series

How old is Old Enough to Know Better? FST explores this question and more in the inaugural Stage III Lab production of Old Enough To Know Better by Richard Hopkins and Jason Cannon. This production will run for a two-week limited engagement in Bowne's Lab opening on June 12. Single tickets are $34-$36 and may be purchased online at FloridaStudioTheatre.org, by phone at (941) 366-9000, or by visiting the Box Office.

Everyone ages, but what does it really mean to 'get old?' In a culture that values youthfulness and staying young, FST tells YOUR stories on the good, the bad, the ugly, and the humorous aspects of aging. All come together in over 100 hours of interviews with the Sarasota community, to explore the 'art' of aging and what it really means to be Old Enough To Know Better.

As the first experimental offering since the opening of Bowne's Lab, Old Enough to Know Better takes a deeper look at aging and what it really means to grow older. FST Associate Artist and lead writer of this production Jason Cannon shares his experience developing this inventive new production from the ground up stating, "Old Enough To Know Better is both a culmination and a launching point. It is the culmination of a year and a half long project that started with interviewing almost 100 people in our community about the subject of aging. It's been developed through three different drafts, and is now being fine-tuned into a performance script. At the same time it is a launching point for FST's People's Project, which will be employing the methodology developed during Old Enough To Know Better. The goal is to do more explorations of our community, digging for real stories and transforming them into theatre - telling our audience's stories back to them in an effort to more fully understand them, ourselves, and each other. It's been both an honor and a joy guiding and observing this process, meeting so many fascinating people, and learning from them. The actual performance, we hope, will be a catalyst to generate conversation about and deepen awareness of issues that desperately need addressing."

Artistic Director Richard Hopkins further explains the background of this production stating, "This is an exciting project that has been in development for the last two years. But the original seed was planted over ten years ago, with our first production of Over the River and Through the Woods, which we will be once again be presenting in this year's Summer Mainstage Season. That production made clear the value of exploring generational differences and how we interpret the aging of our loved ones and of ourselves. As we began the writing process, we were still searching for that 'Sarasota feel.' After a very informative staged reading, we decided to bring it back to FST and further develop it with our creative staff. We then took it on tour to locations that were the original inspiration of the production. This is an experimental show in an experimental space. We are looking forward to the next step to take it to the stage."

FST's Stage III Lab programming will be presented Bowne's Lab, in the space for all things experimental. That includes improv, adult education, and Stage III Lab programming beginning with Old Enough To Know Better. Stage III Lab programming will present pieces that really get to the grit of the creative process and bring audiences face to face with the magic of raw, live theatre. Opening on June 12, Old Enough To Know Better will run for a limited two week engagement in Bowne's Lab. Single tickets are $34-$36 and may be purchased online at FloridaStudioTheatre.org, by phone at (941) 366-9000, or by visiting the Box Office.

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