The South Florida Theatre League is adapting its seventh annual Summer Theatre Fest of play readings across the region in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s also expanding the event’s scope and purpose to include a slate of online professional development workshops.
Summer Theatre Fest will become Quarantine Theatre Fest to promote member organizations’ online offerings throughout the month of July instead of the usual arrangement of co-sponsoring a different reading at a different theater throughout the summer.
But many local theaters have been developing a wide range of online activities such as Zoomed readings of short and full-length plays, interviews with actors and clips of their performances, one-on-one talks with artists from every corner of the profession, seminars and lectures.
The League will post a running updated list of these offerings at www.southfloridatheatre.com, plus news of other workshops.
“Our members shifted quickly to engaging their audiences online since the middle of March,” wrote executive director, Andie Arthur. “Since one of the few programming choices available to theatres at this time are online readings; it made more sense for us to lift up what they are already doing to engage audiences they might not be reaching currently and supplement with opportunities for continuing professional development,”
Additionally, the League will be hosting multiple workshops throughout July; including Corona Creatives and Chill, an online mini-conference for the community to discuss issues around COVID-19; a workshop on power dynamics in the rehearsal room with intimacy director Nicole Perry; a workshop on marketing to diverse audiences with Broadway producer Willie Fernandez; a forum with local theater critics; and the League’s popular audition workshop with director Michael Leeds and music director Caryl Fantel.
As Summer Theatre Fest has for the past seven years, Quarantine Theatre Fest will also end with the Remy Awards, the South Florida Theatre League’s annual awards honoring the unsung heroes of the theatre community. The Remy Awards will happen on Monday, July 27 at 7:30 P.M. They will be free and online, with an option for viewers to donate to the South Florida Theatre League Relief Fund.
For up to date information, visit www.southfloridatheatre.com, where further details on member theater programming and Quarantine Theatre Fest workshops will be added as confirmed.
The workshops scheduled so far are:
Corona Creatives and Chill
Wednesday July 1 at 7:30 P.M.
Via Zoom
Free, but RSVP required
A mini-online conference where theatre artists and administrators can gather to talk about solutions to problems brought up by the pandemic. Current planned affinity group discussions include financial issues under COVID-19, community building while online, creative issues (i.e. how do we make work while practicing social distancing), emotional health and wellbeing, teaching and learning online, and grant writing for individual artists.
Power Dynamics in the Rehearsal Room with Nicole Perry
Saturday July 11 at 2 P.M.
Via Zoom
Suggested $10 Donation
Intimacy Director Nicole Perry will lead a workshop for actors and directors on consent and power dynamics in the rehearsal room.
In the Room: Continuing Workshops Around Inclusion with Christina Alexander
Sunday June 12 at Times TBA
Via Zoom
Suggested $10 Donation
Continuing the work started at the first In the Room workshop on June 30, ArtEquity trained facilitator and Theatre Communications Group Rising Leader of Color, Christina Alexander will lead two sessions around diversity. One will be specifically for artistic directors and board members. The other will be on allyship – how an artist can be a good ally in the rehearsal room, backstage, and elsewhere.
Marketing to Diverse Audiences with Willie Fernandez
Saturday July 18 at 2 P.M.
Via Zoom
Free, donations to the South Florida Theatre Relief Fund encouraged
Broadway Producer Willie Fernandez (The Great Comet of 1812, American Son) will offer insight to theatre producers in South Florida about his experiences marketing Amparo to sold out audiences. This talk is specifically aimed at producers looking to expand their audiences of color.
Audition Workshop with Michael Leeds and Caryl Fantel
Sunday July 19 – All Day, Specific Times TBA
Via Zoom
Suggested $10 Donation
Work on your audition materials with local director Michael Leeds and Music Director Caryl Fantel. Musical theatre participants will have to submit their materials early so that Fantel will have the opportunity to record tracks.
Critics Forum
Saturday July 25 at 2 P.M.
Via Zoom
Free, donations to the South Florida Theatre Relief Fund encouraged
A forum with local theatre critics (including Christine Dolen, Bill Hirschman, and Michelle Solomon) to foster conversation between theatre makers and theatre critics. Topics will include how to best get preview coverage, what critics need from producers, and more.
The Remy Awards
Monday July 27 at 7:30 P.M.
Streaming Online
Free, donations to the South Florida Theatre Relief Fund encouraged
The South Florida Theatre League as we honor the unsung heroes of the South Florida Theatre Community. Awardees and performances to be announced.
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