Visual and performing artists and events in the news in October, 2024

This is who and what’s creating news in Southwest Florida’s visual and performing arts community during the month of August, 2024:

1     ACTORS

Emory Ambrioso is Lt. Jonathan Kendrick in ‘A Few Good Men’

Emory Ambrioso turns in a riveting performance as Lt. Jonathan James Kendrick in 7Mary34’s production of Aaron Sorken’s epic play A Few Good Men. Emory’s stage credits include Enrique Salvatore in Legally Blonde, Rudolfo for both the Naughty and Miracle casts of Matilda the Musical at Fort Myers Theatre, Vlad Vladikoff in Seussical, Adolpho in The Drowsy Chaperone and work in the ensemble of 7Mary34’s production of White Christmas.

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‘Book of Clarence’ actor Chase Dillon forming strategic partnerships with FGCU and local filmmaker Curtis Collins

Chase Dillion made his acting debut in 2019 in the role of Ollie in First Wives Club. Since then, the 14-year-old has gone on to star as Cabbage in The Book of Clarence, Travis in Haunted Mansion and Homer in the critically-acclaimed TV mini-series The Underground Railroad. Dillon was in discussions last week with local filmmaker Curtis Collins regarding the latter’s latest project, Loyal to the Game. He’s also considering relocating his Youth Humanitarian Awards to FGCU. Learn why in this story. Read or listen to the full story here.

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Terry Lavy is Lt. Sam Weinberg in ‘A Few Good Men’

Terry Lavy plays the part of Lt. Sam Weinberg in 7Mary34’s production of A Few Good Men. Terry’s previous credits include the Man in the Chair in The Drowsy Chaperone, Santa for Fort Myers Theatre in Elf the Musical, the Narrator in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of The Rocky Horror Show (which he also played in 2022) and Mayor Shinn in The Music Man for Fort Myers Theatre (2023). View more of Terry’s stage credits here.

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Allison Lund is Lt. Cmdr. Joanne Galloway in ‘A Few Good Men’

Allison Lund appears for 7Mary34 Productions as Lt. Cmdr. Joanne Galloway in A Few Good Men. Allison’s previous credits include Riff Raff in Rocky Horror for Fort Myers Theatre, Bernadette in POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive for Lab Theater, June in Chicago for Gypsy Playhouse, Magenta for Fort Myers Theatre in The Rocky Horror Show and both Stage Manager and Ensemble member in Rent. Go here for the rest of Allison’s credits.

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Noah Lynch is Lance Cpl. Harold Dawson in ‘A Few Good Men’

Noah Lynch appears in as Lance Cpl. Harold W. Dawson in 7Mary34’s production of A Few Good Men. Previous roles include multiple roles (the Escapologist, the doctor, a Hungarian Mafioso and Dad 3) in Matilda the Musical at Fort Myers Theatre, the Best Man, George, in The Drowsy Chaperone, Schroeder in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and the Beast in Beauty and the Beast. View the rest of Noah’s stage credits here.

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Jake Raterman is Pfc. Louden Downey in ‘A Few Good Men’

Jake Raterman appears as Pfc Louden Downey in 7Mary34’s production of A Few Good Men. Prior stage credits include Chadwick and the manager at Macy’s in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of Elf the Musical, Damian Hubbard in Mean Girls High School Edition for Melody Lane Theatre, the title role in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Mr. Holgate in Bulletproof Backpack at the Center for Performing Arts Bonita, Hovstad in An Enemy of the People at Florida Gulf Coast University, Max in Cabaret at the Alliance for the Arts, and Fred Casely in Chicago for Gypsy Playhouse. Go here to see the rest of Jake’s stage credits.

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Jesse Stauffer brilliant in the role of Lt. Col. Nathan Jessep in ‘A Few Good Men’

Jesse Stauffer is brilliant in the role of Lt. Col. Nathan Jessep in 7Mary34’s production of A Few Good Men. Previous roles include Lars in the staged reading of Mixed Messages at Lab Theater (2024), Uncle Henry in The Wizard of Oz at Belle Theatre (2024), Mayor Meekly in Unnecessary Farce at Belle Theatre (2024), multiple characters in the staged reading of Sand Man at Laboratory Theater (2023), and Inspector Kemp (and miscellaneous extras) in Young Frankenstein at New Phoenix Theatre (2021). The rest of Jesse’s credits are here.

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2     DIRECTORS

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3     ART NEWS AND EXHIBITIONS

‘Journey of Hope’ now lighted

Journey of Hope is now lighted. The 16-foot-tall aluminum sculpture depicts an African American woman looking up with yearning and determination contrasted against a golden sunburst that symbolizes the arrival of a new day where justice, equality and freedom prevail. Journey of Hope gives voice to the Dunbar community’s desire for an artwork that expressed the themes of hope, dreams and civil rights. While the site for the Martin Luther King & Veronica S. Shoemaker Boulevard Gateway Artwork has no electrical service, Lueza installed a 200-watt self-sustained solar lighting system with LED fixtures to illuminate Journey of Hope after dark. Read more here.

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Punta Gorda’s murals available now on mobile app ‘Otocast’

Years ago, the Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society used QR Codes to enable folks to read about the murals the Society was installing around town. “It would take you to the local page on our website, but you’d have to read it in the sun, which is a little hard to do,” notes Mural Society President Kelly Gaylord. So she convinced the Charlotte County Tourist Development Council to subscribe for a mobile app called Otocast because it contains an audio feature that obviates the need to read text in the sun. But there’s another benefit that Gaylord likes just as much. Find out on WGCU what that benefit is.

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Punta Gorda earns nickname of ‘Mural Town’ thanks to local mural society

Punta Gorda has given itself the nickname of “Mural Town.” Kelly Gaylord says the reputation is not only well-deserved, it’s intentional.

“Whether you walk, bike or drive around the town of Punta Gorda, Florida, you’ll notice large murals at every turn,” Gaylord proclaimed. “They are the product of the Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society, a nonprofit started 30 years ago.”

The Society’s mission is to paint the town with history.

“Each mural captures a slice of local history, and we’re very particular about that,” Gaylord said. “It has to be history that happened here in Punta Gorda in the local area.” Listen on WGCU for the rest of this story.

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Sarasota Art one of five museums hosting ‘Skyway 2024: A Contemporary Collaboration’

The Sarasota Art Museum has just opened Skyway 2024: A Contemporary Collaboration in concert with the University of South Florida Contemporary Art Museum, the Tampa Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Art St. Petersburg and The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. The works on display at SAM are as compelling as they are diverse. Read the story on WGCU.org.

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Three floors of contemporary art greet Sarasota museum guests

Sarasota Art Museum has no permanent collection. Instead, it stages rotating exhibitions of transformative, relevant and pioneering artists in an ongoing effort to facilitate the appreciation and understanding of the art of our times. While the art on display changes, the museum’s point of entry remains constant, and that’s where visitors discover the intriguing “28 Colors of Sarasota” mural. Read or listen to the full story on WGCU.

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‘Intersections’ displays many of the works created by Naples Art Institute over past 25 years

The Naples Art Institute is a museum with a permanent collection of more than 350 works that it has amassed over the last 25 years. A sampling of these artworks are on display through October 27 in an exhibition titled “Intersections: The 25-Year Journey of Our Collection.” Read or listen to the full story on WGCU.

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Former Naples Art Director Barbara Hill played role in Jim Rosenquist’s gift of 7 important works

The Naples Art Institute’s current exhibition includes a number of important works from its permanent collection. At the pinnacle of this long list are seven James Rosenquist serigraphs. This is the inside story on how Naples Art obtained these important works of art. Read or listen to the story on WGCU.

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Tomaso Albertini creating dynamic art in studio at Naples Art Institute

Tomaso Albertini is creating dynamic three-dimensional art at Naples Art Institute. In the realm of art, Albertini’s process, medium and compositions are unique. They had to be in order to stand out among the competition in New York City, where he launched his career in 2015. Read the story on WGCU.

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Fort Myers Beach Mound House a step closer to museum accreditation

Mound House Museum Manager Adam Knight has lofty ambitions. He and his staff have set their sights on museum accreditation. But they’re well aware that accreditation is a rare achievement.

“Only about 1 percent of museums in the United States are accredited,” said Knight. “There are only two museums in Southwest Florida that are currently accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.”

The benefits are enormous, starting with national recognition and positive public image.

Read the full story on WGCU.

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4     THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

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Local producer Trace Talley brings ‘A Few Good Men’ to Marco 

When 7Mary34 Director Trace Talley was in ninth grade, he saw A Few Good Men at the Kennedy Center. Now he’s producing the Aaron Sorkin play, which opens at Arts Center Theatre in Marco Town Center on October 4th. Listen to Trace talk up the show on WGCU.

Go here for play dates, times and a full cast list.

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This production of ‘A Few Good Men’ all spit, polish and precision

Prepare to be thrust into the vortex of military life when you enter Arts Center Theatre in Marco Town Center for a performance of A Few Good Men. From the crisply pressed military uniforms to Spartan set, this production is all spit, polish and precision. The scenes, the dialogue, the drama are the same as in the movie. But seeing “A Few Good” men live and on stage is an entirely and eerily different experience. The show runs October 4-13. Listen to the story on WGCU.

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The Belle Theatre becomes SWFL’s first Penguin Project chapter

Once a year, groups of children and young adults with developmental disabilities take to stages across the country to perform a modified version of a well-known Broadway musical. These magical performances are orchestrated by The Penguin Project, a national program that seeks to demonstrate that the special challenges of disability should not handicap a child’s ability to participate in life experiences. The Belle Theatre in Cape Coral has recently joined in this effort. Hear the story on WGCU.

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The Naples Players’ ‘Rumors’ rife with intrigue, drama and laughs

Neil Simon’s “Rumors” opens October 2nd in The Naples Players’ newly-renovated Kizzie Theater. In classical farce tradition, the production is full of slamming doors, misdirection, subterfuge, rampant rumors, jumping to outlandishly erroneous conclusions – and a premise rife with intrigue, drama and a boatload of laughs. Hear the story on WGCU.