F S U /A S O L O C O N S E R VAT O R Y PA R T N E R S H I P
JOHN THRASHER
President Florida State University Florida State University joins with Asolo Repertory Theatre in thanking the Sarasota community for the tremendous show of support in what has been a most extraordinary year. The partnership between the university and Asolo Repertory Theatre remains strong. Over the fall and spring semesters, we provided a safe environment for the 36 graduate students in residence at Asolo Rep so they could continue training for their professional lives. The video version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream was a stunning example of how we have been able to work together to provide content for Florida’s students, even when touring has been impossible. This spring, the Class of 2021 was in Tallahassee working side by side with students from the College of Motion Picture Arts, gaining valuable experience in film. Asolo Repertory Theatre is a beacon for theatrical excellence. Florida State University is proud of its ongoing partnership to prepare students for the stage through the FSU/Asolo Conservatory. As one of the Top 20 public universities in the nation, FSU enjoys having a relationship with an arts institution as fine as the Asolo Rep, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration. Thank you for supporting the arts and education and for helping to ensure that we will all be back, stronger than ever, someday soon.
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JAMES FRAZIER, EdD, MFA Dean, College of Fine Arts Florida State University With gratitude, I contemplate where we were a year ago and where we are today. So much has happened, but through the challenges and struggles, Asolo Repertory Theatre and Florida State University have made great strides forward and have emerged stronger in our partnership and demonstrated commitment to engaging in thoughtful ways with Conservatory students and our dedicated sponsorsw, to be the best that we can be. As we continue our trajectory onward and upward, thank you.
GREG LEAMING
Director, FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training More than 60 years ago, Florida State University sent its theatre faculty to Sarasota to start a summer theatre, and shortly afterwards the students in the graduate acting program joined the young company to gain experience in a practical setting. Since that time, one of the most unique and respected training programs in the country has blossomed. While Asolo Rep eventually separated and became its own institution, no longer officially part of FSU, the graduate program remained a part of FSU, operating in Sarasota alongside a growing professional theatre. As a result, the FSU/Asolo Conservatory now works hand in hand with one of the most important and valuable regional theatres in the country, Asolo Rep. Because of this relationship, we are able to offer students not only the highest caliber of classroom training but also a professional work experience as part of that training. The partnership between Asolo Rep and FSU/Asolo Conservatory remains vibrant today, allowing us to train artists as they look forward to taking part in the future of the American Theatre.
