Hermitage Artist Retreat Announces New Programs

April 4, 2022 – Sarasota

The Hermitage Artist Retreat announces four new community programs in May with Hermitage Fellows specializing in music, writing, multimedia, and theater, including an event with Tony Award-nominated playwright Bess Wohl (Grand Horizons, Small Mouth Sounds). Most of these programs are presented at outdoor venues throughout Sarasota County as part of the Hermitage’s partnerships with local organizations, including the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast and Bookstore1.

First, “Sounding the Deep: Words and Music Inspired by Nature” features selections of award-winning playwright Jessica Huang’s work focused on the changing climate, as well as contemporary classical composer Scott Lee’s album Through the Mangrove Tunnels on Friday, May 6 at 6:30 pm on the Hermitage Beach. Next, Tony Award-nominated playwright Bess Wohl returns to Sarasota for “Cats Talk Back,” an excerpt from her irreverent and insightful send-up of a fictional talkback with cast members from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, presented on Friday, May 13 at 6:30pm on the Hermitage Beach. Then, on Friday, May 20 at 5pm, Hermitage Fellows DaMaris B. Hill and Kirya Traber read and discuss their evocative work at “Hermitage Poet’s Corner: The Contemporary Word” at the new Bookstore1 location in Downtown Sarasota. Finally, in “Worlds: A Part,” internationally renowned composer and performer Pauchi Sasaki and acclaimed poet Monica Youn share their words and music on Thursday, May 26 at 6pm at the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast’s Bay Preserve in Osprey.

“The Hermitage’s May programming speaks to the expansive creative range of our Hermitage Fellows, who are all extraordinary talents in their respective artistic and literary fields,” said Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg. “We are grateful for our continuing partnerships in the community with the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast and Bookstore1 to help introduce these acclaimed Hermitage Fellows to the local community.”

Hermitage programs like these are free and open to the public with a $5/person registration fee. Due to capacity limitations and social distancing, registration is required at HermitageArtistRetreat.org.