Finding Direction: Sam Stahlmann and the Learning and Families Theatre Troupe

By Christy Pessemier | September 2022

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Sam Stahlmann didn’t always plan to be a musical and theater director. Though he grew up performing at the Sarasota Opera, he hadn’t considered using his skills and talents to influence so many young people as well as the local surrounding community. The opportunity came up when he was a 14-year-old looking at earning merit badges as a boy scout. Stahlmann was required to earn 13 merit badges. Out of those 13, nine of them were his choice, and one of the options was to direct a play.

“I remember sitting there and all at once this play came to me,” he said. “I had just read The Importance of Being Earnestand I thought we could do that.”

So he pulled together eight kids from his boy scout troop and homeschool group and went to the board of LAF (Learning and Families homeschool co-op) with a proposal to start a student-run theater troupe. The board voted on it and approved Stahlmann’s request, but told him they couldn’t give him any money or a place for them to rehearse. 

Stahlmann was determined to make his idea a reality, and he knew he’d somehow find a place in Sarasota they could use to practice for their upcoming performance. His hard work paid off when the Selby Library agreed to allow them to use one of their rooms for rehearsals. When the group hit the limit for how many times they could reserve the library’s room, Stahlmann’s house became the only remaining option.

“Everyone was committed and showed up to practice. No one quit,” Stahlmann said. 

When it was time for their first performance, a full house of 125 people showed up. 

“We had a small stage and a little couch to use,” he said. “I was so impressed with the kids. They did such a good job of turning that little couch into a play.”

By the third semester, LAF’s little theater troupe had grown to 25 students. By the second year, they had doubled in size. 

Stahlmann, now a college student, continues to direct LAF’s theater troupe. As a 501c3 non-profit organization, the troupe pays for production-related expenses through fundraisers Stahlmann organizes to cover costs. The costs of tickets also go toward the plays and musicals. 

Some of the recent performances included the musical, Oliver!, costs for which the licensing alone was $2,000. Stahlmann also hired a dance instructor to show him how to dance, and he took that knowledge and choreographed the musical. 

Each play averages around 35 to 40 students, though in some productions, they’ve had as many as 50 kids involved between actors, musicians, and set design crew. At times, so many LAF students audition that Stahlmann has to put them on a wait-list, though he does his best to find places for kids who desperately want to be in a play. 

LAF’s theater troupe differs from public school theater in the way it’s designed. All aspects of the troupe are student-run, including play selection and direction, set design, sound and lighting, costumes and makeup, choreography, fundraising, and anything tied to the production of performances. A student-led team composed of a director, assistant director, choreographer, and technical director is also selected annually under Stahlmann’s direction. 

The LAF Theatre Troupe is unique in that there aren’t many of them in the homeschool world in the state of Florida, let alone the country. Providing a rare and unique opportunity for homeschool students to learn and experience theater, dance, performance, and musicals is something Stahlmann is proud of. 

Aside from that, Stahlmann feels the experience students get when they learn to sing can often be life-changing for those who didn’t realize their musical abilities. 

“One thing I learned through directing musicals is that everyone has the ability to sing loudly and powerfully,” he said. “They may have to work at it a little harder, but anyone can do it. It’s just a matter of finding out where everything fits with your voice.” 

Stahlmann has witnessed many of his students who initially struggled with shyness completely transform after being involved in one musical. Many had never considered singing onstage before joining. He recalls one performance in particular where the entire cast was affected. 

“I always get very emotional at the end of my shows,” Stahlmann confessed. “It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what it is. At the end of one of the recent plays, I realized half the cast was sobbing. It’s such an adrenaline rush when it’s over, knowing everyone worked so hard and loved being part of something like this together. It’s the first time in their lives they’ve ever experienced something like this.” 

Though a few have gone on to study theater in college, others who are focusing on different areas of study have expressed gratitude for the opportunities LAF’s theater troupe has brought into their lives.

“Even if students have no desire to pursue a career in theater, they learn so many things they’ll take with them in their life ahead, like teamwork and public speaking,” Stahlmann explained. “Learning music is one of the biggest brain workouts you’ll ever get, and it’s also an outlet for creativity.” 

Stahlmann admits that he enjoys singing opera as an outlet for stress-relief himself. 

“To sing opera is physically one of the best feelings ever,” he shared. “Even when I’m in my own house, to experience filling the whole room with my voice to the point that the windows start to shake…it’s exhilarating!”

Currently a student at SCF, Stahlmann is heading toward a degree in vocal performance and plans to continue as an opera singer. Eventually, he’d like to open up a theater of his own and continue directing plays and musicals. 

He also teaches voice and piano, as well as a program called Kids Rock for four to seven-year-olds at the Sarasota Music Compound. The compound is a strong supporter of LAF and has sponsored many of their performances. 

With plays scheduled for the fall and spring each year, the LAF Theatre Troupe isn’t slowing down.Fall enrollment fills up quickly as more and more students get involved. Spring musicals are chorus-heavy and can allow for up to 60 students in the chorus alone, so it’s easier for students who can’t make it into a fall play to participate in a spring musical. 

So far, the troupe has performed The Importance of Being Earnest, Robin Hood, Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure, A Dickens Christmas Carol, Shrek the Musical JR, Three Knights & The Magical Sword, and Oliver! 

What started out as a club of eight kids is now one of the most sought-after homeschool programs in the area. This will be Stahlmann’s last year as director and producer of LAF’s theater troupe. He’s invested over 2,500 hours of volunteer work running the troupe and was hired by LAF as a paid facilitator this past year after four years of volunteering. Though he didn’t plan to come back for another year, he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to direct The Hunchback of Notre Dame. After this year, his plans are to focus on his musical and directing career. 

Stahlmann’s hope is that the vision he had in the very beginning never dies. His goal has always been to bring together a tight-knit group of students to work together to create a strong love of student-led theater.

“It’s going to be bittersweet leaving after this year,” Stahlmann admitted. “Directing and producing are two of the hardest jobs I’ve ever had in my life. At times, I’ve overworked myself, but it’s showed me that I love directing and I can’t live without it. It’s my life.” 

For more information on the Learning and Families Theater Troupe, please visit learningandfamilies.org/theatre-troupe, or click/scan QR code below to donate.