The Exchange Awards FST $25,000 Grant

October 20, 2021 – Sarasota

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is proud to announce that The Exchange has awarded the regional theatre a grant for $25,000, underwriting FST’s three-show Winter Cabaret Series and three-show Summer Cabaret Series. In March 2020, The Exchange had to temporarily halt its plans to award $250,000 in grants and scholarships to local arts organizations and students due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, The Exchange has reopened its doors to the public and is returning to its original giving plan for 2021-2022, including its continued support of FST’s Cabaret program. Over the past 59 years, The Exchange has awarded more than $9 million in grants and scholarships.

“The Exchange has been a longstanding supporter of Florida Studio Theatre and we are thrilled to be awarded this grant, especially after such a difficult year,” said Richard Hopkins, FST’s Producing Artistic Director. “We serve almost 18,000 attendees through our Winter and Summer Cabaret Series. This funding from The Exchange will strengthen our efforts to create valuable art and make it more accessible for even more people.”  

FST was one of the initial producing theatres in the country to reopen for live indoor performances in 2021, including special presentations of two musical revues as well as a complete six-show Summer Season. 

FST kicked off its Winter Cabaret Series—which this grant from The Exchange helps underwrite—on September 29 with The Wanderers, an all-new music revue honoring the dynamic harmony groups of the mid-20^th century. Funds from The Exchange will also support FST’s two other Winter Cabaret productions—Friends in Low Places and the sixth edition of Laughing Matters—as well as the theatre’s three-show Summer Cabaret Series.