Florida Studio Theatre supporters enjoy swell ‘50s-themed fundraiser

Guests gathered of an evening of food, drink and performances on Feb. 27 that were the cat’s pajamas.

  • By Niki Kottmann
  • | 10:11 p.m. February 27, 2017
  • Black Tie
  • Share

The chills were multiplying at the Florida Studio Theatre’s ‘50s Shindig on Feb. 27 at the FST Hegner Theatre Wing.

Guests started their evening by socializing, posing by a vintage Cadillac and sipping on alcoholic milkshakes (made with Bailey’s, vodka, creme de mint and vanilla ice cream). Next they headed inside the Gompertz Theatre to begin the night with special performances by cast members from “Piano Men,” “Older Than Dirt” and “Million Dollar Quartet.”

Event-goers then adjourned to the Court Cabaret and Bowne’s Lab Theatre for dinner and the rest of the program, which included the honoring of Carol Poteat-Buchanan with the 2017 Spelman Award and special recognition to Chief Judge Charles E. Williams for their loyal support of FST.

Proceeds from the event benefited the completion of the Kretzmer Artist Housing Project that, once complete, will house 20 guest artists, interns and apprentices in five townhomes in the Rosemary District.

Chairwoman Marie Kropp
Chairwoman Marie Kropp
Linda Poteat-Brown, Honoree Carol Poteat-Buchanan and Allen Brown
Linda Poteat-Brown, Honoree Carol Poteat-Buchanan and Allen Brown
Lois Lucek
Lois Lucek
Terry and Cookie Ellis
Terry and Cookie Ellis
Kelly and Anita Devine
Kelly and Anita Devine
Jody Maltese and Myra Beisler
Jody Maltese and Myra Beisler
Susan and Ed Maier
Susan and Ed Maier
Jacob Perkel shows off his hula hooping skills at Florida Studio Theatre’s ‘50s Shindig on Feb. 27 at the FST Hegner Theatre Wing.
Jacob Perkel shows off his hula hooping skills at Florida Studio Theatre’s ‘50s Shindig on Feb. 27 at the FST Hegner Theatre Wing.
Anita Dunlap and Judith Waxberg
Anita Dunlap and Judith Waxberg
Amy and John Phillips
Amy and John Phillips
Barb Totaro, Louise Mazius and Elaine and John Wels
Barb Totaro, Louise Mazius and Elaine and John Wels
Patricia Courtois, Dru Greene and Rebecca Hopkins, FST managing director
Patricia Courtois, Dru Greene and Rebecca Hopkins, FST managing director
Matty Matheson and Carol Gilbert
Matty Matheson and Carol Gilbert
Elaine Keating, Sol Schaffer and Jennifer Michell
Elaine Keating, Sol Schaffer and Jennifer Michell
The Florida Studio Theatre’s ‘50s Shindig was held on Feb. 27 at the FST Hegner Theatre Wing.
The Florida Studio Theatre’s ‘50s Shindig was held on Feb. 27 at the FST Hegner Theatre Wing.
Faith Kibler and Joya Sutton
Faith Kibler and Joya Sutton
Debby and Larry Wendell
Debby and Larry Wendell
Arnold Simonsen and Ronda Montminy
Arnold Simonsen and Ronda Montminy
Sue Gordon, Ren Jackson, Barbara Jacob and Janet Tolbert
Sue Gordon, Ren Jackson, Barbara Jacob and Janet Tolbert
Sandi Kelly, Ida Cuthbertson and Kay Zabetakis
Sandi Kelly, Ida Cuthbertson and Kay Zabetakis
Hermione Gilpin and Carol Camiener
Hermione Gilpin and Carol Camiener
Patricia Courtois, Jeff Hotchkiss and Betsy Winder
Patricia Courtois, Jeff Hotchkiss and Betsy Winder
Guests took jello shots and sipped on alcoholic milkshakes made with Bailey’s, vodka, creme de mint and vanilla ice cream at the Florida Studio Theatre’s ‘50s Shindig on Feb. 27 at the FST Hegner Theatre Wing.
Guests took jello shots and sipped on alcoholic milkshakes made with Bailey’s, vodka, creme de mint and vanilla ice cream at the Florida Studio Theatre’s ‘50s Shindig on Feb. 27 at the FST Hegner Theatre Wing.
Graci McGillicuddy and Richard Hopkins, FST producing artistic director
Graci McGillicuddy and Richard Hopkins, FST producing artistic director
Bill Selby, Richie McCall and Joe Casey
Bill Selby, Richie McCall and Joe Casey
Carol Williams, Melody Mora-Shihadeh
Carol Williams, Melody Mora-Shihadeh
Phyllis Silverman and Doris Iemolo
Phyllis Silverman and Doris Iemolo
Robert Israeloff, Kate Hampton, Bonny Israeloff, Richard Hopkins, FST producing artistic director and Carolyn Michel
Robert Israeloff, Kate Hampton, Bonny Israeloff, Richard Hopkins, FST producing artistic director and Carolyn Michel
Mickie and Jerry Kaye
Mickie and Jerry Kaye

 

Latest News

The 7-Eleven planned for 44th Avenue West and White Eagle Boulevard will look similar to the 7-Eleven on University Parkway near Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
  • May 21, 2026
7-Eleven planned for Lakewood Ranch fuels outrage
A new fire pit area awaits campers, along with the playground that was moved from Camp Flying Eagle, where camps used to be held.
  • May 21, 2026
Dream Oaks Camp opens near Rye Preserve just in time for summer
Elizabeth Arnold is transitioning from citizen activist to commissioner candidate. She's running for the District 1 seat.
  • May 21, 2026
Parrish resident steps up to protect rural Manatee County in District 1 race
A massing model of The Bay phases 3A and 3B show a parnking deck to the right, to the left the Sarasota Performing Arts Center location flanked by two restaurant spaces and the current parking lot converted to green space. The Van Wezel is at the bottom left corner.
  • May 21, 2026
Bay Park Conservancy reveals final phase concepts for The Bay park

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content