Florida Studio Theatre promotes two artistic team members

Florida Studio Theatre has promoted Catherine Randazzo to associate producer from associate artist and has added literary manager to Nancy Rominger’s title of artistic associate.

“Catherine and Nancy are both extraordinary leaders and artists. Their combined vision and expertise will keep FST at the forefront of producing work that matters,” said FST Producing Artistic Director Richard Hopkins in a statement. “It is a joy to see our artistic staff continue to grow — both personally and professionally. As they flourish, so too does the theatre and its audience. Together, we expand and evolve as FST enters its second half-century of serving Sarasota.”

Photo by Emiliano Mejias

A graduate of Otterbein University in Ohio, Randazzo was production coordinator of the now-defunct Golden Apple Dinner Theatre in Sarasota for seven years and taught dance at the State College of Florida before joining FST in 2014.

As associate artist at FST, she has served as an in-residence director, professional actor, teaching artist and literary manager.

Randazzo’s directing credits include winter cabarets, summer mainstage and cutting-edge Stage III productions as well as countless new play workshops. She is also the line producer for FST’s popular Summer Cabaret Series and has been instrumental in bringing new acts to Sarasota.

In her new role as associate producer, Randazzo will continue to serve as lead director of FST Cabaret, while working closely with Richard Hopkins on the management of FST’s artistic programming. She will also remain an active in directing, acting and mentoring within the company.

“FST is more than a theatre to me: it’s a creative home,” said Randazzo in a statement. “I’m honored to step into this new role and continue working alongside Richard and our artistic team to produce theatre that speaks to our community in meaningful ways.”

Rominger joined FST in 2024 following 12 seasons at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, where she served as associate artistic director. 

She was previously director of the Southern Writers Project, where she directed a new play program focused on stories by Southern playwrights, Southern topics and the African American experience.

Photo by Emiliano Mejias

At FST, Rominger has directed Stage III productions including “Shedding a Skin” and the current mainstage production, “Don’t Dress for Dinner.”

Rominger adds the responsibilities of literary manager, a role previously held by Randazzo. She will now oversee FST’s literary office and new play development program, collaborate with playwrights, train and supervise literary interns, provide dramaturgical research, support cabaret development and lead audience engagement initiatives.

“New work has always been at the heart of my artistic journey,” Rominger said in a statement. “I’m thrilled to build on FST’s legacy of championing new plays and voices. I look forward to nurturing the kind of theatre that sparks dialogue and truly resonates.”

With their promotions, Randazzo and Rominger buttress FST’s capacity to develop new works and produce programming for its 225,000 annual attendees. Together, they will help guide the theater’s next chapter of growth, ensuring that FST continues to produce programming that both challenges and entertains, FST said in a statement.