SJRCC PRESS RELEASE April 2008 Florida School of the Arts presents Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park" at Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts Florida School of the Arts students and faculty are preparing for their annual Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts performance. FloArts will present Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park" in the THCA studio theater April 18, 19 and 20. This Tony-nominated comedy focuses on a New York newlywed couple adjusting to married life. The strait-laced attorney husband and spontaneous, free-spirited wife must contend with a lack of heat, oddball neighbors and a well-meaning mother-in-law. The play opens April 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the THCA studio theater, located on the Orange Park Campus of St. Johns River Community College, 283 College Drive, and will also run April 19 at 7:30 p.m. and April 20 at 3:00 p.m. The show is suitable for all audiences. Admission is $8 for all tickets, and seating is limited. For ticket information, call (904) 276-6750. FloArts acting instructor Ed Kelly said audience members can expect a timeless comedy. "This play is still funny," Kelly said. "Sometimes plays that are written in a certain era can become dated, but this one is timeless." Although FloArts productions are primarily performed at the Palatka Campus, one production each year is chosen to be performed at THCA, thus enhancing the challenges and learning experiences for the students. Kelly said performing in a new venue not only means longer hours, but it also teaches the students self-reliance. "The tour experience brings about a bigger sense of responsibility for the actors and tech crew," Kelly said. "They'll learn to adjust as if they were performing in an actual production on tour. We'll have a bus, and we'll move the set and costumes." Scenic and lighting design instructor Robert O'Leary said audience members should anticipate quite a visual treat as they enter the theater and will be instantly whisked away to 1963 New York. "The set for 'Barefoot in the Park' will put the audience right on the top floor of an old five-story, brownstone apartment building," O'Leary said. "The brownstone is a classic of American architecture and one of our country's earliest versions of a skyscraper. Here, the audience will see a quirky New York apartment that is in the process of becoming the first home for our play's young lovers." "This should be quite the set with characters using not only the interior of the apartment, but also climbing around on the roof of this five-story building discovering what it takes to hold a marriage, at least theirs, together," O'Leary said. The cast for "Barefoot in the Park" includes Robin Jackson as Corie Bratter, Thaddeus Pearson as Paul Bratter, Bruce Popielarski as the telephone repair man, Patrick Taylor as the delivery man, Katy Knowles as Mrs. Banks and Torey Scarbrough as the boisterous neighbor Victor Velasco. The production and costume staff includes costume design instructor Lynnsey D. Slanina, Tiffany Jordan, Debra Christopher, Romen Phelps, Dana Jenkins, Charles Rye, Christopher Parrish, Kelly Stevenson and Mark Carmouze. The directing and management staff includes Mark Carmouze, Kaitria Resetar, Laura Rondinelli and Whitney Firestine. Palatka resident Whitney Firestine is preparing not only for her final stage management assignment with FloArts, but also for her first managing role on a major cruise line. Firestine, who will graduate this spring, has accepted a job with Carnival Cruise Lines. She will begin her job as backstage manager in June for the Caribbean cruise line. According to Firestine, she will be responsible for scenery repairs and safety as well as coordinating the five daily shows backstage. Originally from Alaska, Firestine has lived in Palatka for seven years. She enrolled at FloArts after her sister, a FloArts fine arts student, told her about the stage management program. "I'm looking forward to putting all my behind-the-scenes skills to work," Firestine said. "Plus, I'm looking forward to the traveling." Patricia Crotty, FloArts acting instructor and coordinator for the stage management program, said the job was tailor-made for Firestine. "It's a great opportunity for Whitney," Crotty said. "This job lines up with her life goals." FloArts was established in 1976 and serves the entire state of Florida. FloArts awards the two-year associate degree and is located on the Palatka Campus of St. Johns River Community College. The THCA is owned and operated by SJRCC and is located on the Orange Park Campus. For ticket information, call (904) 276-6750 or visit online at: www.THcenter.org. Middleburg residents Patrick Taylor and Tiffany Jordan prepare for the latest Florida School of the Arts production at Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts. Costume assistant Jordan takes a final measurement of Taylor, who plays the delivery man in "Barefoot in the Park." Palatka resident Whitney Firestine will complete her final student assignment as stage manager for the FloArts production of "Barefoot in the Park." Firestine will graduate in April and begin her first job as stage manager in June for Carnival Cruise Lines. Photo Captions: Florida School of the Arts students rehearse scenes from Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park." The boisterous Victor Velasco, played by Torey Scarbrough, entices his neighbors to sample his eel dish "knichi." From left Katy Knowles as the mother-in-law, Robin Jackson as Corie Bratter, Scarbrough, and Thaddeus Pearson as Paul Bratter. FloArts students Robin Jackson and Thaddeus Pearson rehearse a scene from Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park" to be performed at the Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts. Jackson plays the free-spirited wife of the straight-laced husband played by Pearson. The cast of "Barefoot in the Park." Florida School of the Arts students will perform the Neil Simon comedy at the Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts located at the SJRCC Orange Park Campus. From left: Bruce Popielarski as the telephone repair man, Torey Scarbrough as Victor Velasco, Patrick Taylor as the delivery man, Katy Knowles as the mother-in-law, and Robin Jackson and Thaddeus Pearson as newlyweds Paul and Corie Bratter. Return to SJRCC home page.