CITY OF THE ARTS
42 YEARS
OF SUCCESS
‘Burg Life chats with Stephanie Gularte,
American Stage producing artistic director.
IF YOU GO
AMERICAN
STAGE THEATER
COMPANY
Where: 163 3rd
Street North
What: American
Stage in the Park,
Demens Landing
Park, Bayshore Dr. &
2nd Ave. S.
Info: www.americanstage.
org
Arenaissance is
underway in
St. Petersburg
and the arts
play a major role in making
that happen. In this issue
of ‘Burg Life we are shining
the spotlight on American
Stage, the longest-running
professional theater company
in Tampa Bay.
American Stage has been
entertaining audiences since
1977, when a small theater
Eckerd College. Over the
years American Stage has
evolved into a top-quality
regional theatre company
with year-round productions
taking place at the Raymond
James Theater, located
within the downtown
campus of St. Petersburg
College.
In the spring, American
Stage takes the show on the
road to the waterfront, where
Demens Landing Park is
transformed into a full-scale,
Broadway-style set. Each
year, about 15,000 people
attend, making it one of St.
Petersburg’s most popular
community events—and the
Tampa Bay area’s largest outdoor
theatrical production.
This year’s selection,
Mamma Mia!, a feel-good
romantic comedy musical,
runs April 10-May 12.
Why is it American
Stage in the Park has
become such a favorite
community activity?
There really is nothing quite
like it. The opportunity
to see a professional
Broadway-style musical
under the stars, against a
waterfront backdrop and
enjoying our city's beautiful
weather is just magical.
Because of the seating
layout in the park, and the
pre-performance socializing,
the experience lends itself
to bringing people together
in a venue that feels like a
great big community picnic.
How is American Stage
unique from other theater
companies in the area?
We're fortunate to have
a number of quality
theatres in our region.
Each theatre company
excels differently. That's
a very healthy thing for
our community. American
Stage is unique in that it
offers the spectrum of arts
engagement opportunities,
from our robust youth
education programs, adult
classes, apprenticeships and
fellowships, to professional
mainstage work at Raymond
James Theater and our
annual American Stage in
Stephanie
Gularte,
American
Stage
producing
artistic
director
the Park production. All of
our programs are created
and produced locally.
Under your direction,
American Stage seems to
direction. Can you tell us
about that?
as an exciting, vibrant city
rises, so too has American
the region's leading arts
organizations. Our current
path is not so much a
different direction as it is a
commitment to lead with
forward-looking programs
and initiatives.
What is your vision
for the future?
To establish American
Stage as a major cultural
destination in Tampa Bay
with innovative arts and arts
education and a progressive
and sustainable business
and leadership model.
forward and enhancing
youth engagement, training
and developing the next
generation of artists and arts
leaders, increasing diversity
throughout our organization,
and providing fertile
ground for the development
of new work.
'The Producers'
8 'BURGLIFE | Living, Working and Playing in St. Petersburg, FL