 Larah Diaz, Lexi Lowther, & Sarah Conte as the Heathers. Photo by Adrian Van Stee BY ZOE WHITE SARASOTA - Dingbat Theatre Project is thrilled to present the Off-Broadway phenomenon, Heathers the Musical. This musical, based on the cult-classic film, follows Veronica Sawyer as she navigates her way through popularity, romance, and danger when she meets outsider and new kid, JD. Heathers the Musical opens on October 17 and runs through November 2. There is a special event performance on October 31 to celebrate Halloween. All performances will be held at DingbatTheatre Project at 7288 S Tamiami Trail.
In 1989, Westerberg High is ruled by a shoulder-padded, scrunch-wearing junta: Heather, Heather, and Heather: the hottest and cruelest girls in all of Ohio. But misfit Veronica Sawyer rejects their evil regime for a new boyfriend, who plans to put the Heathers in their place... six feet under. An ensemble of both familiar and new faces to Dingbat Theatre Project will fill the halls of Westerberg High in this production of “Heathers.” The cast features Caitlyn Turner as Veronica Sawyer, Kasey Ferace as Jason “JD” Dean, and Julie Wells as Martha Dunstock. Lexi Lowther will play Heather Chandler, Sarah Conte will play Heather McNamara, and Larah Diaz will play Heather Duke. Jalex Scott, Jessica Berent, Kelly Leissler, Jr., Zach Tudor, Joey Tricarico, Micaela Ramirez, Ali Wasmund, Alyssa Caroline, Franki Mobley-Tarpley, Michael Luck, and Adrian Van Stee will portray the supporting cast and ensemble of “Heathers.” Over half the cast will make their Dingbat debut with “Heathers.”
Grab your favorite scrunchie, polish your croquet mallet, and enter the totally bugging world of “Heathers.” Tickets are available for purchase online at dingbattheatre.org or over the phone at (941) 451-7706. Ticket prices start at $50 for special, reserved VIP seating, $30 for General Admission, and $10 for students under the age of 26. The performance contains mature content that might not be suitable for children, including profanity, drug and alcohol use, violence, and sexual situations. Dingbat’s production of “Heathers” is directed by Luke Manual, music directed by Heather Weiskerger, and choreographed by Franki Mobley-Tarpley. The production is sponsored by HomeWell Care Services and Red Wing Shoes of Bradenton. As well as season sponsors Dr. Jeffrey Hamblin & Mark-Alan, Osprey Consulting, Jeff Cima, Terry & Debbi Austin, and Ackerman Plumbing.
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Dingbat Theatre Project will be holding auditions on Sunday, September 28, 2025 beginning at 6:00 p.m. Dingbat is looking to cast a repertory company of performers to appear in multiple productions January 30-March 28, 2026. All productions will have performances on alternating nights. We will be casting the following MainStage repertory productions: (all dates are 2026): ARTHURIAN: THE KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE AND OTHER FURNITURE, A BURLESQUE Preview Performance: January 29 Opening Night: January 30 Closing Night: February 15 Number of Scheduled Performances: 7 *Must be 18+ to be considered Director: Amanda Heisey SEUSSICAL TYA Preview Performance: February 5 Opening Night: February 6 Closing Night: March 22 Number of Scheduled Performances: 10-15 Director: Luke Manual WILDFLOWERS: A COUNTRY RETROSPECTIVE REVUE Preview Performance: February 19 Opening Night: February 20 Closing Night: March 21 Number of Scheduled Performances: 10-12 Director: Luke Manual RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S OKLAHOMA! Preview Performance: March 12 Opening Night: March 13 Closing Night: March 29 Number of Scheduled Performances: 11 Director: Luke Manual We will also be casting three Dingbat Sings cabarets and BakYard Bash nightclub performers from these auditions. Please prepare two contrasting 32 bar cuts of songs that showcase your abilities as performer. We prefer contemporary musical theatre, classic musical theatre, and/or a country song. Youth performers should only prepare one song. If you would like to present a monologue in lieu of a second song, you are more than welcome to. An accompanist will be provided. Roles are available for performers of any race, ethnicity, size, gender identity, age, etc. You must be 18 years or older by January 1, 2026 to be considered for Arthurian or BakYard Bash. All adult performers will be paid a per performance gas stipend. Auditions are held at Dingbat Theatre Project (7288 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231). Rehearsals are 5-6 times a week, held in the evenings Monday-Friday and longer days on the weekends. Seussical begins rehearsals in mid December. Wildflowers and Oklahoma! Begin rehearsals the first week of January. Contact: Luke Manual Producing Artistic Director [email protected] ARTHURIAN BREAKDOWN: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uKbC-jSnoRnMjiayG525wFwSaQR5sdCrhADkSsA8k3g/edit?usp=sharing SEUSSICAL TYA BREAKDOWN: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N9skPbqmXxFajQSOf8ObkRlO_JRvGYWL8tmNdqFegLw/edit?usp=sharing WILDFLOWERS BREAKDOWN: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_7TBkyuOyQqmDshQHSCLjDlboaVX97QE0NR6f8y-UFg/edit?usp=sharing OKLAHOMA BREAKDOWN: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZuMyn_byohW0xTO0RKYtWorajWkjqvfMOtm7zDAQq0c/edit?usp=sharing BAKYARD BASH BREAKDOWN: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lJW9y7olcjukbuMX6D8qwcEyDFxadb9VIajxDHgEH9U/edit?usp=sharing BY ZOE WHITE  Tom Horton as Tobey Maguire and Jamie Saunders as Shelby Hinkley in I’m Gonna Marry You, Tobey Maguire. Photo by Adrian Van Stee SARASOTA - Dingbat Theatre Project is pleased to announce the regional premiere of “I’m Gonna Marry You, Tobey Maguire.” Audiences will embark on a nostalgic journey back to the early aught’s and experience celebrity culture through both an obsessive teen and a disgruntled actor’s perspectives in this farcical play by Samantha Hurley. "I'm Gonna Marry You, Tobey Maguire" opens on September 5, and runs through September 21. There is a special Pay-What-You-Can Preview on September 4 with limited tickets. All performances will be held at DingbatTheatre Project at 7288 S Tamiami Trail. It’s 2004, and 14-year-old Shelby Hinkley has kidnapped Tobey Maguire, at the height of his career, to force him into marrying her. Samantha Hurley’s laugh-out-loud dark comedy, steeped in Y2K nostalgia, explores our para-social relationships and the obsessions that detonate them.
"I'm Gonna Marry You, Tobey Maguire is hysterical from start to finish,” said Luke Manual, Dingbat Theatre Project’s Producing Artistic Director. “It's so exciting to be the first theatre in Florida to present this viral new off-Broadway play. The actors are attacking this material with care and wit, highlighting the hilarity of the dark comedy. " A three-person cast will bring “I’m Gonna Marry You, Tobey Maguire” to life. Jamie Saunders will play Shelby Hinkley with Tom Horton as Tobey Maguire and Mark-Alan as Brenda Dee Cankles among other characters. All three cast members will make their Dingbat debut in this production.  Jamie Saunders as Shelby Hinkley in I’m Gonna Marry You, Tobey Maguire. Photo by Adrian Van Stee. Get ready for an experience that you’ll want to update your Myspace about and see “I’m GonnaMarry You, Tobey Maguire.” Tickets are available for purchase online at dingbattheatre.org orover the phone at (941) 451-7706. Ticket prices start at $50 for special, reserved VIP seating, $30 for General Admission, and $10 for students under the age of 26. The performance containsmature content that might not be suitable for children including profanity, drug use, sexual situations, and herbal cigarette smoke. The play is directed and designed by Luke Manual and Gretchen Beaumier. The production is sponsored by Dr. Jeffrey Hamblin & Mark-Alan, Osprey Consulting, Gulfcoast Community Foundation, Jeff Cima, Terry & Debbi Austin, Ackerman Plumbing, and Red Wing Shoes of Bradenton. About Dingbat Theatre Project Dingbat Theatre Project, based on the Florida Suncoast, is a collective of theatre artists dedicated to the creation and development of dynamic and boldly imaginative theatrical productions. Dingbat’s belief is that great storytelling and, by extension, theatre comes from imagination and a desire to play. Dingbat Theatre Project strives to be the Suncoast’s quirky arts organization looking for new stories to tell, new ways to present classic and contemporary works of theatre, and new, accessible ways to engage audiences in the arts. ###
JOSEPH CAST & CREW SET!GO GO JOE! We are so excited to announce the adult cast of Tim Rice and Andrews Lloyd Webber’s JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, as re-imagined by Dingbat Theatre Project. Don’t they look so handsome and smart? We are also thrilled that six of our cast members will be making their Dingbat performance debut with this show! This multi-talented cast hits on the stage at Dingbat’s new permanent home at 7288 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota beginning December 6, 2024.
We will be casting a Kids Chorus of 2-4 local young actors. So check back soon for in-person audition details for those roles very soon. Limited Pay-What-You-Want tickets for the December 5 preview performance go on sale on Tuesday, September 3. There will only be 35 preview tix available, so make sure you grab them quick to be among the first to see the show. The subsequent performances will go on sale Monday, September 16. Cast (in alphabetical order): Brittany Bianco Resnick … Baker / Ensemble KK Burchell* … Judah / Ensemble Tahlia Chinault … Butler / Ensemble Caitlin Ellis* … Pharaoh / Ensemble Jason Ellis* … Simeon / Ensemble Brian F. Finnerty … Reuben / Ensemble Kelly Leissler Jr. … Potiphar / Ensemble Luke Li* … Joseph Jose Santana* … Narrator Darah Woomert* … Jacob / Potiphar’s Wife / Ensemble *Indicates Dingbat Acting Debut Creative Team: Dann Baugher … Wig Design Gretchen Beaumier … Scenic & Lighting Design Brian F. Finnerty … Director/Choreographer Luke Manual McFatrich … Director/Projection & Puppet Design Debbi White … Music Director Darah Woomert … Dramaturgy Stage Management Team: Dann Baugher, Gretchen Beaumier, Emily Uritz  AN UPDATE! We are so excited to share some fun, creative updates about the upcoming opening of our new space! (By the way, if you didn’t hear, Dingbat is getting its own space! What?! A New space?! YAS!!!) We’ve made positive steps with the county building department in getting our theatre project’s new home approved so it’s safe and welcoming for our audiences and artists. We are still planning and looking forward to having our grand opening with our upcoming production of Dingbat’s Hercules, or, the Laborious Labors of the Artist Formerly Known as Heracles (sponsored by GulfCoast Community Foundation) on September 20, 2024. Tickets are already available for purchase, so grab yours today!
 The above photo is a rendering of the ground-plan for our future “DINGBAT LOUNGE.” We will be having small performances, readings, children’s theatre performances, cabarets, pop-up events, and more in the space throughout the week following our September opening. We hope that this space becomes a safe space for local artists, arts-enthusiasts, and arts-babies to share and enjoy each others’ craft. The Lounge will be open before and after all performances and other select evenings and weekends as well. We are working toward getting our beer and wine license so we’ll be able to serve our patrons some adult beverages when the Lounge is open.  This next photo is a rendering of what we’re thinking our first production will look like in our new immersive 70-seat blackbox theatre. Dingbat’s Hercules is an original chaotic and hilarious two-person comedy the re-imagines the myth of Hercules through a modern day lens. Which means crocodile hunters, those blow-up guys outside of car dealerships, puppets, lip sync battles, and more. You’ll just have to come and see it, I guess. As we enter rehearsals for this show in the coming weeks, we are excited to take you on our journey of bringing this new work to life. We’ll be documenting the process of putting this show and this new space together, so make sure you stay tuned in to our mailing list and social media for updates.
In the meantime, the best way support Dingbat Theatre Project is always through donating. Rent is expensive, renovations are expensive, and theatre is expensive. In true Dingbat fashion, we are being sparing and thoughtful with our resources, while also trying to make the space as comfortable and welcoming as we can AND making our shows as amazing as they’ve been (and more). We’re thankful to our donors who’ve gotten us this far, and to the individuals and organizations who are donating their services to us to make this dream come true. BUT! Of course, there’s still a long way to go. Even if you aren’t in a place to give financially, you can always help us out by sharing our donate link on social media or pointing us in the direction of people or organizations who would be interested in sponsoring us with a tax-deductible donation. Sincerely, The Dingbats <3
Dingbat’s new venue is located at 7288 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231. The location is near Gulf Gate and the Stickney Point Bascule Bridge to access Siesta Key. This new central location allows Dingbat to be closer to their Sarasota/Bradenton-based and Venice/Charlotte County-based artists and patrons. Dingbat is located nearby to many restaurants including local favorites like Napulé and Mattison’s Forty-One across the street.
We were hoping to share this exciting news earlier, but we have been patiently waiting for permits and other boring stuff to go through. Because of this, our production of Hercules is being rescheduled. Dingbat’s Hercules, a world-premiere two-person quick-change comedy, originally set to perform early this summer, will instead perform September 20-October 6, 2024 and will be the first production in Dingbat’s new space. Hercules will be followed by Dingbat’s 5th Anniversary Season with productions and events showing at the theatre November 2024 through June 2025. The season will be announced later this summer. Hercules ticketholders and subscribers will be contacted this week to get their tickets re-assigned to the new dates. 
"Ladies and gentlemen, you are about to see a story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery-all the things we hold near and dear to our hearts. Thank you."
We are THRILLED to announce the incredibly multi-talented cast and production of our upcoming production of Chicago. More information on venue and ticket sales to come in the next week. Don't miss this amazing group this summer! Tahlia Chinault ... Roxie Hart Amanda Heisey ... Velma Kelly Brian F. Finnerty ... Billy Flynn Luke Manual ... Matron "Mama" Morton Kelly Leissler ... Amos Hart Cory L Woomert ... Mary Sunshine Colleen Sudduth Buchmeier ... June / Ensemble / Billy Flynn (u/s) Keely Karalis ... Hunyak / Ensemble Amanda Lade ... Mona / Go-to-Hell Kitty / Ensemble / Velma & Roxie (u/s) Sarah Johnson ... Annie / Ensemble Andrea Keddell ... Liz / Ensemble Hunter Day ... Ensemble Casey Kelley ... Ensemble Debbi White ... Mama & Mary (u/s) Laura Grieme ... Swing Gretchen Beaumier ... Technical Director / Scenic Design / Production SM Andrea Michelle Downard ... Vocal Captain Brian F. Finnerty ... Director / Choreographer / Costume Design Keely Karalis ... Dance Captain Michelle Kasanofsky ... Music Director Lexi Lowther ... Asst. Director Luke Manual ... Director / Scenic Design Alisha Tyler-Lohr ... Asst. Choreographer Darah Woomert ... Dramaturg Ethan Vail ... Lighting Designer Auditions: 04.20.2023 (deadline)
Callbacks: 04.22.2023 First Rehearsal: 05.30.2023 Opening Night: 07.12.2023 Final Performance: 07.30.2023 Director: Brian F. Finnerty and Luke Manual McFatrich Production Stage Manager/Technical Director: Gretchen Beaumier Music Director: Michelle Kasanofsky Choreographer: Brian F. Finnerty Asst. Choreographer: Alisha Vail Dramaturgy: Darah Woomert Dingbat Theatre Project is seeking non-union performers for their upcoming production of Chicago. Performers of all ages, shapes, sizes, backgrounds, gender identities, etc are encouraged to audition, but due to the content of the show must be 18 years or older by June 1, 2023 to be considered for a role. *All performers will be paid a gas stipend for their participation in the show. Rate negotiable. Seeking Performers to fill the following roles: ROXIE HART BILLY FLYNN ENSEMBLE 1 - To play Amos Hart, a Cell Block Girl, and others. ENSEMBLE 2 - To play a cell block girl and others. ENSEMBLE 3 - To play a cell block girl and others. ENSEMBLE 4 - To play a cell block girl and others. ENSEMBLE 5 - To play a cell block girl and others. The roles of VELMA KELLY, MATRON “MAMA” MORTON, and MARY SUNSHINE have been filled, but swings and understudies for these roles and the other roles listed above will be cast from this audition. The majority of performers must be comfortable wearing revealing costumes, as the staging will be heavily influenced by burlesque of the time period. Security will be present at all performances to protect the actors. Due to the nature of the show and choreography, performers will be asked to fill out a form detailing their boundaries and comfortability levels regarding costumes, physical touch, communication, etc. in order to foster a safe, creative environment where everyone feels comfortable and protected. THE AUDITION Auditions will be accepted virtually through end of day April 20, 2023. Dance call and callbacks will be held in person in the afternoon/evening of April 22, 2023. Please submit a video (including slate) of you performing around 32 bars of a song in the style of Chicago. Send the video as a YouTube link to [email protected] with the subject line “YOUR NAME Chicago Audition” please also attach a headshot, resume, a list of conflicts between May 30-July 30, and, if you’ve never worked with Dingbat before, a brief introduction to who you are (we want to get to know you). We will send you confirmation of receipt within 24 hours of you sending the email. If you don’t receive a confirmation, reach out again. Those called back will be altered via phone call on Friday, April 21, 2023. THE SHOW Rehearsals will begin Tuesday, May 30, 2023 and will be held at Dingbat Theatre Project at 6564 Superior Ave, Sarasota, FL 34231. Rehearsals will be Sunday 2:00-5:00 and 6:00-9:00 (select weeks) and Monday-Thursday 7:00-10:00 until going into tech July 2, 2023. There will be no rehearsal on June 19 or July 4. Performances will be Wednesdays-Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 4:00pm. There is potential for a 1-2 week extension following July 30. Performances and rehearsals will be held at Dingbat Theatre Project’s TBA new performance space in South Sarasota. The Suncoast’s quirky theatre company announces productions of WENDY & PETER PAN and FROST as part of their “YEAR TWO” Season, co-produced by Reflex Arts Dance SARASOTA, FL - Dingbat Theatre Project and Reflex Arts Dance will partner to bring education theatre programming as well as professional theatre performances to Sarasota County. The partnership will allow the Suncoast’s quirky theatre company to continue offering high-quality, actor-driven performances, while expanding Reflex Arts Dance’s programming to include pre-professional and entry-level theatre training for children.
This will include offering four productions a year through the new “Young Professionals” Conservatory beginning in Fall 2022. The program will be audition based and students will receive well-rounded training in all aspects of theatre performance from character and scene work, vocal training, and dance training. These performances allow the students to portray roles that are age-appropriate for them, while working alongside a professionally-trained production staff. The conservatory will produce two productions in the Fall to be announced at a later date. Reflex will offer three one-week summer camps in late June including an audition intensive and two musical theatre bootcamps for ages 8-18. Dingbat Theatre Project, co-produced by Reflex Arts Dance, will offer two new works over the summer. The first being an adaptation of the classic J.M. Barrie book, Wendy & Peter Pan. The play with music, written and directed by Luke Manual McFatrich is told with seven multi-talented actors playing all the inhabitants of Neverland using classic story theatre techniques to bring the story to life. The production also features the talents of Brian F. Finnerty, Gretchen Beaumier, Amanda Heisey, and more. This version of the story highlights the themes of what it means to grow up and the role gender plays in society from when we are children. Wendy & Peter Pan runs June 24-July 10, 2022. At the end of the summer, Dingbat will produce a new play, Frost. A group of storytellers share the touching coming-of-age tale of Jack Frost as he overcomes challenges and learns to love on his journey to protect and defend what means most to him. This new adventure play from Slavic and Northern European folklore, legends, and music to tell this high-energy action-packed story of adventure and sacrificial love reminiscent of The Chronicles of Narnia and His Dark Materials. The play was commissioned and originally produced by The Basket Cases Theatre Company, written by Luke Manual McFatrich and Emma Denson. Frost runs August 11-28, 2022. Wendy & Peter Pan and Frost are great entertainment for all ages and will be performed at “Studio One @ Reflex” (6260 N Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243) and mark the beginning of Dingbat Theatre Project’s “YEAR TWO” Season. Dingbat Theatre Project produced Shrek the Musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and the professional regional premiere of The SpongeBob Musical as part of their “YEAR ONE” Season at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime. Tickets for YEAR TWO will be available online at dingbattheatre.org starting May 15, 2022.
The production will open on August 27, 2021 and will play indoors at a re-purposed warehouse located HERE. The show will completely immerse its audience in the world of Hedwig and her band, the Angry Inch. Tickets will be available at www.dingbattheatre.org starting June 14, 2021, there is an ongoing gofundme campaign to subsidize costs of the production at HERE.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch tells the story of “internationally ignored song stylist” Hedwig Schmidt, a fourth-wall smashing East German rock ’n’ roll goddess. This outrageous and unexpectedly hilarious is dazzlingly performed by Hedwig in the form of a rock gig backed by the hard-rocking band “The Angry Inch.” The show is part punk rock concert, part drag show, part stand-up comedy routine, and part existential crisis. It is recommended for mature audiences. This is Dingbat Theatre Project’s third onstage venture, following May 2020’s critically-acclaimed and sold-out run of their re-imagined production of Shrek the Musical. |
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EMAIL: [email protected] Speakeasy Alice, Pippin, Hercules, I'm Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire, Hercules, and Heathers photos by Adrian Van Stee
The Wizard of Oz, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Urinetown, and Lysistrata Photos by Amanda Iglesias Illustrations by Elle Marie Design Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The SpongeBob Musical, and Chicago photos by Goddess Imagery Studios Shrek the Musical photos by Tanner Fults |