Laboratory Theater of Florida

Laboratory Theater of Florida is performing a provocative reimagining of Shakespeare’s “Julius Ceasar,” set not in ancient Rome, but in the dark parking lot of a derelict apartment building. The show maintains the original Elizabethan language but condenses the play to about 90 minutes. It maintains the iconic monologues and soliloquies in a way that places heavy emphasis on the timeless themes of power, ambition, and betrayal. We’ll take a deeper dive into the production in a conversation with co-directors Alex Dragg and Nykkie Rizley.

This week, three shows open at Southwest Florida equity and community theaters: "A Piece of My Heart" at The Naples Players, "Birthday Candles" at Florida Studio Theatre and "Julius Caesar" at the Laboratory Theater of Florida. Eight others close, ten continue their runs and there is one limited engagement.

In collaboration with Theatre Conspiracy, the Laboratory Theater of Florida’s 17th season continues with performances beginning next week of August Wilson’s realist drama “Two Trains Running.” We’ll explore the production and the play’s broader themes of racial and economic injustice, memory, history and reckoning in a conversation with director Sonya McCarter and assistant director Shontae White.

Laboratory Theater of Florida opens its 17th season with the Southwest Florida premiere production of the psychological thriller “Grey House.” Ahead of next week’s opening, we explore the horror play in a conversation with director Heather Johnson and actors Roslyn Kellogg and Abby Seeley.

This week, six shows open, three close and 12 others continue their runs at equity and community theaters from Marco Island to Sarasota. In addition, Southwest Theatre at Gulf Coast Symphony's production of 'West Side Story' will be at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall for two shows only on Saturday and Sunday, March 22 & 23.

It’s a busy week in Southwest Florida for area theaters, as seven shows open, eight shows close and five others continue their runs.

Laboratory Theater of Florida in Fort Myers announced this month that founding producing artistic director Annette Trossbach is retiring from the theater company. Trossbach reflects back on the triumphs and challenges that have come during her tenure, the theater’s impact on the Southwest Florida community, and highlights some of Lab Theater’s stand-out productions over the years.

On Saturday, the Laboratory Theater of Florida announced that Annette Trossbach is retiring as its producing artistic director. Trossbach founded the lab in 2009. During her 16 years at the helm, she established the lab as a bastion for innovative, groundbreaking theater productions. Along the way, she transformed local theater into a safe and acceptable environment in which artists and audiences can explore, discover and expand personal horizons and raise their social consciousness.

On November 21, the Fort Myers Historic Preservation Commission denied The Laboratory Theater of Florida’s retroactive application for permission to place a mural on the Second Street side of their building at 1634 Woodford Ave. In compliance with their decision, Lab Theater has begun the process of removing the mural.

Theatergoers can celebrate New Year’s week with five theater entertainment choices, including the opening of "Spaceman" at Urbanite Theatre in Sarasota and "The Buddy Holly Story" at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre.