Tom Hall

The state has issued the second and final round of cultural and museum grants for the fiscal year. Four Southwest Florida arts organizations received financial support – South Florida State College in Highlands County, the Military Heritage Museum in Punta Gorda and the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society and Shell Museum and Educational Foundation on Sanibel Island. No organizations in Sarasota, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry or Collier counties shared in this round of grants.

Hold your breath. Make a wish. Count to three. Come with me and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination. From costumes to props and sets, director Shaelyn Crabtree has created such a world at Cultural Park Theatre. Join Crabtree and five golden ticket winners as they tour Willy Wonka’s fabled chocolate factory. Final performances are Friday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 27 at 3 p.m.

This week, one show opens, four close, four continue their runs and there are four limited engagements at Southwest Florida theaters.

“Passage of Time: A Themed Members Show” considers everything from shifting seasons and aging to physical journeys and symbolic crossings from where we have been to where we are going. Artist Dahye Kim uses video, photography, light, sound and reflective screens to create an environment where past, present and future converge. Marian Fuller employs reclaimed materials and found objects to uncover unexpected meanings in ordinary things. These exhibitions are on view Oct. 2-31.

Sarasota Cuban Ballet opens 2026-27 Auditorium Series with "Classical + Contemporary." The program includes "Canto Vital," featuring four male dancers, and "Pas de Quatre," featuring four of the company's leading ballerinas.

Broadway star William Gillette’s weekend cast party goes awry when one of his guests is stabbed to death. Now Gillette must channel his inner Sherlock Holmes to track down the killer before the murderer strikes again. Playwright Ken Ludwig describes “The Game’s Afoot” as equal parts mystery and hilarity. It's onstage at The Belle Theatre in Cape Coral September 18-26.

Whether they’re auditioning for a comedy, drama or musical, actors arrive at auditions equipped with a head shot, resume and a couple of monologues. Cultural Park Theatre Executive Director Robin Murray says the monologue plays a crucial role in her decision in whether or not to use an actor in a show she is casting. It essence, says Murray, it's like an auditioner's first handshake with a casting director.

Florida Studio Theatre opens its winter cabaret season with 'Sailing: Yacht Rock and Beyond.' Coined in 2005, “yacht rock” refers to a musical genre that originated in the late ‘70s and was over by 1985. But, says Florida Studio Theatre Associate Director Catherine Randazzo, it’s more popular than ever.

Fort Myers Dinner Theatre opened “Matilda” over the weekend in its new space inside Gator Lanes. New stage. New seating area. Bigger space than the theater’s other location on San Carlos Boulevard. The bigger stage gives Fort Myers Theatre’s creative team a lot more to work with.

Two plays open this week in Cape Coral with Ken Ludwig’s “The Game’s Afoot” at The Belle Theatre and Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” at Cultural Park Theatre. Two plays open at Florida Repertory Theatre - “Forever Everly” and “School of Rock Young Actors Edition.” And The Sarasota Players tackle the Bard with “As You Like It’ while Venice Theatre highlights “Four Old Broads.” Five other shows are closing, one continues its run and there is one limited engagement on the boards this week.