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A Year Without State Support: Florida’s Arts Orgs Still Reeling from DeSantis Veto

By Avery Anderson It happened quietly, with the stroke of a pen. In May 2024, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed more than $30 million in arts and culture funding that had already been approved by the state legislature — wiping out the entire grants budget for theaters, museums, festivals, and community

Not Just a Tool: How AI Became a Cast Member at freeFall Theatre

By Avery Anderson It’s a sunny afternoon in St. Pete, and I’m sitting across from actor Julia Rifino at a small table in a local coffee shop. We’re sipping iced drinks and chatting about her latest project—The House of Future Memory, the new show premiering at

Summer with Bite: TheatreFor’s Season Serves Laughs, Truth-Telling, and a Texan Firebrand

By Avery Anderson In Clearwater, summer is getting a sharp dose of satire—and a touch of Texas sass. With Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins opening June 12, TheatreFor kicks off its summer season with a no-holds-barred tribute to one of journalism’s most fearless voices.

Penny Lane Forever: Beatles Museum Heads to the Heart of St. Pete

By Avery Anderson If all you need is love—and maybe a drum kit played by Ringo Starr—then you’re in luck. Penny Lane, the beloved Beatles museum currently nestled in downtown Dunedin, is making a major move. In early to mid-2026, the not-for-profit museum will open its doors

Broadway’s Corn Comedy Hits the Straz — and One of Its Stars Is Coming Home

Quinn VanAntwerp returns to the role of Gordy in Shucked, the hilariously heartfelt musical that’s equal parts satire, soul, and small-town chaos. By Avery Anderson It’s not every day a Broadway musical comes along that makes you laugh ‘til you cry — and then actually cry. But Shucked, the