Artists & Craftsmen

Production Manager and Director of Operations

A graduate of Carnegie Tech and worked at New York Shakespeare Festival, Brandeis, University of California Institute of Repertory, APA, American Conservatory Theater and again in New York. As head of production and technical staffs, he is responsible for the overall technical operation of Asolo Rep and serves as consultant for the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. He has been a member of the Asolo Rep family since 1969.

Technical Director

A graduate of the FSU School of Theater, David has worked in professional theater for 35 years. He is responsible for budget management, purchasing, scheduling, supervising and coordinating personnel, and the installation and execution of scenery. He enjoys working in AutoCAD and appreciates its ability to help solve technical problems. David works in conjunction with the education & outreach department of Asolo Rep and lectures about technical theater in local schools and in the Access to the Arts program. He is a member of IATSE locals 412(stage) & 477(film).

Scenery Construction/Shop Foreman

Steve is a fourth generation Sarasota native. He joined Asolo Rep in 1969 as a technical apprentice while still in high school and never left. As one of the mainstays at the Asolo, his duties include evaluating finish product scenery prints, drafting working drawings, supervising construction, loading scenery for transport, and scenery installation and set-up. Steve's credits include hundreds of Asolo productions. Other projects include The End of Summer television special starring Helen Hayes; the Patriots production for the Great Performances series for PBS; scenic elements for Universal Studios Earthquake! attraction; master carpenter on the movie Cocoon, where he built a 60-foot fishing boat in 30 days; and The Great Wallenda Story starring Lloyd Bridges and Brit Eicklin. Steve loves the challenge of building the impossible and specializes in sculptured curved scenery and spiral staircases. He's been a member of IATSE 412 and film local 477 for over 25 years. Steve is proud to have been able to share his knowledge with several technical graduate student interns over the years.

Master Scenic Carpenter/Metal Fabrication

Bert joined Asolo Rep in 1973 and for twenty years he was the resident sound designer, creating show tapes and sound effects for more than 200 mainstage and tour productions. During the off-season, he worked for Asolo Scenic Studios developing his skills on scenery and prop construction on a wide variety of productions, not only for the Asolo but various other performing arts organizations. In addition, he has worked on projects for NBC, CBS, PBS and several major motion picture production companies. In 1993 Bert became the master scenic carpenter for the Asolo and two years later he also assumed responsibility for the metal fabrication dept. Bert is a skilled carpenter, welder and also enjoys creating decorative ironwork. His computer skills include Photoshop, AutoCad, and web design. Bert holds a B.A. from the University of South Florida..

Scenic Charge Artist

With Asolo Rep since 1989, JoAnn paints no less than a dozen sets each year for the Asolo and Conservatory and pushes a few additional side projects out the door as well. Recent work includes "pre-Broadway" productions of Wonderland and Tale of Two Cities. With both professional studio and freelance experience to her credit, JoAnn has developed a reputation in Southwest Florida for top quality work as an artist in all forms of entertainment media, including the 20th Century Fox production of Great Expectations and Rialto/Neverland Film's Palmetto, for which she was charge artist. Additionally, JoAnn is well known for specialty work for circus' and carnivals, particularly carousel horses, and is also an experienced draftsperson and graphic artist. Prior to working at the Asolo, JoAnn was a scenic artist for Hagenbeck-Wallace, producing scenic elements and props for Ringling Brothers Circus, Disney on Ice, Siegfried and Roy, and others. Her work has been seen at Sarasota Opera, Sarasota Ballet and other theatres around Sarasota. Her hobbies include gardening and stained glass work. JoAnn holds a B.A. in Fine Arts (Graphic Design) from the Ringling School of Art and Design and an A.A. in Arts from St. Petersburg Junior College in Tarpon Springs, where she was raised.

Senior Property Master

A graduate of the Ringling School of Art and Design, Jefferey's experience with Asolo Rep spans over 45 seasons. He has worked for Georgia Educational TV, worked as a set and prop builder as well as a sculptor. Jefferey is a member of IATSE Local 412 and United Scenic Artist 829 NY. As a set designer, he has designed for stage, TV, film, opera as well as numerous sets for Asolo Rep. He is the recipient of two Florida individual artist fellowship awards for set design.

Associate Technical Director

Shane moved to Sarasota from Indiana in 1997. He joined Asolo Rep in 1999 as a technical apprentice after graduating high school. After one season, he took on the responsibilities of Master Stage Carpenter/Crew Chief. Shane transitioned from working backstage to the scenic studio in 2008. As one of the mainstays at the Asolo, his duties include evaluating finish product scenery prints, drafting working drawings, supervising construction, loading scenery for transport, and scenery installation and set-up. Shane’s credits include hundreds of Asolo productions as well as many client productions. Shane loves the challenge of building the impossible and specializes in metal fabrication, CNC shaped scenic elements and custom rigging. He's been a member of IATSE 412 for 17 years.

Associate Production Manager

A graduate of Flagler College with a Bachelors in Theater Arts and The University of Alabama with a Masters in Stage Management.  Mike has worked in theaters across the country and Europe on shows of every size. Prior to Joining Asolo Mike worked in production for Blue Man Group as well Tours of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert and Burn the Floor. Other productions include work for Lincoln Center, The Public, Kennedy Center, Barrington Stage Company and the Prince Music Theater.

Carpenter

Since his arrival in Sarasota in 1981, Rick has designed lights and sets for the Players of Sarasota, FST, Golden Apple, Anna Marie Players, Manatee Players, American Stage, Feld Entertainment, Asolo Theatre, Urbanite Theatre, Westcoast Black Theater Troupe, and Banyan Theatre.  He designed and produced more than 70 plays during his 18 years with the FSU/Asolo Conservatory.  Other work includes several operas with the Triangle Opera Company in Durham, NC.  While there, he had the honor of designing the world premiere of Robert Ward’s “Roman Fever.”  In New York City he designed and produced two plays Off-Off Broadway and assisted several Broadway designers including John Lee Beatty.  Rick holds degrees from DePauw University and North Carolina School of the Arts

Prop Artisan

Graduate Spartanburg High School, Spartanburg, S.C. 1967. Attended Spartanburg Jr. College. 1967-1969. U.S. Air Force, 1969-1973. Graduate Ringling College of Art, Commercial art major. 1973-1976. Advertising Artist at Positively Main Street Graphics through 1997. Owner, Alley Custom Art, Signs, Vehicular Graphics, Specializing in hand lettering until 2005. George Luzier boat builders, Construction  of wooden sail and power boats, 2006. Prop Master, Scenic Artist with the Sarasota Opera House through 2009. Began working with Asolo Theatre Scenic Studio, 2008.