Robert Ankrom, our Executive Director, passed away at his home in St. Petersburg on January 3rd of this year. Our condolences go out to his family, his children Jennifer and Rob, his granddaughter Fiona, and his sister, Ruth Ann, and her family, and to all his many, many friends, colleagues and former students throughout the country. He was our valued director, and our good friend. We miss him.

Bob Ankrom had a funny puckish sense of humor, and the charm of a true gentleman. He would tell his friends often that he wanted to be toasted, not mourned. The Board of Directors of the Florida Theatre Conference and the Manatee Players of Bradenton are sponsoring a "Celebration of Life Party" for our friend and former Executive Director Robert Ankrom. The party will be held in the new Manatee Players Theatre complex in Bradenton, FL on June 29, 2013 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm. The evening will start with an informal reception in the theatre lobby and conclude with a formal ceremony in the Theatre.

We are inviting you and Bob's many friends and former students to help us toast a life that was well lived. If you would feel comfortable speaking about Bob, please let us know so that you may be added to our list of special guests. Please pass this invitation along to anyone you might think of. Bob touched many lives, and all are invited. We ask that you RSVP with the number of guests - and let us know if you would like to share a few words with those assembled.

To RSVP, please contact:
Steve Bayless, Executive Director
5650 Park Blvd. Suite 7
Pinellas Park, FL 33781
Work: 727-544-8915
Cell: 727-560-8879
BaylessS727@aol.com

The Celebration of Life Party will take place at:
The Manatee Players Theatre Complex
502 3rd Avenue West
Bradenton, FL 34205
Telephone: 941-746-0111

One of the largest theatre festivals in the South - right in your own backyard.

The annual Florida Theatre Conference Festival encompasses a full world of performing arts - over three and a half days we will stage Secondary School, Theatre for Youth and Community Theatre Play Festivals. Our new DraMature Division will offer a fun and creative showcase. Over 65 workshops will be offered - including singing, acting, pantomime, dance, stage combat, directing, play writing, and all technical areas of the stage. Secondary School and College transfer students will audition for over thirty colleges and universities from around the nation - and then will be able to visit a College Fair for personal interviews. College and University students will compete for advancement to the Southeast Theatre Conference's spring festival, where they can gain access to the professional world of the theatre.

As a registered guest you will have full access to all three play festivals, all of the workshops, and the College Fair and Vendor Expo. Interested friends and family can purchase inexpensive day passes to watch the play festivals with you, and can join you at the closing ceremonies. The ceremonies will celebrate the festival and include a creative slide show presentation by secondary school students, awards, presentations and more.

Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida, plays host to the FTC Festival. They have given the festival full access to their campus, including three theatres and specialized performing arts workspaces. This beautiful campus is walking accessible, and includes a food court, lush grounds, and ample free parking. The Florida Theater Conference has blocked rooms in four nearby hotels to ensure reasonable rates, and will provide bus transportation to and from campus at the host hotel for your ease and safety.

Each of our divisions can be found by clicking on their tab at the top of the page. These divisions are Secondary School, Theatre for Youth, Community Theatre, College and University (Representatives and Students), DraMature Division, and Professional Theatre. There you will find more detailed information and registration forms. We have also included helpful guides to assist all levels of students in preparing for the many types of auditions offered at the festival.

By clicking on the Festival tab at the top of the page, you will find pages of information including a map of the campus, the list of hotels with blocked rooms (including registration information and a map), dining and local entertainment options, and more.

We look forward to seeing you at the festival.

Download the registration form here now.

NOTICE: Some division sections have been changed. If you come across an error on a page or you need a missing form, please use our contact page to email that Division representative directly.

Why Join FTC?

As a member of FTC, you will receive numerous benefits. These include the many events hosted at the yearly Festival, as well as the FTC newsletters. Benefits are outlined on our Why Join FTC? page.

FTC Newsletter

One of the benefits of membership is our Newsletter which is published three times a year. Every newsletter gives our members information about the individuals and events that influence Florida theatre, as well as articles celebrating the successes of individuals and theatrical groups.

Newsletter: Summer 2013

FTC 2012 Festival
Program & Schedule

Download the PDF

Santa Fe College

Click on the image for the Santa Fe College main page
Santa Fe College
Use the link below to go directly to the Fine Arts page
www.sfcollege.edu/finearts/

 

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SETC Auditions

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our SETC page.

SETC
Click here to download
the SETC registration .PDF

Workshop Application

Please consider sharing your talents by presenting a workshop for our attendees. These workshops are listed in some detail in the festival program and are highly sought after, so submit early!
Submit your application here.

Vendors & Advertisers

We would like to take this opportunity to personally invite your company to the Florida Theatre Conference Festival in Gainesville, Florida, this coming fall.
Read more!

Donations

With the decrease in funding for the arts from the State of Florida, your contributions are becoming increasingly important to allow us to continue providing services to the theatre institutions of Florida. Please include any contribution you can.

 

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