[more details]

Rare Copy of Shakespeare Folio on Auction
LONDON - A complete First Folio edition of William Shakespeare's plays, in prime condition and still in its 17th century calf leather binding, is expected to fetch up to 3.5 million pounds ($6.10 million) when it goes on sale in July. Hailed by auctioneer Sotheby's as the most important book in English literature, the First Folio is credited with saving for posterity many of the bard's plays including "Macbeth," "Twelfth Night" and "Julius Caesar" which had never before been printed.

Caldwell Theatre Company Introduces Video Projection in Its Traditional Stage Design
BOCA RATON – As one of the first regional theaters to do so, Caldwell Theatre Company introduces a video projection system that incorporates multimedia elements in its productions. Starting with its upcoming World Premiere on April 9, 2006 – The Impressionists – this state-of-the-art technology will be interfaced in its stage design. Integrated into its live theater performances, this audio-visual projection system will enhance productions in many creative ways, offering directors additional opportunities to personalize the theater experience for audiences.

FST Educators Return From Eye-Opening Visit to Tel Mond
SARASOTA -As a part of a cultural exchange, FST recently took its WRITE A PLAY program to the children of Tel Mond, Israel. With the support of a grant from the State of Florida, Kate Alexander, Adam Ratner and Ashley West spent five days working with teachers and students, teaching them the art of playwriting. The cultural exchange will continue this May when two Israeli teachers travel to Sarasota for the Young Playwright Festival, held at Florida Studio Theatre.

Florida Holocaust Museum Expands Hours
ST. PETERSBURG – The Florida Holocaust Museum will expand its hours beginning April 1st. The Museum will now open at 10am on Saturdays and Sundays. The Museum will be open seven days a week from 10am – 5 pm – last admission at 4 PM

OWC Student Art Awards
NICEVILLE, FL - Seven Okaloosa-Walton College students won a total of $1800 in the Arnie Hart Juried Student Exhibition and were presented with awards by Dr. James R. (Bob) Richburg at a reception recently in the McIlroy Gallery of The Arts Center at OWC. In addition to the placement awards, 16 students won Merit Awards and two were recognized with Honorable Mention. Carol Horigan, a professor of art at Pensacola Junior College, judged the contest. Jayme Chatterton of Crestview won Best of Show and $600

Seventh Annual Crystal Vision Gala Raises More Than $300,000
HOLLYWOOD, FL - More than $300,000 was raised for the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood's Education Programs at the Seventh Annual Crystal Vision Gala, which was held Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Orlando Opera Adds New Members to Leadership Team & Board of Trustees
ORLANDO - Robert Swedberg, General Director, has announced that Eleanor Paulk, past president of the Opera Board of Directors and recently retired from Darden Restaurants, Inc. will assume an interim Managing Director role to oversee the administration of Central Florida’s largest performing arts organization. Also announced was the appointment of Mr. Samir S. Gupte to the Board of Trustees for Orlando Opera.

Baby M Author Thrives on High Energy Challenges
ORLANDO - Atlanta playwright Lauren Gunderson has won the third annual Call for Scripts, produced by the Women Playwrights' Initiative (WPI). Baby M will be given a fully-staged production September 2006 in a small professional setting in Orlando.

VCC Graphic Technology Program Conducts Survey
Orlando - Valencia Community College Graphic Technology Program invited local professionals to participate in an online survey. The purpose of this survey was to help VCC more efficiently prepare students for positions based upon industry standard expectations. It also enabled VCC to assess their curriculum, placement and software. Ultimately they have two goals, to improve the Graphic Design program to meet employer expectations and emphasize to students the importance of skills and qualities needed to enter the industry. If you are interested in the survey results you may visit: http://www.valenciawebstudio.com/surveyresults

Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida Ready to Attend the
International Ballet Concert in Poznan, Poland
MIAMI - Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida will travel on April 8th to Poznan, and have their performance on April 11th and 12th, but it will not be until the April 14th that the Festival will conclude with a busy schedule of activities, workshops and master classes for participating dancers. The International Ballet Concert is an annual performance by four international ballet companies, structured so that each country hosts the event on a rotating basis. The participating companies are: Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida, The Wienna Konservatorium Opera House Dance Company (Austria), The “Fouette” Tanz Ensemble (Poland), and the Odense City Ballet (Denmark).