S2 Ep2221: Big Broadway Energy: Lab Theater Project

S2 Ep2221: Big Broadway Energy: Lab Theater Project

Stephen Riordan welcomes Owen Robertson, the multi-hyphenate founder of Tampa Bay’s Lab Theater Project. While most local theaters go dark for the summer, Lab Theater Project keeps its doors open, dedicating its entire mission to producing new works and nurturing emerging playwrights and artists. Key Discussion Highlights * The Mission: Founded during Robertson’s MFA program to create a pipeline for new plays, the theater now receives 300 to 500 script submissions a year. It has produced works by 67 playwrights and given 23 artists their first professional opportunities. * True Collaboration & Dramaturgy: The theater operates as a safe, non-authoritarian space where actors, directors, and playwrights collaborate to reshape scripts.  * Stepping Away from Corporate America: Both Riordan and Robertson bond over leaving stable corporate careers (Robertson in 2010, Riordan in 2023) to commit entirely to the arts, noting how supportive the creative community is when you dare to ask for help. Robertson is also currently pursuing a PhD in Education to further advocate for the intrinsic value of the arts. Current Productions “The Cross and The Saber” (Closing July 19) Written by Wendy Graf, this timely play explores First Amendment rights, Christian nationalism, and politics in a near-future setting. > The Sci-Fi Element: The script incorporates artificial intelligence, featuring a terrifying courtroom sequence where the protagonist's entire legal defense, investigation, and prosecution are handled entirely by androids, prompting questions about human agency in an AI-driven world. Workshops and Digital Innovation * Pitch to Production Workshop: Launching this fall, this rigorous 12-week, master ’s-level course guides local writers from an initial pitch to a completed draft, utilizing seasoned national playwrights as mentors. * On-Demand Streaming: To assist long-distance playwrights and expand ticket sales, the theater streams its productions on demand for 24 hours during the final weekend of each run. Learn More: Visit labtheaterproject.org [http://labtheaterproject.org/] for tickets, workshop registration, and script submissions. #BigBroadway Energy #StephenRiordan #LabTheaterProject #StPeteTheater #OwenRobertson

S2 Ep2230: BOOK TALK Deb Carson: Author Bonnie Freidman's Don't Stop

Ina is a 41-year-old literary scholar on the cusp of professional success. With a coveted university job, a kind husband, and a book on Eugene O’Neill due in months, her life appears enviably stable. But when an impulsive kiss with a stranger shatters her self-control, Ina finds herself plunged into an erotic and emotional freefall.  She tells herself it’s research—a brief detour before returning to real life. But what begins as a flirtation becomes a reckoning with everything Ina thought she wanted: marriage, intellect, control. As she navigates the ecstatic confusion of newfound desire, she risks upending her work, her relationship, and her understanding of who she is. Set in Brooklyn and Manhattan at the turn of the millennium, Don’t Stop is a bold, immersive debut that explores what happens when a woman dares to want more—of the world, of her body, of herself. Bonnie Friedman delivers a novel of transgression, transformation, and unapologetic longing. Bonnie Friedman [https://www.europaeditions.com/author/403/bonnie-friedman]  is the author of the bestselling Writing Past Dark, named one of the Essential Books for Writers by the Center for Fiction and Poets & Writers. She is also the author of The Thief of Happiness and Surrendering Oz, a finalist for the PEN Award in the Art of the Essay. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Ploughshares and numerous other literary journals, and she has been named a notable essayist four times in The Best American Essays. She has taught writing at the University of Iowa, Dartmouth, NYU, and the University of North Texas. Don’t Stop is her first novel. #bonniefriedman #author #writer #Don'tstop #debcarson #books   #stpete #stpetefl  #tampabay #radio #radiostpete #cityofstpete  #dtsp #downtownstpete

S2 Ep2229: ONE PLACE, MANY VOICES Seminole History: Michele Abramo & Kristen Oliphant

In this episode of One Place, Many Voices, series host Nanette Wiser chats with Michele Abramo, Seminole Historical Society [https://www.seminolehistoricalsociety.org/] (museum) , and Kristen Oliphant who grew up in Seminole and knows everything and everyone - inlcluding Florida Folk Show's Pete Gallagher, and is a musician herself (Gypsy Wind) for 30 years! 🎤Welcome to One Place, Many Voices podcast series powered by Heritage Village [https://www.heritagevillagefl.org/], with support from a Florida Humanities [https://floridahumanities.org/] grant.   Listen anytime, anywhere to all the One Place, Many Voices podcasts [https://audioboom.com/channels/1842136-radio-st-pete-podcast-archive?search=one+place+many+voices] on RadioStPete as we bring Pinellas County history to life through conversations with the people about the places and stories that define us. In 2026, we're celebrating America 250, Heritage Village’s 50th anniversary and other milestones.  The podcast series is  inspired by the Smithsonian’s Many Voices, One Nation exhibit coming to Heritage Village this summer. About the One Place,  Many Voices podcasts. [https://audioboom.com/posts/8878150-one-place-many-voices-life-is-a-journey-what-s-your-story] #pinellascountyhistory #heritagevillage #america250 #onevoicemanyplaces #nanettewiser #floridahumanities #stpete #stpetefl  #tampabay #radio #radiostpete #cityofstpete  #dtsp #downtownstpete  #historyrocks #seminole #seminolehistoricalsociety.

S2 Ep2228: SPIRITS OF ST. PETE Dr. Brandi Stark: Haunted VFW History

Join Dr Brandy Stark of the SPIRITS of St Petersburg as she interviews Cynthia (Cindy) Stanford,  the past Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post 39 (2023-2026), the second oldest VFW in the world located on Central Avenue and 26th Street.  Rumored to be haunted, the SPIRITS of St Petersburg investigated the location over the past 2 years. During this interview, we discuss the ghosts, investigations, and paranormal experiences from this very unique historical location in downtown St Petersburg. MEET OUR GUEST Cindy Stanford is a retired Air Force veteran who served from 1983 to 2007 as a surgical technician and Education and Training Manager. She has worked for the Department of Veteran Affairs, was the first female commander in 75 years of VFW Post 6827 and has held every elected position in the VFW up to district 9 Commander (2024 - 25). She was Commander of post 39 from 2023 to 2026. 🎤Welcome to One Place, Many Voices podcast series powered by Heritage Village [https://www.heritagevillagefl.org/], with support from a Florida Humanities [https://floridahumanities.org/] grant.   Listen anytime, anywhere to all the One Place, Many Voices podcasts [https://audioboom.com/channels/1842136-radio-st-pete-podcast-archive?search=one+place+many+voices] on RadioStPete as we bring Pinellas County history to life through conversations with the people about the places and stories that define us. In 2026, we're celebrating America 250, Heritage Village’s 50th anniversary and other milestones.  The podcast series is  inspired by the Smithsonian’s Many Voices, One Nation exhibit coming to Heritage Village this summer. About the One Place,  Many Voices podcasts. [https://audioboom.com/posts/8878150-one-place-many-voices-life-is-a-journey-what-s-your-story] #spiritsofstpete #hauntedvfw #brandistark #cindystanford #oneplacemanyvoices #pinellascountyhistory #stpetersburghistory

S2 Ep2227: SUNKEN GARDENS Jennifer Tyson Previews Upcoming Events

Waterwise Gardening and Rainwater Talk Hi, this is Jennifer Tyson, Education Coordinator at St Pete’s Sunken Gardens at 1825 4th St N. The dog days of summer are here, and in Florida that means stress on plants in Florida gardens – and stressed  out Florida gardeners! The good news? Hot, sunny days during a record-breaking drought don’t have to parch your plants too badly if you grow like a true Floridian.  Enjoying native and Florida-friendly plants that are drought tolerant is easier than you think. Native plants have evolved to sustain or even thrive in our dry periods and provide color and support for pollinators all year  long. The cheerful dune sunflower and native grasses under our mid-century neon sign are a beautiful example and are blooming now. All are invited to learn how to incorporate 20 Easy-to-Grow wildflowers for Florida Gardens into an outdoor space, even a container garden, this Saturday, July 18, from 11am-noon.  Participants will take home free seeds and a companion publication for the talk, created by the Florida Wildflower Foundation.  Even drought tolerant plants aren’t drought proof, but that’s where rain barrels come in to save the day.  Capturing precious rainwater is as easy as placing one underneath an area of your roof that is missing a gutter.  We use Bti granules to eliminate mosquito larvae in standing water, which is perfect for rain barrels. This naturally occurring bacteria targets mosquito larvae and is not harmful to humans or other wildlife.  Sunken Gardens guests can learn various ways to harness rainwater on Friday, July 24, from 11 am – noon when Melissa West of UF/IFAS Pinellas County Extension will discuss how to set up rain barrels for use in landscapes and more. Both talks are free with gardens admission or membership and held in our air- conditioned Garden Room. No preregistration required.  Stay tuned for more news and gardening tips from Sunken Gardens! See you at the magical land of flowers, flamingos, and more very soon!