AMANDA SCHLACHTER
Amanda is an Assistant Professor of Theatre with The State College of Florida. She has worked as a professional actor, director and teaching artist for the past 20 years and is thrilled to be a part of Theatre Odyssey’s One-Act Play Festival. Recently, she was the co-host of The Players New Play Festival alongside Jeffery Kin. She worked with Craig Smith and The SCF Film Department to produce Mythos and performed with Urbanite Theatre in their reading of Thirst. As a director, Amanda has worked with SCF Theatre, The Players Theatre, Out-of-Door Academy and Asolo Rep (Kaleidoscope). In addition, Amanda has performed with The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, The Orlando Shakespeare Theatre and toured nationally with The Day I Opened My Eyes (Source Productions). Amanda is a graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and The University of Florida where she received her MFA in Theatre. Amandaschlachter.com
JIM WEAVER
Originally from New York City, Jim is the new Director of Education and Artistic Associate at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. Prior to taking on this new position with WBTT, Jim was a professor and director of the theatre department for Kent State University at Stark in Ohio. His directorial and choreographic credits include award winning productions of Next to Normal, A Raisin in the Sun, Floyd Collins and Ain’t Misbehavin. At WBTT he has directed, among others, productions of In the Heights, Jitney, Fences, Raisin, Spunk and an award-winning production of Caroline or Change. As a performer his credits include Broadway, off-Broadway, national and international productions. “I am so happy to now be a permanent part of the Sarasota theatre family. Participating in the festival and seeing more of the limitless founts of talent here is a joy. Thank you for allowing me to participate.”
LOUISE STINESPRING
Louise Stinespring holds a Ph.D. in Fine Arts (Theatre) from Texas Tech University. She studied acting with Sanford Meisner, considered the finest acting teacher of the 20th century. She has enjoyed a professional career as an actor, director, dramaturg and professor. As an Equity actor, her television credits include national commercials. Dr. Stinespring taught theatre at St. Joseph’s College, Patchogue, New York; Suffolk Community College, Long Island, New York; Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas; and the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee. She has been an active member of the Sarasota theatre community since 2007. She wrote, directed and co-produced a series of theatre pieces at Home Resource, a contemporary furniture store in Sarasota.
