Theater/Theatre – Isabel Natera

Lab Theater project

The Lab Theater Project in historic Ybor City is a production company focused on producing new works in the Tampa Bay Community.

One of my favorite things about Lab Theater Project is that they produce shows from emerging playwrights. I have seen several of them and love that they also provide new artists a place to develop and work on their craft.

Although I have not worked on stage with the company, I call many of them my friends. Lab has helped me hone and work on my photography skills by providing me the opportunity to photograph some of their productions.

This year, Lab Theater Project found a new home at 812 E. Henderson Avenue in Ybor City. They have opened their doors with health and safety policies in place.

Don’t hesitate to check out their website and if you are not attending shows now, I know a donation would go a long way.

The Tampa Repertory Theatre

As an actor, I have a special place in my heart for classic plays. When Tampa Repertory Theatre came to town, I was so excited to see the shows on stage that I studied in detail at AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy) in NYC.

Although I auditioned for many, I was not chosen, but still attended performances that made me giddy. Tampa Rep also presents new plays and those have become some of my favorites as well.

In 2015, I was cast in one of their contemporary shows for TRT2, that was presented at the Silver Meteor Gallery, Bethany.

Presently, Tampa Rep has postponed their season and are devising new virtual and socially safe programming. I look forward to possibly, collaborating with them in the future.

Please visit their website when you have a chance and donate what you can, they are a wonderful theatre company.

Jobsite Theater

Jobsite is an independent, not-for-profit theater company in residence at the Shimberg Playhouse at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa.

I have auditioned for them several times and was fortunate enough to be a part of their 2012-13 season. I was in their production of Behind the Gates by Wendy Graf. I made some wonderful friends during this production and have been back time and again to see other shows as an audience member there.

Through out the years I have continued to attend performances at this venue and will continue to audition when time allows.

During the pandemic they are providing us at home, with online content. At the moment, Job-side Productions will have their first show at the Straz Riverwalk Stage which has open air seating. Feel free to read up on their safety precautions.

Don’t hesitate to visit their website and make a donation. The arts are vital and the pandemic caused houses to close their productions early, some weren’t even able to have an opening night.

Stageworks

Stageworks holds a very special place in my heart. It was the first theatre that took a chance on me when I got back from New York. Anna Brennen, saw me at a FPTA audition and the rest is history.

Stageworks offers theatre to school age children and I was part of their Rainbow Tribe, a program for at-risk youth. I did three productions for them and it will always hold a special place in my heart.

After that, I was given the opportunity to perform in main stage productions and have made the best of friends, I even call some of those beautiful people, family. In my second main stage production, I delved into the history and culture of the Dominican Republic and portrayed a beautiful character that touched me personally, as a Dominican American.

Stageworks recently announced their next season and as always, it reflects the time we are in. It provides talent an opportunity to use their craft, while maintaining the safety guidelines that are vital during this pandemic.

Please don’t hesitate to check out what they are up to at this time.

Why Support Stageworks

Carrollwood Players

When I graduated from AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy) in the 90s, I came back home to Florida. I wanted to get back to New York and knew that I needed to audition, audition, audition, and I needed to get as much time as I could on stage, so that I could practice and hone the craft I spent two years working on.

Carrollwood Players was one of the first places I went to. I auditioned several times before actually getting cast in my first show there, Private Lives.

St. Petersburg Times
Photo: Dirk Shado — St. Petersburg Times – Photo: Dirk Shado

Carrollwood Players is a community theatre company that will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2021. Over the years I have been back to Carrollwood in several productions and have made some wonderful friendships. They provided me with the opportunity to audition, rehearse and perform. One aspect that I really enjoyed is I was given the opportunity to play roles that would not have been open to me in other places because I did not look the part. I was also given the opportunity to direct a one-act play and co-direct a staged reading; providing me the opportunity to branch out from being on stage and work behind the scenes.

Community theater has also given me the opportunity to meet so many people and many I call good friends.

As the pandemic put a halt on live productions, theatres are trying to keep their door opens and many have taken on virtual productions in the interim. Some have started to open their doors to the public, in a limited capacity.

As for me, I won’t be gracing any stages anytime soon but hope you check out Carrollwood Players and donate what you can, I know, it will truly be appreciated.

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