Gulf Coast Journal with Jack Perkins; 605s; Director Michael Donald Edwards, Economics Class at Sarasota Christian School, Venice Walkabout, Artist Anita Wexler

This. Special Presentation was produced in high definition by W. edu Tampa St. Petersburg Sarasota. What does it take to run one of the nation's. Best theater company. How do you turn recyclables into art. Kids taking care of business. Had a wonderful walk on a beautiful morning. All in this volume of a Gulf Coast Journal. This WDW production is exclusively brought to you through a generous grant from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice building strong communities strong leadership partnership philanthropy. Dear John. In tough times the temptation is to trim back some of the frills of

life musical concerts theater. Right. Absolutely not right. Tough times have produced some of the best music and theater and movies and those in turn have helped see us through those tough times. In other words the tougher the times the more we need things like here on the Gulf Coast the repertory theatre company itself has known tough times and come through them better than ever. First there was Broadway's Amadeus. The lovable nobody don't like Yogi Bear and the world premiere musical. A Tale of Two Cities. As. Producing artistic director for a repertory theatre. Michael Donald Edwards believes no production is too complex

outrageous or intense for Sarasota audiences. This is a small town but it has a very urban kind of cosmopolitan vibe to it. And he should know having directed performances in New York California and his homeland of Australia. We present a season of 11 plays. Musicals plays of all kinds. We present. The entire. Canon of theater so that we have to present many like a to a district rather than just one Petah doing one type of thing. This must be a dream job for you. Yeah I love it. I find that I am thriving at this time loving thinking about. The kinds of things we do. In the next couple of seasons. Instead of meeting your late arrivals think films. This is Michael's fourth season with the Orsillo he took over the position in 2006 filming some very big shoes.

Is there any suits. You recommended that Michael. Apply for this position. Why what had you seen him. I encouraged him to apply first because I saw somebody who was at the right stage of his career to take this over and I saw a personality that I knew would be a great fund raising personality people love him. And you don't give to organizations you give to people. To better understand the Onslow today. Rewind the onslaught of yesterday and the man with the big shoes. I was in the first play ever done in this theater by Florida State University in 1959. And we brought the play down from Florida State University for something called Arts week. And after that was over they decided to have. To open a summer theater playing restoration plays and rotating repertory. I think the summer population of Sarasota at the time was probably for.

An actor director and eventually artistic director Howard Milman experienced also those growing pains first hand. He and Dick Thilo that time Thomas in Bob strong built a foundation. It in the 70s that's why it was in the 70s and unfortunately it got off track in the 80s almost closed. And then Howard came back and rebuilt that foundation. And Michael Edwards now is going forward with that Howard took over as producing artistic director in 1995 during his tenure he created a permanent acting company and reestablished his reputation as a rotating Repertory Theater shows a rotating repertory essentially meeting each other from a company of actors and that you have three or four plays running at the same time changing the bill of fare sometimes twice a day.

It's the old English method of doing that. Perhaps but Sarasota audiences loved it and it made sense with its fluctuating population. And when people came here if we had them for a week if we were just running one play after the other we'd have them once but now they can come and see two or three place at the same time just as they used to in the old days supporting your repertory theatre is expensive today hello is one of only four theaters in the U.S. playing rotating repertory. I think we had had such a reputation of playing rotating people got to know the artists and the lift part of it people would see them at the grocery store at the supermarket. Oh I saw you last night you were wonderful. When Michael Edwards took over in 2006 he vowed to remain true to what had become his roots. Howard has been great. He's been a fantastic calling and he has been very very supportive. I thought he left the institution in a very healthy place. I believe he's pushing the limits and

taking new challenges. Appreciating the near here before going to Broadway big undertaking or take a piece of cake. Yeah. Yeah that was a very very big undertaking. But we had the ability to create this Broadway. And I think it surprised some people but not others because. The. Big. House is big half full. Most difficult challenge Michael faces now is enticing theater goers to open their wallets in an uncertain economy. If ever artists are necessary it's now. I mean we thrived during the Great Depression. We were absolutely necessary during the great wars. We're going to do less. We're going to do just as much work but we may do it differently and we may choose different things because people are leaving us now. You know I really want I really want to be transported.

On a show that really hit a nerve. And a funny moment. With. Audiences was Barnham the musical showcase the life of P.T. Barnum the men are created the greatest show on earth. So it's like there's something very positively American about a sense of the future in that people. It hit people it gave them what they may be needed to feel good. And that we can get through this too. Also enlisted help from circa Sarasota to ensure the program's integrity with circus action sailor circus band perform. Michael congeners collaborations like these are essential to survive and thrive. One of the things that made the job attractive is that there were already faith other arts institutions here. And from the beginning of my time here I wanted to actually meet and talk with and figure out ways to get to work together and support each other and what

we're doing like teaming up with Ian Webb and the Sarasota ballet to kick off next season's program. So we're going to be doing close. Contact promises to be an ambitious collaboration of theater and dance. We have this extraordinary cast out of you to play the roles. And an extraordinary career of his dancers. They kind of fit right into it. I think it represents the beginning of a new kind of. Collaboration is. A new kind of collaboration that's visionary and necessary. What we do is have enormous value. And you actually need us you actually need us to be engaged citizens and do what we're doing. You need to fit it need the dance you need that I need to.

Use. The repertory theater turns 50 this year a major milestone company one summer brings me stinky. It. Was a lot of talking about schools. Are they teaching the right things. Are they equipping our young properly to enter the world in these difficult times. Well here is an example of one program that you might answer. Yes indeed. Everybody in this room is going to be running a company where Brenton can hardly wait. What you do may be has been looking forward to this whole school year. These fifth graders are joining the workforce. When we go visit this town there's going to be lots of businesses in this town some of them are going to be big some of them are and to be small Sarasota Christian school where

students have been studying economics for weeks. Their reward will be a field trip to Junior Achievement. This town in Tampa. We're going to run four different companies when we get to town. Mayberry's mom is Lisa Carlson well-known cattle rancher citrus grower former state legislator. This was so creative. Lisa volunteers guiding these eager kids through the ups and downs the twists and turns of economics. You like me to give you an example. In today's world today's economy. The issues that are coming up in the world these days is it so important for these students to realize how the real world operates. It's important to get them to learn and to understand that school is literally their ticket to the future. When you are looking for a job in the real world and in this town you have to fill out a job application for

three years. Lisa has helped this great teacher Barbie spruiker simulate the volatile world of business. Certain terms of the economy such as they mentioned the term human resources capital resources opportunity costs and the kids of course can memorize what these words mean. But it's not until they actually do the hands on activities that are part of Junior Achievement. The pay credit and they get to relive it. I mean people might want to start a business here in classroom. Everybody does what the hiring began. Quentin. You are now the sole owner of the Blaser popcorn business. He has to hire Taylor. And Taylor is going help him by being a cashier. Quenton is going to hire Austin as a backup cashier. He's starting to get some issues with people. Nobody has set the schedule because Quinten doesn't have time to do that. I think that let's see here. I

think that Cameron. Is going to help out by being a good human resource person. It's tough when your mom refuses to play favorites. They hired Tanner to be their new truck driver. They need a good business manager and Lily is going to come up here and Lilly has applied for the job to be their business manager and shy and has applied for the job as the accountant for the company. So Cheyenne is going to be their new accountant Now maybe she ends up a stockholder just in time for the downturn. The business is getting a little out of control. They want to start working on some costs because we can guess what's coming next. TANNER. I'm sorry but you are going to have to go. It was nice working with you but you're going to have to go. Austin I'm sorry you're where you're going to have to you're going we're going to have to let you go. Advertising. You're going to have to cut back on

advertising. So Alexandra I'm sorry we're we're going to have to let you go too. No need to despair. Maybe this is America. The company is gasping for air but you still get your bonus. You're going. To be. Breaking. Down. Inflation and nerdish bundled in business attire. They finally made it to this town in Tampa. This. Is how. Much. You. Guys. Want to. Customize. By. A utopia of one hundred and twenty businesses with 135 jobs and zero unemployment. Only fifth graders who completed the economic program need apply.

We find the astute businessperson maybe working diligently as a bank teller for the day the kids are so excited no matter what their job description is they are so excited about being able to just. See. Range. Of. Results. And twirled the pieces over their first paycheck. No surprise Brooke the reporter is first to get some coveted Junior Achievement cashback. This town is sort of like a simulated society. We've got radio stations and newspapers and all sorts of opportunities for them to interact with other students. And then they're assigned to their businesses. They're in their businesses we're running them during the day they're taking breaks they're running around buying things. There are. Some anxious moments when it looks like a run on the bank but are able tellers have the situation under control.

What kind of shape will our economy be in when these children are grown veteran volunteer Lisa Karlton is not we were in. When you see the look in these kids eyes their eagerness their excitement. They're very serious about this position. I think you can see in these kids eyes the next generation this country is safe in their hands. After one day on the job the children have learned a valuable lesson. Work hard save some money. Donate what you can afford. And don't spend more than you earn. Sometimes simplest is best. Best exercise simple walking. Best way to socialize. Walking with friends especially in a beautiful place.

It's early on a Saturday morning. People are signing in for a weekly ritual. Next year as soon as the clock strikes eight. Ever organize your money Andrews get a group gathered at volunteer park to pick up their feet and kick off the business walk about. It started four years ago. And it was an idea that we had to utilize the Venetian waterway park. And provide an outlet for people to exercise on the weekends or to add to their exercise regimen. So far we've had. A cumulative total of almost 10000 miles. As they arrive each Saturday morning eight o'clock week we take off from the local volunteer park and we walk two and a half miles on a particular route. We have several routes we take and. They sign in. We have a book each page each person has his own page and he keeps a cumulative total of miles walked. After they walk 15 miles they get a T-shirt. After they walk 100 miles we put 100 miles on there.

One of the big draws of the walk about is the natural scenery along the Venetian waterway park. On a sunny and crisp Florida morning. There are a few things that can compete with walking with friends. Dogs like it too. There's always girls around. I mean there's things to look at and the boats go by and you know you watch the water on the Intercoastal. It's really really really nice. This is why we moved to Florida. The Venetian Waterfront Park was created to enhance the lifestyle of Venice residents. That is the main goal of Venice area beautification AInc or babee. The local group that helps promote and support new projects. That was a 15 year project. Five million dollars in spending all of it done by community organizations certainly with assistance from the city state and county governments bought and some funding there but it was really overseen by the ministry of education and community leaders.

Bikers also take advantage of the myriad trails along the water. The cyclists arriving a little later. The bikers didn't want to intermingle with the walkers so basically they show up a little bit after the walkers and a bicycle and so they don't run a mile. The waterway trail is wonderful. It has nice curves in it so it's not solid straight and it's a nice group of people. Well I hang the cap. That's why I wear a three wheeler and this particular bike is the best Riquelme you can get. The Venetian waterway park the biking trails the multiple parks and murals in Venice did not happen by accident. They were planned executed and sometimes managed by fabby members. This basic purpose has been to identify projects that need someone to take them to fruition.

The Venetian water park is a perfect example. One of the most recent project is the Venice arboretum. Monte Andrews master gardener master initiator gave an existing park a bit of a facelift. I planted sixty four palms and trees of varying varieties throughout the park. I've also filled in with various shrubs this type of things but I also included a bronze turtle here patterned after a sea turtle. It's about five feet in length and four and a half five feet in with great little feature for the park. Eventually what we'd like to see is is the vines of the various variety of vines so they flower different times of the year literally encapsulate this so that when you walk through here you get this nice cozy feeling of vegetation surrounding you. Money is not new to spearheading community projects. He spent his career as a project manager in Omaha Nebraska taking a facility from idea through completion uses many of his natural talents.

He and his wife Jan are very very unassuming. They are not someone who will beat their own drum. You don't have to call money to say can you do this. It's more about Montie calling you saying can you get involved. In that. They seem to be driven with a passion to make business better. Back in volunteer park the walkers return from their two and a half mile walk on this morning one of the membership has reached a milestone. We have a new walker. He's 15 miles. Down Lermontov. Great. Job and I'll get a picture of you after a while. Feel a little sense of accomplishment. Part of the group. I guess a group thing is what really nice about it. And they're nice people. And there are other reasons to celebrate the walkabout reached its own milestone. For years of Saturday morning gatherings filled with eager feet and spinning wheels. Yet another success for the city that

has so many. Basically we want to continue to make Venice a better place to play work and live and a lot of our projects are beautification projects because we figure everybody can share in the beauty of they're driving by the street. If they're walking around if they're sitting there staring at it you know it helps everybody. From the looks of things no one slowing down any time soon. Over the years we've considered many different forms of art here on the Gulf Coast. But now in the immortal words of money Python for something completely different. Recycle art. I. I-Spy a bracelet and shovel. And hypocrisy. To. Buy a spigot. And number nine made a light like a children's book

series. I need a Wexler's. Art is filled with hidden treasures most of its found objects. Everything from like basketball polls to say satellite dishes. Some call it recycling. Anita calls it rescuing a lot of it I've found on and on garbage days. People are getting rid of thing. You know I've rescued a table that way some chairs that way and sometimes I find things on the ground washers or what have you. Other rescued items are much larger like the basketball poles and satellite dishes that former totum sculptures. This piece is actually called the medicine man. These are like shower. Curtain things. There's an old belt. These pieces are from the two end tables that I had welded together and. That were just being turned out. I just really wanted to have a different

look and give them kind of like the A-Team like you know like a medicine man's head piece or head dress and in a funky way it's primitive with a modern twist says Anita who is part Cherokee Indian. Tell me a warrior mask. Well the reason it can be a way I'm asking is that I find the sword. An interesting combination of pieces as well. It's all stuff the rotor but it also has some weight. It's is kind of a wiser style in the innocent side so. But yeah when I found the sort I kind of. Grew up in the rural town of Farmington Illinois your place better known for cornfields and coal than creativity. My dad worked for Caterpillar for many years. And my mom was a homemaker and we really didn't have art anywhere. In the house. And we know where we had brown paneled

walls and browns furniture and brown wood floors. You know my clothes were brown and. Gray blue and brown thinks it's really my wonder haven't. I need his foray into art began at age 5. Not surprisingly a medium. Of color. So puts on paper. So that's how that relates to this tiny tiny thing and everything. She scratched the covers of her dad's hunting magazines but had designs on a more vibrant way of life. And I just always was wondering what was up a hill. And I couldn't believe I was very confused when no one else was really wondering what was going on. So I don't know. Eventually Anita made it over the hill albeit in a brown and blue room. Went to camp after high school after boot camp first chance I got to go to the mall. I bought wretch's. Bright red shoes in the Big Apple. Perfect way to start your colorful journey while attending. The New School for Design. I would love to just walk around the city and just see all the ducks and crannies and it was all that was inspirational.

Anita left New York for the Gulf Coast six years ago in search of a more nurturing environment to raise her kids. They still haven't gotten used to their mother's affection for the discarded. It's kind of weird asking why find out if my mom would pick something you look off. It's a strange request to be sure. Fortunately they appreciate the end result. At least most of the time I like doing it. She makes some of my favorite things though pretty good. I like I like half the other ones just freak me out. Acceptance of their mothers off the dark maybe half hearted because sometimes their own toys turn up missing most the time I give them heads up. But once in a while I just get excited in the moment and hope they don't miss it. Something tells me about. An art teacher in Sarasota high school and he tries to inspire students by example. I did try to show them artwork of mine not too much just enough to let them know that I am

trying it you know being a professional artist as well and not just I said listen you know I wouldn't feel comfortable teaching you if I wasn't actively you know being an artist as well which is why Anita Wexler still questions what's on the other side of the hill. I definitely want to try to get my work. In museums and just want to keep experimenting. I spy a starfish on the face with a smile. I spy person believes nothing is out of style. I spy clothes parch and a man made from shmo. By an artist who finally found her. Well we're glad you checked in with this volume of the Gulf Coast Journal. We'll keep producing and keep watching and we thank you. We'll close this volume with a look at some people doing something that I'd love to do but won't.

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