This award recognized the ongoing Sarasota Sister Cities Program that integrates with the Florida Studio Theater's Young Playwrights Award and with students and teachers from Sarasota's Sister Cities. Florida Studio Theater trained teachers in instructing students in play writing in Dunfermline, Scotland; Tel Mond, Israel; and Vladimir. In turn, these students now submit plays to the Young Playwrights Competition.
These students have been regular winners and honorable mention recipients. For example, two Vladimir students and one Tel Mond student won this 2015. Likewise, in 2014 two Dunfermline students, one Tel Mond, and one Vladimir student won the contest. Sister Cities then hosts these students allowing them to see their plays professionally performed at Florida Studio Theater.
While this is an honor for all of the organization, those Sister Cities members who assisted with the program through the years deserve special credit. These include Linda Rosenbluth, City Director, Tel Mond, Israel; Pauline Mitchell, City Director, Dunfermline, Scotland; and Yulyiya Gaukhman, City Director, Vladimir; their committees;and Ron Gossett, Vice President Arts and Culture.
Recognition should also be given to Kate Alexander Associate Director of FST, who initiated program with SC in 2001 and Adam Ratner, Young Playwrights Festival Coordinator/Lead Teaching Artist.
