New Play Development at Florida Studio Theatre continues with playwright Rich Orloff staying in residence for the week, where he’s been working on three separate plays, including putting the finishing touches on Chatting with the Tea Party, a documentary-style play set for a world premiere in New York this winter.

A documentary-style play, meaning based on actual interviews conducted by Orloff, Chatting with the Tea Party came about from a lunch with liberal friends. “People were discussing passionately about what the Tea Party was,” said Orloff, “but no one had even met anyone in the Tea Party.” So Orloff, admitting his own ignorance, conducted more than two dozen interviews with the leaders of local Tea Party movements from 15 states, accumulating more than 60 hours of recording, to get to the heart of the matter.

“What’s beyond the stereotypes?” Orloff asks, an approach that he says hasn’t failed him yet, whether it be writing about love and lust amongst the blue-haired crowd in Advanced Chemistry or a series of short comedies centered around disability (written with and at the request of the National Theatre Workshop of the Handicapped). “With all my plays, I like to get beyond the stereotype,” he said.

Filling the time in residence not spent writing by working with apprentice actors and staff at FST, such as for a reading of his play, Pool Party, today, “it’s definitely a working vacation,” laughs Orloff. But as full as the schedule can be, it’s a worthwhile experience for everyone involved, he said. Workshopping scenes with actors, where they gain experience translating the text and Orloff gets to see in real time what works and what doesn’t in his script, is invaluable input for a creator. “It’s instant feedback for me and a great teaching moment for the students,” said Orloff.

Though Orloff’s residency ends Friday, after an appearance on “Inside the Florida Studio,” where FST associate artist Jason Cannon will cap off the experience with an on-stage interview, it’s not Orloff’s first trip to FST and likely won’t be the last. “When people think about Florida Studio Theatre, they just think about the plays,” said Orloff. “FST does more than just present the plays, they develop plays and invest in playwrights.”

“My plays are better off because of this,” he concluded.

For those looking to catch some of Orloff’s work onstage, The Island Players will be performing his Radio Ridiculous, a series of short comedies based around a 1930s radio station, at The Island Players Theater on Anna Maria Island, Fri. Nov. 13 at 8pm and Sun. Nov. 15 at 2pm. Orloff will be in attendance for a reception after. 

Daniel Dokko, owner of one of Sarasota’s most loved Sushi spots, Jpan, is a very busy man. As the proverbial heartbeat of his restaurant, it isn’t uncommon to see him seat his guests, take their drink orders and check up on them throughout their meal. He cares about every aspect of his business, from the service to the food to the experience. 

As he begins work on a second location, scheduled to open in March of next year, Daniel is busier than ever and is in no shortage of inspiration. “Jpan Sushi and Grill will be a different experience than our current location,” said Dokko about the new location in the University Town Center corridor. “We can’t wait to bring a traditional Japanese style of called robatayaki to Sarasota. Vegetables and proteins are cooked at a very high heat over white charcoal, which seals in the flavors. It is a more rustic way to cook, which will offer an interesting balance to delicate sushi techniques we use.”

Every year, Dokko sets out on a culinary adventure to learn new trends, flavors and techniques in Asian cuisine. “On my last visit to Japan, I spent time at the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. I had a sashimi breakfast at 3 a.m., sushi for lunch and snacks and again for dinner, all at the market. It is the best place to learn and taste and get ideas,” said Dokko. “I’ve traveled to Vietnam and sampled simple food from vendors in markets that have inspired some of the fusion dishes at Jpan. A lot of what I learn on these trips is not from fancy chefs or high-end restaurants, I usually get inspired from the people who are catching fish and selling the produce. They know food on a different level.”  

Serious about technique and authentic flavors, Dokko and his team of sushi chefs know that the process of preparing fine food takes time and a dedication to skill. “Making sushi is just as much about learning a culture as it is about food. It takes three years just to master the perfect sushi rice. The way each type of fish is sliced is different. It takes a lot of patience and time to have a menu ready to serve to guests,” said Dokko. The new restaurant will offer an elevated sushi menu using specialty ingredients that don’t usually show up at traditional restaurants. These rolls will have limited availability and their preparation will include new techniques and creative engineering. “I love sea urchin (also called Uni) and working with ingredients that are harder to come across,” said Dokko in reference to the types of ingredients he enjoys the most. 

“I’m also excited about introducing Sarasota to some produce that they might not know about,” said Dokko about the emerging menu for Jpan Sushi and Grill. “Shimeji mushrooms are one of my favorite things to cook. They are buttery and delicious. Preparing them over the hot charcoal is going to really bring out their flavor. I really think people will love it.” 

Jpan is a member of Nosh, the SRQ Magazine content marketing program for local restaurants.

Jpan Restaurant | 3 Paradise Plaza | 941-954-5726

Goldie Feldman Academy, a Hershorin Schiff Community School serving students in preschool through eighth grade, named Dan Ceaser at its Head of School. Ceaser is a graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Education and the Fisher School Leadership Institute at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. He also holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from American University. His previous role was as the middle school director at the Kentucky Country Day School, a coeducational, independent school for grades K-­12 located in Louisville, Kentucky.  

Goldie Feldman Academy

Little Skull Photography announced the successful launch of the company’s new studio location in Sarasota. Owned and operated by professional photographers Michael and Joslyn Devaney, Little Skull Photography’s studio comes equipped with everything necessary to create the perfect customized photoshoot. Little Skull offers a wide array of photography services ranging from standard portraiture to vintage themed photoshoots. 

Little Skull Photography

Carey Beychok of RE/MAX Alliance Group recently won three awards from Business Networking International Southwest Florida. The first and most notable was the 2015 BNI Southwest Florida Member of the Year Award. This is the second time she has won that award. She was also recognized for Exemplary Service as president of the BNI Referral Champions Chapter in Sarasota, and for Most Visitors.Beychok was the founding president of the BNI Referral Champions Chapter. She is a broker-associate in the Sarasota office of RE/MAX Alliance Group. 

RE/MAX Alliance Group