Random Acts

08/30/2020

One of our founders will not be appearing in the show tonight, as it were.

Allan Kollar helped grow Random Acts from doing amateur Bar Theatre to a quasi-professional producer of Bar Theatre.

As a performer and producer, he helped push the boundaries of the local theatre scene, while reminding us all that making theatre can be, in fact, FUN!!

Random Acts reflects Allan’s vision of Theatre, which welcomed the intensely sacred and the immensely profane, and the powerful stories to be told therin. We’ll miss him terribly.

Allan’s contributions to the world of comic timing are, of course, completely immeasurable, and if the building catches fire, we’ll meet you at Bogey’s.

❤️

It is with profound sadness that we share this news: Venice Theatre’s Artistic Director, Allan Kollar, died Saturday morning, after a tough, six-month fight with cancer.

Allan worked full-time for Venice Theatre for 22 years. He was integral in raising the theatre’s stature in our community, as well as nationally and internationally. He was hired by and worked closely with Producing Executive Director Murray Chase for those 22 years. Murray outlined in a letter to the theatre’s board of directors just a few projects for which Allan was both the creator and the driving force:

Modernizing and computerizing the box office

Establishing the bar as a licensed business

Establishing and growing the concert season

Establishing and growing the annual Cabaret festival

Establishing and growing the annual NYC trip

Establishing and nurturing the sister theatre/mentor program with Artists Collaborative Theatre in Kentucky.

Allan also oversaw the growth of the theatre's volunteer force, the programming for the volunteer parties, the establishment and growth of the acting intern program, and the growth and management of the production staff.

Most importantly he will be remembered for the heart and soul he brought to his work and friendships in the theatre community. Hundreds if not thousands of actors worked under his leadership as a director. He taught, he encouraged, he listened, he made people laugh, and he always put on a good show. In addition to being an accomplished director he was an award winning actor, both dramatic and comedic, who was a delight to work with and watch on stage.

Murray says, “Allan was one of the funniest, most passionate, most enthusiastic people I've ever met...and one of the most talented. He was like a brother.”

Our hearts are with Allan’s wife Kim and son Charlie during this difficult time.

06/14/2020

was started by Sarasota/Manatee artists as a way to continue to share they’re creativity and talents with the community in the wake of COVID-19. This week’s theme for is CHANGE and all donations will go to the Rodney Mitchell Foundation.

You can submit anything from scenes, monologues, spoken word poetry, rap, song, dance, and more! Anything that embodies the spirit of change. Have fun and express yourself!

You can upload your submissions at theatrelives.weebly.com 🙂

As directors, choreographers, actors, technicians, & artists; we at believe that art is an important form of self expression. It’s a release that’s capable of presenting progression. And no better time than the present to utilize that.
We are going to start back up with our virtual playlists on Sunday, June 21, a week from today.

The upcoming theme is “CHANGE.”

Clearly things need to change. We, as artists, need to change. American theatre and representation needs to change. The laws and education provided in this country need to change. We hope that current events have forced the human race to acknowledge and fight against the injustice toward BIPOC. “Change” is an important word, especially today. Songs, monologues, dances, etc. welcome to express said topic.

This playlist will be open-submission based! Submit to the Dropbox at TheatreLives.weebly.com by Friday, June 19. (The list will be capped at 20 submissions. Submitting does not guarantee a performance slot).

Normally we collect donations for the area’s community theaters. For this playlist, all donations will go to Rodney Mitchell Foundation Inc. We are in full support of the movement. Change will only come if we continue to study and put the work in. This includes supporting members of the LGBTQ+ community. The theatre community is a strong one, but much stronger when we stand together.

06/08/2020

06/06/2020

06/05/2020

Direct link to the video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bCgLa25fDHM&feature=youtu.be

Watch and donate!

06/03/2020

Random Acts annual cabaret is quiet this summer, but we cannot and will not be quiet in our condemnation of racism, hatred, bigotry, white supremacy, and violence against black people in its many physical and mental forms.
We stand strongly beside our black family and call on the theatre community to speak boldly on their behalf, and then to ACT for equality in hiring, promoting, and valuing black artists. This means working diligently to amplify black voices and give them equal representation and opportunities in all areas of theatrical production, and striving to ensure respect and honest communication to make theatre accessible to all.
We furthermore support the efforts of protestors throughout the world and join the fight to bring an end to racial injustice.
Amplify the voices that matter.
Make them hear you.

06/01/2019

Dr. Barry of Compassionate Cannabis Clinic was an early supporter of Random Acts and our production of Re**er Madness the Musical last summer. We are so happy for his positive influence on the medical cannabis industry in Florida and helping patients manage their issues in a safe natural way. Congratulations Doc!