20 Best Acting Programs In Sarasota, FL (2022 Updated)

If you are looking for a small liberal arts college that is focused on the whole student, this is the place. With a goal of having 100% of the freshman class taking a semester abroad and a faculty mentor assigned before the start of the regular fall semester are some of what make this college more unique and a great choice. This is a 4:1:4 program where students have an opportunity to do research starting their freshman year. The atmosphere is relaxed and geared for learning and reflection. Lots of beautiful green spaces and beach area along the waterfront to congregate and study. All faculty and staff focus on hands-on and individual approach to student learning and development. With less than 1900 students, there is a sense of deeper relationships and community. As a mom of a prospective student, I was impressed by the high touch approach and the emphasis on developing the whole students into thriving adults. I also love that all classes are taught by professors not TAs or grad students. It helps knowing that facility is engaged and has an open door policy. I inquired with current students on this as well. They mentioned it was one of the things they love most. I have gone to both public and private school tours and it's clear to me the relationships of students with faculty are not the same when faculty "phone it in.." with their classes. FWIW P.S. Also impressive: Admissions staff and Financial Aid. They were generous with their time and their information.Dawn Raquel Jensen, EMBA

Eckerd is a special place. I attended Eckerd College from 2004-2008 and graduated with a degree in political science. Eckerd College changes lives and the world by preparing generations of lifelong learners, game changers, think outside the boxers, and servant leaders. Eckerd's committment to the liberal arts tradition offers more than learning a set of skills. The liberal arts tradition is rooted in critical thinking, problem solving, and a focus on writing that serves its graduates long after graduation. Eckerd is a special place because of its five pillars, Residential, Environmental, Global, Spiritual, and Personal. I would encourage any perspective student to read about the five pillars of Eckerd College.Johnny Boykins

I graduated in 2008 and only in recent years have begun to value the education I received. Eckerd did not teach me how to manage business, Eckerd taught me how to think. Learning how to think critically enriched my life and gave me tools to be dropped into jobs and teach myself. This whole making college a safe and fancy place is ridiculous. Eckerd looks like a ritzy boutique place for rich kids to get an education. I hope Eckerd can focus on education and have liberal arts be accessible. I would highly encourage you to go to Eckerd. Just have realistic expectations and understand the purpose of Liberal Arts.Gunner Bakke

We went on a college tour of New College of Florida. New College is a unique honors college that is part of the State University System of Florida. The tour was very informing about how New College focuses on academics, the arts, and a liberal arts college education. While New College is small, it has growth plans in place. The tour guide advised they have hired 15 new multidiscipline faculty members, with a goal to grow the college from about 800 to 1,200 students. Unique Observations: New College is located on Sarasota Bay, which makes for a beautiful and relaxing place to attend college, have special events, and participate in water sports. New College campus is split between the north and south side by Tamiami Trail, with a pedestrian walkover for students. New College is located very close to the Sarasota- Bradenton International Airport, which makes it very convenient to travel to and from the campus. Located in beautiful Sarasota, Florida, New College is closely connected with the local art, cultural, and outdoor recreation scene. For a true liberal arts education, you should consider New College of Florida.Fuller Insurance - Santa Rosa Bch

The professors here are amazingly good! They are what's keeping me here. Most of the administration is terrible. When I got here I heard about it a lot from the senior students but I didn't realize how bad it is until I finished my first semester. Mold in your room? Too bad. Need your transcripts sent to another school? Too bad. Accidentally got billed twice for the meal plan? Too bad. Someone from another dorm in another building breaks something? Too bad, everyone gets billed. Want to live off campus? Too bad. So many students leave before they finish their first year and the administration is scratching their heads wondering why. The people in Housing and the Business Office need to be replaced, ask any student.Jay Saur

It's a small yet personal school because the faculty are truly FOR the students. Everyone is involved in some way on campus, its not called an honors college for nothing. Everyone here TRIES to succeed. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of resources available to students including a study abroad program. There's plenty of student activities to participate in, perhaps even TOO many. This college is for people who want to challenge themselves and develop skills that will help them grow into the best person they can be.Jordan Lam

The experience at IMG for our son has been amazing. The coaching philosophies and process, combined with many years of college and professional experience make this baseball camp a must for any serious athlete/player. Every coach makes a point to connect with each camper which allows for a greater deeper experience. After four years and eight camp sessions, our son continues to learn and become more motivated to work hard and play the game right way as he continues to grow from his camp experiences at IMG. The fields and facilities at IMG are maintained every day and are game ready 24/7. There's no place like it! We are excited to head back to IMG in 2023!Robert Malmgren

Our ten year old son absolutely LOVED attending IMG’s baseball camp this summer! Two weeks turned into three and he’ll be back again in December! We along with his baseball coach at school and Little League coaches see tremendous growth in his hitting, fielding, pitching, running and stealing bases! He brings the HEAT while on the mound! The coaches are amazing and with their vast experience and passion for the game, they make impactful investments in each athlete’s development! The customer service is fantastic and the registration process is smooth! He usually has an IMG hat, shirt or a pair of socks on EVERY day!! Our son LOVES IMG Academy!Nichole Francis

The IMG summer camp is amazing! I had five of my children trained there this summer ranging from ages 9 to 15. The soccer staff was very well-versed in the sport and provided excellent group and individual training. The facilities were super nice and there’s a lot of fun things for the athletes to do. My kids loved playing basketball, volleyball and swimming. The food was also amazing! IMG takes safety very seriously and they clear the campus very quickly if they see lightning. My kids made lots of friends there, developed their skills in a very short time, and made lasting memories. We can’t wait to go back!! Highly recommended!!Sax Guru

My niece of 10, nephew of 18 and a Mom of 84 all want to go back. It was a great day out. I wish I planned more time. So much to see and the grounds were so beautiful I would of loved to had time to walk them and see everything. Its reasonable with or without the student and senior citizens discounts. And they informed us on Monday you can get in free. The staff was friendly and helpful. The buildings were clean. The art was fantastic from ancient to modern… I could have spent a whole day in that one building. And I only had time to go in one of the two buildings to see the Ringling Brothers Circus part… and that took me back to my childhood. Can you see that I enjoyed myself. Lol Visited on
Weekend

Wait time
No wait

Reservation recommended
No

Price for adult entry
$21–30Karen Marzullo

I grew up going to the circus, and loved it. We'd previously been there for a fabulous wedding reception. We got a limited look at some of the museum, but most was blocked off. We were visiting friends again and returned with them. The circus part was first, and brought back lots of memories. We spent a good hour there, before crossing to the artwork. All was quite enjoyable. It's still a little surprising to see a portion of what the family was able to accumulate over the years. The grounds were just as worthy, especially the banyan trees. A Sarasota must see. Visited on
Weekday

Wait time
No wait

Reservation recommended
Not sure

Price for adult entry
$21–30Cory Laws

Absolutely beautiful place we visited it in the middle of December. Natural setting with beautiful art galleries and mansion which looks like piece of Europe. There are art gallery, botanical garden and the circus museum in one place. For extra cost you can see the first floor of Ringling’s mansion which I found very interesting. The Circus museum has miniature model of the circus from the beginning to the end. I really liked the Glass exhibition. Visited on
Weekday

Wait time
No wait

Reservation recommended
No

Price for adult entry
$21–30Tatiana S

If you're considering exhibiting here, skip it. There's no notice to pick up art after an exhibition–no phone calls, no e-mails, nothing. I called to ask because we had received no notice, and they told us ASAP in the middle of the work week. I said I would get down before the week's end. I made time the next day to drive out of town, and can you believe we were charged $5 to pick up artwork that we already paid to submit? They made no mention of a late charge over the phone and when we had no pick up time, either. I bet they spent less on the ribbon for the award.Daniel Dupuy

As a local artist, I love this art center! The staff has changed from top to bottom since the beginning of the pandemic and I know that they are going through some adjustments. It has always been a great place to enter and display art and share with the local community! Exhibits are always fun and they have had consistently high level jurors. A really great opportunity for all levels.Diana de Avila

Good quality art from the local community. As a matter of fact I'm going there in a few minutes. They have frequent shows and are free to the public. What they need more than anything is a generous Patron to provide a brand new building that's designed to show the art a little bit better. I am an artist and have shown my sculpture there for years so I am prejudiced.wolfe zucker

A lovely, small theater venue with a fine, rotating schedule that features live entertainment of the musical and theatrical variety. Seating is comfortable. They have a bar with a surprisingly varied menu and you're welcome to take your beverages into the theater. Music filled the main reception area when we were there and the performance of To Kill a Mockingbird was pretty well sold out. The acting was of solid quality for the size of the venue. There are two theaters in the facility: one larger than the other, and judging by the posters hanging about the main entry, there are improvements coming to the facility. If you're looking for live theater in the Venice area for sensible prices, then you need look no further.Johnathan Williams

This theater is a cultural gem! It offers a variety of plays and concerts. Season subscriptions and single ticket prices are available online, email or by phone call, with no additional charges. Prices are very reasonable. Box office is not open for walk-up sales. Gift certificates and student prices are available. Presently, masks are optional but strongly suggested. Snacks and cocktails are sold before shows and during intermission. A recent World Fest drew theater group performances from all over the world. Venice Theater offers "great stories well played." Check it out.anna gordon

I can not say enough about our local theater. On the outside, the staff is always so welcoming and friendly. The facility is nice and clean, and there isn't a bad seat in the house. Any show that I've seen on the main stage or in the Jervy theater have all been great shows and great performers. On the inside, both of my teenagers are growing up within the theater community. To say that I feel as though my kids are in good hands when they are there is an understatement. They are meeting great role models and hopefully. forever friends!Angie Vance

It amazes me how quickly a poorly trained food staff can ruin a night at the theater! We saw The Amazing 70’s show last Friday night and it was excellent! We ordered food and although it was small portions for a large price, it was presented well and delivered promptly by a pleasant server. We payed for our meal including a healthy tip, signed the credit card ticket, and were moved to better seats immediately over the stage. During the second half of the performance we were interrupted three times with demands to pay our bill a second time. We called off the attack by presenting our copy of the receipt. After the show I sought out the server to return a ten dollar bill she had dropped and suggest to her that she wait until after the show was over to deal with such issues. My effort was met with argument. My conversation with the food manager gave me little satisfaction. She informed me that her staff was trained not to interrupt the performance! I left contact information but have not been contacted by the theater.Marc Vance

We purchased our 4 tickets online to reserve our spot. The location was within walking distance from my hotel. Our server Danny was wonderful. He was able to bring our cocktails without interrupting the show. Many people were eating entrée and dessert. I was not aware of the menu, but I did arrive minutes before the show started. My friend was a judge, and I was part of the show. It was such a blast. Ms. Jasmine was my character, and I loved every minute on the stage. The show was amazing, fun, and unpredictable. Kyle, Sarah, and Kevin had me laughing all night. It was the best date night!Kyle Hanks

Went here Friday night with some friends for “FST Improv: To Die For”. We were lucky enough to get seats right by the stage and it was fun to see the action right in front of you. The cast and show were funny and they had audience participation to make it more engaging. For dinner, I had the meatloaf (“Ma! The Meatloaf!”), vegetables, and mashed potatoes and was pleasantly surprised at how delicious it was. I’ll gladly be back for more shows in the future.Karen Kendzierski

I can’t say enough about this school. The teachers are so happy. The academics are challenging and rewarding. The arts are phenomenal. We are so grateful we have gotten to be a part of this community. I love attending assembly and watching my read his open in front of the whole school or perform in the chorus.Theresa Schaul

The school saved my life, the instructors really care about their work. I was very lucky to be there back in the 1970's they only went to the 9th grade but it pulled me up and made college EZ. Best money my parents ever spent!!edward markman

I actually attended school there in the 1970s. It's grown and become a great Academy. Highly recommended from Friends through the years that has sent their kids there as well.r smith

Went to the Gipsy Kings concert with Mikaela Davis and Southern Star as the opening act. Show was awesome. The Hall was redone. Main entrance is beautiful. Entrance with tickets and security was quick and simple. Staff was friendly and helpful. They have several concession stands throughout. They also offer the option to order online. Prices are reasonable. I will say that the auditorium can use a center aisle to go up and down. If you sit in the middle, you have to climb over a lot of people. I also think an outside concession stand would be nice to have drinks before going in. Perfect size venue. Will definitely return.JelloShot

I loved everything about this place other than two major things..The least comfortable theater Ive ever sat in. The seats were far too small. I felt like a sardine and it didnt help that it was too warm and had to fan myself with the playbook. The layout!! Heaven forbid you are stuck in the middle and need to make a run for the rest room!! There are no isles. The seating goes from the east wall all the way to the west wall. What were the architects thinking!!? Regardless its a beautiful building and I enjoyed the show.Gregory Carlson

This was my 1st time there and had purchased tickets for The Piano Guys. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the show and the venue. My only concerns with the Hall was a lack of information outside as to where to enter at and the seats were rather tight. Kind of felt like I was on an Allegiant Flight. I must give a bonus shout out to Greg in security. I had forgotten to leave my pocket knife in the car and he graciously held onto it until the end of the show. Most security is not as helpful. Thank you.William Schweizer

The venue was approved along with a new Amway Center (which replaced the Amway Arena) and improvements to the Camping World Stadium after a series of hearings and votes, culminating in final votes in the Orange County Board of County Commissioners on July 26, 2007, and the Orlando City Council on August 6, 2007. The design for the new venue was revealed on August 21, 2008. The venue features a 2,700-seat amplified hall, Walt Disney Theater, for Broadway musicals and multi-genre concerts as well as a 300-seat venue, Alexis & Pugh Theater, for smaller shows and events.[3] The third theater, Steinmetz Hall, a 1,700-seat multiform theater achieves an N1 sound rating–the highest possible acoustical rating. The acoustically remarkable Steinmetz Hall can transform into three different theater styles (symphony concert hall, proscenium hall, and banquet hall) to accommodate multiple events and performances. Construction for Steinmetz Hall began on March 6, 2017 and officially opened on January 14, 2022. The final performance space to complete the arts center is Judson's, a dynamic music room with cabaret-style seating to host intimate events and live entertainment. Judson's is slated to open in 2023. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Dr. Phillips Center came up with a concept for an outdoor, socially distanced venue to continue offering performances in a time when so much of the world had shut down. In May of 2020, the idea for creating the Frontyard Festival™, presented by AdventHealth began and officially launched on December 5, 2020 with its first show. Located on the front lawn of the Dr. Phillips Center, the Seneff Arts Plaza, the Frontyard Festival™ offered socially distant boxes that could seat up to six people. Food and drinks were delivered from on-site restaurants while performances and events were put on a stage at the front of the venue. The series was meant to run until June 2020, but was extended another six months and had its final event on December 13, 2021. The Frontyard Festival™ won the Silver Stevie® Award for “Most Valuable Non-Profit Response to COVID-19” from The American Business Awards and the Golden Brick Award for “Innovation” from Downtown Orlando Partnership. The venue costs US$613 million, with the completion of Steinmetz Hall. Two-thirds of the funding comes from public funds, largely from the Orange County tourist development tax. The other one-third comes from private donations, including a large grant from the Dr. P. Phillips Foundation, the philanthropic organization funded through the estate of Philip Phillips. A slow-down in the tourist development tax and other economic conditions forced the plans to become phased into two stages of construction. Walt Disney Theater and Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater were part of Phase I. Phase II included Steinmetz Hall and Judson's. Groundbreaking took place in June 2011. The center occupies two city blocks. Some of the existing structures demolished to clear room for the center include Orlando Fire Department Station #1 (which moved to Central Blvd.); an annex building of First United Methodist Church of Orlando; and the round American Federal Building, constructed in the 1960s. The center is bordered by Orange Ave. to the west, South St. to the north, Rosalind Ave. to the east, and Anderson St. to the south. Magnolia Ave. bisects the property. The first Broadway production to play the Walt Disney Theater was Cameron Mackintosh's new, non-replica production of The Phantom of the Opera.Chowdhury M Rahman

Coming here always gives me so much joy (sans the Pulse vigil). And it's also a perfect time to dress up and get a little fancy. My first time coming here was for Neil deGrasse Tyson in 2016. Then Hamilton in 2019. And now that they've opened again for 2021, I have been going more often: The Jungle Book Ballet, Final Fantasy VII Remake Orchestra, The Nutcracker Ballet. It has been an enjoyable experience every time. The staff are friendly and helpful. The bathrooms are clean. But there can be long lines for the bar downstairs, so go to the other bars on different floors to get your drink faster (especially before the show starts). I do wish they served non-alcoholic beer, though. But they also have snacks you can buy, too. At the moment, they do require proof of vaccination OR a negative test at least 48-hours beforehand. In the beginning, they were very strict with the masks, but when I came recently for The Nutcracker Ballet, they seemed to have relaxed on that. For parking, I usually purchase it with my ticket, so I don't waste time looking for one once I get there. (BTW.. .Ladies, be courteous of people who may be sitting behind you and don't wear your hair up high in any way 😬)Mary Grace

Always an amazing time at Dr P’s! There is not a bad seat in the house so if you can grab a ticket, hop on it. This place was amazing during the dark Covid days spinning on a dime and offering outside courtyard seating with food and drink delivery to your “pod”. Highly impressive and innovative way to stay in business. It’s always clean inside and the staff of quick and efficient. You can get through the beer and alcohol line in a snap. Bathrooms are super clean. Inside the architecture is beautiful, so take a stroll! Make sure you visit the balcony bar, grab a cocktail and take a moment to gaze over downtown Orlando. They have musicals, concerts and comedy shows so there’s always a plethora of choices for your visit to Orlando. Put this on your list of things to do!Rebecca Rementer

I just graduated from the Surgical Technology program at this school with the instructor Ms.Daise, she was excellent!! There is sooo much to learn in such a short period of time and she was very thorough and prepared us very well for our clinical rotation. She was our sole instructor this time around. I guess in the past they normally have a seperate instructor for clinicals. We did not this time, And I would not of had it any other way. Having Ms.Daise as our instructor made our clincial rotation so much better, everyone at the location of our clinicals couldnt say anything but great things about our class and our instructor. I guess they have had issues with the other "instructor" at the school that we did not. This program was great! The hospital literally wants to hire every single one of us, thats how great this experience has been for all of us! Ms.Daise is the best!! She is the heart and soul of this program, she really cares and loves to teach and it is apparent. She also has the standards for Surgical technology down pat, And doesnt teach short cuts. SHE IS THE REAL DEAL!! I would give her ten stars if I could, and I would give 2 stars to the Health science Office staff… Too many "politics" going on in the office and they care more about their " status quo" then making sure the students have what they need to succeed. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to get into this field!Amy Parraguez

Program: Computer Systems & Information Technology (CSIT) Instructor: Rob Saul Instructor is world class, he often utilized a Socratic style of teaching which was unique compared to just about every other teacher I've ever had. The program exposes you to various technology but the main components are centered around the CompTIA certifications, namely A+, Net+, Sec+. I'd imagine the core learning material is still largely self-paced as you progress towards each certification exam. I was dual enrolled 9-10 years ago but I doubt much has changed aside from the actual certification material being updated every few years These certs are all great for getting into various entry level IT positions..you're probably looking at roles like help desk/desktop support/support technician/isp tech/etc. These certs won't make you a sys admin or network admin, but they certainly lead to those type of career trajectories. Final thoughts: Adults – I'd personally just recommend picking up an A+, Net+, Sec+ CompTIA bundle and going to town. There I just probably saved you a ton of money. You'd gain the same knowledge and can sit for the same certs the program prepares you for, but in a MUCH quicker time frame really. High School Dual enrollers – 100% sign up for this if seriously interested in computers/networking/security/IT in general. You'll be so ahead of your peers its borderline OP.James Whipple

I went to their information session for surgical technician , and just from simply calling and going there I did not like the experience . I do not recommend going there if you want to be a SURGICAL TECHNICIAN. They want you to pay around 500$ before even getting accepted and it’s non refundable, a tour is not included in the session and I saw a review on here that a surgical technician said there was a 20% passing rate I asked the lady and she pretended like she knew nothing about , she just said they had a really bad dropout rate because students “couldn’t handle it” and that’s why they’re making people who to get in a program take a 4 hour long test. As well as a 2 hour long test . I have never written a bad google review but I really hope nobody wastes their money on this program and not even to know if you’re getting accepted . The only good side of this school is that it’s in a nice area and the interior is very clean and nice . Unless you want to share majority of the college with high school students I don’t recommend you going here.Elianna Corona

I am extremely thrilled with Face Forward Actors & Models, they helped me get signed within two months of starting acting classes. I am a 53year old male and always wanted to get into acting, Face forward helped me hone my skills and provided me the necessary tools to confidently walk into my audition and come out successful. I would highly recommend Face Forward to anyone who is looking to get into acting, modeling or if you want to refine your skills to become a better speaker. Shannon and her staff are exceptionally helpful and never left any of my questions unanswered. Thank you Face forward for getting me on the path to success.Scott Paulsen

Shannon and her team are the REAL deal. I had NO experience when I started with Face Forward. After just a few sessions and Shannon's guidance and instruction I participated in two auditions and was called back by both agencies. Her training boosted my confidence and pushed me to get out of my comfort zone. For anyone in the adult age range (over 50) wondering if you can do this, YOU CAN! Thank you again and I look forward to my continued training with you.Michelle Geskey

Face Forward Actors & Models was truly an amazing experience. During my first class I was very nervous to be in front of all of people and do my presentation but everyone one there was kind and encouraging. The teacher was amazing and showed me a lot of different ways to go about acting. It really helped me get out of my bubble and not be as nervous speaking in front of crowds. I definitely recommend this to other who are will to try and broaden the horizons.D'shaun Dallemand

We joined Music Compound back in the Summer of '17. I must say it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. My son Michael absolutely loves it!! One of the things we love the most is the personal connection we feel with the owner, Jenny, and all her staff. They all do a fabulous job on making each and every member feel welcome….like family really. The instructors are very patient and encouraging with all the students and they make sure everyone has fun while learning at the same time. Each month they have a themed concert where students have a chance to perform. They also do Monday night Jam Sessions for the kids. Both are great opportunities to build self confidence and interact with others that have the same interests. My son has performed many times and loves it. I love it that he wants to learn how to play everything! He knew he wanted to play keyboards/piano and sing but he also became interested in the guitar and violin. Having a teacher that teaches multiple instruments is wonderful. It gave my son a chance to try all three to find out what he really wanted to concentrate on. He ultimately decided to focus on the keyboard/piano and voice lessons. He has since became a part of the Music Compound Rock Band as the keyboardist as well as a part of Music Compounds Choir. They have performed at many venues and he's really enjoying it. I would highly recommend Music Compound to anyone who has interest in taking lessons. You don't have to be a professional you just have to have the desire to learn!Jennie Miller-Ruiz

Words cannot express how wonderful Music Compound has been for our teenage son. We relocated to Florida a little over a year ago, and I was looking for something to get Caleb involved in to make the move from Louisiana a little smoother. I stumbled upon Music Compound on Facebook and wrote the owner, Jenny, who immediately wrote me back. I signed up Caleb for summer camp and the fun began! I had no idea that signing my son up for Music Compound Summer Camp would be such a life changing experience, but it was!! At MC, Caleb was able to meet new friends, learn how to sing and perform on stage, and learn how to play the drums and guitar as he worked with talented children and instructors. I love the way Music Compound fosters collaboration and teamwork as children work together and form new friendships. The teachers make learning a child-centered and fun experience! I highly recommend Music Compound and their talented instructors! For my son, it was a life-changing experience. Thanks Jenny, Kaylee, Aaron, and Jared! We love you all and Music Compound!!Katherine Fonte

I really enjoyed my time with the Music Compound. Aaron was without a doubt the best instructor I have ever had. He had just the right balance of a challenging lesson that could be mastered by the next lesson. He was excellent in assessing where I was at in my musical journey and were I needed to focus. The rest of the Music Compound was great and took personal interest in helping me pursue my musical interests. They provided lots of opportunities to play and perform. I am looking forward to my return to Florida and starting up again with Aaron and the team.Henry Peelle

We moved to Bradenton in November last year and we were looking for a dance academy for both of my daughters so they could continue their education in performing arts, which they love, and which they started in Tampa. We were so lucky to find Ovation. They have been so nice since the first day they started. Miss Michelle and Mr. Matt love their school and show their passion and love for the students in everything that they do. My daughters love Ovation. They have enjoyed different classes and Summer Camps. Camps are not nearly as similar as to the ones they had experienced before in their former academy. They care so much about all the students and give each of them the chance to shine. The Camps are much more elaborated and it is incredible the amount of coreographies and songs they are able to learn in such a short period of time. This past Saturday they brought Thayne Jasperson into the school, who is part of the original cast of Hamilton at Broadway in NY. They offered a master class with him to the students, which was truly fantastic. Thayne Jaspersen is such an incredible, fun and talented guy. The students loved each minute the actor spent with them. We are very happy with Ovation and hope the girls have the chance to grow with the school and spend many more years in it. The school also just expanded next door and they now have a new beautiful studio for their lessons, and soon they plan to turn it into a black box theatre with lights and raised seats to give students even more opportunities to perform. Thanks to Ovation, Miss Michelle and Mr. Matt and all the teachers for everything that you do!Alejandro Vizcaino

If you have a child who loves to perform, they will love Ovation! There are so many classes to choose from! We’ve been beyond impressed with their staff of professional teaching artists; each with strong backgrounds in theatre and dance. This is a place that cares about the child as an individual and champions their successes, no matter how big or small. There are multiple class levels in musical theatre, ballet, tap, jazz, etc. which ensure each student gets the opportunity to learn and grow. We’ve been super impressed with our daughter’s progress since she began and can’t imagine going anywhere elseY Miller

Love Ovation School of Musical Theatre! It was our daughters first time attending their Hamilton camp this summer and she absolutely loved it! Matt and Michelle are wonderful teachers and really build confidence and skills into these kids. The performance at the end of the week was a highlight not only for our daughter but for us to be able to come and see her! We will definitely be back!Christine Martin

Really appreciate the teaching style here. Excellent instruction. The staff and owners are very professional and make learning fun for the kiddos! Summer camp has been a fun learning experience and not only do they focus on music, they do fun arts and crafts! It's amazing how quickly the kids learn musical instruments, singing and acting is also a part of the summer camp fun. I would also recommend private lessons with Mr. Ritchie. Five stars for sure ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Taylor T

Our 10 yr old daughter wanted to learn to play the drums. We recently found Mark at Suzuki Institute School of Music. He is so knowledgeable and enthusiastic! He is teaching her technique, for sure. But she is also learning musical theory and how to compliment the other musicians in the band. Mark builds confidence!Jeff Berk

My daughter has been taking violin lessons for a couple of years with Ms Claudia and has shown dramatic growth in her violin skills. She shows lots of patience and I am always impressed with the quality of instruction she gives. I’m so happy I found this place!Monica Dolan

**IMPORTANT** For those of you looking remove your child from the program, send in a certified letter to 4950 W Kennedy Blvd #200, Tampa, FL 33609. It must be a certified letter, they will not honor another form of cancelation. You have 72 hours, after signing the paperwork and before class begins, to fully remove your child from classes and get a full refund. The cancelation letter after classes have started is used to remove your child from classes. If you do not remove your child from class they will run your card daily for the past due balance whether they speak to you or not and will not offer a refund. This is not stated anywhere in your paperwork. They also record all phone calls despite not having a pre-recorded messages stating the calls are recorded. Be warned. The last two tactics are predatory, the last of which mentioned is illegal as Florida is a two party consent state in regards to recording. Report Barbizon to consumer affairs, not BBB, as BBB ratings can be falsely inflated simply by staff responding to claims whether the claim was resolved or not.CV JD

When we had Stoneys first class, he asked me if he didn’t like it if he would have to go back again. I told him to be positive. This was a great opportunity. When I picked him up that evening, I picked up a whole different child. He was excited. He had confidence like he needed but didn’t have before that class. He could hardly wait for the next class every time. Barbizon changed my child into a I don’t care what I have on if it matches or not to a hey mom does this match look good how’s my hair? He loves his teachers. He made lifelong friends there. All great in my book.penny lee

Barbizon has been a wonderful experience for my 16 year old daughter. The program built her confidence and helped develop important skills that will lead her to a successful path in whatever she chooses! We appreciated the content and delivery of the curriculum which was engaging and fun. We look forward to our continued partnership with Barbizon!Joy Brooks

What an amazing professional performance of Shrek last night ! I don’t know the director but want you to know how much I admire your work with these children! Thank you for your work here at Rise Above , you have certainly Risen Above bringing out the talent in all the children ! ⭐️So much talent on that stage last night !!A few shout outs and special recognition to Shrek, Played by Kyle Ramon, ⭐️your representation was a 10 , just excellent and Fiona played by my beautiful and very talented granddaughter, ( I am a bit prejudice but honestly to date her best performance and she’s had many being in musical theater since age 4) you were meant for this part! Bella Dorsett ❤️you Rock!! Such a star⭐️I have to also mention the Donkey played by Jaquavien Jones , I can’t imagine anyone else in that role ever again! Another 10 , star ⭐️ quality last night and finally Lord Farquaad played by Dylan Ramos , another ⭐️Performance last night , so funny and engaging with the audience! I love musical 🎶 theater and always have , been to many performances on and off Broadway in my time but last night was really special , director , cast and crew you knocked this one out of the park ! Bravo 🙌 well done a perfect 10 in my book !Linda Dorsett

The benefits of children participating in performing arts programs are valuable and numerous. Rise Above Performing Arts Theatre, a non profit founded by artistic director Jacob Ruscoe and his creative team have exemplified this consistently for many years. My family and I continue to be blown away by the talent and professional performances time after time. Sarasota and surrounding communities are very fortunate to be able to have a place where children can explore creatively in a safe and encouraging environment as evidenced by the kiddos who’ve performed and grown with them over the years…at no charge to families! If you haven’t seen any of their musicals or performances, or if you have a child or children whom you feel would benefit from a creative outlet, don’t hesitate to check Rise Above out. I’m so happy we did.CA G

The facility is wonderful there is plenty of room for the stage and the lighting from the tech area toward the back. I sat next to the videographer who was taping the final production. The director did a fabulous job with teens and young adults. Costuming was accurate for the time and the choreography was wonderful my hats off for all involved in this production. And a good time was had by all!Barbara Nelson

What can I say about Mrs. Tamara? There are not enough words in the dictionary to describe what she has done for me. I was in drama kids from k-5, and it truly shaped me to be who I am today. It broke me out if my shell, gave me lots of friends, and opened so many doors for me. If I didn’t move schools I would have continued taking her classes and I truly wish that I did. My 3 year plaque still stands proudly on my wall. Mrs. Tamara gave me so many fun memories and great opportunities for me as a kid. She been drove me home from class when I needed it. She’s so caring and I always felt so welcome. Her daughters Lily and Kari treated me like a little sister and Ms Tamara was like my second mom. If your kids need a great after school activity and want to have fun, send them to drama kids!!! P.S your grilled cheese sandwiches rock LOLAHaley Walker

Drama Kids is a WONDERFUL program! My daughter was in it for years and when she went to interview for college scholarships, she was confident, articulate and well prepared by the skills she learned in this program. She nailed 4 different scholarships! Drama Kids is great for kids whether they aspire to be lifelong thespians, or just want to acquire skills that will serve them in LIFE! Classes are so much fun, and the Director, Ms Tamara, is very attentive, making sure the program is personalized to each child. She truly cares and runs a fantastic program. KUDDOS! We love Drama Kids!!!!!Dallas Drama Kids

My daughter has been with Drama Kids for five years and we absolutely love it! They are organized, the teachers are passionate about what they do and are knowledgeable and professional. The kids LOVE Mrs. Barb! They also teach the kids skills that really bring out their personalities, hilighting the outgoing kiddos spirit and bringing out the shy kiddos in a positive and comfortable environment. My children are also involved in a lot of activities and by far this is the most affordable. It's been an overall wonderful experience!Tracy Hecht

Grooming: Started going there many years ago when my vet recommended Jackie. I would never have considered using a big box groomer otherwise. She was absolutely fantastic! TEN STARS if I could give them. Unfortunately (but not unexpectedly) after a few years she started her own grooming business in south Venice. She was so good I continued to go there until she moved even further south and I just couldn't do the drive/wait/drive. She recommended someone at Petco – I went – just average but not bad. Still looking for another Jackie! Previous grooming experience 10 out of 10, last experience 3 out of 5. Other stuff: They have a very knowledgeable and personable assistant store manager who has been informative and helpful when the website didn't show items that were actually in stock (when arranging for curbside delivery).Siesta Joye

People where super friendly, animals where really cute, they used the right substrate for the ball pythons. How ever, the ball python set up did look a little crowded especially the leopard geckos and they needed more hides. They also used sand for the substrate which could lead to impaction which could lead to death for leopard geckos. They did have supplements, so over all pretty decent store definitely better then some other PetcosTeeTeePlays

We love this Petco location in Sarasota. We brought our new puppy, Piper, to the store for puppy training and we ended up finding a one stop shop for everything that she needs. The grooming is wonderful, her 1st doctor appt was easy and calm and she absolutely loved coming to Puppy School with Heather. Everyone on staff is caring and kind and will go out of their way to help you find the right things for your pet. We highly recommend!Darlene Gamble

I’m not a Florida native. My wife and I were on vacation, but I always try to find some form of comedy for a night show anytime I visit a major city. Found this place looking through Google, and I love me some improv. Let me tell you – your performers are great. Probably the best improv I’ve seen! We went to tonight’s Grind show – and we got double the value. Not only improv, but also stand up!! If we’re back in the area, this is a must-do again! Thanks for the fantastic night!Michael Fox

I was a little hesitant to go in because I had my toddler with me but after a difficult first day in St Pete I needed a good laugh and that's exactly what I got. It was a small place and I almost left during the first act because my baby was being rude by yelling during the entire first act, so I'm grateful to the actors for incorporating her in their acts it definitely made me more comfortable.Miriam Penafort

I’ve been to a handful of Saturday “whose line” shows and have always had an a w e s o m e time! Last night, I actually cried I laughed so hard; I can’t remember the last time that’s happened 🙏❤️. The venue itself is always clean! Well organized! Incredible drink selections! Shows are punctual! Seats are super comfortable! Thank you spitfire and performers!Kate Dubickas