For us, performing arts can sometimes mean a little bit of everything, but this week we’d like to highlight theatre arts, as well as the very special circus arts.

Introducing performing arts education in to the lives of our students not only nurtures artistic talent but also cultivates crucial life skills. Through these disciplines, students learn the value of collaboration, communication, and creativity, essential attributes for success in any field. Our community’s commitment to fostering a well-rounded education is reflected in its dedicated to exposing students to robust performing arts opportunities that enrich students’ lives beyond the classroom. 

We are thrilled to be able to share with you a message from a former student, who’s experience in Booker High School’s VPA program, as well as growing up in Sarasota, led him to Hollywood and a career in acting. Charlie Barnett discovered theatre when he was just six years old and performed with the Sarasota Youth Opera. While attending Booker High School, he would also go on to participate in Carnegie Mellon’s Musical Theater Summer Program. After high school, Barnett attended the Juilliard School, where he graduated from the drama program in 2010.

Charlie starred as Peter Mills, a firefighter/paramedic on the NBC drama Chicago Fire from 2012 to 2015. Among his other starring roles are Alan Zaveri on the Netflix comedy series Russian Doll, Ben Marshall on the Netflix series Tales of the City, and Gabe Miranda in the Netflix thriller series You.

Of course, Charlie is just one of the many students from Florida’s Cultural Coast that has gone on to pursue a career in the arts. This is in part to the amazing work of our local arts and cultural organizations and the educational programming offered to our students and community.

Throughout March, we’ll be sharing a special e-newsletter every Thursday, spotlighting the incredible programs brought to our schools by arts and cultural organizations. Additionally, we will feature stories of outstanding student achievements in the arts and pay tribute to our exceptional arts educators. Each week, we’ll shine a spotlight on a specific discipline:

March 4 – 8: Performing Arts

March 11 – 15: Music 

March 18 – 22: Dance 

March 25 – 29: Visual Arts 

To make sure you receive this special e-newsletter series and other arts education news and resources, please subscribe below.

You can also follow along on social media using these hashtags: #SRQartsinourschools #artsinourschoolsmonth