Talkback Tuesday | Blake Walton – HEAR ME: Solo Performance as Power and Protest

Name: Talkback Tuesday | Blake Walton – HEAR ME: Solo Performance as Power and Protest
Start: 2025-11-04T16:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-11-04T18:00:00-05:00
Location: 3501 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34239-6109, United States

Schedule

Tue Nov 04 2025 at 04:00 pm to 06:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

3501 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34239-6109, United States | Sarasota, FL

Blake Walton, an award-winning actor, director, playwright, and teaching artist, brings over four decades of experience to the stage. Alongside him is Ann Morrison, a celebrated actress, writer, director, and teacher, whose impressive career spans more than 50 years. Together, they co-founded SaraSolo Productions, an independent nonprofit theater company devoted to showcasing bold, inspiring solo performances that shine a light on the richness—and often overlooked perspectives—of the human experience.
SaraSolo Productions champions voices that are rarely heard, especially those considered “other than,” through a commitment to authenticity, empathy, and innovation. At the heart of their mission lies the HEAR MEinitiative—an acronym representing the company’s core values:
• Harmonize educational, intergenerational, and community outreach
• Encourage diversity and collaboration
• Advance the transformative power of intimate solo performance for both artist and audience
• Revitalize access to affordable theater in both traditional and unconventional spaces
• Motivate developing performers through retreats, mentorship, and professional support
• Expand storytelling platforms to include film, virtual performance, and social media
Following these principles, they have developed three education programs under the name SOLOSYNERGY--THE BRIDGE, O SOLO ME O, and THE SOLO. These programs focus on self-expression for students and adults and aim to establish intergenerational connections, concluding with performances that highlight identity, creativity, and relationships.
Blake Walton will be in conversation with Arts Advocates member Nanette Crist. A retired lawyer, Nanette worked as a columnist for the Charlotte County edition of Florida Weekly while living in Punta Gorda. She quickly discovered how much fun it is to talk with people about their lives and experiences. In Sarasota, Nanette has interviewed nationally known playwrights, including Lauren Gunderson and Bess Wohl, in connection with Urbanite Theatre’s Modern Works Festival. Nanette also participated in Arts Advocates’ Art Talk series, interviewing artists Truman Adams, Patricia Anderson, and Chalk Festival founder Denise Kowal.
This event is in the Arts Advocates Gallery, located inside the Crossings at Siesta Key mall, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Enter the mall through the doors next to Connors Steak & Seafood and turn left.