...in my solitude I have woven for myself a silken web or chrysalis, and, nymph-like, shall ere long burst forth a more perfect creature...
– Henry David Thoreau
All over the world, the live performing arts have gone into a kind of hibernation. Just like the caterpillar that has locked itself away in a chrysalis, theatres everywhere have entered a fragile sleep. We are all doing what we can to keep our audiences engaged and uplifted through various online content, but perhaps the most important thing these efforts have done (as valiant and enjoyable as many of them have been) is to remind us that despite our advances in technology and communication, there is no substitute for gathering together to behold a fine live performance. And like that cocoon, the arts stand on the brink of an incredible moment. Those organizations that can hold onto the branch through this storm will emerge with renewed vigor into what will without doubt be an incredible period of creation and rebirth.
Everywhere, artists are struggling, but they are also dreaming and planning as they always do. What stories will they tell? What great works lie just over the horizon? What more will they teach us about ourselves?
We want you to be a part of that metamorphosis. Your gift today will ensure that freeFall is among the organizations that emerge stronger than ever. We have little doubt that our best days lie ahead. Together with our loyal and passionate supporters we can supply the wings.
A small group of key donors, including Al May, Brian Reale & Fred Wilcox, and a number of others who wish to remain anonymous have made a challenge. They have generously offered to match any gifts made during this COVID-19 Recovery Challenge dollar for dollar up to $75,000 until May 30, 2020. Please help us double their generosity by making your contribution now. Remember that The CARES Act, recently passed by Congress, provides a universal deduction for contributions, made in 2020, of up to $300, even for taxpayers who do not itemize. Additionally, for tax year 2020, Congress has lifted the existing cap on annual contributions for itemizers from 60% to 100% of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) Make the most of your gift by acting now.
2019/2020 SEASON
This season is filled with hauntings – ghosts, whether literal or figurative, that emerge from the past to give insight, create obstacles, or remind us where we come from.
Frequently Asked Questions
ourSponsors
Click their logos to visit our sponsors, and be sure to tell them we sent you!
memberships
Theatre is expensive to make. Did you know that even with regularly sold-out performances, ticket sales only account for a little more than half of what it costs to keep freeFall's doors open? Professional not-for-profit theatres like freeFall rely on the generous support of theatre lovers like you to fulfill our mission. Become a member today.
Friend Membership
$100
- billed annually or $9/month
- no box office fees
- members only seating
- listing in show programs
- member discounts at local businesses
- add subscriptions for $249 each
Bronze Membership
$250
- billed annually or $22/month
- all benefits of Friend level
- 10% discount on tickets
- listing in souvenir yearbook
- recognition on digital signage
- add subscriptions for $249 each
Silver Membership
$750
- billed annually or $65/month
- all benefits of Friend and
Bronze levels - complimentary beverages at each performance
- invitation to
Season Announcement Party - add subscriptions for $249 each
Education
We are always finding new ways to enrich the theatre-going experience and offer added insight into our productions. Lectures, talk-backs, and classes are offered throughout the season in conjunction with our performance schedule. Click CALENDAR above to see what’s coming up, or click the button below to read the latest news from our education and outreach programming.
Volunteers
Every year hundreds of dedicated volunteers provide operational support for freeFall. Neighborhood Ambassadors post thousands of posters and handbills. Ushers seat thousands of patrons. Technical volunteers help strike the set after each run. Without their support, the work of our professional artists and artisans would not be possible. If you are interested in becoming a freeFall volunteer, please fill out our online form by clicking below, and our volunteer coordinator will be in touch.
Actors
freeFall hires professional actors from all around the U.S. We operate under an SPT-6 collective bargaining agreement with Actors’ Equity Association. We hire both union and non-union professional actors. freeFall practices inclusive casting, often casting roles against gender, race, and type expectations. All talented professionals are encouraged to submit. If you would like to audition for freeFall Theatre, please attend one of our annual open calls. We also regularly attend unified auditions including UPTA, FPTA, and TTB. Click below to see upcoming auditions or to create an actor profile in our casting database.
Costume & Prop Rentals
freeFall has an extensive stock of costumes and props, including furniture. We make our stock available to other organizations for rental. From other small professional theatres to schools and community groups, our affordable rental fees will round out your design. We have many specialty items from popular shows as well, including masks for Mr. Burns, a giant lit sign for Cabaret, and others. We are in the process of making our entire stock searchable online. In the meantime, please click below to send us a message, and we would be happy to help.
ourMission
The mission of freeFall Theatre is to pursue art’s greater purposes and the transformative power of theatre – as a builder of community, a source of upliftment, and a builder of cultural legacy.
We will present a varied range of classical and new works that are bold, daring, and diverse. Our work will strive to be accessible, and we will present it in ways that invite, entertain, and challenge our audience.
We are committed to improving the lives of the citizens of Tampa Bay through our efforts to provide broad access to theatre that represents a high level of artistic achievement, and through educational programs that increase the community’s understanding and enjoyment of live theatre.
ourHistory
Founded in 2008 and resident in our current home since 2011, freeFall Theatre has rapidly been recognized for artistic and organizational excellence. In naming our very first production the “most memorable play of the decade,” a regional newspaper theatre critic said, “freeFall Theatre announced its arrival with a pageant so stunning, it marked an epoch in Bay area theatre history.” Since then, we have continuously exceeded those high expectations, winning more awards than all other area theatres combined. Operating under a contract with Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers, we are proud to have employed hundreds of theatre artists. Acclaimed by critics, audiences and our professional peers, we are a driving force in Tampa Bay’s thriving arts community.
