SJT Founding and Inspiration
Who would have thought that Sarasota would support a Jewish Theatre? The answer is “they did.”
Founded in 2017 by Carole Kleinberg, a veteran director, educator, and administrator, along with a group of prominent local theater professionals. The catalyst for its creation was the deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, which deeply troubled Kleinberg and inspired her to establish a strong, positive voice for the Jewish community through the arts. Within a week of the Charlottesville events, Kleinberg convened a meeting in her living room with theater professionals including the late Howard Millman (former producing artistic director of Asolo Rep) and actress/director Carolyn Michel, among others. This core group laid the groundwork for what would become the Sarasota Jewish Theatre.
SJT’s mission is to bring to life plays and programs that express the uniqueness and universality of Jewish heritage and culture. The theatre aims to celebrate Jewish life, literature, and values, while also serving as a space for community dialogue and engagement. SJT emphasizes the concept of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), interconnection, and the importance of Jewish culture thriving in a multicultural world. The theatre is committed to artistic professionalism, community outreach, and inclusivity—welcoming both Jewish and non-Jewish audiences.
Since its inception, SJT has continued to grow, staging productions at The Players Centre in The Crossings at Siesta Key, a venue with a capacity of about 125 seats. The theatre has presented a mix of contemporary and classic Jewish-themed plays, such as “The Immigrant,” “Lost in Yonkers,” and (coming soon through May 11) “Bad Jews,” as well as documentary screenings like “The Catskills: The Rise and Fall of the Borscht Belt.” The company has received regional recognition, including BroadwayWorld nominations for Best Play, Best Ensemble, and Best Director for its production of “The Immigrant” in 2024.
SJT is more than a gathering place for the Jewish community; it is a welcoming space for anyone who values the arts and open-minded exploration of identity and culture. The theatre’s productions often resonate with contemporary issues, drawing intentional parallels between historical Jewish experiences and current events, such as immigration and antisemitism. Artistic Director Carole Kleinberg has expressed a long-term vision of developing SJT into an ensemble-driven company, with recurring actors taking on diverse roles across seasons, enhancing both artistic quality and audience engagement.
Nancy Roucher is a highly respected arts advocate and education management professional based in Sarasota, Florida. She is widely recognized for her decades-long commitment to advancing arts education and supporting the local arts community. She quickly became involved in local efforts to promote and restore arts education, particularly after significant funding cuts to arts programs in Sarasota County schools in 1988.
In response to these cuts, she founded the Arts Education Task Force through the Sarasota Arts Council (now the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County). This group remains active, working to ensure arts education remains a priority in local schools. Roucher served as Chair of the Arts Education Task Force for 25 years, from 1990 to 2015. She is also a board member of the Arts & Cultural Alliance and participates in the Community/Schools Partnership for the Arts.
IF YOU GO TO SJT
Buy tickets here for the upcoming shows at SJT
“BAD JEWS” debuts April 30 to May 11. Don’t miss it!
Wednesday, April 30 – Sunday, May 11
Bad Jews
n this contemporary comedy, three adult grandchildren fight over a precious heirloom their beloved grandfather had carried hidden throughout the Holocaust. Daphna, a “Super Jew,” volatile, self-assured, and unbending, believes the gold “chai” is rightfully hers. Her equally stubborn cousin, the secular Liam, wants it for his gentile girlfriend. Stuck in the middle is Liam’s brother, the gentle Jonah. In a roller coaster ride of laugh-out-loud humor, they battle about important ideas, their religious faith, cultural assimilation, and the validity of their Jewish identity in 21st-century America. The powerful conclusion will stun the audience.
