PALM COAST, Fla. – The Flagler County Cultural Council’s summer social on Thursday, July 23, offered members more than an evening of networking—it provided an inside look at one of the community’s most distinctive performing arts organizations, where audiences are invited to do more than simply watch a play.
Hosted by City Repertory Theatre, the evening featured behind-the-scenes stories, a glimpse into the company’s creative process and a preview of its current production, all while introducing guests to the philosophy that has guided the theater for nearly 16 seasons.
“We are here to provoke,” said City Repertory Theatre Co-Founder and Artistic Director John Sbordone. “We’re not here to placate. We’re not here to assuage.”
Sbordone’s comments drew smiles from the audience, especially when he joked, “I’ve often told the cast, ‘Hey, nobody walked out. We’re doing something wrong.'”
While offered with humor, the remark reflected City Rep’s commitment to creating theater that challenges audiences to think, feel and engage with the stories unfolding on stage.
“What are we doing if we’re not making people think?” Sbordone asked. “Art needs to be present. It needs to be physical. It needs to be spiritual. It’s something that invigorates us and makes us alive.”
That philosophy comes to life inside City Repertory Theatre’s intimate black-box venue, where there is little distance between performers and patrons.
“What we have in this intimate space is an opportunity to do theater in ways you can’t do on a big stage,” Sbordone said. “We believe theater needs to be intimate.”
The close setting allows actors to connect directly with audiences in ways that larger productions often cannot.
“We believe being in an audience is a communal experience,” he said. “Our actors learn how to communicate with the audience while playing the character so that you feel that energy.”
That sometimes means breaking down the traditional barrier between audience and performer.
“Often we’ll have our actors sitting on your lap,” Sbordone joked, adding with a grin, “when it’s appropriate.”
The audience responded with laughter, appreciating the theater’s playful spirit as much as its artistic ambition.
Sbordone said the company’s goal has always been to create productions that leave audiences talking long after the curtain comes down.
Beau Wade, who directed the theater’s current production, “Puffs”, welcomed guests and encouraged them to return for one of the remaining performances of the lighthearted parody.
“We had a great opening weekend,” Wade said. “Hopefully you see something here tonight that invigorates you to want to come back next weekend.”
The evening also highlighted one of the Cultural Council’s favorite traditions—hosting member socials at arts and cultural venues throughout Flagler County.
“These fun member get-togethers are the perfect way for folks interested in learning more about the Flagler County Cultural Council to meet members and the board of directors in an intimate setting while showcasing our member locations,” said FC3 Chair Danielle Anderson. “We’re proud to have so many gracious host locations that are members, and we’re looking forward to a great schedule for the rest of the year and through 2027.”
Anderson invited residents to attend future socials and the council’s Annual Meeting on Oct. 1, noting that the gatherings offer a welcoming opportunity to connect with fellow arts supporters while discovering the organizations that enrich Flagler County’s cultural landscape.
City Repertory Theatre Board President Julia Truilo welcomed guests throughout the evening and helped showcase the volunteer-driven organization that has become a cornerstone of the local performing arts community.
“It was great to see our fellow Flagler County Cultural Council members and so many new faces. Many people in the arts and culture community are so busy working on their own projects that they don’t get to see what others are doing. The FC3 socials are an important way for us to get to know each other and find ways to work together to strengthen the cultural scene here in Flagler County,” Truilo said.
As the evening concluded over refreshments and conversation, guests left with more than a preview of an upcoming performance—they departed with a greater appreciation for the role live theater plays in inspiring conversation, building community and encouraging audiences to experience the arts from a fresh perspective.
