Kay Kipling is executive editor of Sarasota Magazine, where she has worked in one capacity or another for more than 30 years. (Yes, she’s seen a lot of changes.) She also acts as arts editor for the magazine, frequently interviewing local and national arts personalities as well as writing features on the performing and visual arts scene and online reviews of theater productions. A longtime member of the American Theatre Critics Association and the magazine’s theater critic, she spends untold nights in Sarasota’s many theaters every year and has served on numerous arts grant panels at both the state and local level. In her off time she enjoys reading, movies, nature walks and, all too seldom, the beach.

Q&A

Prolific Writer Harlan Coben Is Coming to Sarasota in February for an Author Luncheon

The event benefits the Library Foundation for Sarasota County. "Libraries are hugely important," Coben says. "A luncheon for a library, about books—that’s a win-win-win."

01/19/2026 By Kay Kipling

Review

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Presents Dominique Morisseau's 'Paradise Blue'

There's drama, humor and a little bit of jazz in this five-character play, set in 1949 Detroit.

01/12/2026 By Kay Kipling

Review

Asolo Rep's 'Primary Trust' Tells a Touching Story About Finding Friendship and Hope

The Pulitzer Prize winner is mostly low-key, but it still has an impact.

01/11/2026 By Kay Kipling

Final Frame

Tim Jaeger's Recent Work Started During Hurricane Milton

The swirling forms on his canvases are related not only to hurricane movement but, he says, “to what lies beneath the ocean and ourselves—the flow of community, the surge of life.”

01/02/2026 By Kay Kipling

An Artful Embrace

The Annual Embracing Our Differences Exhibition Returns to Bayfront Park

It's the most high-profile part of the nonprofit’s efforts to support the community, but it's not the only one.

01/02/2026 By Kay Kipling

Review

FST's 'A Tailor Near Me' Sews Together a Connection Between Two Older Men

You want a new suit? How about a new friendship?

12/15/2025 By Kay Kipling

Review

All Is Well in Asolo Rep's 'All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914'

A cast of nine delivers dozens of stories and songs from a unique moment in World War I.

12/08/2025 By Kay Kipling

Treasure Trove

At the Sarasota County History Center, You'll Find Fascinating Historical Objects

What do MacKinlay Kantor's crutch, a Sara De Soto pageant crown and a pointy pen used by Gov. Cary Hardee in 1921 all have in common?

12/02/2025 By Kay Kipling

On a High Note

La Musica Marks Its 40th Anniversary With Bigger Audiences, More Concerts and a Timely World Premiere

The venerable festival has succeeded in attracting new and wider audiences, thanks in large part to the extension of its season, presenting more frequent concerts for patrons.

12/01/2025 By Kay Kipling

Preview

Jennifer Jones, the First Black Rockette, on Her Path to Radio City Music Hall

It's not easy for any dancer. For Jennifer Jones, the first African American Rockette, it was harder. She tells her story in a talk at the Sarasota Art Museum.

12/01/2025 By Kay Kipling

Review

'Come From Away' Opens the Asolo Rep Season with a Bang

Everyone's on their game with this musical about plane passengers and townsfolk on Sept. 11, 2001.

11/17/2025 By Kay Kipling

Review

FST's 'Lucky Stiff' Takes Audiences on a Romp to Monte Carlo

The show by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty offers energetic, freewheeling fun.

11/10/2025 By Kay Kipling

100 Years of Art

Art Center Sarasota Celebrates Its 100th Birthday This Year

In its century-long history, Art Center Sarasota has often led the way in our visual arts community.

11/04/2025 By Kay Kipling

Building the Future

Sarasota’s Arts Scene Sets the Stage for What’s Next

A number of building projects and high-profile capital campaigns with combined fundraising goals of $975 million are on the horizon.

11/04/2025 By Kay Kipling

Review

Urbanite Theatre's 'Monsters of the American Cinema' Confronts the Really Scary Stuff

In Christian St. Croix's play, the monsters are close to home.

11/03/2025 By Kay Kipling

Review

WBTT's 'Purlie' Spreads a Message Through Laughter

The musical uses often broad comedy to tackle racism in the Jim Crow South.

10/13/2025 By Kay Kipling

Rupp Rehab

The Ringling's Rupp Pavilion Heads Toward a Restoration

Built in 1961, the building on the art museum campus long served as the Banyan Cafe.

09/24/2025 By Kay Kipling

Theater for Everyone

Sarasota Jewish Theatre Continues to Grow Its Audience and Its Programming

The company enjoyed a sold-out season last year and continues to expand under artistic director Carole Kleinberg.

09/08/2025 By Kay Kipling

Preview

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Announces More Shows for the Season

A lineup of musicians, comedians and even game shows adds to the already announced Broadway show list.

08/25/2025 By Kay Kipling

Review

Florida Studio Theatre Goes for Farcical Fun with 'Don't Dress for Dinner'

The action is fast and the lies are even faster in this piece by Marc Camoletti, adapted by Robin Hawdon.

08/11/2025 By Kay Kipling