West Shore Theatre Troupe 6034 is headed to college. The group will be performing the musical “Riot,” written and directed by seniors Evy Sotolongo and Joey Crown at the Florida Institute of Technology’s Gleason Performing Arts Center on Friday. The performance will be open to all FIT students, staff, faculty, and the public. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the play will begin at 7 p.m. The Florida Tech School of Psychology Diversity Committee will be asking questions of the cast after the production and light refreshments will follow. Tickets are not required, but donations will be accepted.

Sophomore Lauren McMillan, who plays the lead of Julie in the show, considers the potential this production could have in the future.

“It’s strange how “Riot” isn’t like a real show, but to the troupe it is. I think it could actually become something someday, and it’s weird to think that we started it because as of now, only West Shore is familiar with it,” McMillan said.

This production, which started as a Senior Project, already has won a superior evaluation at the District One Act competition.

“Riot” remained in the forefront of senior Connor Courtney while he and others from the troupe visited New York City during Spring Break. They stopped in at Birdland, a famous jazz club where many New York producers, writers and performers hang out. Courtney saw connections to the club as a potential opportunity.

“Where would be a better place [than New York] to perform ‘Riot?’” he said.

By Kathryn Etherton