Whereas the acronym remains the same, the TBBCA (formerly Tampa Bay Business Committee for the Arts) officially announces its name change to Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts, to better reflect the mission of the organization. The mission of the TBBCA is to help build a stronger arts and cultural community with the support of area businesses.

Board members agreed that the former name sounded restrictive and did not reflect the support for cultural organizations like the Tampa Bay History Center, The Florida Aquarium or Lowry Park Zoo.

The TBBCA, also known as the BCA or Tampa Bay BCA, in 2008 became a partner with Americans for the Arts, which absorbed the national Business Committee for the Arts. The TBBCA strives to foster relationships, linking businesses, artists, and arts and cultural organizations in Tampa Bay through cause campaigns, networking events, interactive and educational programs as well as the production of economic impact studies.

“Cultural institutions are a significant part of our economic strength, helping to attract and retain business and making the bay area an interesting and thriving place to live,” said Kerry O’Reilly, board president.

Featured Cultural Organization
- American Stage Theatre Company -

American Stage Theatre Company is “Tampa Bay’s Best Professional Theatre,” as voted by the readers of Tampa Bay Magazine and Creative Loafing, and chosen by the editorial board of Creative Loafing. Celebrating its 30th Anniversary, the Company’s mission is to create the most satisfying live theatre in the Tampa Bay-area, accessible to all members of the community. Its vision is to preserve the greatest stories from our past, while creating the most defining stories and storytelling of our time.

Marking an incredible period of growth, American Stage has recently moved into its brand new, state-of-the-art, Raymond James Theatre, the first performance space built just for a professional theatre in Tampa Bay’s history. The new theatre has forty more seats than its predecessor, a much larger lobby area, and a bigger stage, while keeping the intimate seating arrangement that patrons have come to cherish over the Theatre’s three decades of existence.

Along with the six productions that make up the Theatre’s Mainstage Series, American Stage also has a new Cabaret Series, an avant-garde After Hours Series, and next season will mark the 25th anniversary of American Stage in the Park, Gulf Coast Florida’s favorite outdoor theatre experience.

The Theatre boasts an education department that has a long and storied history of success in helping to bring the art of theatre to the children of Tampa Bay and beyond. Current programs include: school tours, classes and after school clubs in the public schools and camps.

American Stage ends its current season this month with the Tampa Bay-area premiere of John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning drama, Doubt, thru August 16. the Theatre then opens its 31st season with the next installment of ts “August Wilson Cycle”, Fences, from September 25 thru October 11. American Stage is the only regional equity theatre of its size to commit to producing all ten plays by prolific African-American playwright August Wilson over the span of a decade.

For more information about American Stage Theatre Company, go to its Web site at www.americanstage.org, or call the box office at 727.823.PLAY(7529).

Richard Sparrow has lived in the Tampa area and played Fourth Horn with the Florida Orchestra since 1984. Born and raised in Atlanta, GA, he earned his Bachelors from Columbus State University in Music Ed. Degree in 1980. Richard received a Masters in Performance on horn from the University of South Florida in 2005. Currently, he is the horn teacher at Southeastern University in Lakeland and the University of Tampa, where he also plays with the Tampa Brass. He has been involved with education outreach through the Florida Orchestra as well as through private horn instruction. Professionally, he also serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of Local 427-721 of the American Federation of Musicians. Volunteer activities have included the Red Cross and membership on the Artist Advisory Committee of the Hillsborough Arts Council in the late 1990’s. Prior to coming to Florida, Richard lived in Denver Co. and Atlanta Ga. Where he performed with the Denver, Colorado Springs and Atlanta Symphonies as well as serving as Principal Horn for the Denver Chamber Orchestra. Outside of his musical interests, he enjoys reading, cooking, traveling, running, making beer and playing golf.