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Accolades & Testimonials

THE MANY LIVES OF OWEN CREST

Author / 2022
  • 2nd Place in Sarasota Fiction Writers Annual Short-Story Competition

BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY

Florida Studio Theatre / Director / 2021
  • 2022 BroadwayWorld Sarasota Awards Finalists
    • BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL
    • BEST LIGHTING DESIGN OF A PLAY OR MUSICAL
    • BEST MUSIC DIRECTION & ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCE

HAND TO GOD

Florida Studio Theatre / Director / 2019
  • Sarasota Herald Tribune 2019 “Handy” Award Nominations
    • PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
    • BEST DIRECTOR
    • BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A PLAY (Harrison Bryan)–ALSO WINNER
    • BEST FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY (Brenny Rabine)

KUNSTLER

Florida Studio Theatre / Director / 2019

HOW TO USE A KNIFE

Florida Studio Theatre / Director / 2018

“Thank you for your support and direction during my first writing attempts in Spoken Memoirs class.  Your wisdom and kindness touched me very deeply and brought the past alive with grace and integrity.  You even offered to read my homework when I lost the ability to speak without coughing. I am fortunate to say I know you and studied with you.”

SHERRILL KAPLAN, SARASOTA

“I signed up for the Flying Solo class as an opportunity to write again. In college I was an avid reader and performed in oral interpretation of literature classes. Jason gave me the incentive to write again, and I spent hours thinking about subjects to write about. Jason was very encouraging and a wonderful inspiration.”

MARY CLARKE, SARASOTA

A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER

Florida Studio Theatre / Director / 2018
  • WINNER of BEST PROFESSIONAL THEATRE MUSICAL as voted on by the reading public in the CURTAIN CALL AWARDS.
  • ​Sarasota Herald Tribune 2019 “Handy”  Award Nomination for ​BEST SCENIC DESIGN (Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay)

CONSTELLATIONS

Florida Studio Theatre / Director / 2018

OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY

Florida Studio Theatre / Director / 2018

“You covered more ground than any speaker I have heard talk to the club, but in a heartfelt, light, well-delivered way. Thank you again.”

TERRY RAWSON, SARASOTA

“In the past ten years, I have attended many events in which speakers of varied organizations have spoken, and Jason is heads above the others. He was well-spoken, interesting, and so very enthusiastic!”

PHYLLIS S, SARASOTA

I came into one of Jason’s classes as a way of filling free evening time.  Little did I know when signing up that I would be under the care of a true theater professional. He was welcoming and kind, encouraging and patient. He has a deft talent for bringing out the best in both the actor and writer. Anyone working with Jason can expect a high quality of attention to detail. He laughs easily and has a way of making everyone in the room feel at ease. It was in Jason’s class that I began a head-over-heels love affair with the lost art of spoken word.  I turned that new passion into a One-Woman Monologue show that debuted in NYC in the Fall of 2021.  They say anything can happen in New York City, but it all started in Jason’s class in SRQ! 

ROBYN M, LOS ANGELES

ONCE

Florida Studio Theatre / Director / 2017
  • 2018 SARASOTA HERALD-TRIBUNE “HANDY” AWARDS NOMINATIONS
    • BEST PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
    • BEST DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL
    • BEST MUSICAL DIRECTOR (Darren Server)
    • BEST LEAD ACTOR (Ben Williams)
    • BEST LEAD ACTRESS (Elizabeth Nestlerode)
    • BEST COSTUME DESIGN (Susan Angermann)
    • BEST “MAGIC PAIRINGS” (Ben Williams and Elizabeth Nestlerode)

GIDION’S KNOT

Florida Studio Theatre / Director / 2017

WHEELCHAIR CHICKEN

Playwright / 2017

“Jason Cannon is the ultimate theatre practitioner and teacher.  Whatever needs to be done he knows how to do and does — acting, directing, staging, producing, teaching, motivating and mentoring.  You are in good hands with Jason.”

GAELE BARTHOLD, ESQ., LONGBOAT KEY

“You always presented with excellent info and background on the many working parts to producing a play. It was a pleasure to be in Behind the Scenes classes with you directing the discussions with professionalism, warmth, and humor. I learned so much about theater, staging, actors, and how it all comes together.”

JUDY WAXBERG, SARASOTA

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET

Florida Studio Theatre / Director / 2016

RELATIVITY

Florida Studio Theatre / Director / 2016
  • CREATIVE LOAFING 2016 “BEST OF THE BAY” AWARDS NOMINEE for BEST LOCAL STAGE DIRECTOR

MY NAME IS ASHER LEV

Florida Studio Theatre / Director / 2016
  • CREATIVE LOAFING 2016 “BEST OF THE BAY” AWARDS NOMINEE for BEST LOCAL STAGE DIRECTOR

“The combination of your insightful suggestions and enthusiastic support has kept me coming back to class year after year, and still convinces me that I’ve got something to offer the stage.”

CAMERON KELLEY, BRADENTON

“It’s truly been an inspiration and honor to work with you!”

JANE PETRING, NOVA SCOTIA

BUTLER

Florida Studio Theatre / Director / 2015
  • CREATIVE LOAFING 2016 “BEST OF THE BAY” AWARDS NOMINEE for BEST LOCAL STAGE DIRECTOR
  • SARASOTA HERALD TRIBUNE “HANDY” AWARDS NOMINATIONS​ BEST PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
  • BEST DIRECTOR OF A PLAY
  • BEST ACTOR IN A PLAY (both Eric Hoffmann and Shane Taylor)
  • BEST FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY (Jim Sorensen, also RECIPIENT)
  • BEST SCENIC DESIGN (Moria and Isabel Curly-Clay)

DANCING LESSONS

Florida Studio Theatre / Lead Actor (“Ever Montgomery”) / 2014
  • Sarasota Herald Tribune 2015 “Handy” Award Recipient:  BEST ACTOR IN A PLAY
  • Sarasota Magazine:  BEST ACTOR OF 2015

“I feel privileged to have experienced Jason’s magic as an actor, director, and instructor. In every role, he brings a level of intelligence, creativity, and commitment that provides enormous support and drives projects forward.”

BARBARA BARNOW, SARASOTA

“Not only have I learned practical skills that I can apply to my work on stage, but I have been given a greater appreciation for what happens before I even get to the stage. I also just wanted to let you know that I got the Presidential Arts Scholar that you helped me to prepare my monologues for!”

CAROLINE SWALLER, ST. LOUIS

KILLER JOE

St. Louis Actors’ Studio / Lead Actor (“Killer Joe Cooper”) / 2012
  • Named BEST ACTOR of 2012 by BroadwayWorld.com

WAY TO HEAVEN

The New Jewish Theatre / Lead Actor (“Commandant”) / 2012
  • BroadwayWorld.com:  BEST ACTOR OF 2012

AWAKE AND SING!

The New Jewish Theatre / Supporting Actor (“Moe Axelrod”) / 2011
  • 2012 Kevin Kline Awards: OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR in a Play, Nominee
  • 2012 Kevin Kline Awards: OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION of a Play, WINNER
  • RiverFront Times:  BEST STAGE PRODUCTION OF 2011
  • Ladue News:  TOP TEN PLAY OF 2011
  • St. Louis Post-Dispatch:  BEST DRAMA PRODUCTION OF 2011
  • Playback STL:  BEST SHOWS OF 2011
  • Two on the Aisle:  BEST SHOWS OF 2011
  • BroadwayWorld.com:  11 BEST COMEDIES/DRAMAS OF 2011

“Jason Cannon’s depth of experience and enthusiasm truly inspires his students! A great teacher. I highly recommend him.”

CECILIA TRUMMER, SARASOTA

“My experience with Jason Cannon was as a writing coach, dramatist, and the most instrumental force in my writing career. Professional, patient, caring, respectful in his review of my work. He made a real, measurable difference in my writing.”

RON PANTELLO, SARASOTA

“Jason has been an inspiring playwriting instructor who has taught me the art of story structure, raising the stakes, and creating a captivating protagonist’s journey for a theater audience. His vast experience as a writer, actor, and director has enabled him to be a great mentor. He is able to envision what will work on stage and make suggestions to improve any script presented for his input. I would strongly recommend Jason to anyone looking for professional guidance on their writing.”

GAIL KNOWLES, SARASOTA

OUTLYING ISLANDS

Upstream Theater / Lead Actor (“Robert”) / 2010
  • KEVIN KLINE AWARDS NOMINEE
    • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play
    • Outstanding Production of a Play
    • Outstanding Ensemble in a Play

DOUBT, A PARABLE

Dramatic License Productions / Director, Lead Actor (“Father Flynn”), Sound Design / 2009
  • 2010 KEVIN KLINE AWARDS
    • WINNER: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play
    • NOMINEE
      • Outstanding Production of a Play
      • Outstanding Director of a Play
      • Outstanding Ensemble in a Play
      • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play

BROOKLYN BOY

The New Jewish Theatre / Lead Actor (“Eric Weiss”) / 2009
  • 2010 Kevin Kline Awards:  NOMINEE OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
  • Ladue News:  TOP TEN PLAY OF 2009

GRACE

Rivercity Theatre / Director, Lead Actor (“Steve”), Sound Design / 2008
  • Named BEST MODERN PRODUCTION by the ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH 
  • TOP TEN PLAY OF 2008 by the LADUE NEWS

HAMLET

Rivercity Theatre and Vanity Theatre / Producer, Director, Lead Actor (“Hamlet”), Light Design / 2007
  • KEVIN KLINE AWARDS NOMINEE
    • Outstanding Director of a Play
    • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play
    • Outstanding  Light Design
  • ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
    • Best Classic Play Production

SKIN IN FLAMES

HotCity Theatre/The Greenhouse / Producer, Director / 2006
  • Named BEST PLAY OF 2006 by the Ladue News