FSCJ’s dramaWORKS to Present “Stalking Ottis Toole: A Southern Gothic”

WHAT: Florida State College at Jacksonville’s (FSCJ) dramaWORKS will present the premiere of “Stalking Ottis Toole: A Southern Gothic,” adapted from FSCJ Professor of English Dr. Tim Gilmore’s 2013 book of the same title. Both the book and play focus on one of Jacksonville’s most notorious residents, serial arsonist Ottis Toole. 

The FSCJ dramaWORKS production features 20 student actors and 12 crew members from all areas of the First Coast, with set and lighting design by Johnny Pettegrew and direction by Professor of Theatre Ken McCulough.

Please be advised – this play contains language and content that some will find offensive. No one under 18 years old will be admitted. For information and ticket reservations, please call (904) 646-2222.                                                                  

COST: $10 for the general public
           $5 (advance purchase) for FSCJ faculty, staff and students (2 tickets per valid                ID)
           $10 at the door                     

WHEN: Thursday, April 6, 2017, at 7:30 p.m.
            Friday, April 7, 2017, at 7:30 p.m.
            Saturday, April 8, 2017, at 7:30 p.m.
            Sunday, April 9, 2017, at 2 p.m.

WHERE: Florida State College at Jacksonville-South Campus
              Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts
              11901 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32246

About the play:
“Stalking Ottis Toole: A Southern Gothic” is a new play adapted from a book written by Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) Professor Dr. Tim Gilmore. Ottis Toole lived in Springfield in the 1960s, 70s and early 80s when the neighborhood was very rough and suffered from severe neglect.

Toole was a convicted serial arsonist who burned down more than 40 homes in Springfield. He was also lovers for a time with one of America’s most famous serial killers, Henry Lee Lucas. Both Lucas and Toole confessed to killing hundreds of people along with many other criminal activities. However, authorities proved that many of these confessions and statements were false. 

During Dr. Gilmore’s research for his book, he was intrigued that various people who knew Toole all had different versions of who he really was. Ottis Toole was either one of the worst serial killers in history or a dimwitted arsonist who never meant to kill anyone – or someone somewhere in between. “Stalking Ottis Toole” explores the subjective nature of identity, memory, fame, truth and evil.