Arts Alive! podcast: Bob Devin Jones, Erica Sutherlin

It’s the changing of the guard.

Today’s Arts Alive! podcast pairs Bob Devin Jones and Erica Sutherlin of The Studio @620. Los Angelino Jones founded St. Petersburg’s independent arts and performance incubator/space 20 years ago and has been an integral part of the city’s arts scene the entire time.

Next week, he’s retiring as artistic director and handing the keys to Sutherlin, his chosen successor.

She is a writer, actor, director and producer with a lengthy resume of theater, TV and film work. Sutherlin taught at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts, earned an MFA in Film and Television Production from the University of Southern California, then came back to St. Pete.

Most recently, Sutherlin directed American Stage’s Ragtime and the freeFall production of Nollywood Dreams.

In this conversation, the two of them lay out the details of their mutual admiration society. Jones, for his part, says that when Sutherlin offered to “throw her hat into the ring” once he stepped down, he told her “There is no ring. You’re it.”

Sutherlin also talks about her plans for The Studio’s future, walking in Bob Devin Jones’ footsteps, and maintaining his legacy.

Click on the arrow to listen to the interview.