Out of the Box Productions was started in 1998 by Wende & Michael Gilmore, when they saw the need for a new creative outlet for actors in Cape Coral. Their early work was an extension of their church membership and enhanced worship services.

It wasn’t long though, before their creative vision outgrew the walls of the church.

The group’s first success came with two improvisational acts, "Mikey and the Cool Sisters," and the highly dysfunctional "Stinkle Family." The Stinkles have entertained crowds in various locales across Southwest Florida. Most recently, The Stinkle Family helped to raise money for the Genesis III Counseling Center by performing at a benefit dinner.

Because of trouble finding suitable performance pieces, the group began writing original plays. Their first was "CB-21," written as a clever spoof of late-night infomercials.

Later that year, they would break creative ground in Southwest Florida by producing "In The Year 2349." Set in a futuristic world where little could be depended on, the production mixed a live stage performance with interactive video, music, lights and crowd participation. Everything from the initial story idea to the finished sets and final edited video, was imagined and built from scratch by the members of Out of the Box Productions.

For Christmas that year, the group selected a play by Howard Berman, "An O. Henry Christmas." The production was directed by Wende Gilmore and starred Robert Flanagan as a drifter named "OP" who joins a group of homeless people on the streets of New York on Christmas Eve, 1893.

They repeated the Christmas performance the next year, bringing the show to Cape Coral’s Cultural Park Theatre with the help of the Sand Flea Players, LTD.

In the midst of performing on stage, Out of the Box Productions realized there was a growing need to not only supply dramatic productions in Southwest Florida, but also a safe haven for a variety of artistic gifts and talents. They are currently working to meet those varied needs in the community, and have expanded their vision to include all of the arts.

In addition to plays produced by Out of the Box Productions, various members have appeared individually in a number of other local theatre productions.

Most recently, Out of the Box Productions provided a number of celebrity lookalikes for the Robb & Stucky Night At The Oscars party that benefited The Florida Repertory Theatre. Last year, they provided entertainment for the "Trick or Treat on Bourbon Street...Green Party 3," to benefit the AIDS Resource Council, Big Brothers, Big Sisters: Making it on Purpose, and the Florida Gulf Coast symphony. They are currently developing an all original show, "Disaster Piece Theatre," to be presented at the Periwinkle Playhouse on Sanibel Island.

Wende Gilmore starred as Billie Dawn in Cultural Park Theatre's presentation of "Born Yesterday," for which she received critical praise. Another OOTB player, Louis Quattrucci, also appeared. Gilmore and Quattrucci reunited on the Cultural Park stage to play the Hubbells in Florida Gulf Coast University's presentation of "A Streetcar Named Desire." Wende has directed and acted in every Out of the Box Production to date, and provided the inspiration for the Stinkle Family. She also co-wrote "CB-21" and "In The Year 2349," and came up with the original idea for "Jacque en le Bóxue." She will explore new creative horizons as she co-directs and co-writes "Disaster Piece Theatre," opening later this summer.

In addition to acting, Michael Gilmore has built and helped design the sets for every Out of the Box Production. He owns his own business, specializing in commercial and residential painting.

Out of the Box Production's Artistic Director, Kristen Sabo, has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from the prestigious Ringling School of Art & Design in Sarasota, Florida. She creates or approves all design work for Out of the Box Productions. She spent six months doing costume and character design for "Jacque en le Bóxue," but she will now turn her attention to directing and designing the stage for "Disaster Piece Theatre"

Louis Quattrucci appeared as the hotel manager in "Born Yesterday" and as Steve Hubbell in "A Streetcar Named Desire" along with OOTB's Wende Gilmore. He has appeared in every Out of the Box Production to date, and is a school teacher at Orange River Elementary, in East Fort Myers. In September of last year, he appeared in Neil Simon's "Fools" at the Cultural Park Theatre. He stars this summer in Out of the Box Production's "Disaster Piece Theatre" at the Periwinkle Playhouse on Sanibel.

Paul Rose, Jr. starred as Isaiah the prophet in an original one-man musical, "The 53^rd," and as King Herod in "The Secret of the Gifts." He was a featured player on the Seminole Gulf Murder Mystery Train for 5 years. He also played Vincentio in The Misfit Players’ presentation of "William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew" in Cambier Park in Naples. In addition to acting, he has written or co-written every original piece produced by Out of the Box Productions. He will be appearing this summer as "The Floor Manager" in Out of the Box Production's "Disaster Piece Theatre."

Monica De La Torre is relatively new to Out of the Box Productions, but not to the theatre world. She earned her first acting chops in college, and recently performed in "Hernando's Hideaway," an interactive comedy murder mystery. She recently appeared as part of the ever-growing Stinkle family, at a benefit dinner for Genesis III Counseling Center. She will be appearing in OOTB's "Disaster Piece Theatre" in July.

Nicole Gelinas is a student at Florida Gulf Coast University. Although she is one of the newest members of Out of the Box Productions, she has already distinguished herself with her talent in art and song. Her singing debut with Out of the Box Productions will be part of Disaster Piece Theatre, opening July 18, 2003.

Slipping in and out as quietly as a Ninja, Mike McCurdy is again joining Out of the Box Productions for "Disaster Piece Theatre." You'll have to look quick to catch his character before he fades into the shadows. This is the role he was, well, born to play!

Christar Damiano joins Out of the Box Productions for the first time on a united stage in the upcoming show, "Disaster Piece Theatre!" No flames are permitted in the Periwinkle Playhouse, but Christar doesn't need fire to stand out from the crowd.

Nancy Tursi rejoins Out of the Box Productions for her dancing debut as the Prima Ballerina at the ball, in "Disaster Piece Theatre." Looks like 10 years of classical ballet training will finally pay off!

Speaking of dancing, our newest addition to Out of the Box Productions joined us when we solicited her help to choreograph a number for "Disaster Piece Theatre." Barbara Knapp went one step further and joined the number herself. But watch out! She may have signed on for more than she bargained for. You'll just have to come out and see what we mean!

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