Designer Brunch
BEHIND THE COSTUMES OF
Fiddler on the Roof
Join us for a behind-the-scenes discussion exploring the artistry, research, and storytelling around the costumes from Asolo Rep’s upcoming production of Fiddler on the Roof.
Award-winning costume designer Howard Kaplan joins Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Peter Rothstein and Asolo Rep Costume Manager David Kovach for a conversation that offers insight into how character, tradition, and historical context are translated into the visual language of this beloved musical.
Hosted in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, this special event brings together artists, community members, and theatre lovers for a thoughtful morning of conversation and connection. Guests will enjoy a buffet brunch catered by Michael’s on East, included with admission.
Event Details
The Ora – 578 McIntosh Rd,
Sarasota, FL 34232
March 23, 2026
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
$150 per person
About Howard Kaplan
Howard Tsvi Kaplan is pleased to be returning the Asolo, where he was the resident designer for 4 years and created the costumes for 22 productions including the world premiere of Horton Foote’s Talking Pictures.
For twenty-nine seasons Mr. Kaplan has been the Resident Costume Designer for the Sarasota Opera Association, where he has designed over 125 operas.
His recent endeavors include designing the costumes for Blithe Spirit (Which he won Best Costume Award for Berkshire Area Broadway World Award) for Capital Rep in Albany, Mary Poppins, Tarzan the Musical, Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Three Musketeers for Barter Theatre; Eugene Onegin and The Consul for Florida Grand Opera
Design credits include twelve years as the principal designer for Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Clown College; THE MIKADO at Pittsburgh Public Theatre; MAN OF LA MANCHA for the Olney Theatre for which he was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award; The World Premiere of SNAPSHOTS, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz for The Virginia Stage Comp; THE CONSTANT WIFE and THREE DAYS OF RAIN for The Westport Playhouse, both directed by Joanne Woodward.
He was a resident designer for both The Alley Theatre, where he designed over 25 productions including the American Premiere of…HENCEFORWARD, written and directed by Alan Ayckborn.
His renderings are featured in the textbook Costume Design, by Barbara and Cletus Anderson, published by Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
From September 2003 – January 2004, The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, St. Bonaventure, New York featured his work as part of an exhibit of “Working Artists”. In September 2016 he was named Master Artist of the Year. A retrospect of his career was displayed in their gallery. The exhibit consisted of renderings from his theatre, opera, and circus projects; and an assortment of costumes and masks.