Michael Presley Bobbitt (born February 3, 1976) is an American Southern playwright, novelist, and commercial real estate appraiser,[1] and co-founder of The Nitty-Gritty Theatre in Gainesville, Florida.[2] He is a member of the Dramatists Guild.[3][4] He lives in Cedar Key, Florida where he has been featured in regional, national, and international press for his literary works, community activism in aquaculture education, and various stunts and achievements including authoring a ten-minute monologue with a live goat,[5][6] being flagged by the FAA for transporting a questionable play prop across state lines,[7] "Shark Swims" to raise money for Cedar Key School--the smallest Public School in Florida,[8][9] and riding out Cedar Key's hurricane Idelia to protect and serve islanders who remained while releasing live weather video reports to national and international media.[10][11][12][13] Bobbitt also serves as an official Cedar Key emissary dressed in character as The Clambassador.[14]
Career
editBobbitt's career began with a focus on storytelling, particularly through his work as a playwright. His plays have been noted for their exploration of human experiences and have received recognition within the theatrical community. His plays Sunset Village and Florida Man were selected locally, as well as twice being selected by the Broadway Bound Theatre Festival to be produced Off-Broadway in New York City.[15][16]
He relocated to Cedar Key, Florida, where he found inspiration in the town's coastal setting. He became involved in the local community and drew upon Cedar Key's unique atmosphere in his artistic endeavors.[17]
Bobbitt has written several plays, including Across the River, Trailer Park Elegy, Cedar Key, A Cedar Key Christmas,[18] Sunset Village, Return to Sunset Village and Florida Man; several of which continue to be produced in theatres throughout Florida.[3][19][17][20][21][22][23]
Activism and community service
editBobbitt organized two events called The Cedar Key Shark Swim to raise funds for local causes.[24] In June 2021, he was invited to conduct a TEDTalk, "Live Theater is the Last Best Hope to Save Humanity".[25]
The Clambassador short film
editIn 2023, Bobbitt (in character as The Clambassador) was the subject of a short indie film by Alex Davidowski (Mirador Studios CEO) called Rise of the Clambassador. The short went on to receive several national and international awards including top honors at the International Ocean Film Festival in San Francisco.[26] During his Q&A after the short's world premiere in San Francisco, Bobbitt told how he came to be called The Clambassador, and answered questions about the making of the short feature film, aquaculture, Cedar Key and the creative process.[27]
Novels
editBobbitt's novel, Godspeed Cedar Key was released on March 1, 2024.[28] The novel received attention for its portrayal of the town's history and resilience. Kirkus Reviews called the novel, "... a propulsive, character-driven post-apocalyptic ride, and a brutal tale of survival with a refreshingly kaleidoscopic perspective."[29] Bobbitt is working on a second novel in what he intends to be a trilogy of Cedar Key stories.
References
edit- ^ "AEG - Applied Economics Group | Real Estate Appraisal | About". aeg-appraisal. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ Smith, Cody. "Theater company opens with plans to stage original works". Gainesville Sun. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ a b Smith, Cody. "Theater company opens with plans to stage original works". Gainesville Sun.
- ^ "DG Career Profile". Dramatists Guild.
- ^ "Another Acrosstown Original: 'Trailer Park Elegy'". Gainesville Downtown. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ "A Goat, A Dark Secret And A Dead Woman's Ashes: A Preview Of 'Trailer Park Elegy'". WUFT. 2017-09-01. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ Ball, Siobhan (2019-07-31). "Playwright behind 'Florida Man' excuses his props in hilarious letter to the TSA". The Daily Dot. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ "2023 Encore Presentation: First Annual Cedar Key Shark Swim". WUFT. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ "Hundreds expected to swim among sharks at 2nd annual Cedar Key Shark Swim fundraiser this weekend". WCJB. 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ "Video Cedar Key resident talks about riding out Hurricane Idalia". ABC News. 2023-08-30. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ "Cedar Key resident talks about riding out Hurricane Idalia". Good Morning America. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ "Florida Resident Documents Hurricane Idalia's Devastating Impact on Cedar Key". Inside Edition. 2023-08-30. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ "'Downtown Cedar Key is underwater' - resident who stayed for Hurricane Idalia". BBC News. 2023-08-30. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ "Bobbitt's Cedar Key is still here". FreeGNV. 2023-12-05. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ Cunningham, Ron. "'Florida Man' is off-Broadway bound". Gainesville Sun. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ Cohen, Howard (June 12, 2019). "'Sunshine State has weirdness for everyone.' So he's taking 'Florida Man' Off-Broadway". The Miami Herald. p. 1. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b "Scene change for second act: Gainesville's Michael Presley Bobbitt settles in Cedar Key". Gainesville Sun.
- ^ Arnold, Mike (November 26, 2020). "Playwright pens play about new hometown" (PDF). pp. 1, 12. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ Rodriguez, Jessica. "'Trailer Park Elegy' to premiere Friday at the Acrosstown". Gainesville Sun.
- ^ Cunningham, Ron. "'Christmas in Cedar Key' first live theater since COVID-19". Gainesville Sun.
- ^ Paul, Gabriella. "'Sunset Village' follows New York premiere with regional opening Friday". Gainesville Sun.
- ^ "Return to Sunset Village in Jacksonville at Gainesville Community Playhouse 2022". BroadwayWorld.com.
- ^ Cunningham, Ron. "Polk-County native Michael Presley Bobbitt's 'Florida Man' is off-Broadway bound". The Ledger.
- ^ Amaya, Julianne (August 12, 2022). "Shark Swim event to raise money for Cedar Key School". WGFL.
- ^ Bobbitt, Michael Presley (2021-07-23), "Live Theater is the Last Best Hope to Save Humanity", TED, retrieved 2024-02-29
- ^ "Date & Winners Of The 20th Annual International Ocean Film Festival Have Been Announced". DeeperBlue.com.
- ^ "Q&A after the world premier of Rise of the Clambassador in San Francisco". 15 April 2023 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Michael Presley Bobbitt, "Godspeed, Cedar Key"". WUFT. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ "GODSPEED, CEDAR KEY". Kirkus Reviews.