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Theatre Lab, the professional resident company of ̽����Ƶ’s Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, announced its 2026–27 season, beginning with its annual a Heckscher Theatre for Families production – the world premiere of “Baker Street Beginnings” commissioned for Theatre Lab and written by local playwright and educator Gina Montét. All performances take place at the Heckscher Stage in the Marleen Forkas Studio One Theatre in FAU’s Performing Arts Building, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton campus.

“These family productions are meant to entertain and engage the imaginations of audience members of all ages, and they’re some of my favorites of our past productions,” said Matt Stabile, producing artistic director at Theatre Lab. “’Baker Street Beginnings’ is a fantastic evening of mysteries and detective work that will thrill audience members from ages 8 to 108.�� It will also inspire thousands of students across South Florida to create and share original stories of their own.”

The production also serves as the centerpiece of The Future PAGES Project, which offers free in-school creative writing workshops and field trips for students in grades four to 12 across Palm Beach and Broward counties. Since its launch in 2015, the program has served more than 13,000 students at no cost.

“Our program starts with a visit to partner schools, where we provide a writing workshop to help students identify and utilize the parts of a story,” said Jill Carr, Theatre Lab’s director of education and community outreach. “This year’s theme is ‘Mystery Solved,’ and we’re excited to read the dynamic and surprising stories the show and program will inspire.”

This production will be the first in the company’s new performance space, having moved their “Heckscher Stage” from the 99-seat venue in Parliament Hall to the Marleen Forkas Studio One Theatre, which offers 50 percent more seating.

Free pre-show events will be held one hour before the performances. Activities include free “Detective Science” stations, slime making and coloring, offering a wide variety of educational fun for students of all ages.

A book drive benefiting The Literacy Coalition and Friends of Boca Library will take place in conjunction with all events. To support the drive, guests can bring a new or gently used book to donate for the cause.��

Performances are open to the public on Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m., from Sept. 5 - 20. Tickets are $25 for adults, and each adult ticket includes one free student ticket. Additional student tickets are $5 each. Tickets and season subscriptions are available at or by calling 561-297-6124.

Heckscher Theatre for Families Production

Baker Street Beginnings
By Gina Montét
World premiere and Heckscher Theatre for Families commission
Directed by Matt Stabile

Journey into the bustling streets of 1870s’ London to uncover the story behind one of the world’s greatest fictional detectives. Young Arthur Conan Doyle, an aspiring doctor with a curious mind, is taken under the wing of the brilliant Dr. Joseph Bell, a man with sharp observations and keen intellect. When a thrilling new mystery emerges, Arthur and his lively circle of friends must unravel a web of intrigue, danger and deception. An exciting adventure that blends suspense, history and heart, imagining how the seeds of a legend could have been planted in the mind of a young storyteller.

On the heels of last season’s hit, “Heebie Jeebies: Tales from the Midnight Campfire,” local playwright and educator Gina Montét returns to The Lab with another play commissioned specifically for its annual Heckscher Theatre for Families Production. With characters inspired by historical figures, this action-packed detective story is an entertaining and educational thrill-ride for audiences of all ages. ��

Dates: Sept. 5-20

Performances: Saturdays at 7 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m.
Field trip performances: Wednesdays through Fridays at 10:30 a.m. (for partner schools and organizations)

Free pre-show events:

• Saturdays at 7 p.m.: “Solve-It Saturdays” with detective themed science experiment activity stations
• Sundays at 3 p.m.: “Slimy Sundays” with slime and coloring on the patio

For more information about Theatre Lab, visit

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