"I wrote T.O.Y. as a love letter to teachers. Even though Tallahassee and the district make it harder each year, we never give up. Teachers keep on keeping on, trying their best to educate young minds and to make life bearable in an unbearable world. As one former student told me years ago, “Being in your class was the best time of my life.” I, as well as so many other public school teachers in this state, try to make it the best time in every student’s life. And that’s what we should be celebrating, and that’s what I want my play T.O.Y. to reflect." - Peter Nason (Playwright of T.O.Y.)
T.O.Y. Official Poster
T.O.Y. stands for "Teacher of The Year". At it's core, T.O.Y. highlights the prejudices and manipulation that teachers in Florida experience on a daily basis over what they can and cannot teach in their own classrooms. The story is written based on personal accounts that our playwright, Peter Nason, has experienced in his nearly 40 years of teaching. Our director, Chris Cavazza, is a former student of Nason’s and in the creation of this play, the two have shared a deeply personal connection over the way school systems are being run nowadays not just in Florida, but all over the country. The purpose of T.O.Y. is show that even the most beloved in the school systems are not spared to the injustice that takes place. We are here to ask the question: what are we going to do about this?
T.O.Y. had it's debut staged reading at The Reverie Room on April 4th and 5th, 2026. It went on to have a SOLD OUT run at The Tampa International Fringe Festival where it was awarded "The Best Show At The Commodore" and "The Best Box Office" awards.
Every sponsorship of $500 or more includes a T.O.Y.-funded backpack contribution to Operation Backpack®, a Volunteers of America-Greater New York program that provides backpacks and school supplies to New York City students experiencing homelessness. The contribution will be made in honor of the sponsoring business or organization. Anyone interested in learning more about our sponsorship program should email teacheroftheyearplay@gmail.com to view our entire sponsorship package.
