SARASOTA, FL — October 5, 2026 — Lifeline Productions will open the world premiere of Baggage Claim on Friday, October 9, with performances continuing through October 18 in Sarasota.

Based on the story of Danielle Jacobs, Baggage Claim continues Lifeline Productions’ commitment to developing and presenting original theatrical work rooted in lived experience. Through deeply personal storytelling, the production explores the complexity, resilience, humor, and humanity that can emerge when people are willing to confront the experiences they carry.

Meg Gilbert directs the production, which is part of Lifeline Productions' 2026–2027 season.

“World premieres are at the heart of what we want Lifeline Productions to be,” said Will Luera, Producing Artistic Director of Lifeline Productions. “There is something incredibly powerful about taking someone's lived experience, honoring it through the artistic process, and creating a space where an audience can recognize pieces of themselves in someone else's story. Baggage Claim gives us another opportunity to do exactly that.”

Founded on the belief that storytelling can reduce stigma, build empathy, and create meaningful human connection, Lifeline Productions uses theater, film, workshops, and community engagement to bring conversations surrounding mental health and lived experience into the open.

“For me, the most exciting part of developing new work is that we aren't simply presenting a story—we're creating the first opportunity for that story to live in front of an audience,” Luera added. “Our hope is that people leave Baggage Claim entertained, moved, and perhaps seeing their own experiences—or the experiences of someone they love—a little differently.”

The premiere follows Lifeline Productions' continued expansion of original programming and new theatrical work in Sarasota. Baggage Claim joins a growing body of Lifeline productions created to use art as a catalyst for empathy, conversation, and greater understanding around mental health.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Baggage Claim — World Premiere
October 9–18, 2026
Sarasota, Florida

Tickets and additional information are available at:
https://lifelineproductions.ticketspice.com/baggage-claim-world-premiere

ABOUT LIFELINE PRODUCTIONS

Founded in 2023, Lifeline Productions transforms lived experiences into powerful theatrical performances and community-centered storytelling. Through theater, film, workshops, partnerships, and public engagement, Lifeline uses storytelling to spark connection, awareness, compassion, and change. Its work is grounded in the belief that stories can do more than entertain—they can reduce stigma around mental illness, foster empathy, open meaningful conversations, and help people feel seen, understood, and less alone.