Collier County Students Took Part In A Reimagined Presentation Of ROMEO AND JULIET

A fresh retelling of "Romeo and Juliet" recently came to life in a collaborative production presented by Gulfshore Playhouse and The Naples Philharmonic. More than 3,000 students from the Collier County Public School District attended the "Starcrossed" production written and directed by Gulfshore Playhouse Director of Education, Hester Kamin.

Presented as part of the Artis-Naples "So Much Drama" program, "Starcrossed" was originally created in collaboration with Artis-Naples and the Collier County School District to foster the development of creative learning that integrates core curriculum for 11th graders and introduces career readiness discussion. The program was introduced last spring and was performed again this fall at Hayes Hall. Plans are underway to establish the program as an annual field trip for students in Collier County.

The production featured professional actors Samuel Ashdown from Gulfshore Playhouse's "The Merchant of Venice," Claire Warden from the network television shows "Quantico" and "High Maintenance," Gulfshore Playhouse Associate Artistic Director and Broadway veteran, Jeffrey Binder, and Laura Sohn.

Radu Paponiu conducted the Naples Philharmonic on the Hayes Hall stage.

"We are committed to creating programs enhancing the lives of children, teens, and students of all ages," said Founder and Producing Artistic Director, Kristen Coury. "Through our diverse education programs, we offer students learning experiences that are invigorating, nurturing and readily accessible. 'Starcrossed' is just one of the many ways we are able to not only provide direct access to Broadway-quality theatre right here in Naples but also collaborate with the school district to provide thought-provoking performance-based learning concepts that fulfill literary curriculum."

Gulfshore Playhouse Education programs include in-school residencies, pre-professional theatre training, community partnerships, audience engagement, and student matinees for students in first through 12th grade. For more information, contact Director of Education Hester Kamin at 239-261-7529, ext. 207 or HKamin@gulfshoreplayhouse.org.

Gulfshore Playhouse is passionately committed to enriching the cultural landscape of our region by producing professional theatre to the highest artistic standards and providing unique educational opportunities to diverse groups of people in a spirit of service, adventure and excitement. The Playhouse's work is inspired by a belief in the magic of theatre to expand the imagination, challenge the senses, provoke discussion, and revitalize in our audience an understanding of our common humanity. This belief drives the care with which we treat our artists, audiences, students, staff, and members of the greater community.

This focus is also at the core of its newest endeavor - the creation of a cultural landmark facility to be located at Goodlette-Frank Road and First Avenue South on the northern end of The Shoppes at Naples Square. The Gulfshore Playhouse Theatre and Education Center will include two theaters and an education wing to support programming for children, adults and families.

For more information about Gulfshore Playhouse, visit www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org or call 239-261-PLAY (7529).