Gulfshore Playhouse Awarded a $17,000 Grant from Community Foundation of Collier County

Gulfshore Playhouse, Naples' premier professional theater, was recently awarded a $17,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Collier County to support education programs throughout the 2019-20 season.

The grant will directly support Gulfshore Playhouse Education's ThinkTheatre, a customized in-school residency program that brings professional teaching artists into the classroom to develop programs that pair core curriculum with theatre-based learning to enhance educational experiences for students in grades K-12.

The Community Foundation's Vital Signs report from 2017 revealed that only five percent of Collier County students ever experience theater. Additionally, 29 schools in Collier County are classified as Title I.

"The benefits of arts education are well researched and studies have shown students who participate in the arts, regardless of socioeconomic status, are more likely to stay in school, achieve high test scores, earn a bachelor's degree, and obtain gainful employment after graduation," said Gulfshore Playhouse Founder and Artistic Director Kristen Coury. "ThinkTheatre fills a critical need in our region by bringing theater arts education and experiences to students throughout Southwest Florida."

ThinkTheatre offers four residencies: Shakespeare, mythology, storytelling, and poetry. Additionally, Gulfshore Playhouse Education has expanded its educational focus to include a community partnership with the Holocaust Museum and Education Center of Southwest Florida. The organizations have joined to produce "In Flight: The Story of Sabine Van Dam," a 35-minute play designed to fit into a classroom period and includes pre-show workshops, a theater performance, and a discussion.

"Programs like "In Flight" foster much-needed discussion among our youth about the importance of understanding our common humanity, racism, shared beliefs, tolerance and what it means to interact with someone different from ourselves," added Coury. "We're so thankful to the Community Foundation of Collier County whose support makes it possible to subsidize the cost of these education programs to ensure they remain affordable to area schools."

Additional Gulfshore Playhouse Education programs include after school, summer and fall education programming focused on professional performing arts training in acting, musical theater and playwriting.

Recently announced summer programs for students ages six to 18 include "Star in a Show" and "Star in a Show, Jr.," where children can take part in full-day and half-day programs culminating in the musical production of "The Wizard of Oz." The camp takes place June 10 to 28, with performances on June 27 at 7 p.m. and June 28 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. One-week programs are available July 8 to 12 through the "Broadway Bootcamp" and "Broadway Bootcamp Jr." programs, where students will prepare a musical showcase featuring songs, scenes and dances from Broadway's biggest hits, leading up to a recital. The by-audition only Teen Conservatory for ages 13 to 18 runs July 8 to Aug. 10. The pre-professional program offers training in musical theater and concludes with performances of "Les Misérables," directed by original "Cats" cast member and Broadway veteran Becky Timms.

For audition or registration information, call 239-261-7529, ext. 207.

The Community Foundation of Collier County awards annual grants through a competitive application and review process. Selected organizations receive grant dollars from the Changing Needs Fund. This fund is made up of donors who believe in the Community Foundation's ability to identify and grant the community's most current needs.

About the Community Foundation of Collier County

The Community Foundation of Collier County is a tax-exempt, public, charitable organization, established in 1985 to increase and focus private philanthropy in the area. Today, the Community Foundation of Collier County manages more than 700 funds, serves 400 nonprofits, holds over $172 million in assets and has distributed more than $137 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and community programs since its inception in 1985. The Community Foundation of Collier County is one of Florida's fastest growing community foundations. For good. Forever. Learn more at cfcollier.org or call 239-649-5000.

About Gulfshore Playhouse

Gulfshore Playhouse is passionately committed to enriching the cultural landscape of our region by producing professional theater 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 its audiences an understanding of our common humanity. This belief drives the care with which Gulfshore Playhouse treats its 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 in downtown Naples. Plans are currently underway for the new Gulfshore Playhouse Theatre and Education Center at Goodlette-Frank Road and First Avenue South, which 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).