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ITP Annie Jr. Closes Out A Successful Run With A Sold Out Weekend!

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On January 24th through 26th, Area Stage’s Inclusion Theatre Project (ITP) took center stage with an unforgettable production of Annie Jr., performed to sold-out audiences each night! The production was a testament to the incredible talent, dedication, and passion of our ITP performers, who brought the beloved story to life with heart and energy.

A Classic Tale of Hope and Determination

Set in 1930s New York City, Annie Jr. follows the journey of a spirited young orphan determined to find the family she’s always longed for. With the help of billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his warm-hearted secretary Grace, and a lovable rescue dog named Sandy, Annie discovers that hope and love can be found in the most unexpected places. Featuring classic songs like “Tomorrow” and “It’s a Hard-Knock Life,” the show captures the resilience and optimism that makes it a fan favorite.

A Celebration of Inclusivity and Talent

At Area Stage, we believe that theatre should be a place for everyone. Through ITP, we provide individualized, adaptive performing arts training for actors with disabilities, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to develop their skills, gain confidence, and shine on stage. This production of Annie Jr. was no exception, proving once again that theatre is for all—and that the magic of storytelling is even more powerful when shared by such a dedicated and diverse cast.

Thank You for Your Support!

To our performers, creative team, volunteers, and of course, our enthusiastic audiences—thank you for making ITP Annie Jr. such a special production. Your cheers, applause, and unwavering support mean the world to our students and to the entire Area Stage community.

As Annie Jr. takes its final bow, we look ahead to even more inspiring productions to come. Stay tuned for what’s next with ITP- Seussical Jr. opening in June!

Area Stage Shines Bright at the 2024 BroadwayWorld Regional Miami Metro Awards!

We are thrilled to share some incredible news: Area Stage has once again taken center stage, earning multiple accolades at the 2024 BroadwayWorld Regional Miami Metro Awards! These prestigious honors celebrate the exceptional talent and creativity of our team, and we couldn’t be prouder of everyone who made this achievement possible.

Our Award-Winning Productions
This year, two of our recent productions were recognized for their outstanding artistic contributions, cementing Area Stage's reputation as a leading force in Miami's theatre scene.

For our magical production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, we took home:

  • Best Musical

  • Best Ensemble

  • Best Music Direction & Orchestra Performance, Michael Day

  • Best Lighting Design of a Play or Musical, Joe Naftal

  • Best Scenic Design for a Play or Musical, Frank J. Oliva

  • Best Sound Design of a Play or Musical, Abraham Oleksnianski

In addition, Las Marcas Del Mar (Sea Marks) by Gardner McKay was honored with:

  • Best Direction of a Play, awarded to our very own Maria Banda-Rodaz

  • Best Performer in a Play, Constanza Espejo

A Legacy of Excellence
These awards are a testament to Area Stage's unwavering commitment to delivering innovative, inclusive, and world-class theatre. For over 35 years, we’ve worked tirelessly to create productions that resonate with audiences, from large-scale musicals to intimate plays that spark thought and conversation.

Our success would not be possible without the steadfast support of our community. You—our patrons, donors, and partners—are the heart of everything we do. It’s because of your belief in our mission that we’re able to produce award-winning productions and achieve milestones like this.

What’s Next?
The curtain may have closed on 2024, but we’re already hard at work on an exciting lineup for 2025! From immersive productions to community events, Area Stage is gearing up to continue pushing the boundaries of theatre while providing a platform for local talent to shine. Thank you for celebrating this moment with us and for being part of the Area Stage journey. Together, we’ll continue to bring exceptional theatre to life for many years to come.

Connect with Us
Follow us on our social media for the latest news and stay tuned for updates on our upcoming Mainstage production, Lady Miasma, a workshop horror fantasy musical written and directed by Artistic Director, Giancarlo Rodaz.

2024: Year in Review

As 2025 kicks off, we’re taking a moment to look back on a year filled with unforgettable memories and incredible talent. Whether you joined us as an audience member, a student, or one of our passionate supporters, you were part of the story this year. Let’s relive the magic, shall we?

MAINSTAGE

We kicked the year off right with OLIVER!, bringing Dickens’ timeless story to life in a bold and immersive experience that transformed the Adrienne Arsht Center into a Victorian London orphanage. Audiences became part of the story in a way only Area Stage can deliver.

Our summer production made a splash with Disney’s The Little Mermaid! A stunning partnership with Loxen Productions, this incredible production became a landmark moment for Area Stage, garnering significant recognition across the country. From packed houses to glowing reviews, we’re reminded of the power of storytelling to enchant audiences of all ages. This sensational production featured Delaney Benson as "Ariel", daughter of Jodie Benson, the original voice actress of Ariel, and Henry Thrasher returning to reprise the role of "Prince Eric" for this reimagined 90-minute musical spectacular.

In the fall, we were thrilled to debut Las Marcas Del Mar, a Spanish translation of Gardner McKay’s Sea Marks, beautifully crafted by our very own Executive Director, Maria Banda-Rodaz. This heartfelt production, starring award-winning actors Mariano Chiesa and Constanza Espejo, was part of our ongoing “eñe Project,” celebrating Latin voices and culture.

The year continued with whimsical brilliance as we tumbled down the rabbit hole with Alice and the Mad Tea Party, a truly immersive and interactive delight. This original workshop production, described by director Giancarlo Rodaz as "part party game, part escape room, part play," amazed audiences by pushing the boundaries of immersive theater to new heights. By making the audience an integral character in the story, the production earned rave reviews from notable sources, including the Miami New Times.

We closed the year with a tale as old as time. Back by popular demand for its third and final encore run, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast reminded us all why this classic holds such a special place in our hearts. Area Stage’s recent production reimagined the classic tale with immersive staging that brought audiences into the heart of the story. Featuring a talented cast, stunning costumes, and enchanting scenic design, the show captivated audiences. This production exemplified Area Stage’s commitment to redefining theater in Miami through bold storytelling and community engagement.

CONSERVATORY

2024 was an important year for Area Stage Conservatory, the heart and soul of our educational mission. Throughout the year, we offered classes in acting, musical theatre, voice, dance, and many other disciplines that gave students the opportunity to hone their craft under the guidance of passionate, professional instructors.

 
 

Our productions showcased the incredible talent of our Conservatory students. While Anastasia transported audiences to the grandeur of imperial Russia, Finding Nemo Jr. brought the undersea world to vibrant life, and Heathers: Teen Edition explored the complexities of high school. In the fall, Hadestown: Teen Edition captivated audiences with its epic, soulful retelling of ancient myths, and Annie Jr. charmed with its classic tale of optimism and resilience.

ITP’s Anastasia: Youth Edition was a particularly meaningful production. Starring our Inclusion Theatre Project actors, this talented neurodiverse cast delivered performances filled with heart and determination, embodying the spirit of our mission to make the arts accessible for everyone.

Rounding out the year, our Spring and Winter Showcases were perfect opportunities for our students to highlight what they had been learning throughout 2025. With a variety of performances, students celebrated their progress and shared their skills with friends and family.

Our community’s incredible support for Area Stage Conservatory programming took center stage last November during our Give Miami Day campaign in support of the Inclusion Theatre Project. Thanks to 214 generous donors, we surpassed our fundraising goal, raising an impressive $187,921. These funds will directly support more scholarships, program expansions, and new opportunities for creative expression and growth. Our mission is to sustain this vital program, continuing to provide a stage for actors of all abilities while inviting even more participants to join. The Inclusion Theatre Project is far more than a performing arts program for neurodivergent individuals—it’s a life-changing experience that celebrates talents and abilities too often overlooked. Thanks to this year’s donors, we’ve taken ACTion for all abilities, together!

The Inclusion Theatre Project took center stage this year as the recipient of the 2024 Arts and Accessibility Award, presented by Miami-Dade County's Arts and Business Council. This prestigious honor recognizes individuals or organizations creating programs and events for all abilities, while pioneering innovative outreach and engagement for differently-abled arts enthusiasts and artists.

 
 

Area Stage is proud to have received several prestigious awards and recognitions this year, including being named the Silver Winner of the Miami Herald's Miami-Dade Favorites in the Best Live Theatre category. The company was also honored with the Bill von Maurer Award for Theatrical Excellence by the Carbonell Awards Board of Directors. This award celebrates a theater company that exemplifies excellence across its programming, including productions, educational outreach, developmental initiatives, and the diverse audiences it serves. Additionally, our mainstage production of OLIVER! garnered critical acclaim, earning Carbonell nominations for Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Giancarlo Rodaz) and Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Female Role in a Musical (Katie Duerr). Our Artistic Director, Giancarlo Rodaz, was further recognized at the 2024 Silver Palm Awards for Outstanding Direction for his exceptional work on OLIVER!. We closed out the year with several awards as part of the 2024 Miami Metro BroadwayWorld Awards, including wins in categories such as Best Musical, Best Direction of a Play, and many more!

None of this would have been possible without you- our audiences, donors, staff, students, and families who pour their hearts into making Area Stage a home for creativity and community.

Thank you for having been part of our journey in 2024, and we look forward to the many stories we’ll tell together in 2025.

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Area Stage’s Inclusion Theatre Project to Receive $20,000 Award from the National Endowment for the Arts

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South Miami, FL— Area Stage is pleased to announce it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Grants for Arts Projects award of $20,000.

This grant will support Area Stage’s Inclusion Theatre Project, a one-of-a-kind performing arts program for children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The NEA will award 1,127 Grants for Arts Projects awards nationwide totaling more than $31.8 million as part of the recent announcement of fiscal year 2025 grants.

“The NEA is proud to continue our nearly 60 years of supporting the efforts of organizations and artists that help to shape our country’s vibrant arts sector and communities of all types across our nation,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “It is inspiring to see the wide range of creative projects taking place, including what the Inclusion Theatre Project has in store for its upcoming season.”

Founded in 2014 by Maria Banda-Rodaz, Area Stage’s Inclusion Theatre Project (ITP) is a one-of-a-kind program for aspiring theatre professionals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Led by Irma Becker, ITP serves ~175 participants a year, offering performing arts classes taught by specialized instructors onsite and at local partner schools, presenting a total of two musical productions and twelve outreach performances that reach about 10,000 people per year. As part of the program, Area Stage is also very proud to host the United States' first Royal Academy of Dance ballet curriculum for neurodiverse dancers. ITP provides a platform for neurodiverse artists to develop their talents and share them with the community. These inspiring performances prove just how much individuals with disabilities are capable of, embodying the vision of a more inclusive society where such individuals are seamlessly integrated into the fabric of everyday life.

“We are deeply honored to receive this outstanding grant, which empowers us to continue making a meaningful difference through the work we do every day at Area Stage,” says Maria Banda-Rodaz, Executive Director of Area Stage. “Our heartfelt thanks to the NEA for recognizing and supporting our mission to enrich and uplift our community.” 

For more information on other projects included in the NEA’s grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.

PRESS CONTACT: Jennifer Gomez, jennifer@areastage.org 

Area Stage Wins 2024 Miami-Dade Favorites Silver Award for Best Live Theatre

Area Stage , a beloved cornerstone of South Florida's theater scene, has achieved another milestone by winning the 2024 Miami-Dade Favorites Silver Award for Best Live Theatre. This prestigious honor recognizes the company’s unwavering commitment to artistic innovation and its significant contributions to the cultural vibrancy of the Miami-Dade arts community.

Founded in 1989 by John and Maria Rodaz, Area Stage has consistently pushed boundaries in regional theater with bold, immersive, and critically acclaimed productions. The company’s dedication to excellence has earned it a reputation as one of Miami’s premier cultural institutions.

What Makes Area Stage a Favorite?
Area Stage’s success is attributed to its ability to captivate audiences with unique and transformative theatrical experiences. Productions like its immersive rendition of Disney's Beauty and the Beast—a multiple Carbonell Award-winning show—demonstrate the company’s innovative approach to storytelling. Audiences were invited to step inside the world of Belle and the Beast through a fully immersive staging that blurred the line between performers and attendees.

This creative vision led by Artistic Director Giancarlo Rodaz, combined with world-class talent, has helped Area Stage stand out among Miami’s vibrant arts scene, securing its place as a community favorite year after year.

The Miami-Dade Favorites Awards
The Miami-Dade Favorites Awards celebrate businesses and organizations that significantly enhance the local community. The "Best Live Theatre" category acknowledges venues that provide exceptional performances and unforgettable experiences to audiences. Area Stage’s recognition as the Silver Award winner is a testament to its ability to enrich lives through the power of live theater.

A Commitment to Inclusion and Education
Beyond its professional productions, Area Stage is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of performers and fostering inclusivity. Its Conservatory Program offers training in acting, singing, and dancing for students of all ages and abilities. Additionally, the Inclusion Theatre Project provides individuals with developmental disabilities the chance to perform and thrive in a creative, supportive environment. These programs embody Area Stage’s mission to make theater accessible and meaningful to everyone in the community.

Area Stage’s 2024 Miami-Dade Favorites Silver Award win is a shared triumph with its supporters, audiences, and community members. Thank you for making this achievement possible and for helping keep the magic of theater alive!

To learn more about Area Stage, explore upcoming events, or get involved, visit www.areastage.org.