Gulfshore Playhouse

Performance Center: 755 8th Avenue, South Naples, FL 34102 (239) 261-PLAY | www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org MISSION: Gulfshore Playhouse creates theatre of the highest caliber because we believe that diverse theatre experiences brought to life by professionals can transform lives.

Gulfshore Playhouse is creating transformative theatrical experiences through its professional mainstage season and educational programming for over 30,000 residents and visitors every year. Since its founding in 2004, Gulfshore Playhouse has established itself as a preeminent, nationallyrecognized regional theatre in Southwest Florida. In the coming years, Gulfshore Playhouse will enter its exciting next stage as it moves into the Baker Theatre and Education Center, a state-of-the-art facility currently in construction on the corner of 1st Avenue S and Goodlette-Frank Rd.

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. Our 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.

THE BAKER THEATRE AND EDUCATION CENTER

In 2022, Gulfshore Playhouse became a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) and has grown to an annual budget of $6. 9M, employing over 40 team members. Each year, Gulfshore Playhouse employs dozens of actors, stage managers, designers, and directors from the nation’s leading theatrical unions including Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), United Scenic Artists (USA), and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (SDC). Driven by a commitment to artistic excellence and supported by a passionate Board of Directors, staff, donors, and audience members, Gulfshore Playhouse continues to grow every year.

In 2016, local philanthropists Patty and Jay Baker pledged a generous $10 million gift to ignite the Next Stage Campaign. Since then, the Bakers have been joined by a legion of generous donors who have jointly raised nearly 90% of the total funds required for the $66M project. Construction on the 45,000 square foot Baker Theatre and Education Center is underway with a projected opening in early 2024.

ABOUT US:

Year established: 2004

Annual revenues (most recent

fiscal year): $5,200,000 Total number of employees: 40

GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA(S):

Naples, Florida

TOP FUNDING SOURCES:

Season Angels Jane and Steve Akin Patty and Jay Baker

Season Benefactors Jane and Dave Wilson

Season Ambassadors

Erika and Peter Aron, Christine and Terrance Flynn, Nancy and Tom Gallagher, James and Brigitte Marino, Sandi and Tom Moran, Susan Regenstein and Barry Frank, John and Carol Walter

Executive Producers

Lee and Penny Anderson, Bobbi and David Drobis, Robert and Victoria Fesmire, Valerie and Nizar Ghoussaini, Tim Habbershon and Allison Murray, Mitchell Hertz and Anne Carlucci, David and Jerri Hoffmann, Liz and Jim Jessee, George and Patricia Kraus, Pamela and Bob Krupka, Gerry and Jody Lippes, Dan and Kathy Mezzalingua, Kristin and John Miller, Thelma and Bud Negley, Hugh and Eliza Nevin, F.E. and Jack Nortman, Christine Paddock, Guy and Sherri Paparella, Gail Kern Paster, Anthony and Beverly Petullo, Pam and Fred Sasser, Glenda and Rich Struthers, Peter and Janet Swinburn, The Vincent Von Zwehl Memorial Fund

Premiere Corporate Partners

Dentons Cohen and Grigsby

Corporate Season Ambassadors

Moran Wealth Management

Corporate Executive Producers

Acadia Wealth Management

“When I first founded Gulfshore Playhouse, I dreamed of two things: 1) Winning the Tony Award® for Best Regional Theater and 2) Becoming a member of The League of Resident Theatres (LORT). Half of that dream has officially “ come true! By joining LORT, we are putting Naples on the map for professional theater. With the opening of our new theatre we will be joining the pantheon of theatrical giants who have shaped the landscape of American theatre for the last century, and it is a sign of all the good things to come. I am thrilled that Gulfshore Playhouse, and the new Baker Theatre and Education Center, is playing its part in helping Naples blossom into a vibrant arts destination. —Kristen Coury, CEO & Producing Artistic Director