Thank you to our Supporters
Season Angels
Jane & Steve Akin
Patty & Jay Baker
Glenda & Rich Struthers
Season Benefactors
Karen & Gary Gregg
Sandi & Tom Moran
Susan Regenstein & Barry Frank
Ralph & Shelly Stayer
Season Ambassadors
Mary F. Drazan
Christine & Terrance Flynn
Nancy & Tom Gallagher
Marguerite Hambleton
Jenny & Rich Housh
George & Patricia Kraus
Pamela & Bob Krupka
James & Brigitte Marino
John & Carol Walter
Jane & Dave Wilson
E xecutive Producers
Anonymous
Mary & Phil Beuth
Lee & Peter Bewley
Richard & Jane Borchers
Patricia & Jim Bosscher
Cheryl & Randall W. Byrnes
Grampy’s Charities - Jim & Jonatha Castle
Bob & Laurie Champion
Robert & Joan Clifford
John & Patricia Cochran
Norman & Suzanne Cohn
Margaret Cox
Jim & Shirley Curvey
Kyla & Rich de Asla
Bobbi & David Drobis
Kathleen & Brendan FitzGerald
The Gialamas Family
Matthew Hagan
The Habbershon Family
Ken & Karen Heithoff
Vicki Herche & Graeme Murray
Mitchell Hertz & Anne Carlucci
Jean & Leo Hertzog
Steven & Sarah Jackson
Sabrina & Craig Jensen
Liz & Jim Jessee
Sarah Johnson Catelyn Juliano & David Deutsch
Diane Landgren
Dolly & Jenny Lenz
Laird A. Lile
Jody & Gerald Lippes
Barbara K. Lupient
Simone & Scott Lutgert
Debra & Vince Maffeo
Phil McCabe
Carolyn & Don McCulloch
Gerry McGraw
Bettina McKee
Pat & Tony McMunn
Dan & Ann Meyer
Joanne & Jeffrey Miller
Kristin & John Miller
Geraldine Moss
Kimberly Moss & Bob Fisher
F.E. & Jack Nortman
Louise & Larry Ost
Joan & Mahendra Parekh
Gail Kern Paster
Anthony & Beverly Petullo
Ann Ratner
Dottie & John Remondi
DeAnna & Rick Rondinelli
Kathy & Ned Sachs
Pam & Fred Sasser
Cynthia & Mike Scholl
Alice & Charles Simons
Patricia Sweet & Bill Marsh
Janet & Peter Swinburn
Roberta & Rodger Taylor
Julie & Steve Vanderboom
The Vincent Von Zwehl Memorial Fund
Julie & Phil Wade
Kathy & Paul Weaver
Tereska & Jerry Whitson
Michael Wilens & Carolyn Longacre
Julie Wyman
Kristen & Michael Wynn
Joanne Wyss
Debbie & Bruce Yarde
Dear Friends,
It is with enormous joy in my heart, and more than just one tear in my eye, that I bid you WELCOME to the new Gulfshore Playhouse at the Baker Theatre and Education Center! This dream come true has been a long time coming. When I moved to this city twenty years ago and saw there was not a professional self-producing theatre, I decided to start one. Even as the idea was forming there were already questions: where to start, what to produce, and how could we possibly build a state-ofthe-art cultural center as our permanent home? The application for the 501(c)3 required I state my short and long-term goals. Short term: put on a play. Long term: THIS. I still possess the twenty-year-old ink-jet printed, water-stained piece of paper. Ask me and I’ll show you. What I envisioned back then and the reality of the building we’re in now are strikingly similar, only off by a few seats here and there. I had no idea how it would happen, when it would happen, or where it would happen…although I kept stepping out on the balcony of my apartment across the street in Bayfront and visualizing a theatre coming out of the land right – exactly where we are now. Here’s what I did know. I knew that if I kept the dream alive in my heart, and put one foot in front of the other day after day, the dream would one day be realized.
That’s where you came in.
We produced our first play. You came. We produced another play. You came and you brought more people with you. We asked for help, and you contributed. We told you about the big vision, and you supported this theatre in grand fashion. Together, we made this dream come true.
The goal has always been to build something beautiful, grand, artful, and fierce. To create an icon that would serve the city with engagement and rental spaces, peaceful gardens, and beautiful architecture, as much as it would serve up ART. Every choice we made was in service of the theatre and education we are here to produce. Every day my team and I are working tirelessly to serve you and all those in our region with world-class theatre at the highest level and incredible unique educational opportunities - a place to gather, meet friends, have drinks and great conversation…a place for you to call YOUR home for professional theatre.
Here we are! The stage is set and it’s time to shine. I sincerely hope you enjoy the show.
With gratitude,
Kristen Coury Founder, CEO & Producing Artistic Director
Thank you to our Supporters
C orporate Season Ambassadors
Corporate Executive Producers
Grants and Endowments
Dear Friends,
As the Chairman of the Board, I am honored to welcome you to the 20242025 season on behalf of the entire Board of Directors. Whether you are a long-time supporter or a first-time patron, I am thrilled you are joining us for this most auspicious season, our first in the Baker Theatre and Education Center.
Thank you for being an essential part of our community. We look forward to sharing more magic with you in the seasons to come!
From attending performances to spreading the word about our productions, your enthusiasm and passion inspire us every day. It is your belief in the power of professional theater that drives us to push boundaries and strive for excellence.
Gulfshore Playhouse has accomplished an incredible feat both locally and nationally with the construction of this building. It is a stunning reflection of the dedication and support of this community. I look forward to seeing how its presence shapes our entire region in the years to come.
Producing theatre of this magnitude is no simple task; it has required significant growth of the budget, staff, and resources of the organization. Everyone at Gulfshore Playhouse works tirelessly to create exceptional theatrical experiences. All of it is made possible through the excellence of the organizational leadership, the knowledgeable, generous, and engaged Board of Directors, the incredibly talented and ever-growing staff, the generous donors, and the curious and dedicated audience who make it all happen.
You may also notice that this building’s name is the Baker Theatre and Education Center because it is home to not only staged productions but also an expansive and growing education department. Gulfshore Playhouse Education serves thousands of people both in our community and nationally each year, through a variety of theatre-based programs. If you are curious about opportunities for yourself or the children in your life, I would encourage you to see what is being offered this season.
This is a difficult time for the arts in our nation, so it is especially incredible to see Gulfshore Playhouse thriving, and that is thanks to your continued support. The arts are a vital part of a flourishing community both culturally and economically. The impact of the Baker Theatre and Education Center will be felt across Southwest Florida and our nation as the organization continues to grow.
I hope you find this season inspiring, entertaining, and healing. Thank you for your continued support of Gulfshore Playhouse.
Enjoy the show!
Sincerely,
Steve Akin Chairman of the Board
Sarah Corey as Salma and Margot White as Poppy in the Gulfshore Playhouse World Premiere production of The Refugees. Photo by Matthew Schipper.
The Annual Fund for Artistic Excellence
As a not-for-profit organization for the greater good, Gulfshore Playhouse relies on the support of generous donors.
With your support and passion, we hire exceptional talent to perform on our stage, foster new voices, and enhance the lives of the 80,000 patrons we welcome each year. Over 16,000 children engage in the art of theatre each year through our robust and ever-growing education department.
You play a vital role. By supporting Gulfshore Playhouse, you are transforming a region and transforming lives.
Have questions or wish to make a gift?
Contact Chief Advancement Officer, Lisa Halsey at lhalsey@gulfshoreplayhouse.org or call at 239.261.7529 ext. 203.
A letter from the COO & Managing Director
Dear Gulfshore Playhouse patrons,
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to this evening’s performance of Every Brilliant Thing, our very first production in the Struthers Studio. After years of planning, designing, and building, it is incredibly exciting to finally share this space with all of you. This milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter for our organization, and we are thrilled to have you here to help us celebrate.
This is my seventh season as the COO and Managing Director, and I am filled with pride and gratitude to see how far we have come. Being part of the design and construction process for this state-of-theart venue has been a deeply rewarding journey, and I could not be happier of the final result. This new theatre is not just a home for the arts, but a home for our community, a place where creativity and collaboration can thrive.
Thank you to our supporters, patrons, and generous donors whose contributions and belief in our vision have made this dream a reality. And to our incredible staff of managers, technicians, educators, administrators, and artists, your dedication and hard work have been instrumental in bringing this night to life.
We have an exciting season ahead, filled with unforgettable performances, educational programs, and community events. We can’t wait to share it all with you.
Thank you for being part of this historic moment with us.
Welcome to Gulfshore Playhouse. I hope you enjoy tonight’s show!
With gratitude,
Joel Markus COO & Managing Director
The cast of Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot Photo by Matthew Schipper.
SEASON
368 SEATS | BROADWAY-SIZED STAGE
January 16 - February 2, 2025
Previews: January 12, 14, & 15
Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher
From the original by Frederick Knott
Directed by Jackson Gay
A fresh take on the edge-of-your-seat mystery.
125 SEATS | INTIMATE AND FLEXIBLE THEATRE
January 30 - March 2, 2025
Previews: January 26, 28 & 29
By Stefano Massini
Adapted by Ben Power
Directed by Jeffrey Binder
A Tony Award®-winning epic play about a moment that changed the world.
February 27 - March 16, 2025
Previews: February 23, 25, & 26
By Michael Frayn
Directed by Peter Amster
An evening of rib-aching laughter and feel-good entertainment from start to finish.
April 10 - May 4, 2025
Previews: April 6, 8 & 9
Book by Neil Simon
Music by Cy Coleman
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Directed and Choreographed by Dann Dunn
A sparkling Tony®Ⓡ- winning musical comedy about finding love in the Big Apple.
March 20 - April 19, 2025
Previews: March 16, 18 & 19
By Lanie Robertson
Directed by Marshall Jones III
An unforgettable play about Billie Holiday’s ability to mine humor from hardship
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Ages 6 - 9)
Performances: Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 7:00PM
Friday, November 22, 2024 at 7:00PM
Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 10:00AM & 2:00PM
Filled with unforgettable songs, tap dance sequences, and slap-stick comedy — Anything Goes: Youth Edition features the songs “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” “You’re The Top,”“It’s De-Lovely,” “Anything Goes,” and more!
Anything Goes: Youth Edition (Ages 10 - 18)
Performances: Friday, December 13, 2024 at 7:00PM
Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 2:00PM & 7:00PM
Sunday, December 15, 2024 at 3:00PM
A vibrant, timeless musical adventure for all ages!
Donor Spotlights
We thank you for your continued passion, generosity and support.
Glenda & Rich Struthers Season Angels
Glenda and Rich Struthers embody the spirit of philanthropy through their dedication to the arts and Gulfshore Playhouse.
The Struthers have generously helped bring this building to life by naming not just one, but two significant spaces. Each one honors their commitment to seeing our dreams come to fruition and to our organizational growth in which the Struthers have played an instrumental role.
The Struthers Studio, where you sit now, is an intimate and imaginative space perfectly suited for the thought-provoking fare that earned Gulfshore Playhouse its reputation. Inside the Struthers Studio, there exists a world of possibilities. This season alone, it will be converted into three different seating configurations to give each play a unique character.
The Struthers Hall is both our mainstage rehearsal space and a vibrant community space. Throughout the year, it will serve as a hub for artistic creation and for all kinds of events that bring people together. Engagement, as well as art, is one of the aims of our organization.
His leadership has helped drive the success of the Capital Campaign and our future. He is known around the office as “Mr. Minnesota” due to his ability to connect with other Naples residents who hail from the Land of 10,000 Lakes, as he does.
Thanks to their remarkable support, leadership, and passion, Glenda and Rich Struthers have created a lasting legacy at Gulfshore Playhouse. Their contributions will inspire and benefit our organization and the wider arts community for years to come.
Benefits of joining:
Their commitment to Gulfshore Playhouse extends beyond their love of theatre. It is also deeply personal and familial, a shared legacy and a passion for the arts that extends to their three daughters and twelve grandchildren, as commemorated on one of the golden pillars in our lobby.
The Struthers have been avid supporters since 2010. They have attended each Art Everywhere trip and were some of the earliest donors to the Standing Ovation Society. Additionally, the Struthers have also served as true leaders at Gulfshore Playhouse. They chaired the 2024 Gala, which broke records raising $2,805,000 and set new standards for community engagement. Rich continues to play a pivotal role as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors and the Chair of the Advancement Committee.
• Experience a World of Insight: Enjoy priority invitations to exclusive first readings, opening night events, and dinners.
• Delve into the Inner Workings: Embark on behind-the-scenes tours of the Gulfshore Playhouse venues and creative workspaces
• Journey with Visionaries: Invitation to set out on an Art Everywhere excursion alongside Gulfshore Playhouse Founder, CEO and Producing Artistic Director, Kristen Coury.
• Virtual cocktail party with the Artistic Team over the summer to discuss the 2024-2025 season selections.
Donor Spotlights
We thank you for your continued passion, generosity and support.
Jane & Dave Wilson Season Benefactors
Dave and Jane Wilson (affectionately known as Sir Dave and Lady Jane) have been cherished members of our family since 2011. They contribute their passion, expertise, and good nature to every aspect of their involvement.
They are deeply ardent and committed supporters. Sir Dave serves on the Board of Directors, leads the Finance Committee, and co-chairs the Planned Giving Council to help ensure our long-term sustainability.
Additionally, the Wilsons are members of the Standing Ovation Society, reflecting their dedication to nurturing the arts for future generations.
Sir Dave’s love of gardening, a passion passed down from his mother, is honored by their decision to name the main garden space outside the Baker Theatre and Education Center. Known for his warm spirit, Sir Dave is a beloved figure at Gulfshore Playhouse, regularly bringing sweet treats to in-person meetings and brightening the day of everyone in the office. The Wilson’s kindness, generosity, and devotion will leave an enduring legacy, and we are eternally grateful.
ART Everywhere: London May 11 - 17, 2025
us as we venture out to the second-largest theatre city in the world, led by our Founder and Producing Artistic Director, Kristen Coury, and Associate Artistic Director, Dann Dunn.
Included: Five West End and regional London productions, exclusive behind-the-scenes tours and experiences, industry chats led by Kristen Coury and Dann Dunn, group dining in the heart of London, a world-class six night hotel stay in the Mayfair Neighborhood, and memories to last a lifetime with fellow Gulfshore Playhouse theatre lovers.
Cost: $15,500 per couple or $12,500 per individual Please note: Airfare not included. A nonrefundable deposit of half is required upon booking to confirm the reservation. The balance is due March 1st, 2025.
To reserve, please email Brandon Horwin at bhorwin@gulfshoreplayhouse.org or call 239.261.7529 ext. 214.
Cast of Characters Runtime
1 hour and 10 minutes
Gulfshore Playhouse operates under agreements between the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), a consortium of regional theatres throughout the nation; Actors Equity Association (AEA), the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States; the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), an independent national labor union; and United Scenic Artists (USA), a union of scenic, costume, lighting and sound designers.
The National Alliance for Musical Theatre, founded in 1985, is a not-for-profit organization serving the musical theatre community. The 165 organizational members and 75 individual members, located throughout 33 states and abroad, are some of the leading producers of musical theatre in the world, and include theatres, presenting organizations, higher education programs and individual producers.
Gulfshore Playhouse is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American Theatre.
D
irector’s Note
What a joy and honor to join Kristen Coury, Joel Markus, and the whole Gulfshore Playhouse team to open the new Struthers Studio with Every Brilliant Thing starring the wonderful Jeffrey Binder!
The playwright Duncan Macmillan said he wrote Every Brilliant Thing because, “I didn’t see anyone discussing suicidal depression in a useful or interesting or accurate way.” He calls the play an “intervention.” At the same time, he wanted to avoid sentimentality and use comedy to tell the story, and to “not be too bleak.” After losing a loved one to suicide the common feelings reported are of isolation. A repeated refrain is that people around might not understand; that there is still a tremendous stigma around suicide. But then, as time goes on, people describe developing a sense of empathy; that helping others allowed them to start the healing process; they embraced the philosophy to “live today, count the blessings, love today.”
Jonny Donahoe, the co-creator and original performer attributes the success of the play to its form. He said, “We ask a group of people [the audience] to involve themselves in a show about how to deal with the hardest things we ever deal with – depression and loss and grief – and these are all things you can’t do alone.” At the play’s core is a the very simple idea that when we are surrounded by adversity, we have to look for, and savor, any and all moments of goodness no matter how fleeting they are.
With this production, we have created an environment where, you, the audience, can become an integral part of the storytelling from the moment you step into the theatre.
Thank you for being here with us to experience Every Brilliant Thing.
Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) was founded in 1913 as the first of the American Actor unions. Equity’s mission is to advance, promote and foster the art of theatre as an essential component of our society. Today, Equity represents more than 40,000 actors, singers, dancers and stage managers working in hundreds of theatres across the United States. Equity members are dedicated to working in the theatre as a profession, upholding the highest artistic standards. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions and provides a wide range of benefits including health and pension plans for its members. Through its agreement with Equity, this theatre has committed to the fair treatment of the actors and stage managers employed in this production. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. For more information, visit www.actorsequity.org.
Gulfshore Playhouse is an Associate Member of the National New Play Network.
- Risa Brainin Director
About the Authors
About the Cast
Duncan Macmillan (Author) is an English playwright and director. He is known for multiple plays he has written, co-written, or adapted, including Lungs; People, Places, and Things; Every Brilliant Thing ; and 1984 His major plays usually deal with contemporary socio-political issues, ranging from addiction and recovery to depression and suicide. He grew up watching a lot of classic plays, but he didn’t decide to start writing his own plays until he read Far Away by Caryl Churchill. Macmillan counts many playwrights as having influenced him, including Churchill, Wallace Shawn, Robert Holman, Martin Crimp, Arthur Miller, Samuel Beckett, Bertolt Brecht, Anton Chekhov, William Shakespeare, Katie Mitchell, and Pina Bausch. Macmillan’s success began with the Bruntwood Playwriting Competition at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre. He won two awards for a play called Monster. In addition, the play was nominated for a TMA Best New Play Award and a Manchester Evening New Best New Play Award. Now his plays have been performed around the world, from England and the United States to South Africa and South Korea. Other notable awards and nominations for Macmillan include a nomination for Best New Play at the Olivier Awards for People, Places and Things and a UK Theatre Best Director award for 1984. At the age of thirty three, Macmillan co-wrote an adaptation with Robert Icke of George Orwell’s 1984. It first played in England and has since moved to the U.S. This was not his only collaboration, though. He has frequently collaborated with British director Katie Mitchell. These collaborations have included the play 2071 at the Royal Court Theatre, plays at Theatertreffen and Festival D’Avignon, and the film Unseen. He also notably collaborated to co-write Every Brilliant Thing with Johnny Donahoe. While he has been called the playwright of his generation, Macmillan says that he is “forever going to be a student of the craft of play construction and how and where you place the cinematic moment of a story.” He may have written many critically acclaimed plays, but what makes him truly great is the fact that he continues to learn and find ways to make his craft even better. Even though he is a brilliant writer, Macmillan’s first love is music. He was previously a DJ and is an avid music collector. In speaking about his love of music and his love of writing, he says that you should do what you love most as a hobby and what you love second as your job.
Jonny Donahoe (Author) was born in 1983 in Dublin, Ireland. While he is well known for many of his creative projects, he is best known for being the frontman for the comedy band Jonny and the Baptists. Further showing his comedy chops, Donahoe frequently performs as a stand-up comedian. His writing career expands further than just his collaboration with Macmillan for Every Brilliant Thing. In addition, he wrote 30 Christmases, which premiered at The Old Fire Station in Oxford and then moved to the New Diorama Theatre in London, and he had a series called Josie and Johnny Are Having a Baby (With You). Donahoe is known for blurring the line between art and real life. 30 Christmases showcases Donahoe’s musical skills as it’s a play with songs about alternative Christmases. Like Every Brilliant Thing, this show does not shy away from traumatic experiences. When he writes, he draws from personal experiences. When speaking about his collaboration of Every Brilliant Thing with Macmillan and approaching the theme of mental health, Donahoe said, “I do struggle insofar as I’m not a trained professional when it comes to mental health issues. Duncan and I undertook an enormous amount of research for the play and it draws on a number of true stories from both of our lives.” Donahoe has performed the one-man show over 300 times. He approaches his performances by always trying to elicit laughter. In regard to the issue of depression that he is presenting, he has said “The only way to deal with it is to be open and up front and talk about it and share and not just share but hopefully share humor.” Donahoe’s comedic approach to heavy topics is a unique way in which he takes what he is good at and utilizes it to reach an audience while talking about something that may be uncomfortable for many. In 2014/2015, he was nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance and the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Solo show for Every Brilliant Thing. This show had a very successful run Off-Broadway in New York City.
Jeffrey Binder (Storyteller) is an actor, playwright, and director. He has performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regionally, and London’s West End as well as on television and in film. Additionally, he served as Associate Artistic Director of Gulfshore Playhouse in Naples, Florida for six seasons. Acting: Broadway: The Lion King, Lieutenant of Inishmore (Original Broadway Cast), Mary Poppins, Side Man. West End: Side Man (Premiere). NYC: Music Hall (US Premiere 59E59th), Romance/The New Testament (NY Premieres/Neil LaBute, 59E59th), Dr. Faustus (Classic Stage Company), Birth and After Birth (Atlantic), Princess Turandot (Blue Light) Regional: Ride the Cyclone (McCarter Theatre), The White Chip (Merrimack Rep, World Premiere), The God Game (Premiere Gulfshore Playhouse/Capital Repertory Theatre), Love in the Wars (Premiere, Bard Summerscape), The Master and Margarita (Bard Summerscape), Bob (Humana 2011), Tartuffe (NJSF), Gulfshore Playhouse: Numerous productions including the one person Higher (filmed, also playwright), An Iliad, Scapino (World Premiere, also playwright), My Fair Lady, Holmes and Watson, Hound of the Baskervilles, The Price, The Refugees. Television’s “Damages” (recurring), “Law and Order,” “L&O: Criminal Intent,” “Guiding Light,” “All My Children.” Directing: Maytag Virgin, The Lady Demands Satisfaction, In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play, Camelot and the upcoming The Lehman Trilogy at Gulfshore Playhouse. MFA, NYU.
About the Creative Team
Risa Brainin (Director) is delighted to be making her Gulfshore Playhouse debut with Every Brilliant Thing Brainin is a freelance director and Founder/Artistic Director of the groundbreaking new play development program LAUNCH PAD at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She served as Artistic Director of Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Associate Artistic Director for both Kansas City Repertory Theatre and Indiana Repertory Theatre, and Resident Director at the Guthrie Theater. Other directorial credits include plays at American Players Theatre, Actors’ Theatre of Louisville, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Clarence Brown Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Commonweal Theatre, Denver Center Theatre, Elements Theatre Collective, Ensemble Theatre, Great Lakes Theatre, History Theatre, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Illusion Theatre, Kansas City Actors’ Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Mixed Blood, New Harmony Project, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Playmakers Repertory Company, Portland Stage Company, Red Bull Theatre, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Rubicon Theatre, Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis, Skylight Theatre, Syracuse Stage and TheatreSquared. She directed the premiere of Bob Stromberg’s That Wonder Boy at the United Solo Festival in NY where it won several awards including the United Solo Festival and Backstage Award, Best One Man Show and Best Direction. Her production of Annie Torsiglieri’s “A” Train also won Best Production in 2017 and Best Encore in 2018 at the United Solo Festival. A graduate of the Carnegie Mellon University Drama Program, Brainin is past President of the Board of Trustees of the National Theatre Conference (NTC) and currently serves as Chair of NTC’s Barrie and Bernice Stavis Award Committee, and is a member of the College of Fellows of the American Theatre. risabrainin.com
Ann Sheffield (Scenic Designer/Costume Designer) designs sets and costumes for regional theaters across the country including the Indiana Repertory Theatre, Laguna Playhouse, La Jolla Playhouse, Goodspeed Opera House, D.C.’s Ford’s Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, Oklahoma Festival Ballet, Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis, and the South Coast Repertory Theatre. Ann is a graduate of the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale (formally known as The Yale School of Drama). She further honed her design skills assisting award-winning designer Tony Walton. During her tenure with Tony, she worked on major Broadway productions including Anything Goes, The Will Rogers Follies, Lend Me a Tenor, and The Grand Hotel. Ann is currently Head of Design and teaches set design for the Department of Theater and Dance at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She enjoys working with her fabulous collaborators, students, and taking beach walks with her Covid pup, Trooper. She also finds plenty of inspiration for her oil and watercolor paintings along the beautiful California coast. Ann is delighted to join the production team for Every Brilliant Thing and all the great folks at the Gulfshore Playhouse.
Michael Klaers (Lighting Designer) This is Michael’s first production at Gulfshore Playhouse. Other regional theatre credits include Alabama Shakespeare Festival, The Rubicon Theatre, The Guthrie Theater, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; Seattle Children’s Theatre; Indiana Repertory Theatre; Syracuse Stage; Pittsburgh Public Theatre; Repertory Theatre of St. Louis; Idaho Shakespeare Festival; Great Lakes Theater; Milwaukee Rep; Pacific Conservatory Theatre; Ensemble Theater Company.
Gaurav Mishra (Sound Designer) is a sound designer, composer, and playwright based in New York City. This is his third time working with director Risa Brainin, but his first time working with Gulfshore Playhousehe’s very happy to be here in Florida and not freezing in New York! Gaurav has always pushed against just doing one thing: he recently obtained an MFA in Musical Theatre Writing from NYU Tisch and is currently a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. Before that, he earned degrees in Theatre & Performance Studies, Music Composition, and Economics & Accounting from the University of California Santa Barbara simply because there were too many interesting classes to resist. Gaurav’s original musical Featherdreamer was a 2024 semifinalist for the O’Neill National Musical Theatre Conference. He also releases indie pop songs as Enyn, with which he has gained over 400,000 Spotify streams. Within theatre, Gaurav has worked as a sound designer and composer, an accordion player, a music copyist, and in various other capacities. Outside of it, he has worked as both a jazz pianist in a Chinese restaurant and as an international tax specialist. Gaurav loves birds, falling asleep to podcasts, and the city of Lille, France.
Kelli Karen (Stage Manager) is thrilled to work again with Gulfshore Playhouse on Every Brilliant Thing. Credits: Off-Broadway: Fly (The New Victory Theater), Selected Regional Credits: She Loves Me, The Refugees, Morning After Grace, Mud Row, Radio Golf, Midsummer (Gulfshore Playhouse), School Girls (American Stage), Freedom Rider (Alabama Shakespeare Festival and Crossroads Theatre Company), Production Team for A Night With Denzel Washington (Crossroads Theatre Company), Fly (Pasadena Playhouse, Crossroads Theatre Company, Oprah Winfrey Theatre Smithsonian), Handle With Care, Straight Men, Clever Little Lies, Fly, Taking Shakespeare, Daddy Long Legs, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Perfect Wedding, Next Fall, Next To Normal, Shear Madness, The 39 Steps, and Edward Albee’s Occupant (Florida Studio Theatre). This performance is dedicated to her parents and chosen family.
Joel Markus (COO & Managing Director) is thrilled to be in his seventh season as Gulfshore Playhouse’s COO & Managing Director. Joel enjoys working side by side with Kristen to produce Broadway caliber theatre while focusing on cultivating a great staff and culture. In his time at Gulfshore Playhouse, Joel has helped grow and quadruple the theatre’s budget, triple the staff, has co-managed the design and construction of the new $72M Baker Theatre and Education Center, new production shops construction project, has been instrumental in joining LORT (most recently, being on the negotiating committee for LORT and Actors’ Equity Association), and navigated and guided the organization through the pandemic and Hurricane Ian. Joel’s thirty year career has taken him to some of our nation’s leading professional regional theatres. He most recently spent seven seasons at America’s oldest theatre, Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia. Joel has played integral roles in the production of hundreds of plays over ten seasons at the Indiana Repertory Theatre, four years at Geva Theatre Center in Rochester, NY, five summers at the Weston Playhouse in Vermont, American Players Theatre in Spring Green, Wisconsin, and North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts. Joel is a graduate of Indiana University and originally from Miami, Florida.
Kristen Coury (CEO & Producing Artistic Director) is the CEO and Producing Artistic Director of Gulfshore Playhouse. She founded the Playhouse in 2004, after moving to Naples from New York City. Under her leadership, the Playhouse has grown to a staff of 56, an annual budget of $8.15M with no debt, and led the charge to create a $72M state-of-the-art Theatre and Education Center at the gateway to downtown Naples, which will be open to the public in late 2024. As part of this project, Coury ignited a public/private partnership with the City of Naples, donating an acre of land upon which to build a public parking garage. While in New York, she worked on Broadway for Walt Disney Theatrical’s production of Beauty and the Beast, both nationally and internationally, and for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s company, The Really Useful Group, working on Sunset Boulevard and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Kristen made her feature film directorial debut with Friends and Family, a comedy starring Tony Lo Bianco, Anna Maria Alberghetti, and Tovah Feldshuh, which was released around the US and Europe. Kristen has directed several new works, produced a CD, and worked on a variety of musicals in various stages of development. Kristen is also a frequent investor in Broadway productions, most recently The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise. Kristen has directed over 40 productions for the Playhouse. Including a ten person, 2 piano My Fair Lady, world premieres, the world premiere of The God Game by Suzanne Bradbeer and The Butcher by Gwydion Suilebhan. Kristen was named one of the “Top 40 Professionals Under 40” by Gulfshore Life Magazine in 2008, a “Star in the Arts” by the United Arts Council of Collier County in 2011, and she was named one of the Men and Women of the Year by Gulfshore Life in 2013. She served two terms on the board of Theatre Communications Group, the national advocacy group for professional theatres. She is a member of the board of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, and was named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Business Leaders in Collier County in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Most recently, she was appointed to Florida Council for arts and culture by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo.
Sleeve Notes
By Audrey Zielenbach, Line Producer
1. Playwright Duncan Macmillan wrote the monologue that became Every Brilliant Thing as a favor for a friend, an actress in his first play who was in two scenes, had no lines, and kept her back to the audience the entire time she was on stage. To make up for it, he penned the monologue for The Miniaturists, a UK theatre collective, that his friend performed.
2. That monologue became a short story called ‘Sleeve Notes,’ a more autobiographical version that Macmillan performed himself. The story moved and stayed with people, changing how they viewed life. ‘Sleeve Notes’ invited people to share their own ‘brilliant things’ and each time it was performed, they continued to gather entries.
3. Eight years after the short story was penned, Macmillan and director George Perrin joined forces with comedian Jonny Donahoe to turn the piece into a full-length stage show. A two-week run became a multi-year, international sensation and was even recorded for HBO. Macmillan credits Donahoe in the script for his essential contributions, particularly the audience interaction element.
4. The script states that the play should be performed with the house lights up, so it feels more like a conversation than a play.
5. The printed script includes footnotes that provide insight on how elements of the story can be adapted to fit the audience and location where the play is being performed. This means that several things you’ll hear during this performance are unique to our Gulfshore Playhouse production, and even exclusively to this very performance given its improvisational nature!
Side 2
1. During the play, you’ll learn about something called The Werther Effect, a reference to the 18thcentury novel The Sorrows of Young Werther by Goethe and another term for the idea of ‘copycat suicides.’ This term, coined in the 1970s, suggests that when there is a highly-publicized suicide, multiple suicidal behaviors or suicides that occur within a defined timeframe/geographical area will occur. Marilyn Monroe’s death is often cited as a quintessential case of this. Because of this, it was a long-held belief that people should be protected from exposure to all stories of suicide, fictional or otherwise.
2. More modern research suggests that The Werther Effect should be combated by The Papageno Effect, a title taken from Mozart’s opera, The Magic Flute where Papageno is shown alternative ways to cope with his heartbreak. Research shows that when details of positive coping during moments of crisis are included in media covering suicides, it may have a protective quality for vulnerable people.
3. Every Brilliant Thing, by bringing light to a difficult subject, is an excellent example of The Papageno Effect. By openly discussing mental health and suicide, it helps reduce the shame and stigma associated with them and helps people feel like they are not alone.
4. Our staff contributed their own brilliant things which will be shared at the end of the show.
5. What are your brilliant things that make life worth living? Feel free to write them below.
Speaking Out About Suicide
Telling your story can save lives and be a part of a healthy healing process, but only if you share it safely. Sharing your experience lets people know they are not alone and lets them know recovery is possible. If done safely, your story will encourage people at risk to seek help
Do
Be at a safe place in your recovery. Reflect on your own frame of mind. As a general guideline, wait at least one year after the attempt or loss before speaking.
Define key messages. Your story should not simply express pain. Your goal should be to educate and inspire hope.
Practice. Sharing your story may bring up unexpected emotions. Be sure to practice aloud so that you’re prepared to speak calmly and slowly in front of others.
Emphasize the journey. Talk about both before and after the loss or attempt, and how far you’ve come in your recovery.
Know your audience. Consider who you will be talking to (e.g., students, clinicians, survivors) and tailor your remarks accordingly.
Be honest and comprehensive. Do not focus solely on the loss or attempt. Include the full range of your experience, both the positive and the negative, and how you manage your mental health today.
Provide mental health resources for your audience to take home, like the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988,the Crisis Text Line (text TALK or AYUDA to 741741), or afsp.org.
Avoid
Don’t use phrases like “commit suicide” or “successful attempt.” These phrases perpetuate shame and moral judgment. Preferred terms are “ended one’s life” or “died by suicide.”
Avoid details about suicide methods. Don’t refer to lethal means unless your story would be incomplete to the listener without it. If mentioned, be brief and avoid including details, since graphic descriptions can be triggering to those who struggle, and cause contagion.
Don’t simplify suicide. Reducing the attempt or loss to a single cause fails to educate the public about the many warning signs and multiple risk factors that can signal an attempt.
Don’t glorify suicide. Portraying suicide as honorable or romantic can lead others to view suicide as a viable option.
Avoid portraying suicide as an option. Suicide is not a rational backup plan or coping behavior. It is a health-related crisis, and help is always available.
Resources
National Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States and its territories. The 988 Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over 200 local crisis centers, combining local care and resources with national standards and best practices.
Call or text 988 or text TALK or AYUDA to 741741
Virtual chat options are available at 988lifeline.org
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death.
Local Chapter Website: afsp.org/chapter/southwest-florida
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
Local Chapter Website: namicollier.org
Mental Health Association of Southwest Florida
MHASWFL is dedicated to promoting mental health, preventing mental and substance use conditions and achieving victory over mental illnesses and addictions through advocacy, education, research and service.
Website: mhaswfl.org
Gulfshore Playhouse Education provides programs that enhance the lives of students of all ages through transformative theatrical experiences.
Pre-professional training through theatre productions, classes, and camps. Available for all ages.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Ages 6 - 9)
Performances: November 21 - 23
Are your kids passionate about being on stage?
At the Conservatory at Gulfshore Playhouse, we offer preprofessional training through exciting theatre productions, engaging classes, and fun-filled camps for students of all ages.
Story Explorers: Out of This World (Ages 5 - 7)
Wednesdays, Jan. 8 - Feb. 5 at 5:30PM - 7:30PM
Tuition: $150
Broadway Bootcamp: Golden Age (Ages 8 - 13)
Wednesdays, Jan. 8 - Feb. 5 at 5:30PM - 7:30PM
Tuition: $150
Designed specifically for our region, this program infuses theatre-based pedagogy with curriculum standards to enhance learning.
Our community partnership program strengthens the fabric of our region by bringing the transformative power of live theatre and education to communities.
A Year with Frog and Toad KIDS (Ages 8 - 13)
Rehearsals: Mon. - Thurs., Feb. 10 - 28 | 5:30PM - 7:30PM
Performances: February 27 - March 1
Location: Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples
Tuition: $300
Adult Classes
Paint ‘n Sip
Through acting classes, painting classes, vocal lessons, and lecture series, lifelong learners experience professional training and theatrical experiences that expand horizons and inspire artistic growth. Broaden your understanding of the work we do on stage while getting to know Gulfshore Playhouse and your fellow audience members.
Held once per month: January 3, February 7, March 7, April 4, 2025 at 6:00PM-8:00PM Tuition: $100 (includes 3 drink tickets)
Founder Fridays
Offered once per month: January 10, February 7, March 7, April 4, and May 2, 2025 at 10:00AM-11:00AM Tuition: $25
Adult Acting: Page to Stage
Two-session class: November 7 & 8, 2024 at 6:00PM-8:00PM, Six-session class: January 9, 16, 23, 30, February 6, 13, 2025 at 6:00PM-8:00PM
Wellness Offerings: Yoga
Monday - Thursday, Saturday at varying times Flow, Sculpt and Beginner Yoga available Tuition: $29
Zumba!
Mondays, November 4, 2024 - May 26, 2025 9:00AM-10:00AM
Tuition: $15 drop-in, 10-class package for $135
The Lecture Series:
Explore the world of theatre with The Lecture Series at Gulfshore Playhouse – a monthly series of insightful discussions about theatre and the arts.
History of the Musical: Part I 20th Century
November 21, 2024 at 11:00AM-12:00PM
History of the Musical: Part II Golden Age
December 19, 2024 at 11:00AM-12:00PM
Introduction to Exploring Great Music
December 5, 2024 at 11:00AM-12:00PM
The Art of Scenic Design
January 16, 2025 | 11:00AM-12:00PM
Emerson Greenwald as Elsa in the production of Frozen JR Photo by Matthew Schipper.
The cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Photo by Matthew Schipper.
Community Partnerships
Gulfshore Playhouse Education is proud to forge community partnerships with other local cultural institutions such as the Holocaust Museum, Artis—Naples, and the Collier County Public Schools to bring unique theatrical experiences to thousands of students across Collier and Lee Counties.
Remember: The Story of Abe Price
Remember: The Story of Abe Price by Jeffrey Binder, an original play based on a true story, is brought to you in partnership with The Holocaust Museum and Cohen Education Center.
At just 16-years-old, Abraham Piasecki’s life is uprooted by the Nazi invasion of Poland. From living in the ghetto of Kielce to imprisonment at Auschwitz-Birkenau, Remember brings to life the harrowing true story of a Holocaust survivor who escaped Nazi captivity five times. This immersive, challenging, and ultimately captivating story of resilience brings us into one man’s memories and asks us to never forget.
So Much Drama: Midsummer
So Much Drama is a collaboration between Gulfshore Playhouse, the Naples Philharmonic, and Collier County Public Schools, offering free musical adaptations of Shakespeare classics to over 3,000 eleventh-grade students. This partnership enhances students’ understanding of Shakespeare’s work while providing them the rare opportunity to experience performances by professional actors and musicians.
Drama-Based Corporate Training
Led by skilled facilitators, our tailored sessions infuse dynamic drama techniques into corporate settings, enhancing team building, communication, leadership, and creative problem- solving. Unleash the power of drama in your workplace, equipping your team with practical skills through engaging, customizable workshops.
• Presentation Skills: The Art of Public Speaking
• Interpersonal Communication in the Workplace
• The Power of Teamwork: Ensemble Building
ThinkTheatre pairs core curriculum with performing arts education. By introducing theatre-based pedagogy, our professional teaching artists engage students’ creativity, encourage teamwork, and boost selfconfidence while enhancing their understanding of curriculum content. If you are seeking ways to energize your classroom through fun, creative, and learningfocused residencies.
John and Mary were very vested in their teaching and I as a teacher truly appreciated their enthusiasm as well as knowledge of what they were teaching!
Students always enjoy a break from the normal routines in their schedules. The work did not seem like work for them and some students really enjoyed working in groups.
We currently offer ThinkTheatre residencies for grades K-12 in the following subject areas:
• English/Language Arts
• Social Studies
• Science • Math If your organization is interested in creating a partnership with Gulfshore Playhouse, contact Director of Education, Steven Calakos at 239.261.7529 ext. 207 or scalakos@gulfshoreplayhouse.org.
Melissa Zizzo, Kindergarten, St. Ann School
Sarah Anzuelda, Eighth Grade, ICA
Jim Corsica, Victor Caroli, and Sue Schaffel in Remember: The Story of Abe Price
Photo by Matthew Schipper.
Carolina Miranda, Brian Nelson Jr., and Angie Janas in Midsummer Photo by Matthew Schipper.
Playhouse production of She Loves Me
Photo by Matthew Schipper.
THE JOY IS OURS
Funding The Moran Stage at Gulfshore Playhouse Baker Theatre is so much more than a heartfelt investment. It’s the fulfillment of a dream that will live on for generations. The privilege—and the joy are ours.
Visit our vibrant Art District for a one-of-a-kind experience, where you can meet over 100 of our artists in person while strolling through their galleries and watching them work in their studios, each of them creating original fine art that is as unique as the District itself.
Thank you to our Dining Partners
We are thrilled to announce our new Dining Partnership!
Enjoy an elevated evening pairing a stellar dining experience at handselected restaurants with a visit to Gulfshore Playhouse, your new home for professional theatre.
For a list of our Dining Partners with links to their websites, scan here Thank you to our Supporters
With your support and passion, we hire exceptional talent to perform on our stage, foster new voices, and enhance the lives of the 80,000 patrons we welcome each year. Over 16,000 children engage in the art of theatre each year through our robust and ever-growing education department.
You play a vital role. By supporting Gulfshore Playhouse, you are transforming a region and transforming lives.
To find out more about how to make an impact, please contact Lisa Halsey, Chief Advancement Officer at 239.261.7529 ext. 203 or Lhalsey@gulfshoreplayhouse.org.
*Please visit our Dining Partner’s websites for any special offerings they may be crafting for Gulfshore Playhouse ticket holders.
Interested in volunteering at Gulfshore Playhouse?
Email any inquires to FOH@gulfshoreplayhouse.org
Visit our website at www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org /join-our-team/volunteer
Season Angels
($250,000+)
Jane & Steve Akin
Patty & Jay Baker
Glenda & Rich Struthers
Season Benefactors
($100,000-$249,000)
Karen & Gary Gregg
Sandi & Tom Moran
Susan Regenstein & Barry Frank
Ralph & Shelly Stayer
Season Ambassadors
($50,000-$99,999)
Bayfront Inn
Dentons Cohen & Grigsby
Mary F. Drazan
Christine & Terrance Flynn
Nancy & Tom Gallagher
Marguerite Hambleton
Jenny & Rich Housh
George & Patricia Kraus
Pamela & Bob Krupka
James & Brigitte Marino
Moran Wealth Management
Porsche Naples
Quality Enterprises
John & Carol Walter
Jane & Dave Wilson
Executive Producers
($25,000-$49,999)
Anonymous (x2)
Aielli Group
Mary & Phil Beuth
Lee & Peter Bewley
Bigham Jewelers
Richard & Jane Borchers
Patricia & Jim Bosscher
Cheryl & Randall W. Byrnes
Grampy’s Charities - Jim & Jonatha Castle
Bob & Laurie Champion
Ciccarrelli Advisory Services
Robert & Joan Clifford
John & Patricia Cochran
Norman & Suzanne Cohn
Margaret Cox
Jim & Shirley Curvey
Kyla & Rich de Asla
Bobbi & David Drobis
First Horizon
Kathleen & Brendan FitzGerald
The Gialamas Family
Matthew Hagan
The Harold Alfond Foundation
The Habbershon Family
Gulfshore Life / Naples Press
Ken & Karen Heithoff
Vicki Herche & Graeme Murray
Mitchell Hertz & Anne Carlucci
Jean & Leo Hertzog
Steven & Sarah Jackson
Sabrina & Craig Jensen
Liz & Jim Jessee
Sarah Johnson
Catelyn Juliano & David Deutsch
Diane Landgren
Dolly & Jenny Lenz
Laird A. Lile
Jody & Gerald Lippes
Barbara K. Lupient
Debra & Vince Maffeo
Phil McCabe
Carolyn & Don McCulloch
Gerry McGraw
Bettina McKee
Pat & Tony McMunn
Dan & Ann Meyer
Joanne & Jeffrey Miller
Kristin & John Miller
Geraldine Moss
Kimberly Moss & Bob Fisher
Naples Illustrated
F.E. & Jack Nortman
Louise & Larry Ost
Joan & Mahendra Parekh
Gail Kern Paster
Anthony & Beverly Petullo
Quality Enterprises USA Inc.
Toni Lachelle Pollitt and Lilian Oben in Mud Row Photo by Matthew Schipper.
Ann Ratner
Dottie & John Remondi
DeAnna & Rick Rondinelli
Kathy & Ned Sachs
Pam & Fred Sasser
Cynthia & Mike Scholl
Acadia Wealth Management
Tennille & Aaron Sevigny
The Shubert Foundation Inc.
Alice & Charles Simons
Patricia Sweet & Bill Marsh
Janet & Peter Swinburn
Roberta & Rodger Taylor
The Dock at Crayton Cove - Mimi & Doug Traina
Julie & Steve Vanderboom
The Vincent Von Zwehl Memorial Fund
Julie & Phil Wade
Kathy & Paul Weaver
Tereska & Jerry Whitson
William C. Huff
Michael Wilens & Carolyn Longacre
Wilmington Trust
Julie Wyman
Kristen & Michael Wynn
Joanne Wyss
Debbie & Bruce Yarde
Spotlight Sponsors
($10,000-$24,999)
Barron Collier Companies
The Betsey Harris Fund, Collier Community Foundation
Collier Community Foundation
Scott & Rebecca Curvey
Janine & Timothy Dowdle
Gilbane Building Company
Kathleen Glass
Moorings Park Group
Mary & Robert Hoyer
Judith & Martin Isserlis
Jack Miller Family Foundation
James Kargman & Heidi Brem-Kargman
Jan & Kim Kantor
Jay & Stuart Kaye
Lisa & Patrick Kelly
Marilyn R. Lightner
Nancy Marriott
The Nancy Peery Marriott Foundation
Jennifer & David Miller
Mooring Park Group
Susan Mullin
Karen Nally
Beth & Bill Reid
Bruce Tomason & Susan Rosen
Gulf Coast International Properties,
Tim & Stephanie Savage
Stuart Warshauer*
Enid & Jerry Weygandt
$5,000 - $9,999
Susan & William Brock
Gisselle & Jorge Calleja
Matthew Chionis
Joyce & Patrick Coughlan
Andrew Cummins
Richard Cuneo
Dougherty Family Foundation
Dave Gibbons
Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation
Robin Bach Gray
Carole & Tom Guyette
Myra Hackel
Johanna & Tony Hess
Craig Huntington
Bruce Kirchhofer
Mark Kozin
James & Mary Lande
Gwen Langley
Kristine C. Lenrow
Robert & Rebecca McLennen
Ned & Elvy Milenkovich
Laura & Leo Montgomery
Nick & Linda Penniman
Marcus Peperzak
Timothy Petersen
Laurie & Ric Phillips
Penny & Stephen Pomeranz
Betty & Les Schwartz
Laura Scott
Cherry Smith
Elaine & Howard Stacker
Beth Stewart
Fred Stratton
Sharon & Rich Struthers
Cynthia Taft
Joy & Jack Timken
Karen Peakes as Truvy and Elisabeth Yancey as Shelby in Steel Magnolias
Photo by Matthew Schipper.
Create an indelible legacy
Join the Standing Ovation Society
We understand that the choice to designate a planned gift is a deeply precious and personal one, and we thank you for your consideration. When you become a member of the Standing Ovation Society, you are joining an ensemble of thoughtful and imaginative visionaries who believe, as you do, in the transformative power of world-class professional theatre and educational opportunities in our region. Your gift will touch the lives of all who walk through our doors and ensure our ability to carry out our mission.
Benefits of Joining:
Annual recognition in the Gulfshore Playhouse playbill
Invitation to periodic events honoring members of the Standing Ovation Society
Invitation to other Gulfshore Playhouse special events
Standing Ovation Society Members
Mary & Phil Beuth Kristen Coury
Tom & Nancy Gallagher
Elizabeth & Jim Jessee
Glenda & Rich Struthers
Ms. Patricia Sweet & Mr. Bill Marsh
Jane & Dave Wilson
By including Gulfshore Playhouse in your estate plan, you are supporting Gulfshore Playhouse’s longterm fiscal stability and leaving a lasting legacy that will allow us to create, engage, and inspire for many years to come.
If you would like to notify us of your intent or discuss your options, please contact Lisa Halsey at 239.261.7529 ext 203. or lhalsey@gulfshoreplayhouse.org
Coming Soon
January 16th - February 2nd
January 12, 14 & 15
William Parry as Angus and Maureen Silliman as Abigail in Gulfshore Playhouse’s production of Morning After Grace. Photo by Matthew Schipper.
Board of Directors
Steven Akin, Chairman of the Board
Rich Struthers, Vice-Chair
Patty Baker
Kristen Coury
David Drobis
Tim Habbershon
Mitch Hertz
Jenny Housh
Jason Hunter Korn
Pamela Krupka
Don McCulloch
Sandi Moran
Gerry Moss
Jack Nortman
Tony Panzica
Gail Kern Paster
Susan Regenstein
Rick Rondinelli
Cynthia Scholl
Tennille Sevigny
Pat Sweet
Ashley Smith
Dave Wilson
Joanne Wyss
Don J. Gunther, Emeritus
Bob Harden, Emeritus
Leadership & Staff
Leadership
Kristen Coury CEO & Producing Artistic Director
Joel Markus COO & Managing Director
Artistic & Education
CEO & Producing Artistic Director .............. Kristen Coury
Associate Artistic Director ................................ Dann Dunn
Director of Education .................................. Steven Calakos
Line Producer ....................................... Audrey Zielenbach
Executive Assistant to the CEO ........ Mackenzie Caraballo
Education Associates .......... Mary McGough, John Perine, Meredith Singleton
Education Assistant .................................. Emilie Baartman
Advancement
Chief Advancement Officer .............................. Lisa Halsey
Advancement Officer: Events & Donor Engagement ..........
....................................................................................... Sarah Owen
Advancement Officer ............................... Brandon Horwin
Associate Advancement Officer .................... Crystal Diggs
Donor Stewardship & Events Coordinator ....... Dave Blount
Advancement Coordinator .................... Ashleigh Jennings
Marketing
Chief Marketing Officer .......................... Rachel Applegate
Marketing Manager .................................... Heidi Overman
Graphic Designer ...................................... Ashley Martinez
Patron Services Manager ............................... Luke Matlock
Assistant Patron Services Manager ............. Helen Peppler
Patron Services Associates . Lauren Carr, Meghan Fitzpatrick
Patron Services Assistant ............................. Timothy Coryell
Connect with us on our socials
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Finance & Administration
COO & Managing Director ................................... Joel Markus
Director of Finance .......................................... Alyson McCoy
General Manager ..................................................... Jim Dallas
Facilities Manager .............................................. Joe Salemme
Director of Events/Food & Beverage .................. Erin Burney
Assistant Events/Food & Beverage Manager ... Jeanette Persails IT Manager .............................................. Lucas Chang Broker
Finance Associate ......................................... Maureen Devine
Front of House Manager ................................. Denise Vonada
Assistant Front of House Manager ......... Jocelyn Richardson
Company Manager ............................................. Abigail Greer
Assistant Company Manager ................. Chanda Hawthorne
Executive Assistant to the COO ...................... Allison Winkel
Office Manager/Bookkeeper ................................... Taylor Ho
Administrative Assistant ...................... Hannah Schumacher
Production
Director of Production .............................................. Ray Inkel
Assistant Production Manager ................................... Lila Sell
Technical Director ................................................ John Forton
Assistant Technical Director ................................... Alex Riggs
Scene Shop Supervisor ............................. Anthony Knudson
Carpenters ....................... Tom Gregus, Deborah Samuelson
Scenic Technicians ................. Jonathan Jensen, Bobby Julga
Deck Chief/Carpenter ....................................... Andrew Geier
Scenic Art Supervisor ........................................... James Allen
Scenic Artists ............ Katherine Burns, Larashleigh Wallace
Interim Properties Supervisor .................... Gwendolyn Rygg
Properties Artisan ............................................... Caleb Brown
Properties Technicians ........... Hunter Booth, Maxine Walby
Lighting Supervisor .................................. Elizabeth Knudson
Assistant Lighting Supervisor ............................. Lynn Slutsky
Lighting Technicians ... Johnny Barrera, Dennis Cheeks, Ray Ward
Sound Supervisor .................................................. Owen True
Assistant Sound Supervisor ............................... Max Heyliger
Sound Technicians ................ Kaleb Pecoraro, David Walters
Costume Shop Manager ............................. Jennifer Bronsted
Assistant Costume Shop Manager ........... Maya Faye Gordon
Lead Draper ................................................... Elizabeth Eaton Draper .................................................................... Lana Grant
First Hands ............................... Katie Radford, Carolyn Schar
Costume Technicians ....... Dyna DeMerritt, Avonlea Yeakley
Wardrobe Supervisor ................................... Marissa Mascolo
Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor ..................... Emma Madden
Wig & Makeup Supervisor ............................... Rebecca Mack
Stage Management Production Assistants ... Kelly Jean Edwards, Dylan Gellett, Laura Swygert
