Miami-Dade's Arts Community Faces Collapse
- wgclients01
- Jul 23
- 3 min read
Federal and state funding for the arts has already been gutted. Now, Miami-Dade County's proposed budget elimates the Department of Cultural Affairs entirely and cuts grant funding in half. This is a death blow to local arts organizations like ours.
This isn't just about performances or exhibitions. According to the County's own study, the arts drive $2.1 billion in local economic activity and support over 30,000 jobs for our community. These cuts mean closures, cancellations, and layoffs.
We must act now to protect Miami-Dade's cultural and economic future.
Contact Miami-Dade County Commissioners today: urge them to reject these cuts and explore policy solutions to increase county revenue.
THIS YEAR'S SUMMER SHORTS FOUGHT CUTS TO GOVERNMENT SPENDING WITH HUMOR
City Theatre's Defunded Not Defeated Campaign Continues
Pictured left to right: Gladys Ramirez (Executive Director) and Margaret M. Ledford (Artistic Director) alongside guest band Super P.A.C. and collaborator and Villain Theater Founder Peter Mir at the Sandrell Rivers Theater.
The 29th annual SUMMER SHORTS FESTIVAL HOSTED BY RHONDA SANCHEZ was an incredible success. City Theatre's signature short-form storytelling brough hundreds of attendees to the Sandrell Rivers Theater over the four day festival.
Presented in collaboration with Villain Theater, the festival featured 20 short plays, 2 musical numbers, a live band, one unforgettable host played by Villain Theater's own Jannelys Santos and featuring her foil played by Peter Mir.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the power of theatre and community, showing that we are indeed Defunded but Not Defeated!
More Summer Shorts photos HERE!
SUSAN J. WESTFALL NATIONAL SHORT PLAYWRIGHTING AWARD FINALISTS
Pictured left to right: Sheena O. Murray, Malik Archibald, Brette-Raia Curah performing "Puddle" by Chloe Selavka at this year's "Summer Shorts Festival Hosted by Rhonda Sanchez." Morgan Sophia Photography.
City Theatre's 2024-2025 Finalists
Selkie by Aine King
Coat of Gold by Susan Jackson
Three Sisters’ Wishes by M.J. Kang
It’s Karen B**** by Taylor Blackman
The Long Way Home by Lia Romeo
End of the Rope by Nancy Hopps
Hostage: Not a play about Betta Fish by Cassie Seinuk
Confession on a composition notebook by Adrian Crawford
The Power of Language by Thomas Day
Me. by Jill Twiss
Ten Minutes ‘til Christmas by Brian Vinero
Puddle by Chloe Selavka
The Collection by Eric Pfeffinger
The Trouble with Cashews by David MacGregor
Kevin and Jules by Samara Siskind
Created to acknowledge playwright excellence in short-form theatre, the award is supported by playwright and City Theatre co-founder Susan J.Westfall.
Submissions for the 2025-2026 season opens August 1, 2025. Learn more HERE.
FROM OUR FRIENDS
If you loved Rhonda Sanchez, you'll love Villain Theater's 10th anniversary celebration!
Villain Theater is celebrating its ten-year anniversary with a night of sketches, musical parodies, and more. A look back at a decade of home-grown and radically inclusive comedy, the gala fundraiser cements Villain as a Miami institution.
The gala fundraiser will feature a retrospective presentation by Peter Mir, a musical parody medley by Jannelys Santos (you may know her as Rhonda Sanchez), and a selection of sketches performed by Villain Theater Company members. Celebrate 10 years of Villain Theater with hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, and a DJ set to dance the night away. Cocktail attire required.
8:30 p.m. - Red Carpet Reception
9:15 p.m. - Cocktails & Hors d'oeuvres
9:45 p.m. - Keynote Sketches
10:30 p.m. - Dance Party
Gala tickets are donation based and include admission and food.
The Bard in Bars is a rhythmic, energetic journey that will transport you back to 11th grade English class while nodding your head to violins and cellos. Art Prevails Project's talented ensemble of actors bring new and exciting energy to the classic words of one of history's most prolific writers. From literary scholar to Hip Hop enthusiast, The Bard in Bars has something for every audience member to enjoy.
Buy Tickets HERE!
In Thinking Cap Theatre's special lineup, audiences will experience live performances of suffragette comedies and songs written between 1900-1920 and enjoy a celebratory reception.
These dramatic gems humorously and pointedly tackle issues such as the work/life balance dilemma and the oppressiveness of socially-prescribed gender roles. Viewers can expect to enjoy some laughs and marvel at both how far we’ve come and how we’ve still to go in the journey for equal human rights.
Learn more HERE.