The Key West Theatre Festival will enter its tenth year with new leadership, major new underwriting support, and a transformation into a summer festival Artistic Director Joan McGillis announced this week.
McGillis said the changes for the annual celebration of new plays were approved at a March 1 meeting of the Board of Trustees during which new members and officers were elected. Barry Steinman of Miami, former manager of the Coconut Grove Playhouse and founding chairman of the Theatre League of South Florida, was named President. Steinman, who has directed plays in the Festival the past four years, replaces Charles A. Munroe.
The Board also approved moving the annual festival from its traditional dates in October to June. This year's event will run from June 28 to July 8 and will encompass all of the favorite elements that have made this the leader in cultural tourism in the Keys.
The 2001 Key West Festival will feature two to three original plays. As in the past, late night cabarets will continue and five play readings will be performed in the daylight hours of the Festival. In addition, a noted American playwright will host the playwrights forum during the Festival's first weekend.
"The plans are ambitious, but I am happy to announce new underwriting support," McGillis said. "An anonymous donor has given the Festival a challenge grant in which they will match all contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $40,000. This visionary support means that we can enter this anniversary year celebrating our past but, more importantly, building for our future."
The Festival is already over one-third the way toward reaching the $40,000 target. Last month's Master Chef's Classic raised over $11,000 for the Festival with its annual taste of Key West's greatest culinary treats. A grant from the Division of Cultural Affairs of Florida's Department of State for over $5,000, a grant from Dramatists Guild for $1000 and $2000 in individual member support has added to the Festival's matching funds. A fund raising campaign will be launched to meet the total goal, McGillis said.
Info about the Key West Theatre Festival: 295-9278.