Mission and History

 

City Theatre is an award-winning professional theater company founded in Miami. Launched in 1996 by Susan J. Westfall, Stephanie Norman, and Elena Wohl, City Theatre is now in its 29th season.

 

Dedicated to the development of new works, City Theatre has produced hundreds of short plays by well-known and emerging writers discovered through its National Award for Short Playwriting Contest. It commissions plays by South Florida-connected playwrights for its SHORT CUTS Middle School Tour. CITY READS, presented in partnership with Books & Books, Pinecrest Gardens, and the Village of Key Biscayne invites the community to enjoy a selection of short plays and participate in a conversation about the works and issues presented. HOMEGROWN was launched to nurture, elevate, and promote Miami’s best emerging writers from historically marginalized communities. This dedicated playwright initiative aims to develop new plays authentic to Miami’s multicultural voices and presents them as part of City Theatre’s season.

 

City Theatre has made its main stage home at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts’ Carnival Studio Theatre since 2007. The signature SUMMER SHORTS FESTIVAL enjoyed its milestone 25th Anniversary in 2022. City Theatre produces full-length plays as part of the Arsht Center’s Theatre Up Close Series, including BLACK SANTA by Aaron Mays in 2024; Carmen Rivera's LA GRINGA in 2023, and WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME by Heidi Schreck in 2022.

 

In 2022, City Theatre's Artistic Director Margaret M. Ledford and Executive Director Gladys Ramirez were award with the Remy Awards Pioneer Award -- bestowed upon individuals who have, over the years, taken the lead and contributed substantially to the health, growth and development of the South Florida theater community. In 2016, City Theatre was honored by the Carbonell Committee with the prestigious Bill Von Maurer Award, in recognition of significant contributions to South Florida theater development for the company’s dedication to the short form play format and fostering new play development. The company was recognized by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine-Cava in honor of “City Theatre 25th Anniversary Day” on June 9, 2021.