Kristen Coury News

Due to popular demand, Steel Magnolias will extend through December 11, adding seven additional performances. Originally scheduled to close on December 4, the play about community and connection in a smalltown Louisiana beauty salon has already been called “a perfect play” for the season opening.

​​​​​​​Gulfshore Playhouse announces the cast and creative team of Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling, directed by Kristen Coury, CEO & Producing Artistic Director. Performances begin November 10, with Opening Night on November 12, and runs through December 4 at the Norris Center.

Settlement was the word of the week on Broadway, with both the Rudin/SpotCo suit and JPP/Wagner Johnson lawsuits finding resolution through settlement - the latter is the subject of a new regular feature for this newsletter from our Industry Editor Cara Joy David.

Gulfshore Playhouse has announced the cancellation of 26 Miles by Quiara Alegría Hudes, due to city-wide damages and the uncertain opening of the Norris Center performance space. Slated to begin performances on October 13, the production ceased rehearsals on Tuesday, September 27 in advance of the storm.

Kristen Coury, CEO and Producing Artistic Director of Gulfshore Playhouse, and Jonathan Foerster, CEO of Golisano Children's Museum of Naples (CMON), announce the co-produced educational program and production of Winnie the Pooh KIDS at CMON this November.

Gulfshore Playhouse announces two new hires as the organization ramps up to move into the Baker Theatre and Education Center in fall 2023. Rachel Applegate will join the organization as the Chief Marketing Officer and Raymond Inkel will lead the production department as the Director of Production. 

This September, the annual New Works Festival will return to Gulfshore Playhouse for the first time since 2019. Gulfshore Playhouse is thrilled to announce the ten finalists from which three winners will ultimately be chosen to participate in the week-long Festival. 

For the final production of the 2021-2022 professional season, Gulfshore Playhouse announces the world premiere of “Another Revolution” by Jacqueline Bircher. The performance runs from April 30 through May 15, with preview performances on April 28 and 29.

THE INVISIBLE HAND by Ayad Akhtar is now playing at Gulfshore Playhouse. The story follows an American investment banker who is being held for ransom by a militant group in Pakistan and his attempt to try and find a way to get them the money and get out. 

Gulfshore Playhouse, Naples' premier professional theater and nationally recognized LORT theater member, will present the suspenseful and provocative political thriller, “The Invisible Hand.” Written by Pulitzer-prize winning playwright Ayad Akhtar and directed by Kristen Coury, this show will run March 26 through April 16, 2022 with previews on March 24 and 25. 

On March 7, 2022 Gulfshore Playhouse hosted its most successful fundraising event to date, raising $2.5 million. However, this record-breaking achievement did not come from any traditional fundraiser, but from producing a world-class theatrical performance as those produced in their home theatre.

Gulfshore Playhouse has become the 77th member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), the largest association of professional theaters in the United States. This signals the next stage in the trajectory of Gulfshore Playhouse, as well as Naples' growing importance as a cultural hub. 

Gulfshore Playhouse, Naples’ premier professional theatre, will present the world premiere production of “Higher” written and performed by Jeffrey Binder and directed by Kristen Coury. Previews are priced at $38 and will take place on Jan. 13 and 14.

Gulfshore Playhouse, Naples' premier professional theatre, officially celebrated groundbreaking on its long-anticipated state-of-the-art Baker Theatre and Education Center on Wednesday, December 1. This celebration gathered vanguard donors, city officials, and other guests to kick off the next stage of the project with speeches and performances from Broadway star Lora Lee Gayer, Nick Duckart who currently stars in the national tour of “Come From Away,” and music director Michael Hicks. 

Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning American playwright August Wilson’s play “Radio Golf” will officially open the 2021-2022 mainstage season at Gulfshore Playhouse. Directed by Marshall Jones III, “Radio Golf” will play at Gulfshore Playhouse beginning Nov. 11 through Dec. 5, 2021.

Gulfshore Playhousehas announced its newest addition to the board of directors, Shontra Powell. A global leader in business, Powell holds more than 25 years of experience in leading growth initiatives and delivering strategic ideas to multinational Fortune 500 industrial, automotive, financial, and travel firms.

Gulfshore Playhouse has announced actress, singer, and dancer Rita Moreno as the keynote speaker at “Rising Stars: An Afternoon on the Red Carpet” – a special fundraiser for Gulfshore Playhouse Education. Rising Stars will take place Monday, Nov. 15 at 11 a.m. at Arthrex One.

Gulfshore Playhouse, Naples' premier professional regional theater, is pleased to announce the promotions of two members of its valued staff. Joel Markus has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer & Managing Director and Sarah Owen has been promoted to Director of Development.

Trailblazing a historical path for the new Gulfshore Playhouse at the Baker Theatre and Education Center, numerous philanthropic, business and community leaders stepped up support for the professional theatre, not just meeting the Patty and Jay Baker $10 million match challenge, but exceeding it by over $400,000. Gulfshore Playhouse has now raised $54.3 million for its new cultural campus.

Leading the nation's growth for arts and entertainment, Gulfshore Playhouse recently celebrated the completion of the design process and upcoming groundbreaking in September for the new Gulfshore Playhouse Cultural Campus featuring the Baker Theatre and Education Center.