This year, the Annette Urso Rickel Foundation began funding one of South Florida’s most vital cultural institutions: GableStage. Known for its daring productions and deep community roots, GableStage has also become a powerhouse in arts education, engaging thousands of students each season through immersive, curriculum-connected programming.
GableStage recently released its 2024/25 Education Report, and the numbers speak volumes. More than 6,000 students across 38 Miami-Dade schools participated in their free education programs, which include:
- Shakespeare-in-the-Schools: This long-running touring program reached over 20 schools this year with a dynamic, 45-minute adaptation of Hamlet performed by recent FIU graduates. Students engaged in post-show conversations that explored the play’s themes through a modern lens, fostering connection and curiosity.
- IGNITE: Sixty high school juniors and seniors were given season-long access to GableStage, attending performances, participating in workshops with professional artists, and diving deep into every production’s process—from lighting and sound to acting and dramaturgy. IGNITE isn’t just outreach; it’s a launchpad for future theatre professionals.
- Student Matinees and Free Rush Tickets: More than 900 students from Title I schools attended special performances as part of Miami-Dade’s Cultural Passport Program. Hundreds more filled unsold seats at evening shows through the theatre’s free ticket rush initiative for students and teachers.
- Community Engagement: Programs like Windows on the Work, Mosaic Miami: Can We Talk?, and Dramatically Speaking at The Hub bring audiences and artists into dialogue, deepening the impact of each production and extending its reach beyond the stage.
One standout story is KJ Young, a former IGNITE participant who interned at GableStage and is now a full-time Production Associate. “Both this program and GableStage transformed my life,” she says. “I was planning to leave Miami—but IGNITE showed me what was possible here.”
At the Rickel Foundation, we believe in backing programs that empower, inspire, and transform. GableStage’s commitment to inclusive, high-impact arts education makes it a natural partner—and we’re proud to stand behind their work.
For more on GableStage’s education and community programming, visit gablestage.org.