Area Stage

It was 1989 when John Rodaz founded Area Stage. Maria Banda-Rodaz joined the company that same year and together became pioneers of the Miami Beach arts community on Lincoln Road. Since its inception, the critically acclaimed nonprofit has presented a mix of contemporary and classic plays and musicals, world premieres, forever changing the standards of what South Florida’s theatres can be. Throughout its 35 year history, Area Stage productions have earned over 150+ awards, nominations, accolades, etc, including eighty Carbonell Award nominations and awards, numerous acknowledgments such as the Miami New Times’ “Best Of,” including 1992, 1993, 1997, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 for Best Theater Company; national recognition on Travel & Leisure Magazine, WLRN, CNN, CNN International, Univision, Telemundo, and on ABC’s Nightline with Ted Koppel as the only theatre company ever featured on the program. 

In 2008, Area Stage moved into the beautiful Riviera Theatre in Coral Gables, a dream come true and an opportunity for the company to reinvent itself. With a reimagined mission and vision, the company established a professional-level conservatory program in addition to maintaining a full season of professional productions, concerts, and community events. In 2014, the Inclusion Theatre Project (ITP) was established, a life-changing program for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. In 2020, Area Stage moved to The Shops at Sunset Place. Its current headquarters, built from the ground up for its needs, hosts state-of-the-art dance and voice studios and a black box theatre.

Under the visionary leadership of newly appointed Artistic Director Giancarlo Rodaz, Area Stage has undergone a transformative phase, embracing immersive productions as a means to elevate storytelling, forcing multi-generational, multicultural audiences to rekindle new relationships with classic tales. A community partnership with the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Miami’s premier cultural institution was established in 2022, which has allowed the organization to produce at a much higher level reaching larger audience circles, with sold out performances. The company’s forward-thinking approach and innovative spirit have placed it at the forefront of immersive theater, garnering relationships with Disney Theatricals, GFour Productions, and the MacKintosh office. 

Celebrating 35 years of artistic excellence, Area Stage thanks you for your immense support. This milestone anniversary honors a legacy of creativity, talent, innovation, and the privilege to serve our beloved community.

Read more at www.areastage.org