Tom Hall

The Alliance for the Arts has appointed Michael Hebler as its new Events and Programming Director. One of his duties includes continuing the theater program once run by Theatre Conspiracy's Bill Taylor.

Universal Ballet is one of the top competitions in the United States for ballet students. In April, Gulfshore Ballet’s dynamic duo, Kayla Rathur and Madelena Urban, took second place for their Kitris’ friends variation duo. Rathur was also top 9 out of 700 competitors in the solo division.

From Sarasota to Marco Island and Venice and Sanibel to Arcadia and LaBelle, Southwest Florida is home to more than a dozen art centers. Most host visual art exhibitions showcasing member, regional and nationally renowned artists that change every month. In May, there are 28 shows at these venues. Each will stimulate your imagination and underscore the importance of the arts in our part of the country.

In May, four exhibitions open, three close and 16 others continue their runs at Southwest Florida museums.

One of Southwest Florida’s premier ballet companies is back with a charming, comedic masterpiece about an eccentric toymaker and the beautiful life size doll he creates. On May 3rd, Gulfshore Ballet will perform “Coppélia,” in which that doll comes to life, enchanting an entire European town during its Festival of Bells. Artistic Director Iliana Lopez explains why Gulfshore Ballet decided to produce this ballet for the very first time.

Over the years, the Florida SouthWestern State College theater program has turned out a legion of talented thespians thanks, in large measure, to the inventiveness of Theatre Professor Stuart Brown. Brown has the uncanny ability to force budding stage actors out of their own heads and into the minds of their characters. Case in point: Brown’s selection of Václav Havel’s dark comedy, “The Memo,” earlier this month.

The Southwest Florida Symphony announced today that it will close permanently at the end of June. The Symphony has been presenting outstanding orchestral performances for the enrichment, entertainment and education of the community for more than 64 years.

This week Gulfshore Opera performs Donizetti's grand opera 'Lucia di Lammermoor,' Gulfshore Ballet performs 'Coppelia," Sarasota Cuban Ballet holds their end of year show and The Sarasota Ballet presents 'Images of Dance.'

This year, the Baker Museum of Art in Naples celebrates its 25th anniversary. It has also achieved another milestone - first-time accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, which places it in the top 3 percent of museums in the U.S. and only accredited museum of any kind in Collier County.

This week, two shows open, two others close and nine more continue their runs at equity and community theaters from Sarasota to Marco Island. In addition, there are limited runs of “You’re the One That I Want” at The Sarasota Players, “Finding Nemo KIDS” at The Belle Theatre in Cape Coral and “PlayLab 2025: Festival of New Plays” at Florida Repertory Theatre.