Designed and Directed by

Giancarlo Rodaz

Music Director

ARN XU

Performers

Our team

Administrative StaFF

Giancarlo Rodaz Artistic Director

John Rodaz Founder, Producing Director

Maria Banda-Rodaz Executive Director

Irma Becker ITP Director

Anjuli Kaufman Business Manager

Katie Duerr Conservatory Manager

Jennifer Gomez Marketing Manager

Arina Solosenkova Front Desk Manager

Daniela Quevedo Administrative Assistant

Lily Wienbach Administrative Assistant

Samantha Perez Administrative Assistant

Gil Kaufman Video Production, Media

Meet the Performers!

Gabriella Alfonso is excited to perform again with Area Stage. A graduate of the New World School of the Arts, where she earned her BFA. Gabriella is grateful for the opportunity to share her passion as an instructor and choreographer at Area Stage. Previously, she served as the assistant choreographer for Loxen's production of Young Frankenstein, Area Stage Productions of Annie Jr and Seussical Jr. Past Area Stage Performance Credits: The Amory Wars (Ensemble), Tarzan (Snipes, Leopard), Beauty and The Beast (Babette). A big hug to everyone for their encouragement. I’m excited to be performing again!

Tico Chiriboga is a versatile performer and Carbonell Award recipient with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New World School of the Arts. He is a seasoned performer and instructor with Area Stage Conservatory, teaching voice, dance, and acting at schools all around South Florida. Credits include Beauty and the Beast (Madame/Maurice), The Little Mermaid (Flotsam), Alice and the Mad Tea Party (White Rabbit), Oliver! (Mr. Brownlow), Lucky Stiff (Harry), Rent (Roger), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Titania), The Theory of Relativity (Student Director & Actor), and Pride and Prejudice (Bingley).

Michelle Gordon is a New World School of the Arts Theater alumna, trained in acting under the technique of Uta Hagen. She has studied voice and dance extensively under the guidance of multiple accredited professors and mentors. She holds a Marketing degree from Florida International University and has been teaching the arts for 9 years (and counting), training students who have been accepted into performing arts institutions including selective educational conservatories and prestigious arts programs. Area Stage Credits: The Little Mermaid (Adella), Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Peter X Wendy (Wendy), and Shrek the Musical (Fiona).

Imran Hylton is a BFA musical theater graduate and Summa Cum Laude award recipient from The University of Florida and New World School of the Arts. Past performance credits include his Carbonell Award Winning Performance (Best Supporting Actor In a Musical) in Area Stage’s production of Beauty And The Beast (Maurice/Madame), Tarzan (Terk), The Little Mermaid (Sebastian), Annie (Miss Hannigan), Cabaret (Bobby), the world premiere of Broadway Musical “A Wonderful World” as the character Banjo Ben directed by Tony Nominee Christopher Renshaw. He would like to thank the amazing creative team of this production, his fellow cast members whom he has the honor to be sharing the stage with, his family and friends for their constant love, sacrifice and support! Instagram: @Imranhylton

Annette Rodriguez is a local performer, voice and acting coach and director of Area Stage’s ITP Productions from Miami, Florida. She studied at New World School of Arts and received her BFA in Music Theatre in 2021. Past theatre credits as a performer include Oliver! (Widow Corney), The Little Mermaid (Scuttle), Beauty and the Beast (Silly Girl), In the Heights (Carla), Annie (Lily St. Regis, Star-to-Be), Polar Express (Steward). She would like to thank her close family and friends for supporting her in all her endeavors.

Grace Suárez is an Acting graduate from Interlochen Arts Academy. Recent credits: Tarzan (Young Tarzan), Beauty and the Beast (Silly Girl), Rada (Rada), Sun In Ya Hands (Marisol). Grace was also featured at Lincoln Center’s premiere of MUKTI, where she presented a piece based on her experience as a Venezuelan refugee. She is thrilled to return to Area Stage and deeply grateful to her family for their unwavering support. Instagram/Tiktok: @gracesuarezn

Team

Eliezer Migueles (Master Carpenter) was born in Sancti Spíritus, Cuba, and worked as a farmer from a very young age. Upon arriving in Miami, he began his journey with Area Stage as an assistant carpenter. Over time, he mastered his craft and became the company's Master Carpenter in 2019. Eliezer is grateful for the career change opportunity that Area Stage has provided him and extends his heartfelt thanks to John and Maria Rodaz, and Laz Hanson for their mentorship and support.

Sofia Ortega (Wardrobe) is a multifaceted artist and educator. She is a graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where she holds BFA in Drama with a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies. Originally from Miami, her artistic journey began at age ten when she discovered her love for acting, singing, and dancing. Sofia has directed and choreographed numerous summer intensive workshops and coaches voice, dance (including Tap, Musical Theatre, and Jazz), and acting at numerous theatre and dance programs in Miami. Sofia is also a skilled costume designer, leveraging her strong foundation in the visual arts. Design credits include Area Stage's acclaimed productions of Lionel Bart’s Oliver!, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Anastasia, The Addams Family: Young@Part, and Frozen Jr. Her ultimate goal is to establish her own musical theatre school, where she can nurture aspiring artists to achieve their full potential.

Giancarlo Rodaz (Director, Artistic Director) is a Miami native who grew up immersed in the theatre, working in all areas of production. Directing credits include: Alice in Wonderland, Ride, She Kills Monsters, Shrek the Musical, The Wizard of Oz, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Matilda the Musical, Annie, Be More Chill, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Lionel Bart's Oliver!, Tarzan. Playwright/directing credits: Peter x Wendy, Rise of the Titans (Arsht Center), Janis Matthews & The Dodo Scouts (Area Stage), The Lone Wolf of Honeysuckle Valley, Don’t Fear the Rain (MicroTheater), Alice in Wonderland and Lady Miasma (Area Stage). His musical The Ballad of Janis Matthews and the Dodo Scouts, performed at The Mile Square Theatre (NJ), Lady Miasma. Carbonell Awards: Best Lighting Design nomination, The Nether (2017), Best Director nomination, Be More Chill (2022), Best Director, Beauty and the Beast and Best Production of a Musical, Beauty and the Beast (2022), Outstanding Production of a Musical nomination, The Little Mermaid (2023).  Silver Palm Award: Outstanding Direction and Highly Theatrical Vision for She Kills Monsters and The Wizard of Oz (2018), Be More Chill and Beauty and Beauty the Beast (2022). Oliver! (2024). He received the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce “Shooting Star” Award in 2022. He is currently working on a new project with the rock band Coheed and Cambria.

Arn Xu (Music Director, Pianist) received his BM in Piano Performance from UM’s Frost School of Music and his MM in Piano Pedagogy and Performance from the University of Toronto. In addition to being an active pedagogue, Arn has been described as a sensitive pianist in both a solo and collaborative setting, with performances, masterclasses, and musical theater productions throughout the states, Canada, and Europe. Recent credits include the Area Stage production of Tarzan (2025).

Board of directors

Harvey Burstein Chairperson

Pauline Goldsmith Secretary

Aimee Griffin, Giancarlo Rodaz

Board of Advisors

Frank Alvarez, David Caserta, Oscar Isaac, Don Van Natta

DONORS

Area Stage enthusiastically thanks its generous sponsors and donors, without whose involvement and support productions like this one would not be possible.

Award Winning Sponsor ($400,000+)

The Children’s Trust

Critically Acclaimed Sponsors ($350,000+)

State of Florida Agency of Persons with Disabilities

Nominated Sponsors ($250,000+)

Miami Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs

Debut Sponsors ($125,000+)

Dennis & Smith Foundation | Paul Doherty

Standing Ovation Sponsors ($75,000+)

Acle Family | Arza Family | Beatriz Bolton | Lyrasis | Marcia Frazier | May Family | Poses Family | TD Bank | The City of Coral Gables | The National Endowment for the Arts

Box Office Hit Sponsors ($50,000+)

Acle Law Firm | Bean Automotive Group | Jannette Milton | Sullivan Family

Applause Sponsors ($25,000+)

Dosal Foundation | The Jorge M. Perez Foundation and The Miami Foundation | Nicklaus Children’s Hospital

Director Circle ($10,000+)

Alex Vadia | The Gloria Estefan Foundation | Martha Sullivan | Olivia Vlasova | Commissioner Raquel Regalado

Music Director Circle ($5,000+)

Arthrex Inc | Bettina Arguelles Legorburu | Cesar Carvalho | David Worland | Dorothy Lusinski | Erin Hager | Fabian Basabe | Jessie Wolfson | Lee Rubin | Daphne Mershon | Ligia Del Pino | Lora Miller | Martin Stier | Nikisha Williams | Oscar Caceres | Thomas Mooney | Todd and Wendy Mangione | Vanessa Hyden | Acle Family | Arza Family | Beatriz Bolton | Brian May | Lyrasis | Marcia Frazier | Philene Foundation | Sara and Todd Poses | TD Bank | The City of Coral Gables

Choreographer Circle ($1,000+)

Thomas Mooney | Helen Mopsick | Harvey Burstein | Todd Poses | Edward Acle | Fabian de Armas | Hyman & Ida Kirsner | David & Patricia Farrell | Joseph Milton

Designer Circle ($500+)

Lee, Daphne & West Rubin | Javier Saladrigas | Olga Saladrigas | Bettina Legorburu | Erin Hager | The Miami Foundation | Maria Banda-Rodaz | David Caserta | Denise O’Neill | Justin Joy

Actor Circle ($250+)

Eva Escatel | Yann Cosmao | Ninoska Fernandez | Carlos Saladrigas | Gina Maser | Jose M Sanchez | Javier Fernandez | Adrian Esquivel | Joanna Tomas | Carolyn Mara | Jacqueline Kearns | Yann Cosmao | Ayca Kaya | Wendy Mangione | Ashlee Thomas | Philippa Milne

Ensemble Circle ($100+)

Michael Arufe | Yania De De Jesus | Joe Moore | Yann Cosmao | Nicole Arza | Natalie McGinn | Jennifer Gomez | Jessica Schwartz | Sabrina Perez | Mariana Morales | Jacqueline Alfonso | Ginger Moskowitz | Andrea Chavez | Rogelio Figueroa | Leticia Cordero | Bryan Wells | Karin Jawitz | Marti Gammon | Bari Newport | Irma Becker | Lourdes Farinas | Ramon Navarro | Jodie Rozencwaig | Fernando Perez | Eli Encarnacion | Mai Oizumi | Cheryl Newman | Mona and David Markus | Karen Colbert | Jim Mooney | Susana Esrequis | Linda and Tom Dann | Maribel Hung | Jose R Tarajano Jr | Jessica Bonzon | Jonathan Dann | Gricel Quimper | Michelle Arandes | Lucy Cruz | Chris Calvesbert | Beverly Cook | Julie De Grandy | Caressa Lanier | Barbara Pena | Carol Kaminsky | Troy Fields | Ryan Holtzman | Margaret Block | Jose Pere | Khia Lopez | Mary Inhoffer | Ryan Goepel | Charlayne W Thompkins | Lizette Alvarez | Robyn Batelman | Carmen Fanego Calixto | Luis Ramirez | Cheryl Evans | Carla Trinidad | Rachel Poses | Rochelle Lanster | The Pour | Kevin Grace | Timothy Jon Van Hemert | George Navarrete | Heidi Gruber | Jennifer Olenwine | Madelyn Herzfeld | Judith Frankel | Jorge Saladrigas | Ray Reslin | Thomas Proctor | Kathie Poses | Sarah Legorbruru-Selem | Vivian Perez-Siam | Natalie Schwartz | Francesca Silvestri

Friends of ASC ($25+)

Adaymis Estupinan | Adelia Harris | Adisbel Hernandez | Adriana Jaramillo | Aida Maria Hernandez | Aileen Ochoa | Aimee Coppola | Al Alschuler | Alan Barson | Alba Carreras-Vazquez | Alex Craze | Alex Torres | Alexandra Borges | Alfred Jonas | Alyssa DBazo | Amparo Munoz | Amy Perez | Amy Schneider | Amy Serrano Peterson | Ana De Jesus | Ana Vizoso | Anais Ramentol de Garcia | Analia Beeck | Andrea Lopez | Andrew Noble | Anette Linares | Angel Infante | Anjuli Kaufman | Ann Bogardus | Annette Calzadilla | Annie & Bobby Lang | Ariana Alvarez | Ashley Acosta | Ashley Litwin | Ayira Gomez | Beatriz Ochoa | Carla Datorre | Carlos Echeverría | Carlos Jauregui | Carlos Martinez | Carol Kaminsky | Catherine Cathers | Cecilia Arboleda | Cecilia Dibildox | Cecilia Infante | Chantal Salnave | Cheryl Evans | Chris Aldao | Christian A. Camacho | Christine Lopez | Christine Serrano | Christopher Cohen | Claudia Gershanik | Claudia López | Claudio Acuy | Cristina de Lamar | Cristina de Quesada | Cristina Fernandez | Cristina Y | Daisy Serrano | Daniel Diaz | Danielle Kaufman | Danny Ramos | Danny Taha | Darra Levy | David Alvarez | David R Eskra | Deena Cromer | Denise Fuentes | Dulce Jane | Edith | Elayne Escobar | Elena Napolez | Emily Bodden | Enrique Dillon | Enrique Ramentol | Eric Matthew | Erika Palacios | Esmeralda Cuellar | Familia De Armas Garcia | Fer Balsa | Fran Aronovitz | Gil Kaufman | Gina De Aguero | Gisela Davila Chavez | Gloria Garity | Grace Suarez | Haley Cove | Heidi Gruber | Hugo Ochoa | Iliana Martinez | Ire Diaz | Irma Becker | Isabella Alsina | Ivette Argudin | Jack Balayla | Jackeline Marx | Jackie Prosky | James Rosenberg | Jasmine Ferro | Jennifer Gomez | Jennifer Papy Barrow | Jennifer Rossi | Jenny Camacho | Jenny Gomez | Jessica Paz | Jodie Rozencwaig | Joel Aguilera | John Brandow | John Edward Smith | John Joffre | John Valdes Jr | Jorge Lopez | Jorgina Fernandez | Jose Paz | Joseph Paz | Juan Amaya | Juan Peña Jr | Juana Keller Sarmiento | Juana Vázquez | Julianne De Maria | Julio Alvarez | Justin Paz | Karen Touzalin | Karlene Goberdon | Kate Levien | Kathie Poses | Katie Aguirre | Katie McRae | Kelly Foster | Khia Lopez | Kristina Cruz | Lauren Dawson | Lauren Villoch | Lazaro Mesa | Len Evans | Lila Dann | Lillie Ferreiro | Lily Vidal | Liza Santana-Piñeres | Lorena Diaz | Lorraine Sweeney | Louis Lezama | Lourdes Alguino | Lourdes Ravinal | Lucia Eixarch | Lucia McGinn | Magela Bottaioli | Maggie Amoedo | Maggie Vicente-Rodriguez | Mai Oizumi | Mara Curi | Marcela Discua | Marcela Ubfal | Marcelo Penengo | Margaret Pearson | Maria Calatayud | Maria Molina | Maria Monica Ravelo | Maria Paz | Marina Rojas | Mario Gomez | Maris Kramer | Marissa Goldstein | Maritza Moreno | Martha Cruz Ares | Maria Angelica Paz | Maria Cuellar | Matlin Brown | Matthew Forrester | Maureen Perez | Mcgarrett Theodore | Mel Meinhardt | Melissa Rodriguez | Melissa Softness | Mia Castillo | Michael Cruz | Michelle Castro | Michelle Cuervo | Michelle Matthews | Milagros Casado de Achaval | Molena Mompoint | Monica Artigas | Monica Johnson | Monica Melo | Monica Nunez | Nadia Bayatzadeh | Nara Valdez | Natacha Alberghina | Natalia Jove | Natalie Marrero | Nicole Becker | Nilda Amoedo | Noah Brozinsky | Olivia Alvarez Geraldino | Ora burton | Patricia Ferrando | Paula Munoz | Peter Hardan | Rachel Arrate | Rafael Sangiovanni | Ramon Navarro | Ricardo Garcia | Roberto Franco | Rochelle Vaughan | Rocio Benoit | Ronnie Jacobson | Rosa Marrero | Rosario Lago | Rosi Torres | Sandra Restrepo | Sara Poses | Selma Benitez | Sissy Rodriguez | Sofia Amaya | Stanley Goldenberg | Stefany Hernandez | Stephanie Albuja | Steven Yermish | Sunny Triana | Sylvia Flores Berkshire | Tara Roberts | Tayreen Febles Nelson | Theresa Perriman | Travis Lapham | Ulyses Almanza | Urania Pena | Valentina Guerrero | Valeria Perez-Pliego | Vera Ciocca | Victor De Jesus | Victor Ramirez | Virginia Akar | Vivi Platt | Vivian Pitchik | Xavier Salinas | Yamileth Espinoza | Zoe Carlton

ABOUT AREA STAGE

It was 1989 when John Rodaz founded Area Stage. Maria 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 Inspire 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.

Recently, Area Stage was recognized with the 2024 and 2025 Miami Dade Favorites Silver Award for Favorite Live Theatre and honored by Miami-Dade County with a Proclamation designating June 6, 2025, as Area Stage Inc. Day in celebration of the Inspire Theatre Project’s outstanding contributions to the community, a true testament to the company’s lasting impact. With over 36 years of artistic excellence, Area Stage thanks you for your continued support. This remarkable legacy celebrates creativity, talent, innovation, and the privilege of serving our beloved community.

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