Miami is full of grade-A artists, writers, directors, actors - all manner of creatives - and the
Adrienne Arsht Center is here to make sure you never forget it.
For the sixth year in a row, the Center celebrates locals with the Miami Made Festival, packing a whole weekend's worth of works in progress representing multiple disciplines, running Thursday through Sunday. It's never been easier to show support for your city, because the entire event is free to attend.
Seriously, you've got no excuse, and just check out all the stuff you can enjoy.
What started as an open call to locals in 2005 continues to grow into a breeding ground for rising stars. The Arsht Center uses the Festival as a platform to help aspiring creatives hone their craft and catch some spotlight. Many of the works in progress featured evolve into full features. Some of them, like 2005's Cabaret Unkempt, even go on to international tours.
"With Miami Made Festival 2014, the Arsht Center continues building on its history of nourishing innovative new work with a deeper commitment to artists who have created work on the Arsht Center stages in the past," said John Richard, president and CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center, in a press release.
Indeed, many of this year's featured talents have storied histories with the Center. The works vary from play readings, to musicals, and even a multi-media performance.
APPALACHIAN SQUALL - Produced, created and directed by Shira Abergel
Multi-media performance
Thursday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Featuring: Shira Abergel and Jameson Hammond
Written by: Shira Abergel
Original music by: Shira Abergel and Avocado Estate
Music performed by: Avocado Estate, Geoffrey Saunders, Joy Adams, James Schlender
I KNOW WHAT I AM AND I AM NOT WHAT YOU CALL ME
Original play reading
Friday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 8 at 3 p.m.
Written by: Jonathan Spikes and Shanteria Griglen
BETTER THAN DAMN GOOD, A new musical
Original play reading
Adapted from the original play Better Than Damn Good by Stuart Meltzer
Saturday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Written by: Stuart Meltzer
Lyrics by: Maribeth Graham
Music by: Dana P. Rowe
TWO-MERZ
Original play reading
Sunday, March 9 at 4 p.m.
Written by: Mark Dellaventura, Gabe Hammad and David Michael Sirois
"Now in its sixth season, it is hugely gratifying to experience homegrown Miami work move from book to stage with artistic recognition and community appreciation," Richard continued in the release. "We look forward to helping create many more Miami hits."
Miami Made Festival. Thursday, March 6, through Sunday, March 9, at the Adrienne Arsht Center fo the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. All performances take place at Carnival Studio Theater in the Ziff Ballet Opera House. Access passes are free and available beginning 10 a.m. the day of each show at the box office. Call 305-949-6722 or visit arshtcenter.org.
