Joseph Adler: A Legacy

Honor the Past. Inspire the Future

Join the campaign to secure the future of GableStage and support a thriving South Florida theatre community in Joe’s name.

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Joseph Adler (1940-2020)

As GableStage’s Producing Artistic Director of more than 24 years, Joseph Adler (affectionately known as Joe) was courageous, outspoken, steadfastly committed, and above all grateful for the opportunity to work on the stage. Described as a “transformative titan” and the “Godfather” of Florida’s theatre scene his career included directing at many South Florida theatres.

Active in the region’s film and theatre community since 1969, Joe directed hundreds of television commercials and industrial films and won many awards including the Clio. Ultimately, it was at GableStage where he produced his best most transformative work. His many accolades include the Citizens Interested in Arts Champion of the Arts Award and the ACLU Lifetime Achievement Award.

During his tenure at GableStage Joe solidified the company’s status as a leading South Florida destination for provocative cutting-edge theatre.

Photo on the top: Robert Sullivan. Photo on the left: Family  archive

Joseph Adler A Legacy | Campaign Objectives

Joseph Adler A Legacy | Campaign Objectives

To Produce Bold and Provocative Theatre​

Bold new work is where Joe Adler’s legacy and Bari Newport’s exciting vision coalesce. GableStage challenges South Florida audiences with provocative plays that confront today’s issues and ideas.

With Bari Newport at the helm, GableStage is poised to build upon 23 years of producing world premieres, regional premieres and championing cutting-edge works. Plays by Tarell Alvin McCraney, Sarah Burgess, David Mamet, Edward Albee, Tom Stoppard, James Joyce, Hailey Feiffer, Anna Ziegler, Stephen Adly Guirgis, Martin McDonagh, Athol Fugard and others have found a home at GableStage. In Bari’s inaugural season alone, the company will produce four world premieres. Beyond the actors that you see onstage, GableStage employs teams of designers, stage managers, craftspeople and technicians. The list of skilled artists required to produce professional theatre is lengthy. One of our main goals is to provide them with a salary that affords them to live in the community where they work.

To Nurture the Career of Local Theatre Makers

A robust and healthy arts sector is widely recognized to be a crucial element of a healthy and desirable place to live. A creative community supported by the public is an essential component of a thriving city.

South Florida has a history of being a place where creative artists to find inspiration. Over the years, many have found their permanent home in Miami. A founding tenet of GableStage has been to support, employ, grow and retain local talent.
Beyond the actors that you see onstage, GableStage employs teams of designers, stage managers, craftspeople and technicians. The list of skilled artists required to produce professional theatre is lengthy; and all of them should be able to afford to live in the community where they work.

Naming Opportunities

In recognition of extraordinary gifts to the Joseph Adler Legacy Campaign, the following naming* rights are available:

Become a Legacy Supporter

Naming Opportunities

In recognition of extraordinary gifts to the Joseph Adler Legacy Campaign, the following naming* rights are available:

Become a Legacy Supporter

$1,000,000 Joseph Adler Producing Artistic Director, supported by “Name”

Your donation will ensure that the most crucial position within the company, the Producing Artistic Director, continues to be synonymous with Joe. The Director leads the company in all administrative and creative decisions. With your support, this position of paramount importance will continue to be synonymous with Joe’s name.


$500,000 “Named” World Premieres Series

Joe was passionate about championing new work and making South Florida a fertile ground for serious theatre. You can honor Joe by ensuring that the next great contemporary play premieres in Miami. For a period of 10 years, your support will fund the development of new plays.

$300,000 “Named” Creative Audacity Initiative

Producing challenging, aesthetically-daring and thought-provoking plays was a hallmark of Joe’s career. For a period of 10 years, one production per season will be presented through this initiative. You can honor Joe’s legacy and support Bari’s vision for the future by underwriting this important aspect of the company’s mission.

$200,000 "Named" Youth & Family Series

Each year GableStage will present at least one work that the entire family can enjoy. For a period of 10 years, one production per season will be presented at GableStage as part of this series named in your honor.


$200,000 “Named”
Classics Series

GableStage is committed to producing one play each season that is deemed “classic.” Help breathe new life into seminal works by the giants of theatrical canon, from Shakespeare, to Edward Albee and Arthur Miller, by funding the Classics Series for a period of 10 years.

$100,000 “Named” Season at GableStage

In recognition of your gift one entire season of GableStage's signature provocative productions presented throughout the year will be named in your honor. The GableStage Board of Trustees has generously underwritten the 2022-2023 Season. Additional seasons are available to be named in your honor.

*Naming rights and associated recognition will be showcased in all public written mentions of the supported program, website, playbills, annual reports and onsite at the theatre. Donor will be recognized in perpetuity as a major supporter of the Joseph Adler Legacy Campaign.

Additional Opportunities | Nurture the Local Talent

Gifts of any level will help honor Joe’s legacy at GableStage for generations to come. In appreciation of especially generous contributions, donors will be recognized* in perpetuity as supporters of the Joseph Adler Legacy Campaign, and can choose to support one of the following initiatives or program components designed to nurture South Florida’s theatre community:

Become a Legacy Supporter

Additional Opportunities | Nurture the Local Talent

Gifts of any level will help honor Joe’s legacy at GableStage for generations to come. In appreciation of especially generous contributions, donors will be recognized* in perpetuity as supporters of the Joseph Adler Legacy Campaign, and can choose to support one of the following initiatives or program components designed to nurture South Florida’s theatre community:

Become a Legacy Supporter

$50,000+ A Commission Inspired by Local Stories (3 available)

Active on the South Florida theatre scene since 1969, Joe believed in this region as a thriving arts community and he helped transform the local creative landscape. His successor, Bari Newport, is known for celebrating local diversity wherever she works. You can honor Joe’s legacy and support Bari’s vision by underwriting one commissioned play inspired by stories unique to South Florida.

$25,000+ A “Joe Adler”
BIPOC Fellowship

Joe was fervently committed to providing emerging talent from local underrepresented communities with opportunities for professional growth. Your gift will enable one South Florida-based young theatre maker of color to hone their craft and gain invaluable experience by working alongside Bari and the GableStage team for half a season.

$5,000 - $15,000+ Honorarium for One Local Theatre Maker in a Production

$15,000+ Engagement of a South Florida-based Actor in a Production

$10,000+ Engagement of a South Florida-based Set, Lighting or Costume Designer in a Production

$7,000+ Engagement of a South Florida-based Crew Member in a Production

$5,000+ Provide Free Admission
to One Production

$5,000+ Provide Free Admission to one Production for South Florida Students and First Responders

*Recognition will be showcased on GableStage website, playbills, annual reports, and onsite at the theatre.

$50,000+ A Commission Inspired by Local Stories (3 available)

Active on the South Florida theatre scene since 1969, Joe believed in this region as a thriving arts community, and he helped transform the local creative landscape. His successor, Bari Newport, is known for celebrating local idiosyncrasies wherever she works. You can honor Joe’s legacy and support Bari’s vision by underwriting one commissioned play inspired by stories unique to South Florida.

$25,000+ A “Joe Adler” BIPOC Fellowship

Joe was fervently committed to providing emerging talent, particularly from local, underrepresented communities, with opportunities for professional growth. Your gift will enable one South Florida-based, young theatre maker of color to hone their craft and gain invaluable experience by working alongside Bari and the GableStage team for half a season.

 

$5,000 - $15,000+ Honorarium for One Local Theatre Maker in a Production

$15,000+ Engagement of a South Florida-based Actor in a Production

$10,000+ Engagement of a South Florida-based Set, Lighting or Costume Designer in a Production

$7,000+ Engagement of a South Florida-based Crew Member in a Production


$5,000+ Free Admission to one Production

$5,000+ Provide Free Admission to one Production for South Florida Students, Seniors and First Responders

*Recognition will be showcased in all related collateral, the GableStage website, playbills, annual reports, as well as onsite at the theatre.

Commitment to Fiduciary Responsibility

Commitment to Fiduciary Responsibility

Support for GableStage is a Sound Investment

Our donors are our stakeholders. Ticket sales cover only a small fraction of what it costs to produce professional theatre for hundreds of audience members every year. It is through your generosity that we are able to present our work. We take your commitment to our mission seriously and we want you to know that your investment in us is safe and secure.

The Joseph Adler Legacy Campaign donations will be professionally managed by the Wealth Management Team at Grove Bank and Trust. Founded in 1926, the institution manages nearly one billon dollars on behalf of its clients.

 “Joe was, in so many ways, the godfather of edgy, serious theatre in South Florida.” 

– Christine Dolen, former Miami Herald theatre critic

Download the Joseph Adler Legacy Campaign Statement here

Contact Information

Advancement@gablestage.org (305) 446-1116 Ext. 307