The City of Miami Beach is home to the region’s major ballet company, orchestra, art fair, and museums. On September 14, 2016, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2016-29569, approving an agreement with Miami Theater Hub, Inc. D/B/A Miami New Drama (“Miami New Drama”) for the management and operation of the Colony Theatre. With this agreement, the City added live theater to the well-rounded cultural personality that sets Miami Beach apart from the rest of the region.
Under the direction of multiple-award winning director and playwright Moises Kauffman and Michel Hausmann, Miami New Drama is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 presenting and producing organization committed to theatrical excellence and theater-making as a means of social engagement, cultural conversation, and human interaction. The company presents world-class relevant work by American, Latin American, and international artists designed for the intersections of Miami Beach’s multicultural 21st century audience. By sharing work where cultures dialogue and communities intersect, Miami New Drama aims to reach audiences as diverse as the City itself.
Miami New Drama’s productions include an eclectic mix of original plays, musicals, classics and world premieres, including work commissioned specifically for Miami New Drama. These productions utilize a mix of the best local, national and international talent to incubate work from scratch. Actors, directors and designers culled from the Miami community and beyond create work that reflects the best of Miami Beach, while highlighting some of the best theatrical talent in the world.
Since becoming the managing resident company of the Colony Theatre in October 2016, Miami New Drama has hosted the Miami premier of Moonlight, produced and presented two in house theatrical works, Terror and A Special Day, and has presented numerous cultural activities which resulted in over 15,000 attendees during the first two quarters. As well, Miami New Drama was awarded a matching grant of $150,000 from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation for an ongoing project, American Clásico: Envisioning the Theatrical Canon through a Multicultural Lens at the Colony Theatre. With American Clásico, Miami New will create bilingual adaptations of classic theater works, including Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire and August Strindberg’s Miss Julie. Their first project, which will open in the fall of 2017 will be a multi-cultural reimagining of Our Town created to reflect the theater’s community. This premier, produced with the endorsement and support of the Thornton Wilder foundation, marks the only re-interpretation of Our Town ever granted to a presenting organization.
The Management Agreement with Miami New Drama, dated October 4, 2016, outlines the following key terms and conditions:
· During the first Contract Year of the initial term of the Agreement (October 1, 2016-September 30, 2017), the City of Miami Beach shall provide funding to Miami New Drama in the amount of $170,000, payable within fifteen (15) days following the end of each Quarter
· Beginning January 15, 2017 and during the remainder of the Initial Term and any Renewal Terms, the City will also contribute a reimbursement in an amount not-to-exceed $80,000 annually for utility costs.
· The agreement shall be for an initial term of two (2) years, commencing on October 1, 2016 and ending on September 30, 2018. At its sole option and discretion, the City may extend this agreement for up to one (1) additional five (5) year terms, and one (1) additional two (2) years and 364 day terms.
· Miami New Drama will honor event rentals which have been booked prior to the date of the execution of this Agreement and receive from the City all revenues from the agreements. Miami New Drama shall also honor any rent waivers that have been approved by Resolution of the Mayor and City Commission.
· Miami New Drama shall cause at least 75 events at the facility for each contract year, serving more than 30,000 visitors per year
· Miami New Drama shall provide day-to-day operational and administrative services in support of its management activities to ensure that the facility shall be operated, managed and maintained in a first class manner, including but not limited to, acquisition of services, equipment, supplies and facilities; maintenance and property management; security; personnel management; record-keeping; collections and billing; and promotional activities, including but not limited to public relations, social media and paid marketing outreach.
· Miami New Drama shall provide quarterly reports to the City detailing event records and programmatic plans, marketing and promotional activities, maintenance and capital work, and operational/administrative budgets.
Additional terms and conditions can be found in the attached draft Management Agreement (Exhibit A).
Administration and Miami New Drama desire to amend the Management Agreement (Exhibit B) to include six parking spaces at Municipal Parking Lot No. P25, located at 17th Street and Lenox Avenue at no charge to Miami New Drama. These spaces are to be used by Miami New Drama staff. The cost of the parking is $74.90 monthly for each permit, which would equate to $449.40 monthly or $5,392.80 annually. Funding has been identified in the Tourism, Culture and Economic Development budget to cover the expense.