Gulfshore Playhouse Director of Education, Steven Calakos, recently received Honorable Mention for Excellence in Theater Education at the 2022 Tony Awards and was named one of the Greek America Foundation’s Forty Under 40s. These prestigious accolades are a celebration of Calakos’ work as a theatre. educator during his tenure as Director of Education.
Calakos was one of 18 acting teachers nationwide to receive an honorable mention for the 2022 Tony Awards. Through a nationwide submission process, the winner and honorable mentions are chosen by a judging panel comprised of the American Theater Wing , the Broadway League, Carnegie Mellon University and other theater industry leaders.
Upon his nomination and honorable mention, Calakos said, “Receiving this recognition is a testament not only to my work teaching theater as an NJ public school teacher and director of education, but also part of Gulfshore Playhouse’s mission. Making theater more accessible to our community has always been our goal and I’m honored to have the Tony Awards recognize that.”
Additionally, Calakos was named one of Greek America’s forty under 40s. This award recognizes Greek North Americans who excel in business, the arts, sciences and other fields. According to the Greek America website, “Excellence and philanthropy are two ideals set forth in the mission statement of the Greek America Foundation and our forty winners under 40 are the epitome of both.” Calakos expressed his pride in being in the company of these influential and innovative people who thrive in their professional fields and are committed to preserving their culture.
Gulfshore Playhouse is passionately committed to enriching our region’s cultural landscape by producing professional theater to the highest artistic standards and providing unique educational opportunities to diverse groups of people in the spirit of service, adventure and discovery. ‘excitement. Gulfshore Playhouse’s work is inspired by a belief in the magic of theater to expand the imagination, challenge the senses, provoke discussion and revitalize in its audience an understanding of our common humanity. This belief drives the care with which Gulfshore Playhouse treats its performers, audiences, students, staff, and members of the greater community.
Gulfshore Playhouse recently began construction on the state-of-the-art Baker Theater and Education Center. Located at the corner of Goodlette-Frank Road and 1st Avenue South, the gateway to downtown Naples, the facility will house a 350-seat main theater and a 125-seat studio, in addition to numerous event spaces , rehearsal and educational. Naming opportunities are always available.
For more information about Gulfshore Playhouse or its new facility, or to make a contribution, visit www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org or call 239-261-PLAY.