Teatro Avante

When the idea of creating a festival highlighting the work of Miami’s numerous Hispanic theatre companies began percolating, nearly forty years ago, there were 13 ensembles involved. Sadly, of that group, Teatro Avante is the only remaining company. As the IHTF evolved, with funding support from the Ford Foundation, we began presenting national Hispanic theatre companies. Later, with the Rockefeller Foundation’s support, we began presenting international ensembles. The IHTF is the country’s leading presenter of Hispanic theatre, and we are committed to presenting the most compelling work from our own community as well as national and international work.

Avante has had the distinction of representing the United State in diverse countries from Argentina to the Dominican Republic; from Japan to Portugal; and from Slovenia to France. Domestically, Avante has been presented in Albuquerque, Buffalo, El Paso, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. 

Our programs have grown in depth and sophistication while strengthening our ties in the community. An artist driven organization, we have employed hundreds of Florida artists. We served thousands of K-12 students annually. Since 1995, Avante has used English supertitles, increasing diversity and inclusion in our non-Spanish-speaking audiences, also for the hearing impaired.

For its leadership role locally, nationally, and internationally, Avante and the IHTF have consistently received funds from the NEA, the State of Florida, and the Miami-Dade Cultural Affairs Council. Government support has been the lifeblood of Avante and the IHTF Corporations such as American Airlines; Bacardi USA; Marriott Hotels; the Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald, and as well as community-owned local businesses have supported the work of Avante and the Festival. However, corporate support - as with other funding sources - is not a constant we can depend on. Through cash donations and critical in-kind support, these funds and services have made the Festival possible. We also get in-kind support from Miami’s small business community such as printers and restaurants, while our two primary venues, the Adrienne Arsht Center and Miami-Dade County Auditorium provide us with free performance spaces for both the Festival and our annual Teatro Avante production.

Southern Cultural Treasures is a program of South Arts and made possible with support from the Ford Foundation and the Alice L. Walton Foundation.