Miami Marlins partner with City Theatre and Adrienne Arsht Center in support of 2015 Summer Shorts Festival

MIAMI - The Miami Marlins today announced that they have partnered with City Theatre and Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County on a project that combines the best of sports entertainment and the arts in South Florida. Jose Fernandez, Michael Morse, Giancarlo Stanton and Billy The Marlin will be featured alongside actors from City Theatre on a series of street banners that promote the 2015 Summer Shorts Festival. The banners will be unveiled on Friday, May 22 in downtown Miami along Biscayne Boulevard.

The 2015 Summer Shorts Festival is back with an all new celebration of 20 years of the best short plays in the country. The production will open on Thursday, June 4 and play through June 28, 2015 in the Carnival Studio Theater at the Arsht Center. Evening performances will be held Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with afternoon matinees on Sunday at 4 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit CityTheatre.com/Marlins.

"Miami is a world-class city that offers art, culture and sports entertainment to residents and visitors alike. Partnerships like this keep it strong," said Marlins President David Samson. "The Marlins are committed to supporting the arts as one of the signature examples of our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility."

"I strongly believe that sports are part of culture, in Miami and throughout America," said Alan Fein, City Theatre Board Chair and Arsht Center Chair-Elect. "We have world-class athletes in Miami, and we have world-class performing artists in Miami, and we love to find opportunities to celebrate both. The people who populate the seats at our sports events are often the same people who support our arts institutions, and they are thrilled to see our star athletes support the arts."

Fein has been instrumental in creating marketing partnerships between South Florida professional sports teams and cultural institutions, including the 2012 street banner campaign featuring 2012 Miami Heat players Dwyane Wade and LeBron James and Miami City Ballet principal dancers Jeanette and Patricia Delgado. City Theatre is the national leader in producing innovative original short plays that enlighten, inspire and entertain.

###

About the Marlins Foundation:

The Marlins Foundation supports the Charity Partners of the Miami Marlins through philanthropy and service. Since the approval of Marlins Park, more than $5 million in philanthropy has been gifted to South Florida charities and more than 30,000 hours of service have been contributed by Marlins Ayudan. The Foundation is committed to improving the lives of our youth through education, the arts and baseball, with a focus on children with special needs. The Foundation community partnerships and outreach efforts demonstrate the Marlins' leadership in Corporate Social Responsibility and civic engagement.

About City Theatre:

City Theatre is a professional theatre company in Miami, FL that is celebrating 20 years of dedication to the development and production of new work, specifically the short play format in 2015. Since its inception, the company has received over 17,000 national script submissions (with over 900 submitted for this season alone) and produced over 400 original short plays by established playwrights and important new voices in the theatre industry. Best known for its award-winning Summer Shorts - America's Short Play Festival, City Theatre also presents in its annual programming the Shorts 4 Kids family program, CityWrights Professional Weekend for Playwrights Conference, and the LGBT-themed Shorts Gone Wild. The company fulfills its educational mission with the Short Cuts Educational Tour that teaches students throughout South Florida important life lessons through the art of theatre.

Visit www.citytheatre.com for more information.

About the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County:

Set in the heart of downtown Miami and designed by world-renowned architect Cesar Pelli, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is one of the world's leading performing arts organizations and venues. Since opening in 2006, the Arsht Center, a 501C3 non-profit organization, has emerged as a leader in presenting innovative programming that mirrors South Florida's diversity as well as a catalyst for billions of dollars in new development in the downtown area. Spotlighting legends and serving as a launch pad for local artists to make their mark on the international stage, the Center presents nearly 500 events each year across its eight flexible, state-of-the-art performance spaces. The Center programs 12 signature series, including the largest jazz series in South Florida, the biggest flamenco festival on the East Coast, and a robust program of new theatrical works as well as free programming for the community and an arts education program that serves nearly 30,000 children each year. As Miami's new Town Square, the Arsht Center also houses Brava!, a fine dining restaurant; the Café at Books & Books in the historic Carnival Tower and a weekly Farmers Market.

Visit www.arshtcenter.org for more information.