Rich Simone loved his island paradise and the local characters who befriended him. Key West Credits as Director and/or Designer: FOLLIES IN CONCERT, GUYS & DOLLS and JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAM COAT for the Key West Pops, NO CHILD, THE GRADUATE and DINNER WITH FRIENDS at the Waterfront Playhouse, SHOWTUNE, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and BATBOY: THE MUSICAL at the Red Barn, THE MOST HAPPY FELLA and SOUTH PACIFIC for Island Opera Theatre, . Richs award winning work was recognized on the mainland and included: POPCORN (Carbonell Nomination, Curtain Up Award/Best Scenic Design), THE GOAT (Carbonell Award, Curtain Up Award/Best Scenic Design), JAMES JOYCE’S THE DEAD (Carbonell Award/Best Scenic Design) at GableStage; CRIMES OF THE HEART (Curtain Up Nominations/Best Scenic Design/Best Director of a Play/Best Play, Carbonell Nominations/Best Director of a Play/Best Play), THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Curtain Up Awards/Best Ensemble/Best Supporting Actor in a Musical) and BLOOD BROTHERS (Carbonell Nominations/Best Director of a Musical/Best Musical, Curtain Up Awards/Best Director of a Musical/Best Musical), all at the Shores Performing Arts Theatre, which also received the Most Progressive and Innovative Theatre Award from the Curtain Up voters for 2003 during his tenure as Artistic Director. Rich was also named Best South Florida Scenic Designer of 2001 by the Miami New Times, but is most proud to have been named a finalist for the 2003 Artist Impact Award, presented by the Miami Children’s Cultural Coalition for his work in children’s theatre.