The mission and/or main activities that contribute to being culturally significant:
Ronnie Larsen is a prolific LGBTQ+ actor, playwright, director, and producer—and the founder and artistic director of the nonprofit theater company Plays of Wilton (POW. He began writing plays in 1994, and since then, 24 of his works have been produced—five of which premiered Off-Broadway in New York City—along with international stagings in Canada, Australia, England, and Italy. Larsen first gained recognition in the 1990s with his edgy, adult-oriented gay comedies like Making Porn, which ran for an impressive 511 performances Off-Broadway Theatrical Musings.
Over time, he evolved creatively—delving into more emotionally grounded and inclusive storytelling—while still honoring his provocative roots
Since relocating to Wilton Manors, he transformed a small rehearsal space into The Foundry, a 54-seat black-box theater next to Island City Stage, creating a hub for queer performance and storytelling. Through POW, Larsen has led numerous productions, breaking ground locally while also taking shows like The Actors to Off-Broadway stages.
His contributions haven’t gone unnoticed—Larsen and POW have received multiple honors, including 17 Carbonell Award nominations, four wins, and three Silver Palm Awards. In 2023, he received the Howard Kleinberg Award for his notable contributions to the arts community in South Florida. Beyond his theater work, Larsen’s journey—from early gay comedies to founding a celebrated LGBTQ+ cultural institution in Wilton Manors—reflects resilience, artistic reinvention, and commitment to community.
