Meet the CGTFest Production Team
 

Founder & Artistic Director

William Hector

William Hector is a Miami-born writer whose works cover Formula 1, the afterlife, ancient Greece, and Kipling backpacks. A playwright, novelist and the founder and Artistic Director of the Coconut Grove Theatre Festival, an annual festival of new play readings by South Florida creatives, recently awarded Miami New Times 2026 Best New Festival, William’s artistic work and community building have made him one of the leading artistic voices of Coconut Grove, Miami’s hottest neighborhood. An alumnus of Ransom Everglades (2011) and the University of Miami (degrees in playwrighting and as the inaugural da Vinci Program graduate in Politics, Philosophy & Economics,) William was chosen to participate in Miami Dade County's Playwright Development Program, and was awarded a Knight Foundation New Work Miami grant to write, produce and stage G7: 2070: An Immersive Theatrical Summit. His work has also included performances of his plays such as Sheol, Draco, Unbound, The Monster with 21 Faces, The Kipling Backpack Thief, and Turbo Hybrid in collaboration with partners including The Playwrights Center, Meetinghouse Miami, ShowOff! International Playwrighting Festival, WLRN, The Deering Estate and the MDC Department of Cultural Affairs. In 2026, William served as a panelist for Miami Dade County’s Young Arts Enrichment Program and for the Kresge Foundation’s Artist Fellowship and Gilda Awards.

Producer

Caroline Gardner

Caroline Gardner is excited to join the team of Producers for the second annual Coconut Grove Theatre Festival. A Coconut Grove-based producer, entrepreneur, and community-driven storyteller, Caroline is dedicated to turning adversity into impact. As creator and host of the podcast Why We Tri, she built a platform rooted in resilience, amplifying powerful human stories that inspire connection and growth. Her work consistently bridges business and community, from founding Miles for Meals during the pandemic to support frontline healthcare workers and local Chef Demitiris Harvalis’ restaurant, Elia’s Cafe, to building and scaling ventures from the ground up.
Since relocating to Miami from Unionville, Connecticut, in 2003, Caroline has remained deeply committed to community. Contributing, volunteering, and driving growth for both local businesses and nonprofits with a relationship-first mindset. In 2024, she launched CBG Virtual Grove through CBG Consulting Agency, LLC, helping small businesses redefine and reach their goals through organizational management and strategic storytelling. She is proud to champion emerging voices and foster the kind of strong, supportive community that shaped her and continues to guide her work. Bringing that same philosophy to her consulting, where she helps turn business chaos into clarity. For business inquiries, contact caroline@cbgvirtualgrove.com.
 

Producer

Genevieve Block Apaza

Genevieve is a Miami native who grew up with a deep love of theatre before pursuing that passion formally at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, where she earned her BFA in Drama. She went on to work in theatre and commercials in New York and Los Angeles before eventually returning home to Miami. She is grateful for the opportunity to help nurture new art and is thrilled to be a part of bringing theatre back to the Grove.

Producer

Taylor Lyn Dawson

Taylor Lyn Dawson is thrilled to be helping bring theatre back to the Grove! Originally from Blacksburg, Virginia, Taylor is now based in Miami by way of New York City. She is an actor, singer, and producer!

As a producer, Taylor has brought new, strange, and innovative works to off-off-Broadway audiences in NYC, including Erin Proctor’s Time Hole, and Dante Piro’s escape room style one man show, The Verge.

As an actor, her most recent production was Spy for Spy with Kutumba Theatre Project. New York credits include the world premiere of Current World Record by Brandon Urrutia at The Tank, and winning first place at The Fresh Fruit Festival’s 10-Minute Play Competition with For Sale By Owner by Sam Turlington.

Outside of the theatre, Taylor is a certified personal trainer and passionate advocate for health and wellness.

Follow her on Instagram @taylorlyndawson or visit www.taylorlyndawson.com