Yes, it can be done, especially if you are growing them in containers. Pot them up but keep the containers in a warm location until the tubers sprout. Once the foliage is up and growing, you can move them to their summer home in shade.

The attached link suggests a June 1st planting date for your area. You can probably bump that up a bit if you start them in containers first. Container soil heats up faster than inground soil, particularly if the containers are placed somewhere where they will receive reflected heat, like a sunny patio or walkway. And unless your nighttime temperatures drop drastically during the growing season, they will retain much of the heat they absorb during the day. Containers are much more subject to the influence of ambient air temperatures so even in shade the soil will stay warm in your hot summers.

(see the "Landscaping Tip" in the link for how another cold zone gardener (Ohio) grows caladiums)

Here is a link that might be useful: growing caladiums

I'll give that a try. Thank you for your helpful post. I think caladiums are so lovely and want them very much in a tub on my front porch.