PR E SEN T S
KIDZACT SEASON SPONSOR:
SHOW SPONSOR:
Mr. Henry Price
Dr. and Mrs. Bryan Murphey
PRODUCTION OF
Book by
NICK BLAEMIRE Music Adaptation by
Vocal & Incidental Arrangements by
Additional Lyrics by
MADELINE SMITH
MADELINE SMITH
NICK BLAEMIRE
Orchestrations by
MATTHEW TISHLER
Music Produced by
MATTHEW TISHLER
Songs by JOHAN ALKENAS, ADAM ANDERS, ARISTEIDIS ARCHONTIS, ANTONINA ARMATO, HOWARD ASHMAN, PEER ASTROM, STEPHEN MARK CONLEY, DOUG DAVIS, CHARITY DAW, ANDREW C. DODD, JOSH EDMONDSON, PIPO FERNANDEZ, NIKKI HESSMAN, SAMUEL HOLLANDER, BEN HOSTETLER, TIM JAMES, HANNA JONES, JACK KUGELL, CRAIG LASHLEY, ANDREW LIPPA, JEANNIE LURIE, ALAN MENKEN, GRANT PHILLIP MICHAELS, ANTHONY MIRABELLA, SHAYNA MORDUE, CHEN NEEMAN, SUSAN PAROFF, SHELLY M. PEIKEN, JOACIM PERSSON, JOMES K. PETRIE, ADAM SCHLESINGER, ADAM SCHMALHOLZ, TYLER SHAMY, JODIE SHIHADEH, NIKKI ANN SORRENTINO, THOMAS ARMATO STURGES, ALI DEE THEODORE, MATTHEW WONG, DAVID ZIPPEL Based on the Disney Channel Original Movies written by JOSANN MCGIBBAN and SARA PARRIOTT DISNEY’S DESCENDANTS is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
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SPONSORED BY:
Dr. and Mrs. Bryan Murphey
Director
Music Director
Jessica Walck
Choreographer
Cynthia Dallas
Lighting Designer
Craig Walck
Costume Designer
Bret Poulter
Scenic Designer
Mike Santos
Stage Manager
Mary Anne McKerrow
Sound Designer
Kenzie Currie
Properties
Gabrielle Lansden
Nicholas Hernandez
Season Dramaturg
Ricki Baker
APRIL 1-3, 2021 • BLACKBURN HALL Executive Artistic Director, Bryce Alexander
KIDZACT SEASON SPONSOR:
Mr. Henry Price
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Cast (in alphabetical order)
Doug…..............................................................................E VA N A B R A M Fair y Godmother..................................................................A LEEN A A RICO K i n g B e a s t…...................................................... B E N J A M I N B E I G H T O L J ay…........................................................................ C H R I S T I A N B O F F Ben….......................................................................... E T H A N B R E N D E L Grimhilde….................................................................IS A BEL L A BU RGOS Carlos........................................................................BR A X TON C A BR ER A C r u e l l a D e V i l l e..................................................... G I S E L L E C A I R N E Y C h a d.................................................................T U C K E R C L A R E M O N T Audr ey…...............................................................I S A B E L L A D I N O RC I A Mal................................................................................DA N I E L L A F LOM Jane….......................................................................O L I V I A L AC H A N C E Evie.......................................................................... H A D L E Y M U R P H E Y Q u e e n B ell e…............................................................... . . . M I A P A U L E C M au r i c e........................................................................ A I D E N T H AY E R Ja f ar…............................................................................K E N N Y T R A N M a l e f i c e n t ..................................................................L O R E L A I V E G A E n s e m b l e…. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K A R I N A B A L D W I N N G U Y E N , M A D D I E B R E N D E L , M I S D A D A N T E S , A D D I E E A S T E R LY, C A S S I E L E T E N D R E , S A B I N E R I V E R A , S O P H I A S I C I L I A N O, R A C H E L W E I N E R
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Crew ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS…................................MANDA SMITH, AMY TRAN ASSISTANT MUSIC DIRECTOR…....................................................LIN H A RT PRODUCTION ASSISTANT…...............................................NUR AN EUSTACHE SOUND SUPERVISOR…..............................................BR ADLE Y VAN HOUTEN BACKSTAGE CREW…...........................................................DA N A I A I VA NOV LIGHT BOA RD OPER ATOR…...............................................PAT R IC I A P U I A AUDIO ASSISTANTS….......N A K ITA CHERNIN, PATRICI A PUI A , SA MUEL VERNI SPOTLIGHT OPER ATORS…............................R E X BU R NS, JACK G I A L A M A S K AY H A R K I N S,LOG A N WA L D E N, D E B W E S O LOW S K I FLY R AIL….......................................................................... M A N D A S M I T H WIGS / MAK EUP…............................................................K UR A ROBINSON WARDROBE SUPERVISOR....................................................KUR A ROBINSON DRESSERS…....PAMELA CARUSO, CAROLYN D’ARCO, JILL LANE, ESTHER SNYDER DRESSING ROOM MONITORS…......CHR IST INE BOU T EL L, MEG A N E A ST ER LY M A D E L I N E M I L L E R , B R I A N N A R I B E L L I N O, T H A L I A TA D E O COSTUME CR AF TS…..................................................G A BRIELLE L A NSDEN COSTUME CONSTRUCTION….....................K A R EN BR INK M A N, JAC K C OL E, L O U I S E E L I O T, S A N D I L O P R E S T I , J O H N M C K E R R O W, J U DY S M I T H , J E A N S N Y D E R , G A BY W E G E R SET CONSTRUCTION & SCENIC DESIGN............K E VIN BUJA , ROGER CL A RK, A L I V I A C R O S S , A L D O D’A C U N ZO, S I D DAV I S , E D E Z R I N E , J O E F E M I A , TA M M Y H A R R I S , E D H E C K E R T, S A N DY K E E L E R , S T E V E L E E , R U S S L OY E T, R AY M A R A S C O, S C O T T S I M M E N , J E F F S M I T H
SPECIAL THANKS Photographers Drew & Karen Attanasio • Andrea Bramante 5
Bringing Us
TOGETHER To set the stage: It’s present-day in the kingdom of Auradon, where Disney’s beloved heroes and royalty are living happily ever after, safe from the terrifying villains they’ve banished to the Isle of the Lost – a land where inhabitants are trapped and there is no magic. Prince Ben, next in line for the Auradon throne, offers redemption to the four most notorious children of the most evil villains: they get to attend Auradon Prep with the “good” children of their parents’ enemies.
Entering this strange world and way of life, mostly against their will, the four eventually face a series of challenges: Will they choose not to follow in their parents’ wicked footsteps and learn to be good? Can they understand and accept the limits of their parents’ love for them? Will they discover what each of them needs most?
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And this is exactly where Descendants begins to ‘speak’ to its audiences – adults and children of all ages. To the four, evil would seem to have its rewards – they learned that lesson from their parents, and it’s been drummed into their heads from the beginning. It’s also true that none of them has ever come face to face with goodness. Between the Fairy Godmother’s Goodness classes, learning teamwork, showering affection on a dog, and finding young love, the youthful former villains have their eyes opened to a new way to live.
Kindness, compassion, friendship, and the notion that each of us can choose to “be good” is the powerful and lasting message of Descendants. It’s a message for the ages – ALL of them!
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Family Ties
SPOTLIGHT ON KIDZ ACT SEASON SPONSOR HENRY PRICE by Lauren Speirs
We like to say we’re a family here at The Naples Players, but sometimes we have literal family ties within our organization - It comes with the territory when you’re a theatre for the community!
Henry Price recently sent a generous donation to The Naples Players (TNP) and CEO & Artistic Director, Bryce Alexander, decided to honor Mr. Price the Official Sponsor of KidzAct for this upcoming season. Henry isn’t the only Price family member involved with The Naples Players... Henry’s son, Craig Price, is the Director of TNP’s Community Education & Wellness Program which focuses on providing health and wellness benefits to our community through the arts. From high school transition programs for teenagers with disabilities to movement and improv classes for senior citizens with Parkinson’s – TNP’s classes and programs serve a wide variety of people in the community.
The Price Family (Henry and Craig in back) at the TNP Trees & Teas Festival
Craig’s father Henry is originally from Indianapolis, Indiana and has been coming to Naples for 27 years. He was involved in theatre in high school and college and loved it. With an extensive 50 year career as a trial lawyer, Henry is as much of a performer as his son. He says that his involvement with theatre at a young age “gave me the confidence to go around and be a trial lawyer,” and jokes that “the
audiences in a courtroom are similar, but they can’t walk out!” Henry’s son Craig also notes his father’s skill in the courtroom and links that success to his Dad’s early experiences with theatre: “One of the things that I always admired about my dad - that I know he got from the theater - was his ability to litigate in the courtroom. He could be such an easy going guy in life, but then I know when he went into the courtroom he would completely play another character. He was a tough litigator - always fighting for the little guys.” After retiring and moving to Naples, Henry came to see and support The Naples Players’
performances. “The quality of the performances is very good. When I retired, we were able to do more financially. It’s a combination and extension of my involvement with that community and Craig’s involvement with the community. It’s a natural place to invest and I was fortunate enough to do very well as a trial lawyer. I have some invested assets to help, and the theatre is one of the places that I think is best to invest it.” Henry also tested his performing skills with The Naples Players by auditioning for the role of Eliza’s Father in My Fair Lady. “It became very apparent that I couldn’t sing and Craig said, ‘why don’t you go up to my voice CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE >
Craig Price teaches an Improv for Performance class to KidzAct participants.
Family Ties CONTINUED
instructor?’ I went up for one lesson and the instructor told me ‘when you sing with me, you stay right in tune. But you can’t sing with a piano.’ We did a play in high school and I didn’t have a singing part… now I know why!” As far as his feelings on his son’s career with The Naples Players, Henry “loves it -
Craig Price teaches an Improv Wellness class to participants from StarAbility Foundation. I’m very proud of him. He’s put his training to socially beneficial and important wellness uses. And he loves it, too - loves improv and working with the children because his two children have disabilities, as well.” Henry’s wife has Alzheimer’s and he noted that The Naples Players also works with with Alzheimer’s support groups and caregivers. “It’s life changing,” he added.
Additionally, Henry is amazed that Craig “has been able to carry on with improv classes virtually through COVID because it benefits human interaction that we’ve all missed through the pandemic. To do that successfully, and even build the number of classes he’s been able to offer, just amazes me. I couldn’t do improv - it’s a unique skill and his personality is perfectly suited.” Respect is clearly mutual between father and son. Craig adds “I am so fortunate to have a father that is extremely supportive of my career in the theatre. He loves hearing how I am able to make a difference in the lives of kids and families. Plus, he is n able to watch his grandchildren benefit from their experience at The Naples Players.” As the KidzAct Season Sponsor, Henry says that KidzAct “does for all participants what theatre did for me. It brings a lot of people out of their shells to give them confidence in whatever career they choose.” This dynamic duo is just another example of the ways The Naples Players is building community.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2021-2022 Season Sponsor: Mr. Henry Price KidzAct does for participants what theatre did for me. It brings a lot of people out of their shell and that gives them confidence in whatever career they choose.”
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-HENRY PRICE
Setting the Stage for a Lifetime: Parents Can Encourage Their Children to Love Theater Forever! In these times when parents and experts are voicing concern about an “empathy gap” among young people, theater offers some solutions. It encourages empathy by drawing audiences into the experiences of others. Descendants lets us see this principle at work. Theater stimulates everyone’s creative imagination because it relies on the audience to imagine a new world. Theater even has the power to break through the isolation of the Digital Age by getting people in a room together to experience living, breathing performers.
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For elementary school students, theater is a great activity for the whole family. But even with youngsters, parents should seek out shows that are appealing to kids and to themselves. If parents aren’t interested, they are unlikely to pave the way for a lifelong love of theater. Having both parents and kids engaged in a show stimulates conversation – which often start on the way home and can last for days!
Middle schoolers may not be thrilled to see a show with their parents. Encourage them to go with friends, then talk about what they took away from the performance. Kids often think about their own lives through a play, putting themselves in other’s shoes. Observing how a stage character solves a problem may offer useful strategies.
High school students can be encouraged to go beyond attending a show. A little preparation beforehand typically gets everybody excited. A few ways to enrich the play-going experience: listen to the soundtrack several times before seeing the play; read the script; learn about the time or place where the play is set, or even find out about the play’s performers and director. Kids this age can certainly understand how unique every single live show is: no performance is ever the same.
For kids of virtually any age, the experience of seeing a stage performance can last far longer that the time spent in the theater and can lay the foundation for a lifetime of pleasure, enchantment, and fresh perspectives.
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Scenes
&
MUSICAL NUMBERS
SCENE 1: AURADON, BELLE AND BEAST’S CASTLE Better Together (Prelude 1)...............................................................................BEN
SCENE 2: ISLE OF THE LOST Rotten to the Core (Part 1)..........................MAL, EVIE, JAY, CARLOS, ISLE ENSEMBLE Rotten to the Core (Part 2)..........................MAL, EVIE, JAY, CARLOS, ISLE ENSEMBLE Evil Like Me...............................................................................MALEFICENT, MAL
SCENE 3: AURADON PREP Be Our Guest (Part 1).............................................................AURADONIAN CHOIR Be Our Guest (Part 2)..................................................CHAD, AURADONIAN CHOIR Good Is the New Bad (Preprise)................................................FAIRY GODMOTHER Good Is the New Bad (Part 1)...................MAL, EVIE, JAY, CARLOS, AURADONIANS Good Is the New Bad (Part 2)............DOUG, AUDREY, CHAD, EVILS, AURADONIANS
SCENE 4: MAL AND EVIE’S DORM ROOM SCENE 5: DORM HALLWAY SCENE 6: MUSEUM OF CULTURAL HISTORY Evil Like Me (Reprise 1)....................................................................................MAL
SCENE 7: AURADON PREP, CLASSROOM SCENE 8: ISLE OF THE LOST, MALEFICENT’S LAIR Rotten to the Core (Parents’ Revenge)......MALEFICENT, JAFAR, GRIMHILDE, CRUELLA
SCENE 9: AURADON PREP, TOURNEY FIELD Goal....................JAY, CARLOS, MAL, EVIE, BEN, CHAD, COACH, AUR ADONIANS Good ls the New Bad (Reprise 1)............................................AURADONIANS 1 & 2
SCENE 10: MAL AND EVIE’S DORM ROOM Ways to Be Wicked (Preprise).............................................MAL, EVIE, JAY, CARLOS
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SCENE 11: AURADON PREP, COURTYARD Did I Mention (Prelude).............................................................................BEN Did I Mention......................................BEN, JAY, CARLOS, EVIE, AUR ADONIANS
SCENE 12: THE DATE Better Together (Prelude 2).......................................................................BEN, MAL
SCENE 13: MAL AND EVIE’S DORM ROOM Space Between.................................................................................MAL, EVIE Chillin’ Like a Villain (Part 1)....................................................EVIE, JAY, CARLOS
SCENE 14: ISLE OF THE LOST Chillin’ Like a Villain (Part 2)............................................EVIE, JAY, CARLOS, BEN
SCENE 15: AURADON PREP, HALLWAY Good Is the New Bad (Reprise 2)......................................................AURADONIANS
SCENE 16: ISLE OF THE LOST, MAL’S HIDEOUT If Only.........................................................................................................MAL, BEN
SCENE 17: AURADON PREP, COURTYARD Ways to Be Wicked..........AUDREY, CHAD, EVILS, BEN, AURADONIANS, EVIL PARENTS
SCENE 18: THE CORONATION, AURADON CATHEDRAL Go the Distance (Chorale).................................................AUR ADONIAN CHOIR Evil Like Me (Reprise 2).............................................................MALEFICENT Bet t er Toget her......................................................................C O M PA N Y Br eak This Down....................................................................C O M PA N Y B o w s.................................................................................C O M PA N Y
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P M CA at
YO U N G PER F O R M ER ’S E D IT IO N
Acting, singing, dancing, teamwork, friends, and fun are all in store at our KidzAct Summer Arts Camp at TNP
S TA R TING JUNE 2 1
LEARN MORE & SIGN UP AT: NaplesPlayers.org 239.434.7340, Ext. 127 Need-based scholarships are available. Application available online.
Cast
BIOGR APHIES
Evan Abram ( Doug) is a 7th grade s t udent at T hree Oak s Middle. Although this is his first musical with KidzAct, this is actually his 6 th production. He’s excited to be back on stage and thanks his family, cast, and crew for their support. Heigh Ho! Enjoy the show! Aleena Arico (Fairy Godmother) is thrilled to be performing in Descendants! She was most recently seen in the ensemble of Moana JR. She would like to thank the cast and crew of Descendants and hopes you enjoy the show! Karina Baldwin Nguyen (Ensemble/Dance Captain) is so excited to be performing in another Naples Players production. S h e t h a nk s he r f a mil y and friends for their continued love and support. She’s enjoyed singing, dancing, and performing in a variety of many productions, recitals, and showcases since she was 3. She is so excited to be performing this year, especially through these tough times!
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Benjamin Beightol (King Beast) is a 16-yearold sophomore at FSW. He is so excited to be in another KidzAct production. He has been in KidzAct on and off for 12 years and loves being on stage! He would like to thank Kenzie Currie for her patience and support in this strenuous biowriting process. He hopes you enjoy the show! Christian Boff (Jay) I have done theatre for more than 6 years and have enjoyed every moment of it. The Naples Players gave me a great chance to continue to do theatre annually. I thank them for giving me the chance to grow and expand my ability. Thank you for coming and enjoy the show! Ethan Brendel ( B e n) i s a 17-ye a r- o l d student at Naples High School. He is very excited to be part of this team and to be back doing shows again at The Naples Players. Maddie Brendel (Ensemble) has been doing theater since she was 6 years old and she loves it. She is ver y grateful to everyone who put their time and effort into making this show amazing!
Isabella Burgos (Grimhilde) This is Isabella’s second production at The Naples Players, and she is beyond excited to be part of this production and cast. Other roles include the Witch in Into the Woods, the Lady of the Lake in Monty Python’s Spamalot, and Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music. Braxton Cabrera (Carlos) is a 6th grader at Oakridge Middle School. This is his second production with KidzAct and he is enjoying every minute of it. His last show was The Sound of Music as Kurt. He is currently in Twelfth Night as Duke Orsino as well. Giselle Cairney (Cruella De Ville) is 16-yearold senior, animal lover, and Stephen King addict who is insanely excited to participate in her first KidzAct show. She would like to thank each and every one of her talented cast and crew mates for the amazing work they’ve done in the show. She hopes you enjoy! Tucker Claremont (Chad) is currently in eighth grade at the Community School of Naples and has participated in many productions with the Naples
Players. His recent credits are: Friedrich/The Sound of Music, Left Claw /Moana JR, Silvius/ As You Like It, and many more! He would like to thank Jessica, Brett, Cindy, and his favorite stage manager Kenzie for making this show possible. Enjoy Descendants! Misda Dantes (Ensemble) loves theater and wants to keep pursuing the entertainment business because it is such a wonderful experience. The memories she has made and the skills she has learned here will be with her forever. Isabella Di Norcia (Audrey) is a sophomore at Barron Collier High School. She is so excited to be performing in her second show at TNP! She is thrilled to be playing one of her favorite characters from the film. Isabella dedicates this show and her others in the future to her dad. She wants to thank everyone who made this production possible and hopes you enjoy the show! Addie Easterly ( Ensemble) is 13 years old and goes to Seacrest Country Day School. She has been per forming at The Naples Players for four years. She loves to sing and play music. She thanks everyone who made this show possible and hopes you enjoy the show.
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Cast
BIOGR APHIES
Daniella Flom Hadley Murphey (Mal) is a tenth grader at (Evie) is ECSTATIC to be The Village School and is able to be at KidzAct! She so excited to be playing Mal! was most recently seen as She’d like to thank everyone Sister Margaretta in The involved with this show for Sound of Music. Hadley making it so memorable and amazing. Past would like to thank the cast and especially credits include Annie/Annie JR, Sister Hubert/ the crew for being able to put on a show Nunsense, and Jane/Pride & Prejudice. during a pandemic. Enjoy the show! Olivia LaChance (Jane, Understudy) is a 13-year-old homeschool student from Naples. This will be Olivia’s 10th per f o r ma nc e. H er p a s t theatre experience includes Tuck Everlasting, A Ghost Tale for Mr. Dickens as Mr. Dickens, Moana JR, and most recently James and the Giant Peach as Ladybug. Olivia is beyond excited to be back on stage at The Naples Players. She’d like to give a special thanks to the entire cast and crew for all their hard work and hopes everyone enjoys the show! Cassie Letendre (Ensemble) is from Por tsmouth, RI and has been performing for most of her life as an actor, singer, and dancer. She has been in many theatrical productions, including Frozen JR, As You Like It, Moana JR, and The Sound of Music with TNP. Cassie wants to thank Jess, Bret, and Cindy for this awesome opportunity. Enjoy the show!
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Mia Paulec (Queen Belle) This is Mia’s t h i r d m u s i c a l a t T N P. She played Queen Iduna i n Frozen J R , F r a u l e i n Schweiger in The Sound of Music and now Queen Belle in Descendants! She is so grateful to have the opportunity to perform at such an amazing theater with such an amazing staff. The memories made and experiences shared have been such a blessing! She can’t wait for more shows! Sabine Rivera (Ensemble) is excited to make her Naples Players debut! She is 14 years old and in 8th grade at East N a ple s M iddle. S a bine would like to thank her mom for always supporting her and her chorus teacher, Ms. Hoover, for encouraging to perform. Enjoy the show!
Sophia Siciliano (Ensemble) is excited to be performing her second show with KidzAct in the production of Descendants. She is currently a freshman at Barron Collier High. Her previous performances include Aladdin, The Lion King, Annie, Thoroughly Modern Millie, High School Musical, and Frozen JR. She has also worked as a backstage manager for Into the Woods and served as run crew for The Sound of Music. Sophia is grateful for the experience gained from the staff and teachers of The Naples Players and hopes to continue her theatre education for years to come. Aiden Thayer (Maurice) is proud to be Maurice in this production. He has done several productions at CFABS and this is his second show at The Naples Players. In his free time, he loves to skate, bike, and game. He would like to thank Mrs. Jen LaChance for driving him too many times to count and his whole family for their undying support of his love of the theater.
Sound of Music. He is excited to be back with The Naples Players. He would like to thank TNP for being able to put on a fantastic show in these times and hopes you enjoy the show! Lorelai Vega (Maleficent) is 15 years old and this is her 8th show with TNP. She was most recently seen as Elsa in Frozen JR and Urleen in Footloose. She is so excited to be part of this show and work with such talented people. Mwahahaha! Rachel Weiner (Ensemble/Understudy) This is Rachel’s second show with TNP and she could not be more thrilled! With her first show being The Sound of Music, she is so excited to take on the upbeat show Descendants! Some of her favorite roles she has played is Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods and a nun in The Sound of Music. She is so proud of this cast and cannot wait for the future with this company!
Kenny Tran (Jafar) is a senior at Gulf C oa s t High S cho ol. H e was last seen as Issachar in G C H S’s J o s e p h a n d the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Max Detweiler in TNP’s The
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Creative Team Kenzie Currie (Stage Manager) is from Minneapolis, MN. She graduated in 2018 with her degree in Integrated Strategic Communications and Theatre Arts from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. She previously worked at The Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis, Millbrook Playhouse in Pennsylvania, and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in Illinois. She is thankful to have the opportunity to bring art to an incredibly difficult time. Cynthia Dallas (Music Director) With my 45 years in music theatre, 32 year s in the Naples Philharmonic, and 32 years in liturgical music all over two counties; this is what’s most important: thank you to Craig Price for recruiting me to music direct Elf JR with KidzAct 4 seasons ago. Thanks to the outstanding directors I’ve had the privilege to work with: Dawn, Charlie, Hester, Bret and Jessica. Thanks to the amazing tech team, especially Brad and Manda. But most of all, thanks to the amazing students in the KidzAct shows - a more talented, dedicated and kind group of actors you will never meet. It has been a true joy of my life to be here with you. “We are stronger, all of us together!”
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Nuran Eustache (Production Assistant) is so glad that she is able to be a part of this production of Descendants. She has been in musicals at TNP before, but this is her first time working behind the scenes. She is 15 years old and in her sophomore year of high school. She has learned so much from this experience and is incredibly thankful to everyone on the production team. Lin Hart (Asst. Music Director) received her training first at Indiana University and then as part of Ball State University’s Department of Theatre & Dance, where she subsequently taught. Before relocating to Florida in 2017, Lin worked at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center where she worked d e v e l o p i n g s c r i p t s f o r O f f- B r o a d w a y productions such as I’m Gonna Pray for You so Hard (Halley Feiffer, The Atlantic Theatre Company, 2015) and Bright Half Life (Tanya Barfield, The Project Theatre, 2015) and won an LMDA award from the Kennedy Center for her work on developing a new musical adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novella, Frankenstein. In addition to music directing shows and classes here at TNP, Lin keeps busy working on productions around SWFL, playing for cabarets, and teaching private lessons. All the love to her gorgeous, talented wife Emily and a huge thank you to this amazing production team and cast!
BIOGR APHIES Nicholas Hernandez (Sound Designer) is the current sound intern for the spring season at The Naples Players. He has worked on Footloose, The Sound of Music, You Can’t Take It with You, Chicago, and The Music Man. He is very thankful for the opportunity to assist with sound design from The Naples Players’ staff and especially Bradley Van Houten. He will continue his sound work as the intern on the next two productions. Thank you for coming and enjoy the show! Gabrielle Lansden (Properties) has been in love with theatre since she was 7 years old. She studied theatre at FSW and got her AA, and then got her BA in FGCU’s theatre program in 2020. She has been working in props since she started college and has loved it ever since. She also loves to perform in theatre; she has been in She Kills Monsters as Agnes at FSW, Water Stories at FGCU and as Janet in The Rocky Horror Show at New Phoenix Theatre. She thanks her wonderful parents for their love and support and hopes y’all enjoy the show. Mary Anne McKerrow (Costume Designer) has been costuming and teaching the young actors of TNP’s KidzAct program since 2005. She recently coordinated costumes for La Traviata and the concert version of West Side Story for Opera Naples Festival Under the Stars. As a performer for TNP she was last seen as Donna in Mamma
Mia! Other TNP roles include Elizabeth Benning/ Young Frankenstein, Momma Rose/Gypsy, and Madame Thenardier/Les Misérables. Shakespeare In Paradise credits include Mistress Page/Merry Wives of Windsor, Lady Macbeth/Macbeth A Love Story, Katherine/ The Taming of the Shrew, and Hippolyta and Titania/A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Bret Poulter (Choreographer) a native of CT, Bret now calls Naples home. He has a BFA in Theatre from Central CT State University and over 20 years of experience in arts education. He has acted as educator, director and choreographer for various schools, theatres, and youth organizations throughout his home state. He is currently a KidzAct instructor here at TNP. He spent the past two seasons performing in several shows at TheatreZone and has been featured on the TNP stage in Sister Act, Miracle on 34th Street, and Chicago. “To an amazing cast and crew...Break legs, y’all!” Mike Santos (Scenic Designer) recently designed the sets for Footloose, The Sound of Music, Bye Bye Birdie, She Loves Me, Escanaba in da Moonlight, Mamma Mia!, and Guys and Dolls at TNP. Originally from Upstate New York, Mike received his BFA from Cazenovia College and has been in Naples since 2003. Much love to his better half, Judith and little buddy, Taz :-) As always, a big thank you to the volunteers for doing what they do best. 23
Creative Team Manda Smith (Asst. Stage Manager) is happy to be par t of the Stage Management team for this beautiful production of Descendants! Born in London, Manda worked during high school and college as a model/actor before moving to the US to start a career in advertising and design. This morphed into a love of home design, and she became a serial house flipper. Manda returned to her theatre roots in 2005 when she started as Assistant Choreographer for the summer KidzAct shows, and what would go on to be approximately 52,476 runs of Nutcracker Goes Pop! Manda would like to thank her family for their unending love and support, and Amy Tran, co-star of ASM The Musical ™: The Final Tour, for being her partner in crime for the last year. Enjoy the show!
Craig Walck (Lighting Designer) After initially working for TNP from 2000-2006, Craig returned to TNP in 2011 after a five-year absence, during which he wor ked for C olumbia University, The All-Stars Project, and other theatrical groups in New York City from 2006-2008. He then oversaw the completion of construction, opening, and first two years of operation of the Miramar Cultural Center in Miramar, FL from 2008-2011. Overall, Craig has designed the lighting for over 150 TNP productions. Originally from Niagara Falls, N.Y., and a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo, he once again calls Naples his home with his wife, Jessica, and their kids (dogs) Ziggy, Twoey, and Roscoe.
Jessica Walck (Director) has been an active Amy Tran member of T he Naples (Asst. Stage Manager) is Players since 2004 and now happy to return to TNP for serves as the organization’s another wonderful show. Associate Artistic Director. Her most recent SM credits include Into the Woods and She began her career at TNP instructing and the virtual production of Becky’s New Car, and directing in the KidzAct program. Recent KidzAct most recent ASM credits include The Sound of directing credits are The Sound of Music, You Music and the outdoor production of Footloose. Can’t Take It with You, Junie B. Jones the She is thankful for all TNP has taught her, Musical JR. and the virtual production of Pride Manda Smith for being the other half of ASM and Prejudice. Recent TNP directing credits The Musical ™, as well as her family and friends include Making God Laugh, Escanaba in da Moonlight, Don’t Dress for Dinner and the World for their constant love and support. Premiere production of June & Jason’s Survival Guide to Divorce. Recent acting credits include Becky in the virtual production of Becky’s New Car, Adelaide/Guys & Dolls and Ellen/Jenna in Maple and Vine. Jessica is a proud graduate of The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in NYC. 24
Upcoming AUDITIONS
THE SHOWS THIS SUMMER ARE GOING TO BE
HOT!
MAY 1, 12–5PM AGES 9–14 From under the sea to over the rainbow, these summer shows are highly anticipated and we need young performers looking to sing, act, dance, and create on stage! Walk-in auditions are always welcome, but we highly encourage you to reserve an audition time online at NaplesPlayers.org.
Teen
Audition WORKSHOP
MAY 15, 12–4PM
APRIL 7 – MAY 12
The teen version of our blockbuster summer musical, The Wedding Singer needs some dynamic young performers to bring this 1980’s big-haired and big-hearted musical to life!
Preparing for your next role on stage or film? Gearing up for college auditions? Looking for new material? Using material from the upcoming TNP production The Wedding Singer, this intensive workshop will train you to enter the audition room with confidence. Sign up online.
AGES 14-18
QUESTIONS?
AGES 14-18
Kenzie Currie, Education Stage Manager 239-434-7340 ext.127 | kcurrie@naplesplayers.org
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CREW BIOGRAPHIES
OUR MISSION The Naples Players continually seeks to enrich, educate and entertain our community through a superior theatre experience. We are a premier community theatre, seeking to inspire passion for the performing arts through unparalleled access to the process, experience, and conversations surrounding the arts and our community. Thank you for supporting our mission!
701 5th Avenue South | Naples, FL 34102 | 239.263.7990
www.NaplesPlayers.org