friends and first-time guests - I’m honored you’ve chosen to spend your time with us. Please, enjoy the show, but know that we’re so much more than what you see on stage. I welcome you to come back for a behind-the-scenes tour, to take a class, explore volunteering, and to learn
and
history that make The
local
of themed
inspired
Auditions for The Game’s Afoot
Open auditions from 12-4pm.
Auditions for The Sound of Music
Open auditions for our spring musical from 12-4pm.
Drop-In Improv
From beginners to advanced, we welcome everyone to join our monthly Drop-In Improv sessions!
What Dreams Are Made Of: A Readers Theatre Performance
An evening of one-act plays.
A Christmas Carol: The Musical Red Carpet Opening
RIPTIDE BREWING COMPANY
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Aseem on stage during a performance in first-grade.
Aseem Upadhyay is the first volunteer at The Naples Players (TNP) from New Delhi, India.
He moved to the United States six years ago when he went to graduate school at Michigan Technological University. Aseem now works for Oracle in the hospitality division and is joining us for his very first TNP production, By The Way, Meet Vera Stark, where he plays Max/Peter.
While he loves being here in Naples, it is a very different place from New Delhi, Aseem says, “there’s very few people, it’s really spread out, and there’s not too many people walking. It’s very laid back and not fast paced. Not like New Delhi where it’s busy and everyone is running around.”
This may be Aseem’s first production here at TNP but he started by taking a class taught by Jessica Walck (Associate Artistic Director) who wisely encouraged him to audition. “I initial ly thought that it was a closed group; I didn’t think just anyone could audition. The audition process was more fun than I thought! All of the people sitting on the panel were really nice and I figured out that there were a lot of veterans who’ve done many shows here. It wasn’t intim idating because I didn’t expect anything - I was just there because Jessica suggested it!”
The first production Aseem saw at TNP was Something Rotten! “I was sitting right in the front and the music, lighting, sets, and actors were incredible. I also attended Something Rotten Teen and the kids were amazing too.”
At the time of this interview, Aseem had just begun the rehearsal process for By The Way, Meet Vera Stark and shared, “so far it’s been good - we’ve done two table reads and it’s been going well! It’s one thing to read the play but another to see everyone put their own touches on their character. I can see how fun it’s going to be when we perform it on stage.”
No stranger to performing, Aseem has not only done theatre before, he is also a musician. “I play locally at a lot of spots and after the pan demic, I moved to NYC because I wanted to get into musical theatre. I auditioned for some off-Broadway stuff before coming back to Na ples. It’s been a long time since I’ve performed - I did a lot of theatre in India. There’s a type of theatre back home called ‘street theatre’ where there’s minimal props and it’s about social is
sues and educational topics to raise awareness about them. I also was in the orchestra pit a lot where I played piano. Ever since I’ve been in the US, I’ve been focused on music.”
Aseem travels back to India once a year to see family and shared that his entire family almost moved to the United States in 2001. “My Dad was living here - he’s a scientist and worked for NASA. In the late 1990’s he decided to move here and worked for Quest Diagnostics in Jersey City. In 2001, we had our visas ready and my little brother and I were prepared to move here but then 9/11 happened. My Dad was concerned we would be bullied in school because it was a hostile time for brown people so we didn’t wind up moving. But, I think about it a lot and how life would have been completely different had I moved earlier!”
Just as Aseem shares his different perspective of September 11, By The Way, Meet Vera Stark gives us a vantage point of Hollywood that we may not have seen previously.
This particular production is very focused on one community and their struggles and it’s the first time something like this is being done here at The Naples Players. It gives you a new perspective and you see the struggles of the black actors. It feels very realistic and I’m excited to be a part of TNP history.
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Similar to the way India’s “street theatre” pres ents social issues through performance, Aseem explains that this production takes on this heavy topic in an entertaining way. “The part I am the most excited about is that By The Way, Meet Vera Stark is a satire - it’s very witty. I believe it will make people think and I’m excited for the audience to experience it.”
As a musician with a passion for theatre, Aseem hopes to write and produce his own musical with his brother, who is also a musician and currently studies at Texas A&M. “We have a lot of ideas - if it’s something that happens then TNP would be the starting point of it!”
All of us at The Naples Players hope to see Aseem and his brother produce a famous musical one day and we are so happy to have a new friendly face in our volunteer family!
Come audition for a show! All of our performers are volunteers, with each cast being a mix of veterans, newcomers, and novices.
Fly rail, audio assistant, backstage crew, spotlight operator, board operator...the behind-the-scenes opportunities at TNP are endless!
Assist with repairs, alterations, sewing, ironing, steaming, buttons, hems...you name it! Costumes for every performance are made on site!
With so many options to get involved, why wait? Contact Director of Volunteer Advance ment, Pamela Larkin Caruso today to tell us about yourself and we’ll find the perfect volunteer opportunity for you!
PAMELA LARKIN CARUSO plarkincaruso@naplesplayers.org or (239) 434- 7340, ext. 104
Lend a hand with set construction, demolition, painting, and the occasional prop fabrication. Get your hands dirty and have fun doing it!
Greet patrons, scan tickets, work concessions, hand out programs, and escort patrons to their seats. Be the first friendly face patrons see and experience!
K.C. Allen
Leonard Allen
Jules Branche
Nathan Eichhorn
Frankie Federico
Lloyd Adams
Pamela Austin
Jenny Belandres
Gerrie Benzing
Ethan Brendel Brad Brenner
Dede Brownlee JamieLynn Bucci Rex Burns
Hildegard Carney Nikita Chernin Abby Ciabaton
Drew Attanasio
Dot Auchmoody
Emilie Baartman
Robin Bache Gray
Joel Banow
Sade Bassan
Zoe Bebon
Maddie Brendel
Carla Brooks
Hayley Burns Kelsey Butler
Joseph Byrne Braxton Cabrera
Melanie Capparelli
Kristin Cassidy
Tina Cedras
Tucker Claremont
Carol Clarke
Ian Cocklin
Shelley Gothard
Kay Harkins
Nancy Hayer
Laurie Heaver
Joseph Loiacono
Larry Lovell
Elizabeth Marcantonio
Harry McCartney
Patricia Puia
Eileen Reynolds
Manda Smith
Kenny Tran Lindsey Walsh
Ciarán Welch
Jack Cole James Corsica
Scott Davis
Makayla Davis Sarah DeLeonibus
Kat Ebaugh Rosemary Erb Lisa Federico
Joseph Femia
Ava Foley Alyssa Haney Madeleine Howe
Damian Ivanov
Zachary Jackson Ruth Johnson Vanessa Johnston Olivia LaChance Kelsey LaFrenais Luke Lauchle Paul LoPresti Russ Loyet Ray Marasco Christine Mastrangelo Debron McCartney
Peggy Monson Tina Moroni
Paulette Oliva Bret Poulter Brittany Ringsdore Sabine Rivera Roseann Ruggiero Erica Sample Bernardo Santana Judy Scribner David Shaffer Jeff Smith
Esther Snyder Jean Snyder
Andrea Tanner Mary Taylor Aiden Thayer Bonnie Thayer Mark Vanagas Lorelai Vega Debbie Wesolowski
Belinda Conigliaro
John Cooper
Emma Covert
Aldo D’Acunzo Luke Danni
Maxine Danni Carolyn D’Arco Jessica D’Arco Barbara Davin
Sid Davis
Thomas Didier-Holt
Louise Eliot
Vivienne Engelmann Molly Eovino
Ed Ezrine
Adam Fasano
Elizabeth Feins
Carole Fenstermacher
Daniella Flom
Gabriella Flom
Jenny Gantlett
Elise Gilchrist
Jeremy Giovinazzo Ocean Gudur
Debra Gulinello
Ella Hamblen
Tammy Harris
Larry K. Harrison Lin Hart Ed Heckert
Jeannine Hedberg Amy Hughes
Lucas Jaconis Naphtailda Jean Charles
Erica Tristen Jones
Nuran Joseph Monica Joyce
Val Kuffel
Michael Lakin Jill Lane
Gabrielle Lansden
Pamela Larkin Caruso
Stephen Lee Terry Libby
James Little
Will Lombardo
Jessica Lussier
Peter McClung Peggy McHugh
Yuliana Mercado
Peter Meskin
Dan Miller Nancy Miller Natalie Minter
Sydney Mixon
Linda L. Mizeur Lisa Nuccio
Haly Osborn Chiara Padejka
Davis Piper Lexi Piper Les Prebble
Sue Rapanos
Robert Rath Andrew Reid Bailey Reum
Thomas Rex Victoria Rinaldi
Kura Robinson Kathy Rogers
Kimberely Roper
Avery Roschek
Michael Schwartz
William Shade Sophia Siciliano
W. Scott Simmen
Judith Smith Suzanne Smith
Giszelle Sonia Betty Tienhaara Richard Tienhaara Amy Tran
Michael Troop
Emily Van den Berg
Lynne Vela Logan Walden Tracy Weaver
Jack Weld
David Whalley Corinne Wightman Nancy Woolf Dominic Young
Gabrielle Zappulla Edward Zonnevylle
community needs an organization that brings us together to explore personal creativity and artistic passions. The Naples Players con tinually 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, expe rience, and conversations surrounding the arts and our community.
Did you know that 40% of our operating budget is supported by donations?
Please join us in thanking donors who gave from June 1 - September 14
Our heartfelt thanks to:
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Stephanie Bean*
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If you enjoy this evening’s performance of Blithe Spirit, we encourage you to consider making a gift in support of The Naples Players. Our non-profit theatre is your community theatre and generous gifts from patrons like you make the performances, programs, and arts in our community possible. Thank you.
made between
Backstage issues.
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15 and October 30, 2022 will be celebrated in the upcoming
Henry & Jeri Price* Sue Rapanos
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Naples Players observes a fiscal year that runs from May 1 - April 30 of the following year, and includes gifts that support our operating budget. Capital Cam paign donors are greatly appreciated, and their gifts are honored in publications specifically related to the progress of the campaign.
One of the dresses you will see in tonight’s performance of By The Way, Meet Vera Stark is a recreation of a Stephen Burrows piece. Let’s find out more about this important figure in fashion history…
Stephen Burrows was born in Newark NJ in 1943. He graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 1966, and started working for other fashion houses/lines.
In 1973 he released his very first solo collection, garnering massive acclaim for its bold use of color-blocking and innovative lettuce-leaf hems. It was met with such acclaim that he was asked to be part of the contingent of American designers (including infamous names such as Oscar de la Renta, Anne Klein, and Bill Blass) sent to Versailles in November of the same year. The Battle of Versailles show is often marked as a pivotal point in fashion history, catapulting American designers into the international spotlight for the first time. Burrows’ participation was considered especially controversial due to his race. He was the only African-American de signer, and also the youngest by many years. He certainly didn’t have the level of fame or rep utation that the other four designers shared. However, Burrows generated buzz and excitement as a great emerging talent.
We asked Dayne Sabatos, costume designer for By The Way, Meet Vera Stark, to tell us more about how important it is to include this piece in the production. He said,
I approached the design for this production with a goal of really keeping true to the playwright's message in this work by uplifting black voices rather than letting my own occlude theirs. I can't think of a better way to do that than highlighting the work of the black designers, such as Stephen Burrows, who shaped fashion history and the way we dress ourselves even today.
Look out for this fantastic dress in the show tonight and thank you, Dayne, for telling us more about it!
BANOW, KEVIN BUJA,
EZRINE, JOE FEMIA, MOLLY FINN, RAY MARASCO,
“What is stunning about this is that... Compass wasn’t even a business a decade ago.” – Real Trends
Years ago, a friend invited me to see Ruined , a new play by Lynn Nottage at Manhattan Theatre Club’s Off-Broadway theatre. The play, which garnered Ms. Nottage’s first Pulitzer Prize, left me breathless. Almost literally. Her storytelling prowess and thoughtfulness of her message was deep and unexpected. I remained in my seat when the play was done, needing those extra moments to process the richness of what I had just experienced.
So when TNP invited me to direct By The Way, Meet Vera Stark, I jumped at the chance to work on a Lynn Nottage play. In this fun, witty piece, Ms. Nottage shares characters who are recog nizable “types”– Hollywood and American media personalities. However, she skillfully shines a light on the struggle of Black actors and the patriarchal “machine” that defined our worlds of the 1930s, the 1970s, and even the early 2000s. The play is cinematic in nature and we have embraced that in this production. The words, the settings, lights and sounds all work together, creating our own “cine-scope”.
I hope you will share my admiration for this playwright; for the honesty and humanity she shares with us through her stories. I remain humbled by her work and the beautiful work of this Naples cast and its creative artists.
Welcome to the movies! And now, “Lights, camera, action!”
Providing the BEST OF PARADISE for more than 50 years.
This smash comedy hit follows a cantankerous and spiritually skeptic husband who acciden tally conjures up the spirit of his deceased first wife...and she’s not letting a little thing like death stand in her way of getting him back.
BY:It’s the Golden Age of Hollywood, and aspiring starlet Vera Stark’s two worlds collide when she lands a trailblazing role in an antebellum epic starring...her boss. While Vera’s portrayal of a slave turns out to be groundbreaking, the glitz, glamour and stereotypes of Hollywood are cleverly exposed in this funny and irrever ent satire.
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A Christmas Carol: The Musical is a spectacular adaptation of Charles Dickens’ most well-known story. Broadway heavy hitters Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens breathe fan tastic new life into the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his ghostly encounters during his search for the true meaning of Christmas.
BY:
In a sprawling New Jersey Victorian, a taciturn Yankee widower and a vivacious grandmother from Tennessee find what they least expected - a second chance at love. Told with warmth and humor, Southern Comforts is a beautiful exploration of the intimate workings of all relationships.
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This murderously funny whodunit is full of twists, turns, and belly laughs as the story of Broadway star William Gillette unfolds. Wil liam invites fellow castmates to his castle for a weekend of revelry, but when a murder takes place the tone changes and deadly-comedic hi larity ensues.
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The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta von Trapp, follows an ebul lient postulate who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the house hold. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and the entire von Trapp fami ly must make a moral decision.
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Born in Brooklyn in 1964, Lynn Nottage had already written her first play by the time she was eight. She drew inspiration from the women in her family – grandmother, mom, and others – who were nurses, teachers, and activists.
A precocious youngster, she attended St. Anne’s School and gradu ated from the New York High School of Music and Art in Harlem, from Brown University, and from the Yale School of Drama where she earned an MFA in playwriting in 1989.
After spending four years working as national press officer for Amnesty International, Nottage became a full-time playwright in the 1990s. Her first break came in 1993 with a commissioned monologue for a musical called A…My Name Is Still Alice. And in the same year, her short play, Poof! de buted and won a number of awards. Chicago’s well-respected Steppenwolf Theater Company produced Nottage’s Crumbs from the Table of Joy in 1996.
Nottage took a break from writing for almost seven years, but in 2002, her play Intimate Apparel won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, and Viola Davis won a Drama Desk Award for her performance in this play. Cur rently, Nottage’s plays are produced worldwide. She continues to write and live in her parents’ old home in Brooklyn with her husband, an independent film maker, and their two daughters.
Nottage won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2009 for Ruined and again in 2017 for Sweat. She is the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama twice since the Pulitzer Prizes were established in 1917. Nottage is the second playwright of color, along with August Wilson, to have won the prize twice. She has also been the recipient of numerous other awards and recognitions including the MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellowship. Nottage is currently an associate professor of theater at Columbia University and a guest lecturer in playwriting at the Yale School of Drama.
Over the years, we’ve elevated our suite offerings, completely reimagined our courtyard pool, upgraded floors and bathrooms with luxurious finishes and softened our in-room color palette accents. Take a look and you’ll notice the difference... from the elegant cut glass of our lobby chandelier right down to the new guestroom doors that afford a tranquil, sound-proofed stay
guest!
Theresa Harris was born on New Year’s Eve 1906 in Houston to former Louisiana sharecroppers. The family relocated to Southern California when Theresa was 11. After graduating from high school, she studied at the UCLA Conservatory of Music and then joined the Lafayette Players, an African American musical comedy theatre troupe.
Thunderbolt, singing “Daddy Won’t You Please Come Home”. In the early 1930s, she played - often without credit - maids to characters acted by Ginger Rogers, Bette Davis, Sylvia Sidney, Myrna Loy, Jean Harlow, and Barbara Stanwyck. She also floated around studios doing bit-parts as a blues singer, waitress, prostitute, and hat check girl. Harris had a featured role as star Jean co-starring Clark Gable. In 1933, she appeared in Baby Face, starring Barbara Stanwyck. That same year, Harris starred opposite Ginger Rogers in Professional
Throughout the 1930s, Harris played many uncredited parts in films such as Horse Feathers . She also played Bette Davis’s maid in Jezebel.
While promoting Bargain with Bullets, Harris expressed her frustration over the difficulty African American actors faced in the film industry.
“
I never had the chance to rise above the role of maid in Hollywood movies. My color was against me any way you looked at it. The fact that I was not “hot” stamped me either as uppity or relegated me to the eternal role of stooge or servant.
She also praised a new production company that produced films starring African American actors.
“We have nothing to lose in the development of an all-colored motion picture company. The competition will make Hollywood perk up and produce better films with our people in a variety of roles.”
Harris continued to lobby for better parts in Hollywood but found few opportunities.
During the 1950s, she appeared on such TV shows as Lux Video Theatre and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. She made her last film appearance in another uncredited role in The Gift of Love in 1958. She retired from acting in the late 1950s, living comfortably on careful investments made during her career. On Oc tober 8, 1985, Harris died of undisclosed causes in Inglewood, California.
NATHAN EICHHORN (Slavick/Brad) Starting in 2019 as Nick Caraway in The Great Gatsby, Nathan has been working with The Naples Players since. He previously performed in An Ideal Husband , A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, and Mary Poppins. He has also performed as Yvan in The Studio Players production of Art by Yasmina Reza. He is thrilled to be part of another production with TNP, in this delightful and thought-provoking play.
CELENE EVANS (Lottie/Carmen) is thrilled to be making her debut with The Naples Players. However, she’s no stranger to the stage. Her previous credits include playing Clema in Neil Simon’s Proposals, and Myra in Right Bed Wrong Husband at Char lotte Players. Celene was an original principal player with The Shakespeare Repertory of Chicago playing such roles as Juliet, the Witches in Macbeth, and Viola in Twelfth Night. Joseph Jefferson Award Nominated for best Actor in the play, Drink The Con tents of This Vile. Her screen credits include The Sexy Bartender in Next of Kin with Patrick Swayze and Liam Neeson, and numerous national network commercials.
JILLIAN KEITH (Anna Mae/Afua) is beyond stoked for her second show at the Sudgen Theatre! Most recently in Something Rotten!, Jillian is now a Community Education and Wellness Instructor and KidzAct Assistant at The Naples Players. Some of her favorite credits include: Campbell/Bring It On, Vanessa/In the Heights, and Carrie/ Carrie. Jillian would like to thank her family and friends for all of their support, her dogs for all of their post-rehearsal cuddles, and her fellow crew and cast for all of their commitment towards making this show amazing! Desfrutar!
JENNIFER MANCE (Gloria) is thrilled to be making her performing debut with TNP as Gloria Mitchell. She was last seen as one of our summer KidzAct Instructors! After a re cent move from Toronto, Canada, and early retirement from teaching, she is grateful to have found The Naples Players’ theater. Recent Canadian roles include Muriel in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Truvy in Steel Magnolias and Virginia Noyes in It’s Only A Play. Many thanks to Christine for taking a chance on a newbie, to this fabulously talented cast for making this such an amazing experience, and to her supportive husband and daughter for allowing the theater to be her second home!
TODD MILLER (U/S Slavick/Brad, Max/Peter) received a scholarship at the NWSA con servatory in Miami where he trained in theater. He continued his acting training in New York City with the Studio East, while pursued a career in television and film. Todd has appeared in Blue Bloods, (Law and Order) SVU, CI., The Blacklist, Mysteries of Laura, The Family, The Punisher, Dare Devil, Shades of Blue, Orange is the New Black, Ugly Betty, Cashmere Mafia, and many more. Independent films include North of the City, The Mar tyr Maker, Nefarious Lucidity, Foam, Calling it Quits, Reality Estates, and more. Theater credits include Our Lady of 121st, Ourselves Alone, Working, Prometheus Bound, Ameri can Buffalo and many more. I’m very appreciative to be an extended part this production.
REUBEN MORGAN (Leroy/Herb) was born in Fort Myers, Florida. He is a newborn in the theatre world, but he has accepted the challenge for two roles in By the Way, Meet Vera Stark. Reuben is currently a Client Care Specialist for Pet Angel. He comes from a very big family with several different talents from reciting movie lines to singing gospel tunes in his grandparents’ living room. In fact, his family has been a great influence on him taking this path. Reuben gives a huge shoutout to his cousin Selina for connecting him to Sonya McCarter, who eventually connected him with Christine and Jessica at TNP. He is so honored to be working with an amazing cast that can feed off each other with ease. This one is for the Hicks/Morgan family!
ALICIA SCHWARTZ (US Lottie/Carmen, Anna Mae/Afua, & Vera) is thrilled to make her debut as an understudy for By the Way, Meet Vera Stark at The Naples Play ers. She performed as Estella, a maid, at The Studio Players. Her first performance was at The Marco Players Theater for the Arts where she performed as Kate Dillon in Good People. Acting came later in life for her but she always loved theatre, and acting has been an exciting adventure. A retired nurse who loves to garden, Alicia enjoys sunny SW Florida. She is grateful to TNP for this fantastic opportunity.
ASEEM UPADHYAY (Max/Peter) is excited to make his acting debut with TNP as the first Indian actor to perform at the Sugden Theater. He hails from New Delhi, India and has been part of street plays and theater back home. His last play was Shakuntala, orig inally written by Kalidasa. Off stage, he has also worked in indie films with Random Magic Productions. Apart from acting, he is also an accomplished singer-songwriter, and consistently performs at various venues across Southwest Florida. Aseem would like to thank his parents, brother, and friends for their unconditional love and support. Delighted to be surrounded by the talented cast and crew, he hopes you enjoy the show.
RUDELINE VOLTAIRE (Vera Stark) is a Florida native. She has always been interested in acting and performance. This is her first show and she is excited to be a part of this expe rience. In her spare time she likes to sing, read, and binge watch The Office.
KC ALLEN (Assistant Stage Manager) is a senior at the Community School of Na ples. She has been working at The Naples Players for almost seven years now, both on and off stage. She was most recently seen in the production Something Rotten Teen! (Ensemble). Her other recent credits with TNP include Something Rotten! (Assistant Stage Manager), The Wedding Singer (Production Assistant), The Wedding Singer Teen (Assistant Stage Manager). KC would like to thank her grandmother, her moth er, her brother, her Stage Manager, Patricia, and Colton Butcher (obviously). By the way, enjoy the show!
EMMA CANALESE (Film Producer) is a graduate of The Western Australian Academy of the Performing Arts and The Neighborhood Playhouse, NY. Associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. For TNP: Peter and the Starcatcher (nominated for Best Director of a Musical, Broadway World Regional Awards), Silent Sky (Naples Florida Weekly Top Pick), choreographer Pride and Prejudice (Broad way World Regional Winner for Virtual Production of the Decade) and When We Were Young and Unafraid . Selected credits: Einstein and Mileva (World Premiere, Theatre Row, NY), Hollywood, Hollywood (Midtown International Theatre Festival, nominated for Best Direction/Best Choreography), America (Downtown Urban Theatre Festival, winner of Best Audience Award), C10 Annual Play Series (Collective NY), The Tempest: Remixed (Teatro Heckscher, NY), A Sense of Purpose On Sundays (IO Myers Theatre at UNSW), Par amnesia (Seymour Centre with One Extra Dance). She is co-writer/director of A 100 Years of the History of Dance which had several Australian tours, was a Western Australian Critics Choice winner at Fringe World Festival in Perth, and has had runs at The Brisbane Powerhouse and La Boite Theatre Company. Directed Holidays From The Heart, a virtual performance produced by Bravehearts For Broadway, streamed on Playbill.com for The Actors Fund. Taught and directed at The Papermill Playhouse Conservatory and Intensive Summer Programs, StageDoor Manor, Rutgers-RSAC, Pomona College, and UNSW Dance and Drama Dept.
CHRISTINE CIRKER (Director) is an Off-Broadway director and producer, focusing primarily on new work. Most recently she directed My Shiksa Boyfriend for Kervigo Ensemble which will be part of United Solo Festival 2022; and The Cake for The Naples Players. Other NYC directing credits include works presented by Urban Stages, Emerging Artists Theatre, LES Festival, Lucille Lortel, Pulse Ensemble, Core Ensemble, Neighborhood Playhouse, Our Workshop East, and others. Christine has been a member of The Barrow Group community for 20+ years. Notable productions include Awake by K. Lorrel Manning (Assoc. Director/Dramaturg), Perp by Lyle Kessler (Assistant Director). With Lee Brock, she is producing director for F.A.B. Women@tbg. UMich grad. Member of League of Professional Theatre Women.
DESTINY HARRIS (Hair & Make Up Design) studied Theatre Production and De sign at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Afterwards, she worked at a variety of theaters across the country, including The Naples Players as the Costume Intern in 2019. Currently, she is the Design Assistant at Milwaukee Rep. She is more than excited to return to Naples for this show.
MAL HOELAND (Assistant Lighting Designer) is in his first season with TNP as the Lighting Design Intern. Mal has been involved in theatre since middle school and recently graduated with his Bachelors in Theatre Arts from Drew University. Pro duction credits at Drew include Snapshot (lighting designer), Check, Mate (director), Appearances (set designer), and Dance Show: The Female Body (lighting designer). Mal was also a production assistant on Puffs (Rhino Theatre) and Beauty and the Beast (Wyckoff YMCA). He is honored to be joining the Naples Players team, especially on such an important production.
STARLET JACOBS (Scenic Design) lives in New York City with her husband Jamie, son Marlin, and cat Zola. She is currently working as an assistant art director on HBO’s The Gilded Age. Past Naples Players productions include: The Cake, Silent Sky, When We Were Young and Unafraid , and many others. As always, she is grateful to the Naples Players production team and volunteers for their hard work. Thanks also to her parents Peter and Linnah Jacobs for their support!
SAPPHIRA KOERNER (Assistant Scenic Design) is a professional scenic artist and former TNP intern. She is excited to work again with her TNP family once again. She would like to extend a special thank you to Starlet Jacobs for involving her in this project.
SONYA MCCARTER (EDI Consultant) is a freelance director, actor and instructor. Her heart’s passion is to help facilitate engaging, compelling, and meaningful theatre in Fort Myers that acknowledges and celebrates cultural differences while exploring the universal ties that bind us all together. Directing credits include: The Bluest Eye, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Seven Guitars, A Raisin in the Sun, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, King Hedley II, Race, The Colored Museum, and the The Color Purple Musical. Acting Credits: Mrs. Muller; Doubt, A Parable; Corrine; Gidion’s Knot; Louise; Rancho Mi rage; Cammae; The Mountaintop; and Merteuil, Les Liaisons Dangereuses.
DJ POTTS (Sound Design) is a sound artist based in New York City. His Broadway credits include: Pass Over (Assistant Designer), Clyde’s (Associate Designer), Slave Play 2021 (Associate Designer). His works have also been heard Off-Broadway with The Drama League of NYC, The Here Arts Center, The Shed, The Historic Apollo Theater, and several other venues.
PATRICIA PUIA (Stage Manager) is a lifelong theater nerd, drama teacher/director, and backstage techie. She is starting her third year at The Naples Players, where she has worked on several shows, including A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Footloose, and The Cake. She is delighted to have her first stage management position on By the Way, Meet Vera Stark and thanks her cast, crew, director, assistant stage manager KC Allen, and mentor Cole Butcher for their support and commitment.
DAYNE SABATOS (Costume Design) is a graduate of Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. After a successful internship with TNP last season, including the costume design for smash hit The Cake, he spent the summer in Winona Minnesota at The Great River Shakespeare Festival as a First Hand. He couldn’t be more excited to be joining TNP again this season as their inaugural Artist in Residence. Keep a look out for his work in Southern Comforts and The Game’s Afoot later on this season.
MIKE SANTOS (Properties Coordinator) recently designed the sets for Mary Poppins, Dear Edwina JR , Seussical JR , Matilda JR , The Wedding Singer, Twelfth Night, The Sound of Music, Bye Bye Birdie, She Loves Me, Escanaba in da Moonlight, Mamma Mia!, Guys and Dolls, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream 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.
SABRINA WERTMAN (Lighting Design) is excited to make a return to Florida and work with the incredible Naples Players. Sabrina is currently Lighting Director for Big Top Chautauqua (with acts like Asleep at the Wheel, Indigo Girls, and the Blue Canvas Orchestra). Special thank you to Kyle and the parents.
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Director
PEGGY MONSON
President
ALAN JAFFE Executive Vice President
OTTO IMMEL Secretary
TNP
BRYCE ALEXANDER
ROBIN BACHE GRAY Membership
TERRY LIBBY Facilities
PAT POLLOK Development
ORDER)
Executive Artistic Director/CEO
DOT AUCHMOODY
Resident Costume Designer
MOLLIE BERMAN Costume Shop Supervisor
COLE BUTCHER Production Stage Manager/ Internship Director
PAMELA LARKIN CARUSO
Director of Volunteer Advancement
JOHN COOPER Box Office Staff
KENZIE CURRIE
Programs Administrator
DOREN DANIS Chief Financial Officer
JAMES DUGGAN
Director of Patron Services
ADAM FASANO
Box Office Staff
LEXI FITZPATRICK House Manager
LUKE JACONIS Box Office Manager
BOB UEK Treasurer
DENNY GLASS
Immediate Past President
BETH PETRUNOFF City Council Liaison
TED BILL
DEDE BROWNLEE
BRUCE GRAEV
ALYSSA HANEY
ERIC OLSON
NANCY WOOLF
CANDACE JOHNSON
Director of Institutional
Giving & Events
CARL JOHNSON Box Office Staff
MAYA KLEINSORGE Education Assistant
TREVOR LW LONG
Director of Production
WENDY LOPEZ AGUIRRE Lobby Attendant
MARY ANNE McKERROW
KidzAct Costume Designer
DAN MILLER
Assistant House Manager
SUMMER PLISKOW
Arts & Health Specialist/ Box Office Staff
CRAIG PRICE
Director of Community Education & Wellness
DAN RAMIREZ Box Office Staff
MIKE SANTOS
Resident Scenic Designer & Artist
GAETJENS (SCOTT) SIMEON Bookkeeping Assistant
All emails are first initial, last name at naplesplayers.org
ESTHER SNYDER
Executive Assistant to the CEO
LAUREN SPEIRS
Marketing & PR Specialist
BRADLEY VAN HOUTEN Head of Sound
JASON WAGAMAN Technical Director
CRAIG WALCK Head of Lighting
JESSICA WALCK Associate Artistic Director
CARLY ZEUNER Company Manager
FALL INTERNS
PLUTO BOLL Sound Intern
GREGORY COULTER
Stage Management Intern
MAL HOELAND Lighting Intern
DAYNE SABATOS Costume Artist in Residence
TNP acknowledges that we are on the tradi tional territory of the Calusa and Seminole peoples; and we acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of all the native people in this region.
TNP OFFSTAGE: (239) 434-7340 | 700 5th Ave S. #200 | Naples, FL 34102
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