An Unforgettable Night at The Naples Players

An Unforgettable Night at The Naples Players Raises $1.7 Million and Secures $10 Million Endowment Commitment

It was an evening centered on service, shared responsibility, and the belief that community is strongest when people show up for one another. By the end of the night, it had also become one of the most significant fundraising moments in recent history for The Naples Players.

At its annual Front & Center Gala, The Naples Players raised more than $1.7 million in support of its productions, education programs, and community partnerships. During the program, Patty & Jay Baker publicly pledged a $10 million Endowment commitment, a transformative investment that strengthens the organization’s long-term financial foundation and effectively doubles its current endowment. 

The evening began with a $250,000 opening gift from Denny and Tanya Glass, a powerful first paddle from the floor that set the pace for the night and sparked widespread engagement throughout the room.

During his remarks, CEO and Executive Artistic Director Bryce Alexander connected the evening’s theme of honoring community heroes with the broader purpose of the organization.

“Teachers. First responders. The military. Healthcare workers,” Alexander said. “Like the performers on this stage, we ask them to show discipline, excellence under pressure, and teamwork. That is why we are here tonight. Because The Naples Players is a critical part of their team.”

The evening honored those heroes while also highlighting the programs The Naples Players has built to support them and their families, including arts-based wellness partnerships, accessible education opportunities, youth training programs, and community initiatives that use theatre as a tool for connection and healing. The organization’s mission is clear: to build community through exceptional access to the power of theatre. The gala demonstrated how deeply that work resonates.

Guests rose in a standing ovation for the honorees, a moment that reflected both gratitude and shared purpose. The program also included a deeply personal surprise: a marriage proposal between a young Marine, a former TNP Academy student, and her partner, a former finance intern for the organization. The moment underscored what many in the room already knew: The Naples Players is not simply a performance venue, but a place where lives intersect and lasting relationships are formed.

Funds raised will directly sustain the full scope of The Naples Players’ work, from large-scale mainstage productions that engage tens of thousands of audience members each season, to TNPAcademy programs that train and mentor young artists, to Arts Access initiatives that bring theatre-based experiences into healthcare settings, senior centers, schools, and community organizations across Collier County. These investments expand access, remove financial barriers, and ensure that students, families, veterans, first responders, and seniors can participate regardless of circumstance.

The newly announced endowment pledge from Patty & Jay Baker strengthens that impact for the long term, generating permanent support that protects programming, stabilizes operations, and ensures that this work remains accessible and sustainable for generations to come.

About The Naples Players

The Naples Players (TNP) is a nationally recognized community theatre dedicated to building community through exceptional access to the power of theatre. Located in the heart of downtown Naples, TNP engages more than 850 volunteers annually, reaching over 70,000 audience members and students through high-quality productions, inclusive education programs, and innovative community partnerships. TNP is home to The Baker Day School of the Academy of Dramatic Arts, the only full-time performing arts school in Southwest Florida. With a newly renovated, LEED-certified facility, TNP continues to serve as a cultural hub and leader in how theatres can impact their communities.

Learn more at: naplesplayers.org