Page 42 - April 2017 Life In Naplles Magazine

Naples Teens & the
Broadway Lights!

by Laurel Meny
F or any teenager looking to hone his or her acting skills, there aren’t all that many

opportunities in sleepy Naples…until now. This summer, Broadway star Jeffrey
Binder will direct Gulfshore Playhouse’s Teen Conservatory for students ages 13
to 18-years-old! This intensive musical theatre conservatory was created especially for
students looking to learn or polish their acting, dancing, and singing technique.

After living in New York City for 20 years and starring in four Broadway productions
including as Zazu The Lion King and Mr. Banks in Mary Poppins; being cast on several
television shows including Damages with Glenn Close and Law and Order; acting on
London’s West End; and performing in numerous regional productions around the country
– one of which included the world premiere of Suzanne Bradbeer’s The God Game with
Gulfshore Playhouse in 2014, Binder found himself wanting to dig deeper into the inner
workings of a theatre. When Gulfshore Playhouse founder and artistic director, Kristen
Coury, offered him an opportunity to not only continue acting, but also to become more
involved in fostering the growth of the arts in our nation, he jumped at the chance. Binder
has served as Gulfshore Playhouse’s artistic associate since the fall of 2015.

42 Life in Naples | April 2017