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Healfh & way to serve each can listen and showcase it physically but not verbally, I know that
Finding the best
there’s a part for everyone in the room. For example, someone can
participant's needs
comes with working read the lines and their partner can act it out for them.”
Wellness at TNP group multiple when she started dance lessons and in high school she landed the
with the same
Summer’s background in performance started at age three
role of lead dancer in Th e Wedding Singer. “I fell in love with theatre
times. “If we have a
by Lauren Speirs one-time workshop and decided that’s what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
My undergraduate degree is in acting and I received a certifi cate in
with a group, I
use the warmup arts and medicine. When I was there I realized that theatre is where
ith more than 20 community partners, Th e Naples continuing on with those classes and making some classes of my
Players (TNP) is leading the charge nationally in own. Th ey have a lot of improv workshops here and my style is a to decide which I made my friends and my support system - it helped me express
direction to go and myself. And through the arts and medicine program I realized that
W providing new and creative inclusive workshops. little diff erent - I use more scripted material.”
Spearheading their eff orts is Director of Community Education then best way for there is more to theatre than being on stage - it can be used to
them to show off strengthen our community and ourselves.”
and Wellness, Craig Price. New to the team and eager to lend Summer is passionate about using theatre for social, cultural,
their creativity. As
her amazing skills to our community is Summer Pliskow! and personal well-being and designs workshops to build on all of
these aspects. “Interaction is so important and promotes cognitive an instructor, it’s all Outside of subbing in for Improv for ASD classes at Th e Naples
about being fl exible Players, Summer just fi nished a month-long program of Expressive
Summer is from Wellington, Florida, and completed her stimulation. For example, in memory care facilities, interaction
Master of Arts in Applied Th eatre, or community engagement prevents hallucinations and other symptoms of dementia. Group and reading the Th eatre Th erapy with Horses for the Naples Women’s Shelter at
room. For example, Th e Naples Th erapeutic Riding Center. Summer says, “In all of this,
using theatre for well being purposes, at workshops are so valuable and important
is there any music we’re going into these community organizations to teach but I 100%
the Royal Central School of Speech and because they allow for that community aspect.”
Drama in London. She worked with the that we play that’s learn as much from the participants as they do from us. I am equal
triggering? You never really know what people are going through with my students and am learning from them all the time. You’ve
National Healthcare System (NHS) and With a background in arts and health,
held diff erent workshops in care facilities Summer says, “I’ve done a lot of programs and it’s always our goal to spark creativity and joy.” never met such creative improvisers as you would from a care facility
- I’m learning how to be a better actor and get a fresh perspective as
and hospitals. Summer also worked with in hospital settings. For example, I’ll go to a
In general, Summer over prepares and comes up with diff erent well. It is by far the most rewarding job I’ve ever had!”
schools in underdeveloped communities dialysis ward and do a movie with the patients
and helped students who need more where I get all of their creative ideas into a activities that will work for diff erent accessibility levels. “Th ere may
be people who have no mobility or movement as well as people All of us at TNP cannot wait to watch the wellness program
support in school. For example, to help script. Working together as a group to create
students transition from elementary to a project like that promotes well-being and who are nonverbal but are able to listen. It’s important to come up grow! Welcome Summer and we’re excited to see what you and
with activities that engage everyone at the same time and there are Craig accomplish next.
middle school, Summer would use theatre socializing. Also, being able to have artistic
diff erent creative ways to accomplish that. If I bring a script in and
to act out feelings they’re having and try license and create something allows them to
out real-life scenarios in a safe setting. have ownership. Most of the time, decisions fi nd that some people can read, some people can talk, while some To fi nd out more, visit NaplesPlayers.org today!
are being made for them all day about what
After researching TNP’s website, medications they need to take, etc, so this
Summer decided we had an inspiring allows them to not only have an outlet but also
program that she wanted to be a part of. make their own decisions. It allows for a more
“I made myself a job here - they weren’t person-centric care - we allow them to be seen
hiring. What I want to do is very niche as artists and human beings rather than their
and it’s something that really doesn’t label.”
exist in this country. After grad school, I
wanted to be closer to home in Florida. I Explaining her process for coming up with
noticed all of the community partners listed on TNP’s website material, Summer says, “I’ve created movies, poetry, and scripts.
and got in touch with Craig (Price) right away and got to hear I’ve also done interactive storytelling workshops in a memory care
more about what they were doing.” facility to promote cognitive stimulation. Th e material creation for
the workshops depends on the participants. Th e classes are more
Of course, Craig and the staff at TNP benefi cial and rewarding for them when they are personalized. I
took notice of Summer’s experience want to take note of what gets them smiling and excited - is it
and brought her on in March of this music? Does that really spark their creative side? If so, then I start
year. Summer says, “Th e fi rst month I with music and movement if that’s something they are already
shadowed and learned about the type comfortable with, and from there I will challenge them with
of program they have here. I’ve been something new and diff erent.”

66 Life in Naples | August, September, October 2022 Life in Naples | August, September, October 2022 67