Page 66 - LIN M-J-J-2023 web-low

FAMILYFIRST:

The Naples Players' Volunteers of the Month

show us the importance of pursuing passions
with the ones you love.

by Lauren Speirs

ringing families together builds community. Our family “I remember he was so happy to be the leader of the mice!” recalls
here at The Naples Players (TNP) wouldn’t be the Dede. Since then, Luke has been involved in four other KidzAct
Bsame without the hours of time and dedication that our productions, and now, his first adult production at the age of 12
volunteers put into our community time and time again. In rare starring as Kurt in The Sound of Music.
cases, our chosen TNP family and biological families crossover, in “My favorite part, probably, is getting exposed to new
a beautiful relationship that strengthens both fronts. techniques and dance moves, meeting new people who help me,
Dede Brownlee has been volunteering with The Naples Players and making good friends,” says Luke. Dede recalls that, “Luke
for 25 years, and has been a proud member and advocate ever actually came to me saying that he really wants to audition, and
since. “The very first show I saw [at TNP] was The Sound of Music I really hadn’t thought about it. And I was like, well, if you’re
that they were doing in 1997, and I thought, this is fantastic! I auditioning, then I’m going to audition for sure. I love the fact
became friends with the woman who played Maria, and the next that he for the first time really instigated let’s do this. This time he
show we did together. It feels like a kismet that was the beginning was the one pushing me.”
of my time at The Naples Players, and now we’re at the last show Luke was ecstatic when he received the news that he was cast.
in this theater.” Dede also remembers that day as a fond and proud memory:
Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Brownlee has always “The joy he was experiencing was indescribable. He was like, ‘I’m
been a fan of theatre. She grew up playing piano, singing, and Kurt! I’m Kurt!’ It was perfect- it was the role he wanted. [This
playing in the orchestra. While often seen on stage in both experience] is beyond anything I could have ever thought that
musicals and plays, Dede’s TNP experience includes working would happen. And it’s because The Naples Players is what it is
backstage, participating on various committees, and ushering. She that we have this opportunity to do this as a family. It’s beyond
also acts on our Board of Directors as the VP of Membership. “To words.”
get to watch the evolution not only of this community and how “Our relationship has definitely strengthened by this
we’re growing, but everyone’s personal evolution as performers and rehearsal process,” says Luke. For Dede, who has spent 25 years
volunteers. I love all of those milestones, and I especially love all volunteering with The Naples Players, she felt like the opportunity
the unique experiences that we can now do together.” to do a show with her son, Luke, was the perfect chance to
combine her passion for performing with strengthening her bond
Dede was thrilled when Luke, her sixth grade son, took an
with her son. “I’m so grateful for this extra time with Luke. I’ve
interest in performing and the arts. “We’re very, very similar. He
been doing this for a long time and it was a sacrifice not being
just loves singing and dancing, and we are a family that loves
able to tuck him in when he was smaller. Being able to do this
karaoke. He’s just very musically inclined.”
with him is incredible. We get to pursue our passions and we get
Luke Brownlee is a seasoned KidzAct performer here at TNP.
to do it together,” says Dede, “To work together as colleagues.
His first show was Nutcracker Goes Pop when he was four years old.
That’s cool.”
66 Life in Naples | May/June/July 2023