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Naples Players

to raise curtain on

vast remodel project

by Jeff Lytle
s The Naples Players soon caps a year away
from home, the seven-decade institution
A will christen more than just additional
space at Sugden Community Theatre on Fifth
Avenue South.
TNP will transform the expanded and
beloved pet of serial philanthropists Jay and Patty Baker. The Kizzie
remodeled capacity into a bastion for the arts --
will feature redesigned acoustics for “movie theater-like surround
more and improved services and public gathering
sound” that is more clear -- ideal for big musicals, says sound director
spaces as well as 50 percent more audience seating.
Bradley Van Houten. “It will definitely set us apart,” he says.
The $21 million project, for which most funds are in-hand, is an
Another new marquee will be The Price Studio – with 100 seats
ideal fit for TNP’s mission to heal and help by providing community
for intimate productions – backed by Henry Price, father of TNP’s
access to the arts. As TNP’s motto says, “This is your theatre.”
notable director of community education and wellness, Craig Price.
In fact, there will be an entirely new third floor. Its north-facing
Craig Price employs improvisational theater techniques to help
wall will be 22 feet high and made of glass – aptly sponsored by Tanya
6,500 sensory-challenged students and others every year relax and
and Denny Glass. The new space, with an outdoor balcony, is to be
communicate – part of TNP’s mission of therapy for cognitive
used for classes and small performances as
impairment, grief/loss, anxiety and
well as events such as weddings, fundraisers
depression.
and business retreats.
•
Also New: The box office will move
Based on a preview tour by CEO/
into the lobby next to a public café with
executive artistic director Bryce Alexander
menus and cocktails tailored to the show
and marketing coordinator Jillian Keith,
of the moment. The lobby will include
theatergoers will need multiple visits
space for people to reserve for activities
to experience all the new features and
such as card games.
potential. • There will be a public library on the
The curtain is set to rise the last week
second floor with scripts and other
in May for a celebration of musical/
•
donated theatrical materials. TNP’s 700 plus volunteers–from
dance numbers from TNP’s past decade, preceding the first four
actors to scenery designers and builders–will be able to park
week show, 42 Street, which will kick off the 2024-25 season on nearby at The Naples Depot and the Central Avenue public library,
nd
th
June 26 .
with shuttle service, thereby saving spaces for patrons, thanks to
Audiences for shows large and small will get to see and hear
cooperation by Collier County. And those volunteers will have
whole new systems for
upgraded entrances and workspaces worthy of their important
sound and lighting. The
•
contributions. TNP will collaborate with neighboring hotels and
stage will be retrofitted
•
restaurants for help with menus and housekeeping. The project
with a floor atop springs
to soften impact for
dancers’ shins, ankles
and knees – and make
tap-dancing sound
snappier. Another
upgrade will permit
characters such as Mary
Poppins to fly throughout the theater, not just over the stage.
And yes, the venue could handle “Phantom of the Opera” –
chandelier and all – if the theatrical rights were available, Alexander
says.
Audiences will also get to watch from an all-new balcony with
150 seats, including 32 box seats, adding to the existing 300 seats
at ground level. There will be a special, enclosed booth for patrons
with sensory processing disorders such as autism to customize
comfortable sound and brightness levels at all performances.
To get everything right, Alexander says every staff member was
asked for suggestions. He then led a TNP team to Chicago to tour
three new, comparably sized theaters and pick their managers’ brains.
The TNP’s main venue will be named The Kizzie Theater, after a
60 Life in Naples | April 2024