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Company and Community

by Lauren Speirs
he Naples Players (TNP) welcomes all walks of life TV and film for a number of years (appearances including but not
T limited to: Charmed, Pensacola, Undressed, and some soap operas
onto our team of dedicated volunteers. Some have
as well). I did Indie films and also started writing and directing
never been on stage and thrive behind the scenes; some
have never acted before and learn from our experienced staff to for stage. I started a film production company called Compass
perform at their best; and then there are others who come to Entertainment and worked with Susan Sarandon and Brittany
us with a plethora of acting experience. One such volunteer is Snow (to name a few!).”
Marcus Dean Fuller who is making his first appearance on our Marcus and his wife, Julie, met while they were both at Yale.
stage in The Game’s Afoot. Ironically, both are originally from Ohio. “We met at a coffee shop
Lucky for TNP, it’s hard to miss our iconic façade when in New Haven and were married six months later. We both swore
walking down 5th Avenue South, and Marcus took note. “My we would never marry anyone from Ohio! We have two kids -
wife, Julie, and I came to see our first show, Blithe Spirit, and we Mason and Catherine. My daughter is desperate to audition and
were really impressed. The whole reason I walked through these get involved in the kids programs (at TNP). We’re going to go see
doors is also because of The Game’s Afoot. Besides my obsession A Christmas Carol and Newsies together.”
with Shakespeare, I’m a Sherlockian! I’ve never performed it While the 5th Avenue show posters might have drawn Marcus
ever but I love all things Sherlock Holmes and read the books to The Naples Players initially, it was the sense of family that made
growing up. It’s a fun dream role for me and it was a surprise him stay. “Every theatre has a culture which can be bad or really
and an honor to even be cast.” good. It costs you something to do this work so you want it to
Originally from Ohio, Marcus went to the Yale School be a good experience both on and offstage. I was blown away by
of Drama and followed that with a career spanning several the audition process. I was prepared and ready to do the work
decades in television, stage, and film. “I wanted to be an and when I walked in and sat down, everyone was chatting and
attorney so I originally thought I would go to the University friendly. After my reading, everyone was so nice and supportive!
of Virginia School of Law. I wound up in Los Angeles where That’s not the reaction you usually get when other people are
I got my SAG card (proof that you're a SAG-AFTRA actor, trying to get the same role as you - it was really amazing.”
protected by full union rights). I started doing guest spots for

66 Life in Naples | January 2023