TNPA Leadership

Bryce Alexander is the CEO/Executive Artistic Director of The Naples Players, one of the country’s leading community-based theaters. Bryce has worked in theaters across the country, including the Guthrie Theater, Denver Center Theatre Company, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Phamaly Theatre, At-Hand (NYC), The Aurora Fox, and many more. Since joining The Naples Players nine years ago, the organization has more than doubled annual subscriptions; served 30% more students per year; seen significant gains in contributions; initiated a “wellness through the arts” program that serves many historically underserved populations through theatre and improv therapy; offers “sensory-friendly” productions throughout the season; and started a major movement in partnerships with other community non-profits and business around Greater Naples. TNP serves more than 30 non-profit partners including STARability Foundation, Naples Therapeutic Riding Center, The Alzheimer’s Association, Naples Senior Center, and many more. As a result of Bryce’s dedication to the SWFL community as demonstrated through his work at The Naples Players, Bryce was called the “Champion of the Arts” by Gulfshore Magazine in 2020, and “Man of the Year” in 2021. He was also named one of Collier County’s Top 100 most influential business leaders by Naples Illustrated in December 2021 and 2022; and 40 under 40 by Gulfshore Business in 2022. In the community, Bryce is a graduate of Leadership Collierclass of 2019; is a member of the Advisory Council for Leadership Collier at the Naples Chamber of Commerce; and was the Chair of the Collier County Emergency Medical Authority.

Jennifer Mance is extremely proud to join the Academy Faculty as the Advisor/Supervisor of the Middle School Division. She brings over 15 years of teaching  experience, having taught elementary school in Ontario Canada before moving to Florida with her husband Brett and daughter Madison (a performer and TNP Academy student). Born and raised in Canada, Jennifer holds a BFA in Acting and Bachelor of Education (Junior/Intermediate Dramatic Arts and Dramatic Arts Specialist) from the University of Windsor, Ontario, and obtained her Primary Division additional qualifications from Queens University.  In addition to teaching she would direct the school musicals, oversee the drama club and direct the Junior/Intermediate choir. If Jennifer looks familiar it is because you may have seen her on the Naples Players stage in a play or musical.  She has been a performer all her life and enjoys being in musicals the most. Prior to teaching, Jennifer worked as a principal singer for Jean Ann Ryan Productions for 11 years aboard cruise ships. Jean Ann was the first production company to mount broadway musicals on ships and, at one point, had a broadway show that had been cut down to run in 75 minutes on every NCL ship! Jennifer had the honor of performing as Sandy in Grease and Peggy Sawyer in 42nd St, and she highly recommends the cruise ship life to any aspiring performer.  It is a great way to see the world and do what you love!  She has been to all 7 Continents and 53 cities. Plus she met her husband Brett, a former Cruise Director, on one contract and the rest is history.

Dana Peteroy is joining TNPA as a full-time faculty member this year. She oversees the everyday procedures of the school day for the high school students as well as advises them in their studies. Dana is also the Activities Coordinator, organizing school trips, events, and social activities as well as clubs like the International Thespian Society and volunteer outings. She also teaches classes for the TNPA Afterschool Program. Dana grew up in the arts, always drawing, reading, writing, performing, and playing instruments. She earned both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in English from Florida Gulf Coast University, and her teaching experience includes middle and high school English and Theatre as well as Composition I and II at FGCU. During her time with Collier County Public Schools, she wrote the curriculum for and introduced Theatre classes to Corkscrew Middle School, and she revived the dormant Theatre classes, Drama Club, and International Thespian Society Troupe at Palmetto Ridge High School. Dana has not had the chance to be in a play since high school, but this year, she has found time to perform again herself, currently in production with The Studio Players as Diedre in The Cottage.

TNPA Instructors

James Duggan has been a vital part of The Naples Players since 2014. In his role as Artistic Associate, James expertly oversees the Readers Theatre and Studio Series programs, leads simulation training initiatives, and collaborates with community partners. James is also a distinguished instructor in the Adult Education program, teaching Acting Connected. His directing credits are extensive, including productions such as Rumors, Clue: On Stage, The Dining Room, The Games Afoot, and Boeing, Boeing. For the Studio Series, he has directed A Doll’s House Part 2, and for Readers Theatre, Erasure and Playwriting 101. James’ foundation in acting is strong, with studies at Emerson College, a two-year program at The New Theatre Conservatory in Boston, and intensive training with Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, Massachusetts. He also holds a BA in Communication Arts from Dowling College in Long Island, NY.

Phillip Fazio is the Artistic Director of The Naples Players. Previously, he was the Producing Artistic Director at Duluth Playhouse. His Off-Broadway directing credits include The Book That I’m Going to Write, By Judy Garland (Jerry Orbach Theater) and Gay Camp (Players Theatre). Favorite regional directing credits include: Follies, Caroline or Change, August: Osage County, Sunday in the Park with George, Ragtime, The Sound of Music, Into the Woods, Kinky Boots, Grey Gardens, Proof, and Cabaret. Assistant credits include working on various productions with Tony Award winner Christopher Ashley and Tony Award nominees Susan H. Schulman and Jeff Calhoun. Phillip earned a BFA in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory and a MFA in Directing from Pennsylvania State University. For more information, please visit www.phillipfazio.com

Robin Shuford Frank is Director of Education and Community Outreach, Chorus Master, and Music Administrator for Opera Naples. She manages Opera Naples professional Resident Artist Program, Student Apprentice Program, Elementary School tours, and community engagement programs. An accomplished pianist, she is Musical Director for community and youth productions, a rehearsal pianist for main productions, and performs as a collaborative pianist. Frank is the accompanist for The Festival Singers of Florida and performs with The Naples Players. She is a frequently sought guest accompanist for choral festivals and has performed and taught masterclasses in China and Indonesia. Frank is also an Adjunct Professor in the Bower School of Music at Florida Gulf Coast University. Frank’s previous employment includes Adjunct Professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University, Pianist and Coach with Opera New Jersey, rehearsal pianist at Palm Beach Opera, and Artist in Residence at Bak Middle School of the Arts. She has a Masters degree in Accompanying and Vocal Coaching from Westminster Choir College and a Bachelors degree in Music Education from The Florida State University.

Trudy Yeatts is delighted to contribute as a vocal instructor for TNPA. She enjoys teaching voice, musical theatre, and dance. She grew up in New Jersey and began a professional performing career in New York City at the age of 6. She has performed on Broadway and many National Tours. She moved with her family to Omaha, NE in 2015 and began working for the Rose Theater as a private voice instructor, musical director, and musical theater instructor. With her move to Wilmington, NC, she continued working with children as a musical director for Wilmington Performing Arts from 2022-2025. Trudy loves the opportunities that have opened up for her in the Gulf Coast area and is excited to share from her professional experiences with young people who adore Musical Theatre like she does.

Charles Fornara, TNP’s Artistic Director of Music, has music directed nearly 200 productions, including, at TNP: Sweeney Todd, 42nd Street, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Something Rotten, Mary Poppins, Gentleman’s Guide, Mamma Mia, Chicago, The Rocky Horror Show, Catch Me If You Can, The Spitfire Grill, Les Misérables, and many others, as well as over 30 teen productions for the TNP Academy.  Also in Naples for TheatreZone, he has music directed nearly 40 shows including Ghost, Rock of Ages, Bridges of Madison County, Legs Diamond, Sweet Smell of Success, Grand Hotel and Hair.  Originally from Providence, RI, Chas conducted Jim Steinman and Roman Polanski’s Dance of the Vampires in Stuttgart, and has taught and coached singers all over the US and Germany.  A proud member of Actors’ Equity, he has appeared in almost 100 musicals, operas and concerts, including several appearances here in Naples with TheatreZone, most notably as the title role in Sweeney Todd.

Tammy Bourgeois began her professional dance career with the Charlotte Hornets which led to the New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Memphis Grizzlies and she then became the head choreographer for NBA Entertainment. She toured the world with the NBA Fan Patrol which performed at the 2004 Olympics, China Tours, Europe Tours and countless televised NBA Allstar Games. She’s shared the stage with Rhianna, Dierks Bentley, Pitbull, Ne-Yo, Rob Base, Flo-Rida and Vanilla Ice. She’s appeared on HBO, The Country Music Awards and performed with Panasonic in Istanbul. Before moving to Florida, she was the dance captain of Las Vegas’s longest running tribute show, “Legends In Concert” and was the coach at Manhattan College with the Jasper Dance Team. Tammy is beyond proud to be on staff and honored for this opportunity! Tammy owns Hit The Floor Dance Studio in Naples where she also teaches a variety of classes.

Dawn Lebrecht Fornara, TNP’s Artistic Director of Dance, is a native New Yorker and has served as director and choreographer for TNP’s Sweeney Todd, A Christmas Story, 42nd Street, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Something Rotten, Mary Poppins, Mamma Mia, Chicago, Sister Act, The Rocky Horror Show, Catch Me If You Can, Legally Blonde and The Spitfire Grill, among others, and with the TNP Academy for many productions, including Joseph, Hairspray, Disney’s Camp Rock and CATS.  She has choreographed many shows for TNP, including Gentleman’s Guide, All Shook Up, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Cabaret, and, as a performer, she has been seen in the National Tours of 42nd Street, Seussical the Musical, Anything Goes and Grease.  A proud member of Actors’ Equity, she has been seen here in Naples in TheatreZone’s Sweeney Todd (Beggar Woman), Jekyll & Hyde (Lucy), Stepping Out with Donna McKechnie, Legs Diamond (Kiki) and Hair, among others.  Other recent roles include Sheila (A Chorus Line), Sally Bowles, Velma Kelly, Bombalurina (Cats) and Ulla (The Producers).

Tim Torres is a multi-instrumentalist, educator, and producer who has been playing in the orchestra pit at The Naples Players since 2017. He currently holds a Bachelor’s of Music Education from Florida Gulf Coast University and when he is not accompanying shows with The Naples Players, he is working with other local theaters, symphony orchestras, and bands around Southwest Florida across a multitude of instruments and roles. His stage roles outside of playing in the pit include the MC in Once, Lead guitarist in Rock of Ages, and an ensemble role in Escape to Margaritaville. Mr. Torres is excited to spread the joy of music to the next generation of performers!

Doren Danis holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Certificate in Piano Pedagogy from Rider University, Westminster Conservatory of Music. Doren joins the faculty with over 12 years experience as a piano studio owner providing both private and group lessons, music theory, exam preparation and performance opportunities. Additionally, Doren is CPA with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Rutgers University, and currently serves as the CFO for The Naples Players.

Cole Edward Butcher joined The Naples Players in January 2014. Cole received his BA in Stage Management from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Before moving to southwest Florida, Cole worked for theaters up and down the coast of California, Carnival Cruise Lines, the fringe circuit in London, operas, touring productions, educational theater, and conservatory programs.  He began working professionally in high school as an actor combatant and has over 20 years of experience as a fight choreographer and instructor. He is currently training to be an intimacy coordinator as a natural extension of stage combat. Since being with TNP, Cole has trained over 200 locals in the art of stage management, started TNP’s nationally recognized Internship Program, and has been a part of the team that has pushed TNP to the forefront of the national conversation. Cole has found pride in challenging the industry’s concept of how theater can impact and influence its community.  “If your theater–no matter its professional status–supports the community, you are a community theater.”

Taylor Matthews is a graduate from Western Michigan University where she earned a BFA in Theatre with a concentration in Stage Management. She is in her second season as the Company Stage Manager at The Naples Players, where she has been the Stage Manager for productions such as The Marvelous Wonderettes, Clue: On Stage, and A Christmas Story: The Musical.

Holding a BFA in Production Design from Savannah College of Art and Design and an MFA in Costume Design from Florida State University, Mollie Berman is thrilled to be teaching independent Costume Construction and Design as well as Script Analysis. While at FSU, Mollie had the pleasure of teaching Technical Practices, Costume Construction, Script Analysis and Theory at the Undergraduate level. Aside from being a faculty member at TNPA, she is also the Director of Costumes for The Naples Players. Prior to joining the team at TNP, Mollie was part of the creative costume team for Disney Parks Live Entertainment as well as freelanced as a designer in the Orlando area.

TNPA Tutors

Questions?

Contact Jen Price

Director of Youth Education
(239) 434-7340, ext. 108
[email protected]

Contact Steven Caruso

Chief Education Officer
(239) 434-7340
[email protected]

What if my student doesn’t enroll full-time?

Our current Academy programs aren’t going anywhere—they’ll continue to thrive and grow! Students who prefer after-school, weekend, or seasonal classes will still have access to the same high-quality theatre education, workshops, and productions they know and love.

Full-Time Academy students will have separate productions designed specifically for their curriculum and training. However, they’ll continue to participate in and support our broader after-school productions—fostering a strong sense of community and ensuring meaningful connections between all students, regardless of enrollment type.

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