John and Karen McGonigle shared a passion for theater long before they shared a life. They met as hopeful drama students at NYU, dreaming of stage lights and applause, though life ultimately led them down different paths to pay the bills.

John pursued a global career in travel sales, exploring every continent except Antarctica, which remains a final frontier on his personal map. After 9/11 disrupted the industry, he even briefly returned to his roots, teaching high school drama for two years. Karen carved a career path in the burgeoning tech world, automating businesses and later serving as a chief technology officer in public education. She credits the very skills honed in theater—public speaking, leadership and self-confidence—for her corporate success.

 

When they both retired two years ago, they made a significant move to Naples, knowing only their son-in-law’s family. A year ago, seeking community and connection, they took the plunge and found their new home at The Naples Players.

John jumped straight into the spotlight, auditioning in January 2025 and landing the role of the Padre in Man of LaMancha. Karen, opting for a self-described “low-risk, behind-the-scenes role,” started quietly in the costume shop. Her past experiences in small community theaters, where she learned choreography, staging, sound and lighting, quickly made her an invaluable resource to Mollie Berman, the costume director, and fellow volunteers.

Her journey backstage continued with sound, becoming an A2 – the crucial person in the Green Room ensuring body microphones were working flawlessly throughout performances. Karen admitted her first night in the sound role was “a bit nerve-wracking,” but she quickly found her true key job: “to keep actors calm—even while taping microphones to their faces.” This intense, fast-paced environment, she discovered, is where real bonds with the actors are forged.

Karen later embraced the frantic energy of a “dresser” in Sweeney Todd, requiring lightning-fast costume changes backstage. “Yes, I took on another role that requires you to remain calm,” she said with a laugh.

In addition to performing on-stage in several productions, John has volunteered for several backstage roles, including running the spotlights for Sweeny Todd and Sweeny Todd Teen Edition. “Because this was such a dark production, spotlights were especially important,” said John. “I was constantly moving spotlights from one actor to another.”

“We finally found our tribe,” said John.

“When we relocated, we needed to set down new roots. We’ve done that with TNP. Theater tends to create a sense of community and camaraderie. You are drawn to it, whether on stage or not. We have had very positive experiences. We are respected for our skill set and we’re always made to feel welcome.”

They’ll miss participating in Little Women: The Musical in November and December because of previously planned family trip to Spain, where they plan to visit LaMancha in honor of the performance earlier this year. As they contemplate the upcoming year, Karen and John are working to maintain a good balance between volunteering at TNP and travel.  “It has fun and rewarding and we will continue to pick and choose,” said Karen. “We do enjoy working together on the same show so our free time coincides so we can travel and spend time with our family.”

For John and Karen, volunteering at TNP is more than a hobby; it’s a dedicated commitment. Actors spend time learning lines, rehearsing and performing during the run that can last up to six weeks. John summarized the experience best, offering “kudos to The Naples Players for being so well organized” in facilitating this passionate second act for their lives.

Thank you to John and Karen for their continued dedication to our TNP Family and to all of our volunteers who give so selflessly of their time, talent, and treasures.  If you are interested in volunteering, please visit our Volunteer Page to learn more.