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What’s New @ TNP

Guest Teaching Artists From Around the Globe

This summer, The Naples Players had to make some major changes to how our education classes were structured and taught in order to accommodate a virtual audience of TNP KidzAct students as young as 3-years-old. The challenge to “go virtual” also presented TNP with the opportunity to reach out within their tight-knit performing arts community to welcome guest teaching artists from around the globe. The result is artists with top credentials and industry connections working in real-time with students right here in Southwest Florida on how to polish and improve their craft.

“Our young artists have had some really amazing opportunities this summer to work with some big names in the theatre world,” said Associate Artistic Jessica Walck. “They are learning from directors, composers, and artists who have been on Broadway and other major stages – which is a unique and priceless opportunity.”

Recently, The Community Foundation of Collier County awarded The Naples Players with a $15,000 grant to continue their work in providing on-line, virtual education opportunities to children and adults. The grant will allow TNP to develop and deliver additional classes and engage with other guest teaching artists in a similar capacity.

The list of accomplished artists involved with the TNP Education and KidzAct program is growing. Thus far, these are the industry professionals that have lent their time and talents to the next generation of performing artists.

Emma Canalese originally from Australia but now is based in NYC. She is a graduate of WAAPA and The Neighborhood Playhouse and works as a director/choreographer, writer, and actor. Engagements as a teaching artist include PaperMill Playhouse and Stagedoor Manor.

Ben Kiley is an Australian music director and educator currently living in New York. He has performed internationally and recently played keyboard and was assistant conductor for Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish at Stage 42

Samantha Saltzman is a New York-based director of stage and screen. She has directed award-winning short films, has directed and overseen shows from Broadway to National Tours to gala performances and special events. Directing credits include Matilda the Musical (Broadway and tour), The King and I (national tour), The Color Purple (National Tour), and the Drama League Gala Honoring Steve Martin.

Andrew Sotomayor is a composer, pianist and is the current music director on the first national tour of Escape to Margaritaville, The New Jimmy Buffet musical. He has worked for Papermill Playhouse and Julliard.

Andrew Wheeler is a conductor, orchestrator, and vocal technician, having recently served as Associate MD of the Drama Desk Outstanding Revival Fiddler On The Roof in Yiddish, directed by Joel Grey. Orchestrator for a new musical currently in development which features five #1-Billboard hits and choreography by Emmy winner Tyce Diorio. Wheeler holds a BFA from NYU.

To learn more about current classes both online and on-site at The Naples Players theatre, please click here.

To speak with someone in our TNP Education Department, please contact Kenzie Currie, [email protected], (239) 434-7340, Ext. 127