Advisory Council

Bringing Community Leaders Together

The Naples Players is announcing the formation of a new advisory council comprised of healthcare professionals, industry professionals, and community leaders to help the organization make informed decisions about the safest and most responsible way to move forward.

The advisory council will also guide the organization in the best ways to serve the community during the current and upcoming conditions. Already boasting a robust COVID-19 response, The Naples Players has engaged more than 7500 people through their local “Aid for the Arts Concert Series,” and has launched more than 25 virtual education programs to serve the community, with more than 380 students regularly involved in the ongoing classes.

The theatre has also been building masks in the costume shop for NCH and Harry Chapin Food Bank; is finishing constructing custom designed intubation boxes for NCH in the scene shop; and connecting with local partners (Alzheimer’s Support Network, STARAbility Foundation, Gulf Coast High School, Marco Island Academy, Naples High School, and Avow Kids) to deliver virtual programming to those who would not traditionally have access.

“We’ve already seen that our programs are making a big impact during these difficult times,” said CEO/Executive Artistic Director Bryce Alexander, “but we want to make sure our programs continue to evolve beyond the virus to support our community in the best ways possible. We want to get back to performing but we want to make sure our audiences can stay healthy when we do.”

ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Senator Kathleen Passidomo – Florida State Senate District 28
Charles Chapman – City Manager, City of Naples
Dana A. Souza – Director Community Services Department, City of Naples
Pete DiMaria – Fire Chief, City of Naples Fire-Rescue
Chief Stephanie Spell – Collier County Sheriff’s Office
Chief Tabatha Butcher – Collier County EMS
Patty Baker – Broadway Producer; Philanthropist
Peter Swinburn – Chair of the Wales Millennium Centre; former President & CEO, Molson Coors Beverage co.
Rich Jaffe – Co-CEO, Broadway Across America
Skip Pardee – District Coordinator, Fine Arts (K-12) Collier County Public Schools
Peggy Aune – Associate Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, Collier County Public Schools

Additional Information

About Notes

None of the notes below should be associated with any person’s view of the issues, and each committee member’s views are confidential. You can use these notes as general guidance for how you might choose to move forward; or not.

Notes from April 23

None of the notes below should be associated with any person’s view of the issues, and each committee member’s views are confidential. You can use these notes as general guidance for how you might choose to move forward; or not. Each organization is different, and each person’s view differs, so we have tried to only include general comments that might be constructive.

There are some concerns related to liability; and organizations may be liable for sickness that is attributed to them – especially if guidelines are not strictly adhered to.
Re-opening theatres in late fall appears to be an appropriate timeline to aim for, though this can not be guaranteed and may be optimistic.
Many organizations around the country and the world are not planning on producing work until 2021.
The reopening process is likely to be slow and calculated; and related to clearly measurable public health metrics. But anything could happen.
Social distancing is likely to be an important component of re-opening, but this may not be financially viable for theatres.
Summer Educational programs remain somewhat unclear; but most organizations are not planning to host in-person summer programs.
There is a concern that there may be a rebound of sick individuals if things are not opened in a correct timeline; and all parties want to prevent further spread.

Notes from June 6

None of the notes below should be associated with any person’s view of the issues, and each committee member’s views are confidential. You can use these notes as general guidance for how you might choose to move forward; or not. Each organization is different, and each person’s view differs, so we have tried to only include general comments that might be constructive.

There are less concerns related to liability; and it was recommended that the theatre NOT take the temperatures of individuals entering the facility for a) HIPAA Requirements; and b) there appear to many people without symptoms or fevers who could be spreading the disease
Re-opening theatres in late fall appears to be an appropriate timeline to aim for, though this can not be guaranteed and may be optimistic.
Many organizations around the country and the world are still not planning on producing work until 2021.
The reopening process was quicker than had been anticipated.
Social distancing is likely to be an important component of re-opening, but this may not be financially viable for theatres.
Summer Educational programs have been reinstated in many organizations, including the City and County
There is a concern that there may be a rebound of sick individuals if things are not opened in a correct timeline; and all parties want to prevent further spread.
The use of social distancing and masks should be implemented in returning staff, volunteers, students, or patrons back into the facility.
A specific plan of actions and policies is an important part of ensuring the safety of all individuals in the community
The theatre is following the guidelines established by the PERFORMING ARTS CENTER CONSORTIUM
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON REOPENING