Lisa Bill and her husband Ted attended the first TNP Trees & Teas Festival in 2020.  It had been over a year since COVID had shut down most indoor gatherings, so they felt they were experiencing a new beginning.  “We were just so excited to be back out with people, and surrounded by all these wonderful trees!” said Lisa. Little did she realize that just a few years later, she would become the design chair for the event! Knowing her passion for all things Christmas, Ted mentioned Lisa’s interest in getting involved to Bryce Alexander, TNP CEO & Executive Artistic Director. Bryce connected Lisa with Pamela Larkin Caruso, Director of Volunteer Advancement, and it has been a match made in heaven!

While born in Pennsylvania, Lisa grew up abroad with her parents who are international educators. She attended American Schools and lived in England, Egypt, Turkey, and spent many of her formative years in the Netherlands. “When I was growing up, Christmas was always a time of joyful celebrations, bringing together family and friends. In the darkness of northern European winters, Christmas was the light.”  Lisa and her family were part of a community of people living abroad and away from their families.  “Other expats became an important part of our close ‘family,’” Lisa explained.

Lisa found her way back to the states for college in New Hampshire and a career in sales that has spanned retail, Wall Street, and manufacturing. It was at her last job that Lisa met her husband Ted. Perhaps it was inevitable that Lisa became a TNP volunteer,  considering that her husband Ted is on the TNP Board of Directors; her dad, John Heard, is performing in the TNP Readers Theater; and her mother-in-law, Theresa Bill (aka T.Bill), received the TNP Lifetime Volunteer award for her many contributions on and off stage. For Lisa, TNP is truly a family affair.

In her first year as a Trees and Teas volunteer, Lisa helped create the wreaths and mini trees that are sold during the event. It quickly became clear to Lisa that she wanted a bigger role and knew she had much more to offer. “Each year, I love preparing our home for a festive holiday, including hosting our large annual Christmas party,” said Lisa. “I decorate six trees in our home, each with a different theme. When I showed the photos of my trees to TNP staff, it led to the next phase of my volunteer role.”

Being named the 2023 and 2024 Trees and Teas Design Chair have been a huge honor for Lisa.

“It is my hope that this year is the best yet,” said Lisa. “This labor of love has taken many hours of work by so many talented and passionate volunteers and staff.”

Creating a successful event means starting to plan right after wrapping up the previous event. Lisa starts shopping in early January, buying Christmas-related supplies and materials at a deep discount around town and online. Lisa explains that for her, shopping is a profession. “I try to be economical and efficient. Christmas in July sales are real – prices are good in summer. In the fall, retailers begin to rapidly mark up their prices.”

Lisa wants to encourage patrons to think out of the box when decorating their own trees. “I’ve tried so many things over the years. Layered lighting, lanterns in trees and last year I used vases and plates in trees. There are so many creative ways to make the Tree and Teas Festival as unique and engaging as possible for Naples’ residents and visitors.”

Once the design and theme are selected, Lisa works with Cole Butcher, TNP Production Stage Manager & Internship Director, and Pamela Larkin Caruso to determine locations for the trees and wreaths throughout the newly renovated theater. “I am so excited that we have this renovated theater with a big spacious lobby to accommodate everything we want to do,” said Lisa. “This year, we will again be decorating 9-foot and 12-foot trees for display. We have a fantastic ‘dream team’ of volunteers who are building wreaths and mini-trees which are sold to raise funds for The Naples Players.

“The trees and wreaths will be a perfect way for our seasonal residents to decorate their homes for the holidays, while support our amazing TNP community.”

She continued, “I am so pleased that at least 10 large trees designed and decorated by very talented local designers will be on display. And I’m personally going to tackle the largest tree I’ve ever decorated—but I am up for the task!”

The designers and TNP team begin staging the trees, wreaths and decorations the second week of November. All of their hard work culminates in an event that will run from November 20 to December 22, 2024 in the Jay R. Paul Community Atrium inside The Naples Players theater.

“I so enjoy bringing my creative and organizational skills to TNP,” said Lisa. “I just love the team. They are so kind and generous with their time. They are just wonderful people.”

“TNP offers so much – for adults and children. I am incredibly impressed with the work with arts access programs, like the partnership with StarAbility. I am especially proud of TNP’s commitment to the community, as demonstrated by the innovative way they created a safe place for people to gather and access community resources following Hurricane Ian. Bryce is a phenomenal individual who’s dedicated leadership continues to grow the success of The Naples Players.”

Outside of TNP, Lisa keeps herself busy. “My husband and I love to travel, enjoy great food, build Lego projects, work out and spend time with our beloved dog, Alabama.”  She also enjoys cooking and baking and, of course, anything to do with Christmas!

“Volunteering with TNP is just one of those things we do that keeps ourselves active and healthy,” said Lisa. “TNP has been such a great addition to my life.” Lisa offers this advice to others:

“Get involved. TNP will be keen to have you. You can do a little or a lot. It is very social for anyone who needs a place to belong.  It provides a great opportunity for individuals who want to get out develop friendships and invest in their community. You have nothing to lose!”

This year TNP is also the recipient of a $50,000 holiday match made possible by Mr. Henry Price, T.Bill, and Jim & Linda Mizeur.  All donations up to $50,000 will be donated to support the mission and programs of The Naples Players.  91 cents of every dollar donated to TNP goes directly back into the funding programs that are making the arts truly accessible to al!

Learn More about the Trees & Teas Festival or how to get involved with Volunteering at TNP!