One of the most remarkable aspects of community theater is the people—neighbors, friends, and familiar faces—who bring stories to life on stage and work tirelessly behind the scenes. They might play leading roles under the spotlight or lend their hands to sets, costumes, and props. Offstage, they’re just as likely to be your dentist, electrician, or mailman.

Take Brad Goetz, for example, who plays Max in the upcoming production of The Play That Goes Wrong at The Naples Players (TNP). Brad is not only a talented performer but also a professional artist, business owner, and—believe it or not—your friendly neighborhood mailman. In fact, he delivers mail to The Naples Players, proving that you don’t have to look far to find stars in your own community.

These individuals dedicate countless hours of time, talent, and energy to create the shows we love to watch. It’s this blend of passion and commitment that makes community theater so special and so close to home.
A transplant from Seattle, Brad moved to the Naples area nearly 20 years ago. His diverse background includes serving in the military, consulting with light industrial and manufacturing companies, building furniture and motorcycles, writing for plays and musicals, and creating magic shows. He’s even scripted a haunted house production with a cast of 50. At one time, in a single year, he performed in five shows with a number of local theaters, including The Naples Players. He even directed one of the shows.

“I’ve always loved music and theater,” said Brad. “Writing comes easily to me. I wrote a six-book nature series before I entered first grade.”
As he completed school and started working, his life took him away from the arts. After a break of more than 10 years, Brad is jumping back in. “I really enjoy film and theater. I love this form of communications. It can deeply impact an audience. I am happy when I know a performance really meant something or was particularly impactful to the audience.”

While he did not study theater in school, he has a massive library and studies on his own. “I like the work of it,” said Brad. “For many actors and others involved in a production, it is about the attention—the adulation. Fame is not super appealing to me. I am always about the show, and how I can help make it the very best I can be for our audience.”

Brad is excited to get back on stage with The Naples Players after a 12-year hiatus and is diligently preparing for his role as Max. “I was attracted to play Max because he is complicated, with two different characters – it is a difficult and technical role. In the play, Max is not a very good actor. It is challenging to perform as a bad actor when you have acting talent.”

“The Naples Players has more capabilities and is better staffed than many professional theaters I’ve worked with. And the renovated theater with new state-of-the-art sound and lighting have added to my excitement to return. I also simply enjoy the people involved. I believe this theater provides excellent productions, with their amazing quality quite often measuring up to the national tour groups. It is an honor to return to do my little part to continue moving our beloved community theater to the next level.”

The Play That Goes Wrong, sponsored by Garage Doors of Naples, runs January 15 through February 16 at The Naples Players’ Kizzie Theater. Tickets are on sale now and range from $41-$55. Showtimes are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Visit NaplesPlayers.org or call (239) 263-7990 for more information to purchase tickets.