The Naples Players is lucky enough to have many long term volunteers – sometimes from the same family tree! Frankie Federico has performed at our theater since he was four years old. Now twenty one years old, he’s been in over thirty performances and, for a few of them, he has shared the stage with his mom and fellow volunteer, Lisa Federico.

Born and raised in Naples, Frankie was first inspired by his mom to get involved with theatre.  “I saw her in the shows and she asked me if I wanted to do it and I decided I wanted to try it out – I’ve been here ever since!”  Frankie is no stranger to our main stage performances with all of the adult actors as he first appeared in one when he was just eight years old! 

Mother and son have appeared together in four productions so far – Fiddler on the Roof, A Christmas Carol, Les Miserables, and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.  “It’s fun when we’re in the performances together – we talk a lot more.  Now that I’m older and more experienced, she asks me for help more than I ask her for help so the roles have reversed!”

Frankie and Lisa in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

As most would agree with, it’s not always easy working with family…Frankie says, “I was dance captain for A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder so part of my job was to give her notes and fix her.  Of course she would always take the notes but sometimes she would talk back to me like my mom.  She would give me directions on how to run the rehearsals sometimes- ‘come on, speak up, have them start practicing.’  It’s definitely different when I do shows without her.  They’re still fun but I enjoy having that family element when we’re in something together.”

Frankie in A Christmas Carol

Reflecting on the past seventeen years with The Naples Players, Frankie says that, “the summer shows the past few years have been the most fun – Catch Me If You Can, Sister Act, and The Wedding Singer.  I’ve grown up with the other kids that do the summer shows and we’ve been doing this our whole lives together so that makes it fun. We just become super close and form a big family with fifteen other kids who you hang out with and see all the time.”

Performing on stage for a live audience is always exciting and the process to get there is just as rewarding.  “Rehearsals are probably the most fun.  You get to know the show really well and all the jokes and inside jokes that make the experience.  You also get to make mistakes and fix yourself. Dawn (Lebrecht Fornara, Director/Choreographer of Mary Poppins) has been a big influence on me getting better at dance and all areas because she really pushes me more than anyone else!”

Frankie hopes to continue volunteering in musicals here at The Naples Players.  “This is like my second home and second family.  Everyone here is so nice and welcoming and I’ve become friends with them all – from my age group to a lot younger and older!”

Frankie in KidzAct The Lion King

CEO/Artistic Director, Bryce Alexander says, “The journey of Frankie and his mom Lisa spans many different ages and stages in both of their lives, and they continue to find a renewed sense of joy, growth, and family here at TNP.  So many stories have unfolded on the stages of TNP over the years, but it is the personal experiences that become part of a volunteer’s life story, forming a community narrative, that truly defines our organization.”

Interested in volunteering? There are abundant opportunities at The Naples Players!  Volunteers have options to commit to time frames ranging from 2.5 to 5.5 weeks.  TNP volunteers are also wearing masks in the building to ensure everyone stays safe and healthy.  For more information, please contact Pamela Larkin Caruso at [email protected] or 239 434 7340 ext. 104.