Alongside the opening of their $21 million renovation, The Naples Players (TNP) announce the expansion of their Artistic Team with the appointment of long-term in-residence artists Dawn Lebrecht Fornara as Artistic Director of Dance, and Charles Fornara as Artistic Director of Music.

No strangers to Naples stages, Dawn and Charles Fornara have been creating award-winning productions at TNP for more than 20 years. “Dawn and Charles have played a significant role in creating the exceptional quality that audiences have come to expect from our productions,” says Bryce Alexander, CEO & Executive Artistic Director. “I am thrilled to have both of these amazing artists joining our staff full-time, continuing to develop our exceptional programs from elementary education up to our major season productions.”

The Artistic Directors of Music and Dance will work closely with the Executive Artistic Director, helping to advise season selection, setting educational standards, and maintaining the highest artistic standards. The expansion of the artistic team comes at a time of great growth for TNP as the organization prepares to open its freshly renovated 44,500 square foot facility that will feature a 450-seat Broadway-style theater, a 105-seat Black Box theater, and a 105-seat Educational Theater; as well as brand-new scenic and costume shops, rehearsal studios, and state-of-the-art technologies that are expected to further grow the company’s regional presence.

New York native Dawn Lebrecht Fornara has served as the director and choreographer of several multi-award-winning productions at TNP including The Marvelous Wonderettes, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Sound of Music, Something Rotten!, Mary Poppins, The Wedding Singer, Mamma Mia!, Chicago, Sister Act, The Rocky Horror Show, Catch Me If You Can, Legally Blonde, The Spitfire Grill and 42nd Street, among others, and with KidzAct for many productions, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Hairspray, Disney’s Camp Rock, Les Misérables and CATS.

Additionally, Dawn has choreographed many shows for TNP, including A Christmas Carol, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, All Shook Up, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Cabaret.

“My absolute greatest pleasure from my 21 years at TNP has been working with the volunteers and students. Helping to teach them skills, watching them grow, shine, and learn to be serious and silly, and putting them in a position to succeed will always be my favorite part of my work here,” says Dawn Lebrecht Fornara, Artistic Director of Dance. “Nothing pleases me more than watching the growth of the theatre, the volunteers, and the students. It’s very gratifying seeing them build confidence and good work ethic, applicable to whatever career path they choose. There’s nothing like working with people with as much passion and heart as the TNP family has.”

Dawn’s career started as a performer. Her impressive resume includes the National Tours of 42nd Street, Seussical the Musical, Anything Goes, and Grease. A proud member of Actors’ Equity, she has been seen here in Naples in TheatreZone’s Sweeney Todd (Beggar Woman), Jekyll & Hyde (Lucy), Stepping Out with Donna McKechnie, Legs Diamond (Kiki) and Hair, among others. Other recent roles include Sheila (A Chorus Line), Sally Bowles, Velma Kelly, Bombalurina (Cats), and Ulla (The Producers).

“I am very grateful to Dallas Dunnagan (TNP’s previous Artistic Director) for taking a chance on someone with limited experience as a director, and putting me in a position to thrive. TNP is not only a place for the volunteers and students to develop, but also the staff and creative teams. I have grown so much as a director, choreographer, and teacher in my time at TNP, and for that I couldn’t be more proud and happy,” says Dawn.

Charles Fornara has music-directed over 180 productions, including several multi-award-winning shows at TNP. His most notable shows include The Marvelous Wonderettes, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Sound of Music, Something Rotten!, Mary Poppins, Gentleman’s Guide, The Wedding Singer, Mamma Mia!, Chicago, Sister Act, The Rocky Horror Show, Catch Me If You Can, The Spitfire Grill, Les Misérables, All Shook Up, 42nd Street and many others, as well as over 20 teen productions for KidzAct.

“Without doubt, I have two very significant favorite parts about my involvement with TNP over the past 21 years. First of all, helping to build this theatre into a recognized, national treasure has been an absolute highlight of my career.” says Charles Fornara, Artistic Director of Music. “Secondly, from the leadership of Dallas to that of Bryce, I have been given the great gift of incredible support when it comes to live music from the pit. Almost no theatres, even professional regional theatres, have the same commitment to full, live orchestras for their productions as TNP does; and over the years, I have been lucky enough to compile a roster of professional musicians who make our orchestras the equal of any in the country. Actors know when they audition for a mainstage musical at TNP that they will be supported by an orchestra that is second to none. It will be my great pleasure to continue contracting, rehearsing, and performing with this great company of musicians for many years to come.”

Additional credits include his music direction for nearly 40 shows at Naples’ TheatreZone including Rock of Ages, A Little Night Music, Bridges of Madison County, Aida, The Secret Garden, Legs Diamond, Sweet Smell of Success, Grand Hotel, Little Women, and Hair.

Originally from Providence, RI, Chas conducted Jim Steinman and Roman Polanski’s Dance of the Vampires in Stuttgart, Germany, and has taught and coached singers all over the US and Germany, now offering private lessons here in Naples. A proud member of Actors’ Equity, he has appeared in almost 100 musicals, operas, and concerts, including several appearances here in Naples with TheatreZone, most recently as the title role in Sweeney Todd.

“My extensive professional experience both onstage and as a Music Director has helped me bring lofty expectations to our productions. As a working actor, singer, and member of Actors’ Equity for over 30 years, I have worked at the “top” of the profession and it is always my goal that our shows achieve the highest possible level. I look forward to watching all levels of our institution impose the same expectations and achieve the same results of excellence across all of our showcases and productions from our youth programs all the way through to our adult shows. I hope to continue to play a role in sending students and volunteers into the business. It has been a real joy to see these kids shine in the professional ranks.”

Dawn and Charles Fornara’s first projects on the Artistic Team for TNP will be the upcoming productions of TNP’s Grand Reopening Extravaganza and 42nd Street.

On Saturday, June 1 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, June 2 at 2:00 pm, the Naples community are invited to view Dawn and Charlie’s work and experience Southwest Florida’s Favorite Local Theater free of charge by attending TNP’s Grand Reopening Extravaganza. Facility tours of the newly renovated Kizzie Theater will be available before and after each performance. Patrons are encouraged to call the Box Office to reserve their seats in advance at (239) 263-7990. Seating is limited – only patrons who call in advance will be guaranteed admission.

As the curtain lifts on their $21 million renovation, audiences can expect to be greeted by the clicking euphony of tap dancing feet, inviting them into the dazzling world of Broadway with TNP’s first production in The Kizzie Theater: 42nd Street.

On stage from June 26 – July 21, 2024, tickets for 42nd Street and season tickets for the entirety of TNP’s 71st Season are available now. Those interested can visit NaplesPlayers.org anytime or call the TNP Box Office at (239) 263-7990.

ABOUT THE NAPLES PLAYERS
The Naples Players is a non-profit community theatre committed to the enrichment, education, and entertainment of our community through a superior theatre experience. For more than 70 years, the theatre has served as the cultural jewel of Downtown Naples, Florida.

Learn more at www.naplesplayers.org!