Backup Documents 06/11/2019 Item # 5AEach month, The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and the
Board of Collier County Commissioners recognize an organization
The Greater Naples fhamber of Comm' that has enhanced the community through financial, volunteer
' hdiogBu........ [, dioq(ammuuiiias. and active involvement in organizations and programs that assist in
creating a better quality of life for all citizens in Collier County.
The honoree is presented with a commemorative plaque at the Board of County Commissioners meeting.
A photo and news release is distributed to all Southwest Florida Media and Chamber Members, as well as
featured in Chamber communications, the Chamber's website and promoted through social media.
Please email the completed nomination form below to Bethany Sawyer at Bethany@napleschamber.org
Business Name: ITheNapies Players
Owner/Executive Name: I Bryce Alexander
Email: balexander@naplesplayers.org
Phone: 1 239-434-7340 x124
Business Description (50 words or less):
The Naples Players is a nationally recognized non-profit theatre located in Downtown Naples. Led by a
professional staff, the organization utilizes local volunteer talent in all aspects of the organization — resulting
in 60,000 volunteer hours, 550 volunteers, and serving more than 50,000 audience members annually.
Year Founded: 11953
How has the organization enhanced the community through financial, volunteer and
active involvement in organizations and programs? (500 words or less):
The Naples Players enhances Southwest Florida's community through financial, volunteer, and
active involvement in organizations and programs. As the premier community theater in Southwest
Florida, The Naples Players is dedicated to providing high-quality arts access to every member of
our community. Our robust arts education program boasts over 1,000 students that participate in
meaningful artistic programming and classes. Over the past year, The Naples Players has awarded
financially needy students with over $60,000 in scholarships. Additionally, The Naples Players
continues to make strides in serving individuals with disabilities.
How has the organization enhanced the community through financial, volunteer and
active involvement in organizations and programs? (continued):
Theatre therapy programming advanced through The Naples Players is designed and taught by
professional therapists and teachers. These programs are tailored to individuals with emotional,
physical, and neurological disability to ensure proper accommodation, enjoyable classes, and
meaningful experiences and exercises. Theatre therapy programming is available to youth, adults,
caretakers, and family members affected by various disabilities including sensory processing
disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Parkinson's disease, and other disabilities that marginalize or
otherwise affect a person's quality of life.
The Naples Players in these efforts specifically engages with the Collier County Public School
system and the STARability Academy to provide a broad array of programming and experiential
learning. Youth and adults work with professional therapists and theatre instructors to cope with and
overcome their disabilities, gain skills necessary for day-to-day interactions, and see meaningful
progress in their conditions leading to participation in the workforce.
As a community theater, The Naples Players engages people from all walks of life to participate in
the artistic process. Each production is staged and staffed by volunteers who accumulate more than
55,000 hours each year producing theatre for our community. Children as young as three -years -old,
seniors in their nineties, and everyone in between from all backgrounds come together to create
award winning theatre in Southwest Florida.
The Naples Players is credited with revitalizing downtown Naples in the 1990s when the community
theatre worked with community and government stakeholders to acquire land and engage in an
unprecedented fundraising effort that saw the construction of a world-class theatre complex in the
heart of 5th Avenue South. Since, The Naples Players has staged hundreds of productions for
millions of theatre -goers over the past twenty years, providing lifeblood for the downtown economy
and creating meaningful artistic opportunities for the residents and visitors of Southwest Florida.
As a hub for the community, The Naples Players works directly with dozens of nonprofit
organizations and community groups to advance their missions and provide a safe and welcoming
space for their nuanced programming. The Naples Players is proud to maintain its extraordinary
place in the community as the torch -bearer for community arts involvement and engagement in
Southwest Florida.