Theater

The School District of Lee County has established arts programs in all 15 of its high schools. Cypress Lake, Lehigh Senior and North Fort Myers high schools are arts magnets, which focus on further developing students' talents in specific disciplines. The school district can offer supplemental funding based on program size and need, but most programs fund themselves from ticket sales.

The Naples Players’ has received the prestigious Grand Aurora Award for Best Rehabilitation Project for its $22 million theater renovation. Spanning 12 states and more than 60 categories, the Aurora Awards celebrate excellence in architecture, interior design, and construction across the Southeast.

Bridging the Gap Center for the Arts is Southwest Florida’s newest arts and culture nonprofit. The new organization is committed to providing support, education, community, and performance opportunities for BIPOC artists. We’ll learn about the new organization in an encore of our conversation this past summer with founder and executive director Sonya McCarter, board of directors member Cotrenia Hood, and dance instructor Eden Collier.

Bridging the Gap Center for the Arts is Southwest Florida’s newest arts and culture nonprofit. The new organization is committed to providing support, education, community, and performance opportunities for BIPOC artists. We’ll learn about the new organization in a conversation with founder and executive director Sonya McCarter, board of directors member Cotrenia Hood, and dance instructor Eden Collier.

Mia Zottolo has enjoyed some incredible roles. She played Katherine Howard in “Six.” Eurydice in “Hadestown Teen Edition.” Judas Iscariot in “Jesus Christ Superstar.” The Leading Player in “Pippin.” It wasn’t always that way.

“The Wolves” was created by Sarah DeLappe and is directed by FGCU’s Barry Cavin and is a coming-of-age story about young women who share the common goal of being the region's best high school soccer team. It is being presented at FGCU's TheatreLab through April 27.

As April marks Autism Awareness month, we explore how The Naples Players works to make theater accessible to neurodivergent audiences and performers. Such efforts include relaxed performances, educational programs geared toward people on the autism spectrum, and a new first-of-its-kind sensory viewing booth.

Before she became Gypsy Rose Lee, Louise Hovick was “excess baggage” in her mother’s eyes. Momma Rose wasn’t a monster, or even neglectful. It was a matter of focus - on June, her younger, more talented daughter. Lauren Perry plays Momma Rose. But Louise turns the table when her younger sister leaves to pursue a career as a legitimate film actor.

Eggs are top of mind for a lot of people right now. Back in 1595, they were for Nick and Nigel Bottom, too. In their quest to one-up William Shakespeare, they're producing history's very first musical, "Omelet."

Actor Lemec Bernard says that the struggles taking place onstage in August Wilson's "Jitney" are a microcosm of those we encounter in everyday life.