Sets being created by the backstage crew at Naples Studio Players. -COURTESY PHOTO

Shakespeare famously declared, “The Play’s the Thing.”  But what about the work necessary to put on the play?  The set design, prop construction, lighting choices, technical direction and costuming?

Here in Southwest Florida, we’re lucky to enjoy a vibrant arts scene. From Naples to Bonita Springs to Fort Myers and beyond, there is as much creativity behind the scenes as there is on stage.

Naples Studio Players

“A Streetcar Named Desire” built by Kevin Hendricks who also played Stanley Kowalski in the production. -COURTESY PHOTO

In Naples, The Studio Players have been entertaining audiences since its opening over a decade ago under the name Let’s Put on a Show Productions. Co-founder Scott Lilly explains how the theatre is still on a mission to put on a show.

“We are a very small organization where everyone—from the actors to the set builders and directors —pitches in to bring a production to life,” said Lilly. “It’s a beautiful, all-hands-on-deck approach that creates a true family atmosphere.”

With this collaborative spirit, those in the wings enable those on stage to soar. ”We are a testament to the idea that you don’t need a massive budget or a dedicated theater to create something meaningful,” said Lilly. “All you need is a shared passion and a little bit of magic.”

Since 2013, this unique company has shared space at the Golden Gate Community Center. The large Collier County facility boasts sports areas, an amphitheater, a farmer’s market and other activities.

Kevin Hendricks working on the set at Naples Studio Players. -COURTESY PHOTO

Lilly describes The Studio Players as a home to many. He claims that the very challenge of coordinating performances alongside the community center’s activities is “what makes our productions so special.” The dedication required to mount a show in this dynamic environment is a testament to the passion of every volunteer who walks through our doors.”

This all-hands-on-deck approach is effective for the company even though it does not maintain a permanent backstage crew.

“For the past 13 years, we have operated without a formal tech team, lighting director or costume director,” said Lilly.

Even without a formal tech team, Lilly relies on Executive Director Kevin Henricks, with the company since 2016, for some of the heavy lifting.

“Kevin embodies the very spirit of our community theatre; having made his mark not in one, but three crucial roles: as a dedicated set builder, a compelling actor, and a visionary director,” he said.

Before the curtain rises on any performance, Henrick might literally be heavy lifting.

“As a masterful set builder, he is instrumental in transforming our stage and building the physical worlds where our stories come to life,” said Lilly.

Center for the Arts Bonita Springs

Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs Performing Arts Center. -COURTESY PHOTO

Stories come to life in Bonita Springs as well at the Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs. A performance space, in addition to a learning center and location for classes, lectures and community events, this venue thrives under the leadership of Executive Director Alyona Ushe.

Since coming on board in 2023 Ushe’s extensive background commanding cultural organizations is resulting in growth at this Bonita powerhouse. That’s not to say every live performance sails along without a hitch.

“We welcome challenges,” said Ushe, when asked about the requirements of staging a performance. “Anyone who has been in the theatre knows that problems are a daily occurrence. Our team works behind the scenes, so the audience never learns if there was a problem backstage. “

Theatre Artistic Director Joseph Brauer works with Ushe to ensure things move seamlessly in the wings even if challenges arise.

“The common thread for our productions is that everyone who comes to work on one of our shows is truly passionate and has a desire to put on an amazing show, and they aren’t afraid to get their hands a little dirty doing it,” said Brauer.

The Performing Arts Center on Bonita Beach Road is home to the 400-seat Hinman Auditorium and the 200-seat Moe Auditorium & Film Center. Brauer is the only full-time, dedicated theatre staff member.

Center for the Arts Bonita Springs choreography rehearsal. -PHOTO CREDIT: ERIC ORTIZ

Before anyone can step on the stage, Brauer spends time communicating with the creative teams, allocating resources, supervising volunteers and sourcing production needs.

He then relies on a seasoned group of freelancers to mount a production. “We work with some of the best and brightest home-grown talent, including stage manager Danica Murray; Musical Director Rosalind Metcalf; choreographer Eric Ortiz as well as contractors working on a show-by-show basis. While we work with a constantly rotating ad-hoc team, we maintain continuity by constantly inspiring each other to take risks and push our creativity and artistry,” said Brauer.

Most productions are directed by Kody C. Jones, who also lends a hand backstage.

Explaining what goes into making the show go on, Jones said, “There is something called pre-production that most folks don’t even know exists. It’s when the actual ‘start’ of a theatre process begins.”

Most audiences would be surprised by the many stages of preparation required to stage a show.

Jones continued, “The director reads and analyzes the text and creates a concept; one that translates the information from stage to audience in the most artistic and accurate way possible.”

Then volunteers and a part-time production assistant work to build sets, run sound, do lighting and complete other backstage operations alongside the Center’s Technical Director.

Choreography for Carrie at the Center for the Arts Bonita Springs. -PHOTO CREDIT: ERIC ORTIZ

Jones himself has rolled up his sleeves to build scenery, repair costumes, design projections, and style wigs. “I even mixed up a few gallons of specially formulated stage blood to drop on the cast of Carrie: The Musical!” he laughed.

Jones explained what happens next, “Once this concept is born, production meetings with a multitude of designers begin, and those designers use the concept to individually add their flair and interpretation to the mix. It’s team collaboration. This all happens before a single page of the script reaches the stage for rehearsal.”

Center for the Arts Bonita benefits from its passionate leadership, donors and sponsors, but that doesn’t mean there are no hiccups.

Brauer recalled, “Once, during a youth production of ‘Footloose,’ the spacebar on the keyboard running our music tracks got bumped by accident, during the finale number, restarting that portion of the song. It happened strangely on the beat, so it sounded like the chorus was repeating on purpose. It ended up sounding like a deliberate canon moment where everything somehow worked together. The audience didn’t have a clue!”

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. -COURTESY PHOTO

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre

Maintaining the magic for the audience is the mission of CEO Will Prather and his team at Broadway Palm in Fort Myers. Being a dinner theatre, the venue faces unique challenges.

“Our biggest challenge is the turnaround and changeover to a new show in 5 days,” said Prather.  “Since we produce 8 shows a year and are open 51 weeks per year, we do not have the luxury to take an extended amount of time to open a new show”.

Unlike other theatres, Broadway Palm is both a performance space and a culinary hot spot. Efficiently serving both missions is a challenge Prather and his team have been accepting since Broadway Palm opened in 1993.

At Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre backstage set designs are built with various tools and methods to leave audience with outstanding performances. -COURTESY PHOTO

Sets are designed and built off-site at a 24,000 square foot production facility in Pennsylvania.  “Once the construction is complete, we ship the completed sets and costumes down in a 53′ tractor-trailer that we own,” said Prather. “We then will strike the old show on Sunday and by Tuesday afternoon, the new show will be installed.”

That efficient turnaround is what sets the dinner theatre apart from other venues. Prather continued, “We rehearse and tech the lights and sounds with the cast for two additional days. We will then have our official opening night on that Friday evening, and just like that, we have a new show on the boards.”

Completed sets and costumes are shipped in a tractor-trailer. -COURTESY PHOTO

While dining on the gourmet menu, audience members would never imagine how carefully planned the entire space is.

“Fortunately, we designed our theatre with a 32′ open proscenium, which is close to the standard opening for most theatrical stages,” said Prather.

This design allows the performance to move along as satisfyingly as the New York Strip.  Prather and his crew never get choked up even when difficulties do occur.

“We produced the national tour of ‘Pippin’ on stage, which created the visual effect of a live circus within a tent,” recalled Prather. “We had to install additional steel beams to withstand the weight of the flying effects needed for the show; it entailed a large running technical crew and highly precise stage direction to make the magic happen.”

At Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre the show goes on with help from the crew backstage. -COURTESY PHOTO

The magic continues at The Studio Players, the Centers for the Arts and Broadway Palm. W. Somerset Maugham once said, “It is dangerous to let the public behind the scenes- it was the illusion that they loved.”

Audiences continue to enjoy the on-stage illusion presented by these three companies and all those behind the curtains who make it happen.