Behind the Curtain
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Behind the Curtain
Volunteer and donor Terry Libby, (far left) performs
with Vic Caroli (center) and Dan Miller (right) during
the ETC Readers Theatre performance of Philadelphia.
Behind the Curtain
One woman’s journey from patron to donor
It’s not uncommon for first-time patrons
to be overwhelmed by the intensity of a
Naples Players production. As a nonprofit
community theatre, the expectation
is often that shows will “feel” like a
community theatre performance and not
that of a world-class organization. The
same was true for Terry Libby when she
first moved to Naples and took in her first
show.
“I thought ‘Oh my God, what an asset to
the community,” Libby said.
After experiencing her first show, Libby
was hooked. She had a desire to find out
how she could get involved with volunteering,
fundraising, or any other areas
where the theatre needed assistance.
She took a behind-the-scenes tour and
learned how everything from set production,
costume design and prop-making
happened right inside the building, and
often led by volunteers and community
members; something that many seasoned
patrons still don’t realize.
“It was incredible watching people come
forward to break down a set, make costumes,
and paint scenery. Those hats in
My Fair Lady, incredible,” recalled Libby.
Despite having a small army of volunteers
acting, creating and producing shows,
the need for financial support to continue
the array of programs and productions
The Naples Players provides to the community
is still present. Only 60% of the
yearly operating budget comes from ticket
sales, the rest is reliant upon generous
donors, and their financial commitments
to seeing The Naples Players continue to
grow and thrive in Naples. Once she was
aware of the shortages in funding not
covered by ticket sales alone, Terry Libby
took on her newest role: donor.