Join others with a passion for theatre to read, discuss, and perform table reads of a selection of plays based on a central theme every month. This is an informal, safe space open to everyone from novice to professional, 18+, to come together and share their love for the stage!

January 10th @ 4:30-5:30pm: Open House

• Pick up your copies of the scripts
• Ask questions, share ideas, spend some time with fellow theatre lovers!

If you are unable to attend the open house, scripts will be available to pick up starting January 3rd - but still be sure to register!

January 17th @ 4:45-6pm: Discussion

• Discuss the plays!
• Choose a play and assign roles for the Table Read!

January 31st @ 4:45-7pm: Table Read!

• Finally, bring the play to life together!

About John Heinis and the Drama Club Program:

The Naples Library Drama Club will be a bi-weekly program that will be centered around, but not limited to, the reading and discussion of plays. A drama book club if you will. My goal as program facilitator is to gather folks with a passion for theatre to read a selection of plays based on a central theme, have a discussion about said plays, and then do a table reading of one of the plays in its entirety, or specific scenes from one or more of the selected plays. This program is not a class in acting or playwriting, but rather an informal safe space for everyone from novice to professional, eighteen years old and above to come together and share their love for the stage. Being a library program in Naples I thought it fitting that the theme of the first series will be plays based on literary works, (titles and brief description below)  the second will be plays that take place in a small town. (titles TBD) Beyond that it is my hope to have future themes and titles be driven by the interests of the club members. That said, I am also open to hearing the suggestions of what NLDC members would like to do beyond the “Table Read” program. I would love for this to be a space that inspires and encourages people to explore their interest and passion for theatre be it as a performer, playwright, director, technician, or overall enthusiast.  Workshops in scene study and monologues are already being considered, as well as offering inspiring playwrights a place to get their works off the ground. If you are interested in joining the NLDC please contact The Naples Library at (585) 374-2757 or via the link below, space is limited so registration and commitment to both sessions is required. Please join us for an informal open house on Wednesday, January 10^th from 4:30pm to 5:30pm to pick up your copies of the first round of scripts, ask questions, share ideas and spend a little time with fellow theatre lovers. If you are unable to attend the open house, scripts will be available for pick up by Wednesday, January 3rd. The first meeting will be held the following Wednesday, January 17^th from 4:45pm to 6:00pm. At this meeting we will discuss the plays, choose a play for the table read, assign roles, and talk about what we’d like to read for future meetings. The table reading will be held Wednesday, January31st from 4:45 to 7:00pm, or whenever we finish.

    A little about me; for those who don’t know, my name is John Heinis. I am a semi-retired professional actor whose thirty plus year career has taken me throughout the United States as well as abroad. In 2000 I was hired to perform at Bristol Valley Theater, then under the Artistic Direction Michael Perreca. My host family were the Sherwood’s, the family renowned for originally bringing theatre to Naples in the form of the Bristol Valley Playhouse. I immediately fell in love with BVT, my family, the community, and the beauty of Naples. Now, twenty-three years later I am a fellow resident, and look forward to sharing my experience, knowledge and passion with you. 

– Titles For First Session

—- “Les Liaisons Dangereuses”  is a 1985 play by Christopher Hampton adapted from the 1782 novel of the same title by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. The plot focuses on the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont, rivals who use sex as a weapon of humiliation and degradation, all the while enjoying their cruel games. Their targets are the virtuous (and married) Madame de Tourvel and Cécile de Volanges, a young girl who has fallen in love with her music tutor, the Chevalier Danceny. In order to gain their trust, Merteuil and Valmont pretend to help the secret lovers so they can use them later in their own treacherous schemes.

—- “To Kill A Mockingbird” adapted by Christopher Sergel, based on the book by Harper Lee. To Kill a Mockingbird opens in a sleepy Alabama town in the midst of the Great Depression, where Scout and her brother, Jem, live with their widowed father, Atticus Finch. Reminiscent of a bygone era, the play immerses us in a simpler time as the children play outside in the summer, act out stories and muse about their mysterious neighbor, Boo Radley. The facade of the seemingly peaceful town begins to crack when a young black man is accused of a terrible crime. Driven by an unshakeable moral conviction, local lawyer Atticus defends the man in a trial that sends violent waves through the community. Timeless and lingering, this hard-hitting work explores prejudice, compassion and the courage to do what is right.

—- “The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time” adapted by Simon Stephens, based on the best-seling novel by Mark Haddon. 15-year-old Christopher has an extraordinary brain: He is exceptional at mathematics but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched, and he distrusts strangers. Now it’s seven minutes after midnight, and Christopher stands beside his neighbor’s dead dog, Wellington, who has been speared with a garden fork. Finding himself under suspicion, Christopher is determined to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington, and he carefully records each fact of the crime. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a thrilling journey that upturns his world. 

—- “The Lovely Bones” adapted by Bryony Lavery, based on the novel by Alice Sebold. Susie Salmon is just like any other young girl. She wants to be beautiful, adores her charm bracelet and has a crush on a boy from school. There’s one big difference though - Susie is dead. Now she can only observe her family manage their grief in different ways.

—-”Popcorn” by Ben Elton adapted from his novel by the same name. Set in the Beverly Hills home of Oscar winning movie director Bruce Delamirti, “Popcorn” is a satirical comedy thriller with the firepower of a hit squad. When notorious killers Wayne and Scout interrupt Bruce’s passionate introduction to Brooke Daniels, a nude model and actress, they want more than an autograph from their cinematic idol. Wayne intends to use Bruce’s “art” as a justification for murder. Events are disrupted by the arrival of Bruce’s soon to be ex wife, spoiled teenage daughter, and his producer. However, Wayne must succeed whatever the cost.