After moving to Naples 18 years ago, Craig Price became heavily involved in The Naples Players as a volunteer, leaning into his passion for improv and acting. Seven years ago, he became director of community education and wellness, integrating this passion for theater and improv with meeting the unique needs of neurodivergent students and aging adults with dementia. The wellness component of TNP continues to grow and expand, thanks to Craig’s leadership, along with the support of his family.
Tell us about yourself and your children. What makes your family unique?
I am married to Cheri and have two children. My son, Antonio, is a freshman at Naples High School, and my daughter, Angelina, is in eighth grade at Gulfview Middle School.
My wife moved to Naples 25 years ago, and I moved here 18 years ago. We both desired to be closer to our families. My dad and stepmom had relocated to Southwest Florida, and my wife’s parents and grandparents, along with her brothers and sister, were here as well.
Cheri and I met online; when I moved to Naples, I knew no one. I wasn’t really into the bar scene. I don’t drink. I didn’t know how to meet anyone; the whole online dating thing had just started. Her profile said that she had lived in Los Angeles and worked in the film industry in post-production and had done improv there. She had traveled around the world, grew up in Pennsylvania as a competitive ice skater and loved hockey. I thought, “Oh my gosh, I’m going to marry this girl.” It took a lot of convincing but eventually we met for coffee, and the rest is history.
We stayed here in town; we had kids here. Family is so important to us – our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents. We wanted our kids to grow up having meaningful, growing relationships with their family members. That’s why my wife and I both moved here initially, and that’s why we’ve stayed.
Almost immediately after I moved here, someone suggested I check out the theater – The Naples Players. I immediately started auditioning for shows and eventually began teaching classes. I became the education director seven years ago after Bryce Alexander became the director.
My love was improv since high school and college. I knew improv was going to be my thing. I knew that this was what I wanted to do the rest of my life.
What does your position as director of community education and wellness entail?
When I started doing improv, something shifted – I knew I felt better after. Improv improves our ability to communicate with each other. It helps kids feel more confident; it helps people. As we continued on in this process of community education, Bryce asked me, “What do you want to do differently here? Yes, we teach theater, acting, and improv to kids and adults. How can you grow this?” I immediately turned to the process of equipping people with unique abilities. My kids were both born with sensory processing disorders and benefited from occupational therapy. I responded to Bryce: “There’s got to be a way to help kids with autism communicate through theater and improv.” Bryce came from a theater that supported and equipped people with physical and developmental disabilities. He was so supportive of starting a wellness division.
It started with one class – teaching improv to kids with autism. Now I go all over the community and teach theater with a wellness component. Adults with Alzheimer’s and their care partners benefit greatly from these classes. It turns out that the way communication happens for kids with autism, as well as adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and is very close to the way we communicate with improv.
Once Bryce and I started this department, it immediately grew. We started looking around the country and recognized that our program here in Naples is unique. We want to codify it, create curriculum, and train other theaters and teachers around the country. This wellness division is the fastest growing area of our theater.
What do you envision for The Naples Players in terms of community involvement?
I envision growth in the entire community in terms of wellness and communication; I want to show others how they can help. The Naples Players creates community through theater experience and education. I want everyone to understand that even watching a performance will help you physically and regulate you; imagine what consistent class participation and regular involvement can do!
Do your kids think you’re a rad dad?
I told my daughter about this interview and showed her a copy of Neapolitan Family. She responded with, “Oh no!” So, I asked her, “Do you think I’m a rad dad?” She said, “You’re a different dad.”
Antonio and Angelina both tried theater. Even though they’re now on to other things, theater gave them confidence to do whatever they want. Angelina does figure skating at Hertz Arena, where Antonio plays ice hockey. They both joined the debate team at Gulfview Middle School. They are both musical and heavily involved with scouts. We’re not necessarily creating Broadway actors at The Naples Players, but we’re giving kids confidence to go out accomplish their goals and pursue their dreams.
What advice would you give other dads about maintaining a healthy work-life balance?
My family is my priority, and I have the freedom to maintain a healthy balance in my role at The Naples Players. I have been able to spend more time with my family on the weekends than I ever have because so much of my work is during the school day. I teach classes after school. I’ve been able to get home and have dinner with my kids. We always make it a priority to sit down and eat together – no phones, no headphones. We force our kids to talk to us.
My wife has been incredibly supportive. She has pushed me and helped me and encouraged me in my career. “You’ve been put on this earth to help people, so keep doing it,” she just kept saying. It’s only been at The Naples Players that I’ve been able to find my true calling. She has been so helpful and encouraging to me – and to our kids.
How can other Naples families become more engaged with the arts? With The Naples Players?
As simple and basic as it sounds, get on our website: Naplesplayers.org. We have such a huge offering this year. The types of classes we offer for kids to adults have grown. Now, we’re offering meditation classes, classes in Spanish, and classes for very little children/infants and their parents, to teach 0 to 4-year-olds the value of play: singing, dancing, and pretending.
It’s amazing how theater seems to universally help everyone on all levels. I’d encourage everyone to take a class, especially if you’re a little nervous. We offer a free improv class to adults every month. I offer an online improv class – for free – for adults once a month. You’ll feel better, more regulated, more confident, better able to communicate. That’s the power of theater.