Chris Campbell Hands-On Career Experience is Priceless for Future Theatre Professionals
When Chris Campbell hit the stage in Puerto
“That was where I immediately recognized his
Rico in January as an ensemble member in the
potential. His dancing was always impeccably
national tour of Hamilton: An American Musi-
sharp and precise,” said Jessica Walck, The Na-
cal, it was the culmination of years of theater
ples Players’ Associate Artistic Director.
experience which started right here with The Naples Players.
for the arts in Michigan, before enrolling at the
and drive I don’t know that I’d still be doing it,”
University of Michigan. He later returned to KidzAct during summer
Campbell, who grew up in Naples, now begins a
breaks to help as an assistant choreographer
national tour of the Broadway hit, under the di-
for KidzAct productions.
rection of Playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda, who reprised his title role as Alexander Hamilton.
“Without The Naples Players, I don’t think I would have know this career would have been a
Campbell, a former Palmetto Ridge High School
tangible option for me, just because there is no
student, first got a taste of acting as a young
other program like The Naples Players here in
boy when he played the part of Dandy Dan in
our community,” Campbell said.
KidzAct’s Bugsy Malone Jr. He would go on to perform in the musical Oliver! as an orphan named Mungojerrie, and later in a production of CATS as a teenager. His talent and work ethic were always apparent, but during his first production on The Naples Players main stage as Warner in Legally Blonde the Musical, it became obvious he was destined for success.
8
Interlochen Arts Academy, a boarding school
“If it weren’t for this place fostering that passion he said.
Chris CAMPBELL
The Naples teen would go on to graduate from
The 23-year-old learned of his acceptance as an ensemble member of Hamilton’s national tour while rehearsing for The Wiz in which he played the Scarecrow. Without KidzAct, Campbell isn’t sure he would have been able to explore his passion for theater. “Quality theatre education is imperative for the future of our creative children,” said Craig Price,
