The Naples Players Celebrates Baker Day School Graduates

The Baker Day School of The Naples Players Academy of Dramatic Arts (TNPA) held a formal commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 20, in the Kizzie Theater for its first graduating class of five senior students, marking a milestone moment for arts education in Southwest Florida. The innovative full-time performing arts school began its inaugural year in September 2025 with 28 middle and high school students enrolled, blending academic studies with intensive theatre training in acting, dance, and technical theatre. 

The graduating Class of 2026 included Maddie Brendel, who provided the senior reflection at the commencement ceremony, along with Jillian Cinnamon, Thomas Currie, Adaline Easterly, and Gabrielle Vasquez. Collectively, the Class of 2026 was accepted to 12 universities and awarded more than $200,000 in scholarships. All five graduates plan to continue their education while pursuing careers in the arts.

Brendel, who has participated in TNP programs and productions since the age of five, will continue her training at the Boston Conservatory Berklee, where she plans to study commercial dance, while Cinnamon hopes to attend Point Park University to study Musical Theater.

Currie will study Film at Western Connecticut Stage, while Easterly will study Music Business/Production at Florida Atlantic University. 

After touring the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Music Therapy Program, Vasquez was inspired to turn her passion for theatre and music into a career dedicated to changing lives. Her decision reflects a growing recognition of the role the arts can play in supporting health and well-being, a philosophy embraced by The Naples Players through initiatives such as ArtRx, which uses creative expression to promote connection, healing, and personal growth. Vasquez will begin her studies this fall in the Music Therapy Program at the Bower School of Music at FGCU.

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Left to Right Top Row: Thomas Currie, Adaline Easterly, Jillian Cinnamon

Left to Right Bottom Row: Maddie Brendel, Gabriella Vasquez

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During the commencement ceremony, Steven Caruso, Head of School, shared, “You are the first to walk this stage, the first to leave your mark, and the first to carry this legacy forward into the world. We are incredibly proud of all that these seniors have accomplished.”

“We celebrated a milestone that will forever be part of our story,” added Bryce Alexander, CEO & Executive Artistic Director of The Naples Players.

The launch of TNPA’s full-time academic program last fall was made possible in large part through a generous $1 million gift from longtime Naples philanthropists Patty and Jay Baker, ensuring the school has the resources needed to establish a strong foundation during its formative years.

“Patty and Jay’s commitment to education and the arts, along with their extraordinary generosity, helped us create a school where we have already seen young people thrive artistically, academically, and personally,” said Alexander. “The Baker Day School represents a new, and now proven, model for how the arts can inspire the next generation of leaders.”

The Baker Day School at TNPA offers a unique curriculum that integrates rigorous academic coursework with professional-level theatre training. Students not only study core subjects through accredited academic partners, but also participate in performance opportunities, technical theatre apprenticeships, and community engagement initiatives.

The school’s mission reflects The Naples Players’ broader commitment to accessibility and excellence by providing scholarships and financial aid opportunities that help ensure students from all backgrounds can pursue their passion for the arts.

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About TNP Academy & The Baker Day School

The Naples Players Academy of Dramatic Arts (TNPA) provides after-school and full-time performing arts training for students year-round. The Baker Day School at TNPA is a full-time educational experience that combines academic coursework with intensive theatre training in acting, dance, and technical theatre for middle and high school students. Through small class sizes, hands-on learning, and integrated performance opportunities, The Baker Day School equips students with the skills, confidence, and creativity to excel both on stage and in life.