Talented Locals Make Arts Center Theatre Play a Hit

Apartment 3A, a “sparkling romantic adult comedy by acclaimed actor Jeff Daniels” was a leap of faith for Chris Dayett, Director of Performing Arts at Marco Island Academy. Chris admitted “this was a big bite for him.” But he wanted to do something different since he mostly directs musicals and family friendly content at the high school level.

Chris wanted to direct a more mature comedic play for Arts Center Theatre (ACT) and it turned out to be an incredible experience for all those involved. Play contains mature content! 

For Apartment 3A, Chris came out of acting retirement and made his Florida stage debut with the support of close friends and members of the cast and staff at ACT. 

According to Chris, the dialogue of Apartment 3A is being told through dialogue, nuanced staging, lighting and props all happening at the same time. The challenge is to be able to watch each character very carefully – which was a great teaching moment for his students.

Chris’ MIA Theatre and Production Design and Marketing class was hands-on. The students completed the script analysis in class including coming up with some of the scenic costumes and props for the show working with Jim Swanker during production meetings. MIA’s talented team also created some of the social media graphics that have been featured on Marco’s Center for the Arts social media pages. They provided their unique feedback after reading the play. 

According to Chris, the set on the stage is what they created. The students also wrote press releases and you’ll see their smiling faces greeting the theatre goers as they check in and ushering them to their seats for the first two productions of the season. They will also be helping with the load out of Apartment 3A and in the upcoming play, the Odd Couple scheduled for November 30th.

The cast of Apartment 3A features:

Jackie Weiner plays Annie, a new tenant at Apartment 3A. Jackie is a TV personality who “cares too much” and is caught between two guys. She is also in charge of an on-air telethon for a public television to “keep Big Bird Alive.”

Gregory Hayes plays Elliot, a colleague of Annie’s from work “who carries a torch” for her.

Chris Dayett is Donald, an “annoying across the hall neighbor” who “took an interest” in Annie.

Mike McNees is landlord Dal, who describes Apartment 3A as the best apartment in a “not so nice part of town.”

Corey Lewis is Tony who never appears on stage but instead, is a voice of the broadcast producer.

What can audience members expect when they see the show? Annie, a new tenant at Apartment 3A, thinks she is caught between two guys and the plot thickens. The play is definitely a romantic comedy with lots of banter, word play and sprinklings of pixie dust.

According to Hyla Crane, Executive Director of the Marco Island Center for the Art, “being present with living, breathing people is important to the art of acting and for the human spirit.” 

Don’t miss this experience with a very talented cast of people you personally know on Marco Island – such as our City Manager, Mike McNees, who is so perfect as the landlord! I am sure you’ve met Jackie Weiner at the Bargain Basket. The talented Chris Dayett is the Director of Performing Arts at the Marco Island Academy and we’ve met many of his students. Gregory Hayes is a new transplant to Naples and has been involved in theatre all his life and hopes to be a long-term fixture at ACT. Corey Lewis spent his first 18 years on commercial TV and just recently began his tenure at WGCU in May, 2021.

Apartment 3A runs through November 13th – to purchase a ticket, please visit: www.marcoislandart.org.