The Chappell Player’s Theater Group (CTGP) has been a big part of the St. John’s University and it entertained its community for a very long time.
The group that has been impacting students since the 1930s by providing emotions throughout various productions will be honoring those notable alumni members who helped to shape the group’s essence throughout the years.
St. John’s University Chappell Player’s Theater Group will be hosting its first ever Alumni Banquet on Saturday, May 9, 2015 between 7 p.m–10 p.m in the D’Angelo Center Ballroom.
The event’s intention is to connect past, present and future hopes and dreams for CPTG while introducing alumni to current members.
Dennis Cullen, CPTG’s executive board treasurer and one of the banquet planners, reflected on the decision to host an Alumni Banquet.
“I thought it was a great idea to celebrate the year and network with alumni so I said ‘Hey! We should have a Chappell Player’s Banquet,’” he said.
The event will introduce their brand new Hall of Fame.
Primarily, they plan to induct three notable alumni who have subsidized the Chappell Player’s.
“We wanted to represent different eras of alumni that made contributions to either the organization or society in general after their graduation,” Cullen said about the process of choosing their inductees.
In their first alumni banquet, CPTG will be inducting Nicholas Caccavo (Class of ‘04’) Danielle Monaro (Class of ‘95’) and L.J. Stevens (Class of ‘85’).
Caccavo is the current moderator and advisor for the Chappell Player’s. In addition, he serves as a general manager at Roundabout Theatre Company, one of the major theatre production establishments in New York City. He has done a tremendous amount of work to get the organization where it is today.
Monaro is the second alumnus inducted. Currently, she is a co-host on Z100’s Elvis Duran radio talk show and the Morning Show, which is well-known nationwide.
She served as president of the Chappell Player’s Theatre Group for two consecutive years during her time at St. John’s University.
Stevens is the most recent. She is profoundly involved in theatre in the state of California, where she works as a casting agent.
Stevens also contributed to major productions. Alumni and active members are both welcome to attend the banquet.
Guests will be entertained with live performances from this year’s seasonal shows and productions.
The executive board of CPTG hopes to impress the alumni as they show what the organization has accomplished.
“We want to forge relations with our impressive alumni, honor their great achievements and continue to celebrate our work and progress every year,” Cullen said.
Cullen holds high expectations regarding the event and CPTG. He hopes that one day he will be admirable for this honor as well.
“My time at Chappell Player’s has offered me a lot of experience I can take in the real world,” Cullen said.
He said he would also like to receive an award after he graduates.
“I hope I can make a difference worthy of induction upon graduation,” he said.
