By Anna Fisher, Associate Artistic Director, ECTC
Emerald Coast Theatre Company is a vibrating ball of energy in the summertime, filled with many students from ages 5-17. There was a week this past summer where we had 80 students in four separate camps running simultaneously, at full volume from all directions.
I was sitting at my desk trying to block out the sound and focus on my work, and finally just gave up and decided to walk through the building and observe classes. I started in the small dance studio with our class of 19 five and six-year-old Mini Players who were dancing and singing their hearts out to “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” a peppy little song from the animated children’s movie Trolls. The cuteness almost knocked me out cold!
I then peeked in on Camp Showtime Rock and Pop in our larger rehearsal space, where 28 students were learning choreography and vocals to “Twist and Shout.” It made me smile to see them embracing such a classic.
I walked from there out front to the small second stage to watch 18 Middle and High Schoolers have the challenge of having everything fall apart in The Play that Goes Wrong: The One Act Teen Edition. Their show is double cast so everyone had a chance to play a pivotal character in the production.
Finally, I dance-walked (keep in mind there’s music blaring from every direction) through to our main stage area and had my mind blown by our 15 teen girls rehearsing the high school edition of Broadway’s musical pop sensation SIX. The confidence these performers gained while taking ownership of their role through dance and vocals was phenomenal. The confidence building effects of this particular camp were so tangible, we are considering offering it every summer.
You are a part of this. Every time you buy a ticket, attend an event, volunteer your time or donate, you are the heart of ECTC. You share ownership of the team building, confidence strengthening and screen-less joy these students experience while working hard towards a common goal with their cast.
This was just one week of our eight-week summer camp programs here at ECTC. We continue these classes year-round as well, and welcome students of all abilities into our building every day. These children make my heart full, and I wanted to share that fullness with you.
There’s so much to look forward to for Season 12 and we invite you to come be a part of it all! We open in September with Jersey Boys and continue with Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, while rounding out 2024 with our holiday offering All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914.
Launching the new year is Every Brilliant Thing, Little Shop of Horrors, Always a Bridesmaid, and Legally Blonde, the Musical. If you want a bright spot of pure joy in your day in between Sherlock and All is Calm, come see our EDU kids on stage in their fall production of Shrek JR.
Until then, I’ll be trying to work at my desk while listening to dozens of young thespians sing “I’m a Believer.” Isn’t life grand?
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