Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) was born out of necessity. In 2012, Nathanael and Anna Fisher, a local couple passionate about theater, noticed a lack of access to theater classes and education in the area and decided to do something about it.
“We noticed that at that time, there were not many opportunities for Okaloosa or Walton County elementary school children to get involved in theater,” Nathanael said. “We saw a need for it, and from there, ECTC was launched.”
Since launching, ECTC has grown exponentially each year with a two-part mission to focus on theater education as well as to bring well-rounded professional theater offerings to the Emerald Coast area.
“It started with a dream and a drive, and now we have hundreds of kids involved in our educational programming each year,” Nathanael said. “Then with our professional shows, last year over 13,000 people came out to support us. It's exciting how the community has responded to our vision with a resounding yes!”
From weekly acting classes to field trips, to camps and performances for young audiences, ECTC offers children a wide variety of ways to interact with theater. There are even scholarships available for those in need of it.
“It’s our mission that everyone can be involved, no matter their socioeconomic standing,” Nathanael said. “We want to make our programs accessible.”
As for the community, each season, ECTC produces and performs a plethora of entertaining shows that incorporate both serious and humorous topics. The company can also be found outside of the theater, caroling in local shopping centers at Christmas, or bringing pop-up shows to the public through their Broadway in the Boulevard series.
“ECTC was launched out of our experience and desire for theater education," Nathanael said. "To create positive change in children and to create a place of inspiration and connection through theater for the entire Emerald Coast community.”
“It’s our mission that everyone can be involved, no matter their socioeconomic standing,” Nathanael Fisher.