Season 12: Anything Can Happen

Season 11 finished off with record breaking attendance and audiences loving our production of Mary Poppins!  All summer long we’ve had the song “Anything Can Happen if you Let it” in our hearts and minds.  We had a realization that this must be the theme for our upcoming season - Anything Can Happen!  It is possible for a no name Jersey Boy to go from the streets to the world stage, for two countries at war to call a Christmas truce, for the underdog to get the girl in spite of a flesh eating plant, and an underestimated blonde girl get into Harvard Law School.

In preparing for Season 12, we asked some of our sponsors, actors, and directors to submit an article for the Season 12 ECTC Program Magazine. We had no idea what a treasure trove of inspiration we were going to receive. Here are some short previews of those upcoming articles in our playbill.

Jennifer Crawford, one of our faithful sponsors, had some beautiful things to say about why she chooses to support ECTC.

For me, it’s about giving back to the community and honoring my parents, who introduced me to the arts all those years ago. ECTC is more than just a place to see great theater — it’s a space where generations come together, where young people build confidence and character, and where creativity thrives.

We also heard from Marci Duncan, our dear friend and colleague who not only directs shows for us but has also produced her original work Dissonance here at ECTC.

ECTC gave me a platform to showcase my work, to create new work and have my work celebrated. ECTC is a place I can dream. Anything is possible here; I am a witness.

Chris Saltalamachio, an actor who you saw onstage as “Mr. Banks” in Mary Poppins last spring, also shared his unique view from the stage.

Last year I took a chance on myself…but it's been so much more than that. ECTC took a chance on me, and I took a chance on them too. A chance that I'll always be appreciative of, and not just for what has passed, but what is still to come, because "anything can happen if you let it!'

We also heard from Emily Bainbridge, our resident choreographer and new mom to her own little girl.

My Mum tells the story that my dance teacher told my mum, “I have high hopes for Emily.” At four years old, my Mum had no idea how you could see that in a child. Fast forward to my position here at ECTC. I know exactly what she meant.

Bruce Collier, another actor who many of you know from his original one man show Winston Churchill, wrote about his life in the theatre, including his inspiration for his shows.

At the age of 61, I got my second artistic wind at ECTC. Its Northwest Florida Theatre Festivals in 2018 and 2019 gave me the motivation to research and write three one-man shows.

Each of these writers are echoing the theme of Season 12- Anything Can Happen.  Without even realizing it, each of these wonderful artists and supporters have expressed exactly the reason why ECTC exists. It’s a place where you can create and see creativity, where you can connect and engage, and where you can dream and imagine anything.  It exists for them and it exists for you, because the heart of ECTC is you.