Since the eight local performances of its first production in 1988, ETC has been a proud ambassador of Ruth Eckerd Hall creating professional productions of original works, adaptations of classic literature and the finest of published scripts for the theater. ETC productions entertain while they explore such themes as diversity, multiculturalism, self-worth, loyalty and tolerance.
ETC began touring the state of Florida in 1991 and national touring began in 1993. Since 1996, the company has been on the Florida Arts on Tour roster, a state program providing funds to allow productions to travel to remote and underserved parts of the state.
In 1998, Julia Flood took the reins as ETC Artistic Director. In 1999, a State of Florida Challenge grant provided funds for The Florida Project, a collaborative process bringing national and Florida theater artists and educators together to develop a new theater-for-young-audiences piece about the south. ETC was invited to showcase at both the Southern Arts Exchange in 1999 and at the 2002 International Showcase of Performing Arts for Young People, performing alongside companies from Germany, Canada, the U.S. and U.K. In 2003, ETC toured internationally, visiting venues in Canada for the first time.
Since February 2003, Eckerd Theater Company makes its home in the new, 182 seat Murray Studio Theater in The Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute. |
