Emerald Coast Theatre Company Stages Theatre Festival May 16-20

When Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) producing artistic director Nathanael Fisher conceived the Northwest Florida Theatre Festival last year, it was to provide a “stage” — literally and figuratively — for local artists in the community. The festival will be produced in concert with the Cultural Arts Alliance’s Art Week South Walton. “I believe that art breeds art. Our mission is to unify the theater and performing arts groups of Northwest Florida and showcase the talent, work and productions of numerous organizations and people,” said Fisher. The unjuried theater festival will feature 14 unique pieces of theater including one act plays, cabaret, magic, dance, comedy and more. Producing groups come from Pensacola to Panama City. Most pieces will be staged twice for a total of 23 performances. Performance schedules range from Wed., May 16, through Sun., May 20, and include both afternoon and evening shows.

Performances:

“Jessie’s Messy Mind”

Jessie goes inside the mind of mental illness with humor, honesty and melody. She asks about what makes us human and often finds answers in the original music she plays.

“Poems for People Who Hate Poetry”

Is modern poetry too maudlin? Too obscure? Too self-centered? Well, sit down and buckle up, because these tales will recall classic poems which explore human foibles or celebrate bawdy revelry.

“An Iliad”

An Iliad is a one man’s retelling of the Trojan war and the clashing of its two greatest warriors, Achilles and Hector. Come see as one man relives that conflict over and over and illuminates the innate rage of mankind that drives him toward war.

“The Agreement”

Sal, a writer, and Jenny, an aspiring actress, dream and work for the day when their talents will be recognized and rewarded. Sharing a cold water flat, they have devised an agreement by which their love and their careers remain separate. But then, one day, Jenny comes home during Sal’s writing time, and he senses that a change has come over her … she is pregnant.

“Brandon Styles — Celebrity Singing Impressions & Magic Show”

Enjoy nearly 60 different celebrity singing and speaking impressions, comedy, dance, magic, ventriloquism and plenty of audience participation all performed by one man, Brandon Styles. This classy 60-minute show is family-friendly.

“Gardyloo”

The Tiny Warriors

After two successful performances of “Half Full” at last year’s festival, The Tiny Warriors are proud to present ‘Gardyloo.’ Justin Duncan and Cana Strong return to the ECTC stage in this new, original work.

“Winston Churchill: Through the Storm”

House of Monkeys

Prime Minister Winston Churchill reminisces about his life. Moving back and forth from past to present, Churchill recalls his worst and finest hours.

“A Tale Dark and Grimm: The Whole story of Hansel and Gretel”

Join ECTC’s Creative Dramatics class on an adventure through the land of Grimm as they present Hansel & Gretel — including all the scary and bloody parts! (but not too scary.)

“Aerialists in Wonderland”

A young girl who falls asleep in a meadow and dreams that she follows a white rabbit down a rabbit hole. She has many wondrous, often bizarre adventures with thoroughly illogical and very strange creatures.

The Northwest Florida Theatre Festival is open to the public and will be held at ECTC’s performance space located at 560 Grand Boulevard, upstairs, in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin in Miramar Beach. For more details and a full listing of dates and times, please visit  www.NWFTheatreFestival.com. To follow the conversation on social media, use hashtag #AStageForAll.