EMERALD COAST THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS NORTHWEST  FLORIDA PREMIERE OF “BAD DATES,” March 7-10

 Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with a2 p.m. matinee on Sunday

Emerald Coast Theatre Company continues its 6^th season by presenting the Northwest Florida premiere of Theresa Rebeck’s sweet comedy, “Bad Dates,” starring Jennifer Steele, March 7-10.

The performance runs Thursday, March 7 (opening night) through Sunday, March 10 and will be staged at ECTC’s performance space located at 560 Grand Boulevard (upstairs) in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, located in Miramar Beach, Florida.

The story centers around restaurant manager and shoe connoisseur, Haley Walker, who is finally ready to re-enter the dating world. From the privacy of her bedroom, she relates a series of hilarious tales while preparing for, and recovering from, one dreadful date after another. A 2003 off-Broadway hit, this premier production of Theresa Rebeck’s sharp comedy will be the hottest date night in town and a triumphant night out for women of all ages

“Who hasn’t been on a bad date? Whether currently dating or even if it’s been decades since someone has been on a date, this comedy is sure to bring lots of laughs,” said ECTC producing artistic director Nathanael Fisher.

Whitney Rappana is guest director for this one-woman cast featuring Jennifer Steele as Haley.

Rappana is a director and actor working in Chicago. Before moving to Chicago, she taught acting and music lessons in Virginia Beach, Virginia, while receiving her MFA in acting with a directing concentration. Other directing credits include “No Exit,” “By the Light of Day,” “True West,” “Not Enough Rope,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “Love Poem #98,” “West Side Story,” “Until I Return,” and “The Disorientation of Butterflies.”

Jennifer Steele is returning to the stage after a 10-year hiatus during which she has been served as leader of the Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County. Steele is the co-founder of The Rep Theatre in Seaside, Florida, where she played various roles during her eight years with the company, including Patsy Cline in “Always, Patsy Cline,” Germaine in “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” Meg in “Crimes of the Heart,” Hermia in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Isabel in “The Fisherman and his Wife,” and Cathy Hiatt in “The Last Five Years.” Steele holds a BFA from Valdosta State University, where she studied arts and theater management, the passion for which has remained with her the past two decades, while serving as The Rep’s managing director, the executive director of the CAA, the co-producer of the 30A Songwriters Festival, and on several local, statewide, and national councils and committees as an arts advocate. She lives with her family in Point Washington.

Costume design is by ECTC associate artistic director Anna Fisher. The production is stage managed by Bridgett Bryant. Set, sound and lighting design is by Storm Hooten.

There are four performances Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinee on Sundays. Running time is 90 minutes. This production is for mature audiences.

Theater patrons are encouraged to come early (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) to browse artwork by local artists showcased in the ECTC Lobby Gallery curated by Lori Drew, founder of Lowkylzart. A portion of proceeds from each sale benefits ECTC and its education outreach and scholarship programs.

Tickets are $30 for adults; $28 for seniors (55 years old and up) students, and military. Purchase tickets online at emeraldcoastheatre.org/tickets or call (850) 684-0323.

The 6^th season continues with “Around the World in 80 Days,” March 28-April 7.

 ECTC’s Professional Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) showcases professional actors performing productions especially selected for young audience members. The final TYA offering is “Wind in the Willows” May 16-19. The performance schedule is Fridays at 9:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 7 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. (the first weekend only). Tickets to TYA productions are $10. Children three and under are free.

Spring brings the third annual Northwest Florida Theatre Festival hosted by ECTC and presented during South Walton ArtMonth, May 15-19, 2019.

Major sponsors for this season are Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, Isidro Dunbar Modern Interiors, and Howard Hospitality. Theatre for Young Audiences is made possible with support from The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, St. Joe Community Foundation, Wells Vision and Laser Eye Center, Grayton Beer, RSVP Events and Progress Bank. For more information on sponsoring ECTC, call Nathanael Fisher at (850) 684-0323 or visit emeraldcoasttheatre.org/sponsorship.

ECTC is a non-profit professional theater company founded by Anna and Nathanael Fisher, MFA, in 2012 with a mission to enrich and entertain the Emerald Coast community through professional and educational theater. After six years, ECTC has clearly established itself as a professional theater company focused on staging thought-provoking productions, festivals and creative collaborations as well as a valued community resource for professional acting, educational theatre for children, and theatre for young audiences.

To make a tax-deductible donation, volunteer or learn more about Emerald Coast Theatre Company, find them on Facebook, call (850) 684-0323 and visit www.emeraldcoasttheatre.org.

ABOUT EMERALD COAST THEATRE COMPANY

Emerald Coast Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) founded in 2012 by Nathanael Fisher, MFA, and his wife, Anna Fisher. Based in Miramar Beach, Florida, ECTC’s mission is to enrich and entertain the Emerald Coast community through professional and educational theater. ECTC operates year-round with a two-fold mission to provide both educational and professional offerings to the Northwest Florida community. Educational outreach includes after school and home-school programs, touring and staged productions, summer camps, workshops and classes. The professional theater efforts are focused on thought provoking productions, festivals and collaborations as well as acting and improv workshops and classes for adults.