Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) continues its celebration of spring with three family-friendly productions in April.

ECTC has performed for more than 6,000 students since 2012. Over 1,600 children and families attended its TYA productions through school field trips or family outings last season alone. Each field trip experience at ECTC includes educational enhancement activities for the classroom and can include a post-show Q&A with the actors (time permitting).

“Seeing our kids show off all of their hard work in our final student productions is one of the highlights of the season for me,” says Anna Fisher ECTC associate artistic and education director. “The excitement and energy they bring is contagious.”

All performances are staged at ECTC’s performance space located at 560 Grand Boulevard (upstairs) in Grand Boulevard Town Center in Miramar Beach.

ECTC’s Jr. Company Presents: “Old MacDonald” Theatre for the Very Young: Interactive Theatre (ages 6 months to 5 years-old) April 1 (school field trips only), 2, 15, 16 at 9 a.m.

“Old MacDonald” was written by P.J. Padgett, who has worked for ECTC in stage management, sound design and with its Theatre Education Program as an actor/teacher. This original piece will be staged in collaboration with the ECTC Junior Company players.

Old MacDonald brings his farm to life with sheep, dogs, bunnies, and even a mouse. In addition to life on the farm, theater goers will enjoy favorite children’s songs such as “B-I-N-G-O,” “You Are My Sunshine and “Old MacDonald” performed by an animal orchestra.

“‘Old Macdonald’ is a delightful little classic. It’s always a little magical to see the young ones watch with wonder as they clap and sing along,” says ECTC associate artistic and education director Anna Fisher.

Emerald Coast Theatre Company’s Professional Theatre for Young & Very Young Audiences showcases professional actors performing productions on ECTC’s Main Stage especially selected for young audience members. This special interactive children’s production is designed for Very Young audiences (6 months to 5 years old). It combines movement, touchable props and music that will have your young one singing “E-I-E-I-O” all the way home.

Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors/military and $12 for students, ages three and younger are free.

ECTC Mini, Little, and Big Players Present: “Willy Wonka Jr.” Big Players: April 8 at 7 p.m. & 9 at 10:30 a.m. Little Players: April 9 at 3 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. & 10th at 2:30 p.m. & 4 p.m.

Roald Dahl’s “Willy Wonka Jr.” follows enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whomever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats, but the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka’s rules in the factory — or suffer the consequences. Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for senior/military and $10 for students, ages three and younger are free.

ECTC Teen Players Present “Crazy for You” April 29, 7:30 p.m. April 30, 1 p.m., 4 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

A zany rich-boy-meets-hometown-girl romantic comedy, “Crazy For You” tells the story of young New York banker Bobby Child, who is sent to Deadrock, Nevada, to foreclose on a rundown theatre. In Deadrock, Bobby falls for spunky Polly Baker, the theater owner’s daughter. But Polly takes an instant dislike to the city slicker, so Bobby vows — through cunning, razzmatazz, and a hilarious case of mistaken identity — to win Polly’s heart and save the theater. Memorable Gershwin tunes from the score include “I Got Rhythm,” “They Can’t Take That Away from Me,” “Embraceable You,” “Nice Work if You Can Get It” and “Someone to Watch Over Me.”

Tickets are $18 per person for adults; $16 students, $14 for children (12 and under); ages three and younger are free.

ECTC’s 2021-2022 season is made possible with support from Grand Boulevard Town Center, St. Joe Community Foundation, Howard Group, and the South Walton Tourist Development Council.

For information on sponro, make a tax-deductible donation, volunteer or learn more about Emerald Coast Theatre Company, find them on social channels, call (850) 684-0323 and visit www.emeraldcoasttheatre.org. ‘Old MacDonald’ – A new play by PJ Padgett runs April 1-16 ECTC Big & Little Players Present ‘Willy Wonka, Jr.’ April 8-10 ECTC Teen Players Present ‘Crazy For You,’ April 29-30 ###

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, MA. 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.

EMERALD COAST THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS THREE FAMILY-FRIENDLY CHILDREN’S MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTIONS IN APRIL