Summer Musical Theatre Intensive: Grease

Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) is thrilled to announce the appointment of esteemed Broadway performer Amy Hamel as the director for their upcoming Musical Theatre Intensive production of Grease (High School Version).

Amy Hamel, renowned for her exceptional talent and extensive experience on Broadway, will bring her expertise and passion to the creative helm of ECTC’s Musical Theatre Intensive. As director, Hamel will guide aspiring young performers through an intensive program, providing invaluable mentorship and insights to shape a vibrant and dynamic production.

Originally from West Palm Beach Florida, Hamel trained as a classical ballerina with Ballet Florida, received her BA in Theatre Arts from Palm Beach Atlantic University (where she went to school with Nathanael Fisher, ECTC’s Producing Artistic Director), and upon graduation went on to tour with the IV National Tour of Cats as “Demeter” and dance captain. She then had the honor of receiving four different contracts with the Broadway company of Cats, until the show’s historic closing, September 10, 2000, where she played the role of “Tantomile”. As a veteran of the Broadway stage, Amy Hamel has graced renowned venues such as the Richard Rodgers Theatre, the Gershwin Theatre, and the Imperial Theatre, among others. With an illustrious career spanning over two decades, Hamel has honed her craft in some of the most celebrated productions, including Chicago, A Chorus Line, and West Side Story. Her experience and artistic vision will undoubtedly elevate the caliber of ECTC’s Musical Theatre Intensive.

“We are delighted to welcome Amy Hamel as the director for Grease” said Nathanael Fisher, Producing Artistic Director of Emerald Coast Theatre Company. “Amy’s wealth of experience and exceptional talent will inspire and empower our young performers, enabling them to bring this iconic musical to life with renewed energy and creativity. We are confident that her direction will lead to an extraordinary production that will captivate audiences and showcase the immense talent of our educational theatre programs.”

This youthful adaptation of the beloved classic celebrates the energy, spirit, and challenges of high school life, resonating with both young and old alike. The Musical Theatre Intensive: Grease is for students grades 6th – 12th, the tuition is $1,025 (payment plans and scholarships are available) and takes place July 10-30 at ECTC in Grand Boulevard.

Emerald Coast Theatre Company is also offering many other camps for ages K-12 at their main campus location in Grand Boulevard. In addition, a one week Alice in Wonderland camp will be offered at two satellite campuses including the Florida Chautauqua Theatre in DeFuniak Springs June 12-16 and Gulf Coast State College in Panama City June 26-30, with a tuition cost of $285. This is a non-musical, fun-filled adventure down the rabbit hole with lots of fun parts for boys and girls!! Monday-Friday with final performance on the last Friday of camp at 2:00 PM.

ECTC is also offering a one week Monday-Friday Camp Showtime: Disney Dreams at Seaside Neighborhood School with a tuition cost of $250, July 10-14. Come act, sing, and dance your heart out to popular Broadway Disney show tunes as we learn simple choreography to some of the most popular musical numbers. Watch out parents—we’ll WOW you with a performance on the last day of camp!

To register for ECTC’s 2023 Summer Theatre Education classes, visit www.emeraldcoasttheatre.org View the summer camp promotional video on Youtube: https://youtu.be/bCgAHCtCV-A

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 programs include after school and home-school programs, Theatre for Young Audiences productions, field trip opportunities for local children, touring and staged productions, summer camps, workshops and classes. The professional theater efforts are focused on thought-provoking productions and collaborations, as well as acting and improv workshops and classes for adults.

A special thanks to ECTC’s Major Sponsors of the 2022-2023 season: Grand Blvd at Sandestin, St. Joe Community Foundation, Howard Group and the South Walton Tourist Development Council (Visit South Walton).

To make a tax-deductible donation, volunteer or learn more about Emerald Coast Theatre Company, call (850) 684-0323 and visit www.emeraldcoasttheatre.org . Engage with ECTC as well on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

About Amy Hamel: Amy Hamel has spent her life in the arts. Originally from West Palm Beach Florida, she trained as a classical ballerina with Ballet Florida, received her BA in Theatre Arts from Palm Beach Atlantic University (where she went to school with Nathanael Fisher), and upon graduation went on to tour with the IV National Tour of Cats as “Demeter” and dance captain. She then had the honor of receiving four different contracts with the Broadway company of Cats, until the show’s historic closing, September 10, 2000, where she played the role of “Tantomile”. In between it all, Amy performed in many regional theatres as an actress, singer, dancer, and choreographer in NY, NJ, FL, and NC, and lead singer and dance captain for Norwegian Cruise Lines. After spending 15 years in New York City, teaching dance and performing, Amy moved on to NC where she graduated with her MFA in Acting from the University of North Carolina Greensboro, proceeded to become an adjunct professor there, and performed in several plays with professional regional theatre, Triad Stage. Favorite credits there include “Macon Hill” in Abundance and “Chip” in the off Broadway play Vrooommm. With God as her agent the whole way, life kept her on her toes and brought her back to Florida in 2016 where she currently teaches several classes in dance and acting at Palm Beach Atlantic University and occasionally serves as choreographer and/or assistant director for their Theatre Department. Amy can also be found working as a teaching artist with the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, for both The DeGeorge Academy and Disney Musicals in Schools programs. During the summer breaks she enjoys working with the Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival and NOW is beyond Revved up and thrilled to be joining the Emerald Coast Theatre Company for some “Summer Loving”, serving as Director for GREASE! Many thanks in advance because we all know it will “happen so fast”!

Veteran Broadway Performer Amy Hamel Announced as Summer Director