THANK YOU!
An Essential Evening with George F. Walker
A fundraiser in support of Essential Collective Theatre
What an evening!
ECT would like to thank everyone who attended, volunteered and supported our first “An Essential Evening With…” event on January 20, 2026. It was a cold and snowy day but the event turned out to be successful despite the fact that headliner George F. Walker was sick and couldn’t attend. Students from Brock’s DART program read one of George’s most recent plays “Alone Together.” Then Kevin Hobbs and Stephanie Jones led a discussion with the audience around the themes of the play and their reactions to it. Donations of prizes ensured we had great ticket sales as well.
Many thanks to the sponsors of our event, including FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, Tulip Tree Creative, and to all the organizations and individuals who donated prizes such as the Shaw Festival, Niagara College and PAC. And of course, thank you to those who attended or who donated in lieu of attendance. We are grateful for your continued support.
Watch this space for future “An Essential Evening With…” fundraising events. We have some exciting surprises in store for you.
To donate to ECT, click below.
Click here TO DONATE!ECT thanks the following sponsors:
Tulip Tree Creative
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
Welcome to Essential Collective Theatre (ECT)! We’re glad you found us.
For over 25 years, ECT has produced plays by Niagara and Canadian artists and offered training and growth opportunities for established and emerging local actors, directors and production crews. Our new play development springs from and reflects this region, meaning that many of our productions are totally home-grown and resonate with our diverse community.
Most recently, in the fall of 2024, ECT produced a series of readings and accompanying lectures on topics plucked from Kevin Hobbs’ successful The Welland Canal Play. The commemoration of 200 years since shovels went in the ground to build the first canal in 1824 included community members reading selections from the play on topics such as the environment, health and well-being, immigration and politics as well as lectures by Brock professors and other experts. This unique combination of art and presentation elicited interaction and questions that helped bring the period to life vividly and spurred the creation of a set of group-led poems. These poems will be available in a limited edition chapbook in late 2025.
Community Makes Us Stronger
ECT is poised to continue to develop new works by established and new Niagara voices in the coming years and we hope that you will find a way to get involved with us – either by donating, volunteering or attending one of our upcoming events.