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.
Essential Collective Theatre is a not-for-profit registered charity located in St. Catharines that exists to produce contemporary Canadian theatre with a focus on new plays and Niagara work.
Our StoryECT is a charitable not for profit that relies on public and private grants and donations as well as volunteers.
Support UsEssential Collective Theatre produces works with community partners throughout the Niagara region.
Contact UsGOT A PLAY? WANT TO PLAY?
Play Workshop in July
Essential Collective Theatre (ECT) is looking for one-person 30-minute plays for its new community engagement program called “The Salon Series”.
If you have a short play or an idea of a play we want to know about it. We will be workshopping two selected plays July 21-August 1. One play is from a Brock student and one from a St. Catharines community member.
DETAILS
- Playwrights will get a small compensation for their work.
- If your play moves beyond the workshop stage into a 2026 ECT production you will be compensated with a professional playwright’s fee.
- The Salon Series will be offering performances in the homes of St. Catharines residents to audiences of 10 to 20 people. This is similar to the concept of the late Nineteenth/early Twentieth Century Salons, in which a homeowner hosts an artist.
- For further information or to submit your Short Piece or a Summary of an Idea: Kevin Hobbs at hobbs_k@yahoo.com.
- Submissions will be accepted up to July 11, 2025.