Save the date!
An Essential Evening with George F. Walker
A fundraiser in support of Essential Collective Theatre
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
7 – 9 pm
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, 250 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines
The evening will include a reading of George’s play Alone Together followed by a question and answer with George and other theatre professionals led by Juan Carlos Velis.
Silent auctions, prize packages, and more—because no essential evening is complete without a little friendly bidding. Bring your wallets!
Tickets are $50. There are a limited number of student tickets available at $25.
Click here for tickets!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.