Emerald Theatre Company is the second longest resident company that produces theatrical works at TheatreWorks @ the Square. Having been in production for over 26 years, ETC was once the only voice for the LGBTQ community when it came to offering theatre for a queer audience. Over the years Den-Nickolas Schaeffer-Smith and Hal Harmon who founded ETC, have worked diligently to keep producing queer themed productions for the stage as many other LGBTQ identified theatre companies throughout the Mid-South have closed their doors.
Den and Hal have produced more than 90 productions, many of them have been Mid-South premieres. Notable playwrights such as Harvey Fierstein, Paul Rudnick, Del Shores, Edward Albee and Charles Busch's works have found a home with ETC.
Now in their 26th year of residency they are no longer the "taboo" theatre company and one main goal of ETC is to ensure that their productions aren’t only for queer-identified people and only performed by queer actors. Most of their audience and actors are heterosexual.
With small audience turnout, many productions have warranted Hal and Den to pay for many expenses out of pocket, but the rewards are plentiful. Average production costs are close to $1,300. The main costs are theater rental fees and production royalties. They have a core group of actors who support their mission statement and aren’t just there to be the stars of the stage. They work hard to assist with set design and building, promoting the shows and costuming. In just the past few years, ETC has developed new relationships with actors who continue to want to work with them. Many of those actors are flexing their stage muscles with song as ETC continues with their annual holiday Cabaret: NOEL – A musical extravaganza..and their successful 10 Minute Annual Play festival which attracts new unpublished works from playwrights across the United States. We appreciate your patronage and hope to see you again, soon!
Den and Hal have produced more than 90 productions, many of them have been Mid-South premieres. Notable playwrights such as Harvey Fierstein, Paul Rudnick, Del Shores, Edward Albee and Charles Busch's works have found a home with ETC.
Now in their 26th year of residency they are no longer the "taboo" theatre company and one main goal of ETC is to ensure that their productions aren’t only for queer-identified people and only performed by queer actors. Most of their audience and actors are heterosexual.
With small audience turnout, many productions have warranted Hal and Den to pay for many expenses out of pocket, but the rewards are plentiful. Average production costs are close to $1,300. The main costs are theater rental fees and production royalties. They have a core group of actors who support their mission statement and aren’t just there to be the stars of the stage. They work hard to assist with set design and building, promoting the shows and costuming. In just the past few years, ETC has developed new relationships with actors who continue to want to work with them. Many of those actors are flexing their stage muscles with song as ETC continues with their annual holiday Cabaret: NOEL – A musical extravaganza..and their successful 10 Minute Annual Play festival which attracts new unpublished works from playwrights across the United States. We appreciate your patronage and hope to see you again, soon!