The community is invited to attend Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga's performance of Violet written by Jeanine Tesori and the lyrics and book by Brian Crawley. Performances will be held at the theater’s new location at the Highland Center, 107 North Tuxedo Ave., off of Brainerd Road. Performances run Sept. 10-27; Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.; Tickets are $20 general admission, $15 student with valid ID.
After several months of a restructuring hiatus, during which ETC relocated from the Eastgate Town Center to the Highland Center, the professional theatre company launches their new season with the Broadway musical Violet. Based on the short story "The Ugliest Pilgrim" by Doris Betts, the story centers around Violet, a young woman who suffered a disfiguring accident when she was young. The play covers her journey from rural North Carolina to Tulsa, Ok. via the Greyhound bus, where she hopes to meet a televangelist who can heal her scar. What she learns is that surface scars aren't the only ones that need healing.
The show is directed by Joel D. Scribner, with music direction by Amber Snow and stage management by Casey Keelen. The cast features Jeron Burney, Emma Wiseman Collins, Erica Dover, Michelle Ford, Chad Henderson, Tim Kelly, Ryan Laskowski, Eric Miralles, Grayson Kaylee Parker, Matt Plaas, Garry Lee Posey and Erica Richardson. Production team includes Joel D. Scribner (Set), Garry Lee Posey (Costume), Noelle Lacy (Props), Eric "Red" Wyatt (Sound) and Sanford Knox (Lights).
"We found ourselves in an interesting predicament several months ago that, quite frankly, addressed the mortality of the organization we have been developing," said Executive Director and Founder of ETC, Garry Lee Posey. "Coupling that with a difficulty in maintaining our space at Eastgate due to changes in management, we decided perhaps it would be best to step back and reassess our positioning."
Producing Partner Casey Keelen adds, "We just needed to discover what was and wasn't working and how we could continue moving forward."
Producing Partner Christy Gallo said, "None of us were ready to say ETC is done."
Starting with the ordeal of moving from one space to another, ETC's executive staff set about reshaping the mission and vision statements. "The types of shows we choose to produce as well as the compensation of artists are two ideals which are extremely important to us," adds Producing Partner John Thomas Cecil. The experience of the artist and audience and the quality of the finished product were also identified as priority focuses.
ETC's new home will allow them to spread out. A scene shop, on-site storage and multiple potential performance venues are all a part of the move.
"Granted, we have a lot of work to do to get this location ready and how we want it, it's still incredibly exciting as we embark on ETC 2.0," adds Mr. Posey.
The new space might be familiar to many midtown residents as the former 21st Century Academy or Brainerd Middle School. The building is now being managed by Lurone Jennings, II and his team as the Highland Center for Youth Enrichment- a facility for the academic, artistic and athletic enrichment of Chattanooga's youth. ETC will operate as a partner of the organization focusing on providing theatrical opportunities and experiences, in addition to its current programming.