It is the mission of Ellis County Children’s Theater (ECCT) to provide exceptional theater arts education to children in Ellis and surrounding counties in grades kindergarten through 12th grade.

This group provides transformative, life-changing opportunities with the intention of creating a world of imaginative expression resulting in expanded, positive thinking.

ECCT is under the leadership of CEO Gail Harrell, who resides in Waxahachie. She formed this county-wide children’s theater in 2008 while she was still a teacher at Waxahachie High School. She eventually retired after 17 years with the WISD, but she had originally started the music theater program there and was the choral and music theater director.

Harrell said, “We (ECCT) have been operating consistently since 2008, with the exception of a few months during the COVID shutdown. We are proud to generally offer classes for kids ages 6 through 18; however, a few of our productions sometimes include adults in certain roles.”

She continues, “Our season usually includes four to five productions each year, and eight to 12 classes are focused on acting, dance, music and speech skills in each season.”

The biggest need

The ECCT Board members consist of Harrell, Tracy Adams, Kate Authier, Leeann Martin, Christina Upchurch, Stella Nance, Stacey Yee, Wendy Anderson, Leah Lovett and Jennifer Endsley.

According to Harrell, “We are a 501(c) (3) charitable organization, and we rely on local grants, corporate and private contributions and merchandise auctions such as posters and set pieces to raise funds to keep tuition costs down. Some of our most treasured donors are: Waxahachie Foundation, United Way West Ellis County, Navarro Utilities and private contributors are among those who generally contribute to ECCT, and we so appreciate them for their continued support.”

The need for space

Harrell said, “As an organization, we are constantly looking for like-minded Ellis County residents who see the importance of fostering the abilities of all young residents and creating self-confidence within them. It is our greatest hope to locate individuals and corporations to partner with us in locating a permanent structure for our theater. Our only address is currently listed as P.O. Box 2752, Waxahachie – but oh, how we would love to have our own place to put on plays and other productions. There are so many opportunities for children who excel in sports, but very few for those who have interests and skills in the performing arts. Our theater is unique in that we focus on educating rather than simple ‘doing’ theater. All our directors are certified Texas educators, and our curriculum follows the state TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills).

ECCT summer classes and productions are held at the WHS Fine Arts Center at the high school. For other productions the organization uses the Chautauqua auditorium and local First United Methodist Church (FUMC) Waxahachie. Their fall and spring classes are held at FUMC Waxahachie.

“In addition,” Harrell said, “we are currently attempting to join the Waxahachie Arts Council for further possible funding. At this point, we have not been successful, but we continue to stress the importance of our theater for our community and beyond in cities all over Ellis County. We are also hoping to convince more Waxahachie city councilmen to see the big picture and dive into our attempt to make our theater even more special in the future.”

Monetary support

Board member Tracy Adams has been a part of this nonprofit for the past two years. She is deeply committed to the need for more funding and to reach out further to enlist more interested children – not only those who live in Waxahachie – but from Ellis County cities like Red Oak, Ovilla, Midlothian, Ennis, Ferris, Palmer, etc.

Adams said, “Our need for more money is crucial, but so is spreading the love across towns all over Ellis County who would like to join our cause. From my viewpoint, watching these mini-humans break free from their shells and strut around with newfound confidence is the real magic. It’s like witnessing a caterpillar turn into a diva. And the experience is a full-family affair to pull off a show in no time, and honestly, it’s like herding cats, but in a good way. Our ultimate dream is to hook every kiddo in Ellis County, and with scholarships on the table, we are basically throwing a party and inviting the entire county to get involved.”

The theater group is rehearsing the Christmas play “Elf, Jr.,” which will be performed at the Chautauqua Auditorium at 7 p.m. Dec. 21-22. General admission tickets are $10 for senior adults and children. Regular tickets are $15 each.

More information can be found at ecctheater.org, and Harrell encourages everyone to follow the organization on Facebook and Instagram.

ECCT’s available programs

• Music, theater and dance classes are principally for children but occasionally including adults
• Available classes that are offered are: Improvisation; audition class; beginning-intermediate-advanced acting; choreography/dance; sensory theater; special needs theater experiences; and music theater productions