Bay Area Educational Theater Company

Bay Area Educational Theater Company (eTc) was established in 1996 by a group of ambitious and dedicated parent volunteers who identified a need for theater education in the community. They wanted to provide theater training and performance opportunities to anyone and everyone who had the desire to be involved in theatrical productions, regardless of age, cultural background, prior experience or level of ability.

The vision of the founding board of directors was to expand the traditional idea of educational theater to include adults as well as children, giving all members of the family and the community at large the opportunity to grow together. The philosophy that adult roles would be played by adults and children’s roles by children’s led to a new genre of theater company that bridged the gap between children’s theater and community theater.

eTc Programs

Mainstage: eTc produces two Mainstage performances a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. Performances are held at Cañada College Theater in Redwood City.

After School: eTc runs an afterschool educational theater program at Highlands Elementary School. 

Summer: eTc partners with San Mateo Parks and Recreation to run four sessions of multi-week theater camps for 6-14 year olds during the summer. Camps are held at Serra High School

Bay Area Educational Theater Company is led by a volunteer Board of Directors. Talented theater professionals are hired to run all of the above programs, ensuring the artistic integrity and educational value of the company.

eTc's mission to provide educational theater opportunities extends beyond the stage to their warehouse where volunteers help paint, sew, design and build  amazing sets and costumes. These same volunteers work backstage during performances to help manage props, lights, and sound and help actors with their costumes and makeup. 

Wishlist

Since moving into their new warehouse last year (2015), eTc's expenses have increased. And between aging sound equipment and changes in FCC broadband standards, their sound system and mics need to be replaced in the near future. eTc hopes to raise $20,000 by participating in SVGives 2016. Below is a wishlist:

- New sound system (due to changes in FCC broadband standards we will need to replace in a few years)

- Expand sound system to 24 mics

- Purchase spotlights (we currently rent at $800+ per show)

- Upgrade lighting and plumbing in warehouse

- Enhanced selection of power tools for scene shop

- Add washing /drying machine

- Create dyeing station for costume shop

- Purchase supplies such as paints, lumber, fabric, dyes and more.

- Make theater accessible to all participants by offering scholarships.  

Thank you for supporting eTc and believing in the value of educational theater!