Mission Statement
The mission of the Essential Theatrical Associates (ETA) is to give life to expressions of the Black experience and give voice to artists from African diasporic cultural backgrounds through music, theatre, and dance. We accomplish this mission by producing performances that center the Black experience, creating safe spaces for artists of color to practice their craft, developing global majority artists, and providing educational experiences for participants and the community.
About
About ETA
ETA was founded by a group of friends who shared a passion for theatre and a commitment to representing the Black experience in their community. Graduates of Florida A&M University and active participants in the FAMU Essential Theatre, these friends were united by their shared educational background and artistic vision.
In February 2016, the group received an invitation from Dr. Valencia Matthews, Dean of the FAMU College of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities, to perform at the 12th Annual Applause for the Pioneers Cufflinks and Pearls Gala. This event was part of the 20th Anniversary celebration of the John G. Riley Center/Museum. The small performance was a success and led to another opportunity: an invitation to perform at the 60th Anniversary of the Tallahassee Bus Boycott in May 2016. This time, the friends reached out to more of their peers to join them in creating a memorable performance.
The positive reception of the Bus Boycott performance brought yet another invitation, this time to perform at the official dedication of the Anita R. Favors Thompson Plaza at Lake Anita in June 2016. Inspired by the community's response and energized by their success, the group expanded their collaboration even further, bringing together a diverse cast of friends and fellow performers.
Following this performance, the friends found themselves gathered around a table, reflecting on the state of theatre in Tallahassee. They expressed concerns about the area's lack of Black Theatre productions, the limited opportunities for Black performers, and the need for the community to engage more deeply with Black narratives and experiences. It was in this moment that ETA was born—a theatre company dedicated to addressing these gaps and fostering a space where Black stories could be told authentically and powerfully.
Since its inception, ETA has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to its mission and the Big Bend community. They have provided free performances at the B.L. Perry and Leroy Collins Leon County Public Libraries as part of Black History Month celebrations and the NEA Big Read initiative. ETA has also hosted free acting, singing, and dancing workshops, making the arts accessible to the community, and facilitated town hall meetings to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion in the community theaters. They have produced works by emerging local playwrights and partnered with theaters throughout the Big Bend region to bring established full-length productions to the stage.
Today, ETA continues to fulfill its mission of giving life to expressions of the Black experience and providing a platform for artists of the African diaspora through music, theatre, and dance. Their journey, which began with a small group of friends and a shared dream, has grown into a vibrant force for cultural expression and community engagement in Tallahassee and beyond.
