EdTA Grant 2025

ECS Performing Arts Receives Educational Theatre Association Thespian Growth and Excellence Grant

ECS Performing Arts has been named a 2025 recipient of the Educational Theater Association’s Grant for Thespian Growth and Excellence, an award recognizing outstanding commitment to theatre education and student development. This year’s funding was awarded in partnership with the Harley Langdale Jr. Foundation Grant, allowing ECS Performing Arts to undertake meaningful and long-awaited upgrades to its historic auditorium/

The grant has already made a significant impact on the program’s technical theatre opportunities. ECS Performing Arts used the awarded EdTA funds to purchase state-of-the-art lighting equipment, giving students access to tools that align with modern industry standards. With these upgrades, students are now able to expand their lighting design skills, experiment with advanced techniques, and gain hands-on experience that will support future careers in theatre and production.

The Harley Langdale Jr. Foundation Grant was used to replace the aged main curtains and valance as well as build a matching set of stage right and stage left downstage stairs.  

The investment goes far beyond equipment—it enhances the educational experience across all levels of performance and technical theatre. The new lighting capabilities will illuminate productions in ways the auditorium has never before seen, offering richer storytelling possibilities and a more immersive audience experience.

The recognition from the Educational Theater Association underscores ECS Performing Arts’ ongoing dedication to providing high-quality arts education. With these upgrades and the support of national arts organizations, the program continues its mission to inspire creativity, celebrate student talent, and elevate the performing arts for the entire community.

Check out our Photos below to see how these upgrades have already enhanced our Fall One Act Play production of James and Giant Peach, produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois. The new production designs and implementation with our new equipment even earned our technical team the Region 2A Georgia High School Association Technical Theatre Award for One Act Play 2025.