Confidence, Creativity, Professionalism: An ECTC Alum in Action

Dear Nathanael, Anna, & the ECTC Family,

As longtime supporters of the Emerald Coast Theatre Company, we’ve always believed in the power of arts education—not just for what it brings to the stage, but for the confidence, creativity, and professionalism it fosters in everyday life.

Recently, we had the opportunity to experience that impact firsthand.

While filming a luxury vacation rental property tour for our company, Ocean Reef Vacation Rentals & Real Estate, we were thrilled to collaborate with Clara Taylor—an ECTC alum we’ve previously admired in several standout performances. Watching her transition from stage to camera was nothing short of inspiring.

Clara brought a natural ease and charisma to the screen that truly elevated the project. Her movements were confident and fluid, her delivery engaging and authentic. It was immediately clear that the skills honed through her time at ECTC translated beautifully into this new setting.

She took direction with grace, memorized lines quickly, and adapted to feedback with impressive agility—often nailing adjustments after hearing them just once. Beyond her talent, she carried herself with professionalism and poise throughout the shoot.

We’re excited to share that we’ve retained Clara for additional projects and are looking forward to working with her again in the future. It’s a joy to support her continued growth, and a true testament to the value of the education and experience she received at ECTC.

At Ocean Reef, we’ve had the privilege of welcoming families to the Emerald Coast for over 40 years—and it’s even more meaningful when we get to partner with bright, local talent shaped by institutions like yours.

Thank you for all you do to nurture talent and character in equal measure. We can’t wait to see what your students—and alumni—do next.

Richard Olivarez, Chief Marketing Officer, Ocean Reef Vacation Rentals