Linda Del Grego is a professional Colombian actress who has starred in over 15 television shows and soap operas from 2007 to present. She is also a star in theater in which she appeared in 27 productions to date. You may have seen her most recently on Netflix for the Latin American Productions of “The Queen of South” on Telemundo and “Isa TK+” of Nickelodeon. 
Linda is also a professionally trained clown. Linda was an associate college professor and has a (BFA) in Theater Acting and two Masters degrees, one in Advanced Theater Studies and a Masters in Education. Linda is involved in the Musical Theater program at Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC), in 2018. This year she was part of the Chorus in NWF Symphony Orchestra on La Traviata and the Stars of Tomorrow. She is currently rehearsing for “Faustus” at NWFSC.
Linda will be the lead instructor at the FL Chautauqua Theater for children and youth programing. Classes begin next week, Aug 22. Classes are available in DeFuniak for students in grades K-8. Visitemeraldcoasttheatre.org to register.

So grateful for incredible and devoted volunteers who have descended upon our theatre storage areas and have helped to sort and clean through old wood, set pieces, and general “junk” that has seen it’s last days of usefulness. Kudos to Janet, Julie, Cindy, Raymond and Allen who braved this hot summer morning to do some late “spring cleaning”. We could not exist without our volunteers. THANK YOU!

The Florida Chautauqua Inc. and The Summer Opossum Bakes make a great team! Another successful cookery class was enjoyed by 25 local students yesterday while their parents shopped the Main Street Farmer’s Market in downtown DeFuniak Springs. The temperatures were soaring along with the enthusiasm of each child. Tables were filled with sugar and spice and all things nice and other magical ingredients. Measuring and mixing were the focus and the result was colorful egg-free cookie dough, aka Unicorn Poop. Students packaged their Unicorn dough to take home for baking, along with the recipe. Another wonderful experience in the books for a “summer to remember”

UNICORNS, RAINBOWS and SPRINKLES…..Who doesn’t love them?! On the morning of July 6, during Main Street Market, the Florida Chautauqua Inc. and the Summer Opossum Bakes will partner to bring you unicorn poop! 🦄 You heard us right! We are going to have a blast teaching your kids how to make and package their very own unicorn poop sugar cookie dough! Kids will spend the hour learning how to measure ingredients, mix and create egg-free sugar cookie dough that will be majestically packaged along with the recipe and ready to take home and bake! (Or just go ahead and eat it raw…we won’t judge.) Classes are $30 or $25, if registering siblings and will begin at 9:00 AM in the theatre rehearsal hall. Message Kelly Powell-Goff on Facebook or email: [email protected] to register. Ages entering Kindergarten and up.
*Photo Credits to Pinterest

It is with great sadness that we must share the news of the passing of our beloved friend and director, Beth Campbell-Work. The impact Beth has had our theatre is immeasurable and our loss is profound. She fought a very long and difficult fight and now she sings in the heavenly choir. We ask your prayers for her family as they grieve her earthly loss. Please know that each and every one of you were important to Beth. YOU ALL are her kids, her theatre family.
The information for her visitation Tuesday and services Wednesday are in the link below: https://www.clary-glenn.com/obituary/bethany-beth-campbell-work

Do your kids love cupcakes? Do they like to get messy and do crafts? Do you want a little adult time to wander around downtown DeFuniak and shop the local Mainstreet Farmer’s Market? Do your kids need a quick Father’s Day gift for Dad? If you answered yes to any of these questions then The Florida Chautauqua Inc. and The Summer Opossum are offering you a great opportunity! On Saturday, June 15, we will have two cupcake decorating classes. One for children entering Kindergarten through 2nd grades. The other for 3rd and up. Kids will get a chance to learn some interesting decorating techniques and to decorate 6 cupcakes that they will take home to enjoy with family, or even give to Dad for Father’s Day. After you drop the kids off, you will get the chance to check out some of the sights and sounds at DeFuniak’s local, Mainstreet Market that will be open from 8am-1pm, drop into some of the other cool shops, or just run a few errands. Classes are $30 or $25 a child with multiple siblings. K-2 from 9am-10. 3rd and up from 11am-12. Contact Kelly Powell Goff on FB Messenger or email at [email protected] to register. Limited space so register quickly! 

• Thank you to an Allstate volunteer for empowering people and our community. Brian Hawkins gave his time and helped us to receive a $500 Allstate Foundation Helping Hands Grant. The Allstate Foundation supports the causes that Allstate agency owners, financial specialists and employees care about most by providing Allstate Foundation Helping Hands Grants to nonprofits where they volunteer their time to help communities thrive. Brian is an enthusiastic community supporter serving on our Board of Directors while also serving as President, Kiwanis Club of DeFuniak Springs. Thank you Brian for all that you do for us!

The Chautauqua Young Readers finished their mascot, Tock, while reading and discussing, “The Phantom Tollbooth” last week. They even enjoyed eating “half baked ideas” at their own banquet! The children worked really hard and have had so much fun together. 
If you have a child, ages 8 and up, who would like to participate in this program, please contact Kelly Powell-Goff; [email protected]
They meet twice a month on Thursday, at the rehearsal hall of the Chautauqua Theater @ 4:00 PM. There is a small fee of $10 per month. We will be announcing the NEXT BOOK soon!!! Stay tuned for more exciting adventures! 

We are excited about our upcoming partnership with Grit & Grace, July 19, 20 and 21st. Our theatre will host their production of “Water Under the Bridge”. Auditions for this production will take place April 23 and 27th. The flyer below contains additional information. Please note the number to call for additional information. This number is NOT our office number.

The Florida Chautauqua Young Readers held their inaugural meeting on Thursday, March 28 at the Florida Chautauqua Rehearsal Hall. Participants created a paper mache’ version of Tock, the dog who accompanies Milo on his travels through the tollbooth gates into The Kingdom of Wisdom. Young Readers will continue this project and other projects as they travel on their reading adventures. It is not too late to join the group. If you are interested, contact Kelly Powell-Goff, for program details; [email protected]. We are super excited about the return of this program and the young readers’ literary journey.