Saying Goodbye to Seaside Rep…
by Nikki Hedrick
I, like most of us, get a ton of email. Last fall, I opened one that completely caught me off guard. It wasn’t even addressed just to me, just a group email, but it took my breath away.
When I was 15, Seaside Repertory Theatre, which later became simply The Rep, allowed me to join their world. It was one of those moments where I said ‘yes’, my mom said ‘yes’, and suddenly I was part of something I never expected.
I was homeschooling that year, and volunteering with the theater counted as an extracurricular credit. It was Seaside Rep’s first year, and somehow I fell into the role of stage manager for a production.
For context, I had gone to very small schools where theater was never really offered. I wasn’t a ‘theater kid’. Suddenly, I was learning stage directions, how to take production notes, how to keep things running smoothly, and how to manage rehearsals. I was 15, stage managing adults—some local, some not—and it was surreal.
What stands out most from that experience is the kindness. I was never treated as less than. I was never ‘othered.’ It was an overwhelmingly positive experience, and I even still know some of those people today. Theater is a small community and some of those relationships have continued to shape my life in meaningful ways.
I stayed involved with Seaside Rep for around four years as I stage managed, ran lights, and helped with events. Years later, I photographed productions. Seaside Rep did so much for entertainment in the 30A community, producing shows in Seaside and Rosemary Beach, which is part of why they eventually rebranded to simply The Rep.
So when I opened that email and learned that The Rep was closing its doors, I was deeply saddened. They’ve shared some of the reasons publicly, many of which are in line with the common challenges nonprofits face when trying to sustain themselves. But for me, it felt like the closing of a chapter that shaped who I became.
Saying ‘yes’ at 15 opened a whole new world for me. I never became a performer, and I’m still not comfortable on stage, but those behind-the-scenes opportunities shaped my skills and confidence in ways I couldn’t have predicted. Learning lighting and technical production has had a direct impact on how I approach photography, and it made the transition into performance photography feel natural years later.
I’m not saying every kid needs to be pushed into theater. Every experience is different. But I do think it’s important to recognize that theater is not just about being on stage. There are countless backstage roles where people with organizational, technical, or behind-the-scenes personalities thrive.
With the loss of one of our region’s theater anchors, I want to encourage you to look at what’s in your own community. Many nonprofits are restructuring right now, especially in Florida. One of the simplest ways to help them survive is to support them—buy a ticket, attend a show, share their posts, like their content, or gift tickets to someone else. In the age of social media, even being an online cheerleader can make a real difference. Likes, comments, and shares help organizations reach more people without increasing their advertising budgets.
One of my favorite volunteer programs to highlight is at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center, specifically with the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. They have a group of volunteer ushers—many of them retired—who simply love the symphony and want to support the arts. Their role might seem small, but it’s incredibly important. They help audiences find their seats, keep shows running smoothly, and create a welcoming environment. Their consistency and community commitment is truly special.
If you have an older family member looking for something meaningful to do, consider reaching out to a local arts center to see if they need ushers or ticket booth volunteers. It’s a way to experience something beautiful while helping your community thrive.
I don’t believe there is a single reason The Rep closed. It’s likely a mix of many factors over time. Here at 850ME and Edward A. McGrath Photography, we continue to do what we can to support nonprofits in the region. One way we do that is by sharing press releases and promoting events. If you know an organization that could use that support, please encourage them to add us to their press list.
Nothing lasts forever. Organizations change, communities evolve, and time moves forward. But I am deeply grateful for the friendships, skills, and memories The Rep gave me. Those experiences shaped my life in ways I never could have predicted.
If you have a favorite memory of Seaside Rep or The Rep, I would love to hear it in the comments. Whether you performed, worked backstage, attended a show, or just visited during the 30A Songwriters Festival, that space meant something to many people. I know I’ll miss walking through those doors, and I’d love to hear your stories too.
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