THE USHER PROGRAM
An Integral Role
Ushers are vital to events at the Main Stage Theater, Sprint Theater, Tyler Recital Hall and the Northwest Florida State College Amphitheater. They scan tickets, direct patrons to their seats, hand out programs and present a warm welcome to our patrons.
Commitments
To become an usher, a person must commit to volunteering several times throughout the season, September through July. There are functions ranging from Broadway and Artist Series shows, to outdoor concerts, to morning school shows for students. Volunteers should be able to maintain patience, tact, and diplomacy, and should also be able to take genuine pleasure in greeting an audience and most importantly of all — to serve with a smile.
More Information
To find out more about becoming a Volunteer Usher, contact the House Manager Suzanne Flood at (850) 729-6065 or email flooda2@nwfsc.edu
Scalpers and secondary ticket brokers sell tickets, mostly on speculation, at inflated prices on websites that may mimic MKAC’s look. Tickets purchased from these websites are significantly more expensive than those purchased from MKAC directly. Plus, tickets NOT purchased through Mattiekellyartscenter.org may not be valid and admission could be denied.
For the best experience at the best price, guaranteed tickets, and access to priority offers for other events make Mattiekellyartscenter.org your online source for MKAC tickets. You also can buy tickets at the MKAC Box Office or by calling 850-729-6000.
september 4, 2025 | 7:00 P.M. | tickets: $18
Get ready for not only an award-winning show, but an EVENT! For over 30 years, Eric O’Shea has been one of the most sought after CLEAN comedians in entertainment and motivation! With over 30 Million hits on his Dry Bar Comedy special, including his world-famous musical finale of Songs for Commercials, Eric humbly prides himself on a one-of-a-kind, custom tailored show, and Standing Ovations!
Eric has appeared on America’s Got Talent, the Mike Huckabee Show, and the Emmy Awards with the late, great Betty White! Eric is also the recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Legend Award in the College Market, setting records for campus bookings and inspiration. Eric’s book, The Richest Comedian You’ve Never Heard Of! has been captivating audiences for years with his simple, yet powerful, approach to peace of mind and everyday success!
Eric’s thoughtful and committed approach in illustrating his 3 Things for a Rewarding Life leaves the audience both empowered and emotionally charged! Eric will teach you how to trust yourself, choose joy over happiness, and give back to those who need help, to create a well-deserved, powerful, and fulfilling life! But most of all, along with Eric’s sincerity and gratitude (Eric brought his Mom as his date to the Emmy awards to thank her for all her love and support), it is Eric’s clean, relatable, high energy comedy on everyday, frustrating “family and life situations,” that undoubtedly creates a memory to last a lifetime!
Very simply, Eric’s personal testimonials have described his show as: “The perfect balance of HILARIOUS stand-up comedy, and life lessons, that consistently gets standing ovations and leaves the crowd wanting more!” (Eric is also ALWAYS available for a straight 100% comedy show with no inspirational message).
september 26, 2025 | 7:00 P.M. | free, open to public
What Students Hear
RYAN’S STORY PRESENTATION
A Father’s Powerful Mission to Prevent Bullying & Teen Suicide
Why Ryan’s Story?
On October 7, 2003, 13-year-old Ryan Halligan died by suicide after relentless bullying at school and online. His father, John Halligan, turned unimaginable pain into a national mission to protect other children.
Ryan’s Story Presentation is a deeply personal, real-life talk that educates, empowers, and moves students and parents alike.
John has spoken at over 2,000 schools across the U.S. and Canada.
What Parents and Educators Learn
- Ryan’s life and struggles with bullying & depression
- The lasting impact of words and exclusion
- Cyberbullying and digital responsibility
- The importance of kindness and speaking up
- A call to treat everyone with dignity and compassion
“You could hear a pin drop. Ive never seen our students so captivated.”
Middle School Principal, New Jersey
- Signs of depression and suicidal ideation
- How to talk to your children about difficult topics
- Internet safety and managing online risk
- Building a culture of empathy at home and school
October 25, 2025 | 7:00 P.M. | tickets: $35
• Valerie Coleman – Seven O’Clock Shout
• Maurice Ravel – Piano Concerto in G
• Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony No. 3 “Eroica” $16 (YOUTH 18 & UNDER)
A powerful season opener exploring courage, defiance, and the hero’s journey.
The program begins with Valerie Coleman’s Seven O’Clock Shout, a vibrant tribute to frontline heroes of the pandemic. Ravel’s dazzling Piano Concerto in G follows, featuring internationally acclaimed pianist Zhang Zuo. The evening culminates in Beethoven’s groundbreaking Eroica Symphony, a bold and revolutionary portrait of heroism in all its complexity.
November 16, 2025 | 7:00 P.M.
Don’t miss Tim Hawkins live for an evening full of laughter! Known for hysterical songs like “Yoga Pants” and “A Homeschool Family,” Tim’s humor captures the quirks of family life, marriage, and more. Load up the car with friends, family, or your small group, and get ready for a night of fun. Limited VIP tickets are available, featuring Early Entry, plus a Meet & Greet and photo with Tim. Don’t miss the chance to experience this event!
VIP DOORS: 5:15 P.M.
REGULAR DOORS: 6:15 P.M.
SHOWTIME: 7:00 P.M.
* Lineup subject to change.
* Discounts cannot be combined.
* By attending this event, you agree to all uses of photo/video content collected.
* Awakening Events / Awakening Foundation shows are required to follow local health and venue requirements. Changes in local health guidelines or venue policies are not grounds for a refund. Misplaced your confirmation email? Visit https://www.etix.com/ticket/resend and enter the email address and last 4 digits of the card used to purchase tickets to have your confirmation resent.
TICKET PRICES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE
- VIP: $84.40 - VIP GROUP 10+: $81.32
- RESERVED: $50.40
- RESERVED GROUP (10+): $47.32 - ADA WHEELCHAIR: $38.40 / $26.15 - ADA COMPANION: $38.40 / $26.15
TICKETING LINK: http://bit.ly/45bqFAq
december 5, 2025 | 7:00 P.M. | tickets: $35
$16 (YOUTH 18 & UNDER)
Celebrate the season with an enchanting blend of holiday magic and Celtic tradition as the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra welcomes the reknowned ensemble, Solas. Known for their dynamic performances and rich musical storytelling, Solas brings the warmth, rhythm, and spirit of Celtic heritage to the concert stage.
This festive program weaves together beloved holiday favorites with lively jigs, reels, and traditional Irish melodies, creating a joyful and heartwarming experience for the whole family. With the full orchestra and the unmistakable sound of Solas, this concert promises to be a highlight of the holiday season.
DECEMBER 9, 2025 | 7:00 P.M. | tickets: $36
The hit holiday spectacular for the whole family! Dance to the Holidays! – the Holiday dance sensation that has swept the country and now Dance to the Holidays! has a special gift for its many fans.
It features celebrity pros from Dancing with the Stars performing with finalists from So You
Think You Can Dance, American Idol, The Voice, and America’s Got Talent. Here are all the live talent-based reality TV shows up close and personal in an unforgettable Spectacular for all Seasons! Directed and choreographed by Jaymz Tuaileva from Dancing with the Stars, Donny and Marie’s Las Vegas Christmas Show and So You Think You Can Dance, Dance to the Holidays! will be a new tradition for your family – Raise your glass to a star-studded evening you won’t ever forget!
January 23, 2026 | 7:00 P.M. | tickets: $57-$71
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Destin. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Coldplay vs. Imagine Dragons at Mattie Kelly Arts Center - Sprint Theater under the gentle glow of candlelight.
GENERAL INFO
- Venue: Mattie Kelly Arts Center - Sprint Theater
- Dates and times: select your dates/times directly in the ticket selector
- Duration: 60 minutes. Doors open 60 minutes before the show and close 5 minutes prior to the start. Late arrivals will not be permitted
- Age requirement: 8 years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
- Accessibility: ADA compliant
- Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone
TENTATIVE PROGRAM
Coldplay - Clocks
Imagine Dragons - Radioactive
Coldplay - Adventure of a Lifetime
Coldplay - Fix You
Imagine Dragons - Eyes Closed
Imagine Dragons - Nice to Meet You
Coldplay - The Scientist
Coldplay - feelslikeimfallinginlove
Imagine Dragons - Follow You
Imagine Dragons - Bad Liar
Imagine Dragons - Believer
Coldplay - Sky Full of Stars
Coldplay - Viva la Vida
Performers: Palafox String Quartet
January 23, 2026 | 8:30 P.M. | tickets: $57-$71
January 30, 2026 | 6:00 P.M. | tickets: $57-$71
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Destin. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Queen vs. ABBA at Mattie Kelly Arts Center - Sprint Theater under the gentle glow of candlelight.
GENERAL INFO
- Venue: Mattie Kelly Arts Center - Sprint Theater
- Dates and times: select your dates/times directly in the ticket selector
- Duration: 60 minutes. Doors open 60 minutes before the show and close 5 minutes prior to the start. Late arrivals will not be permitted
- Age requirement: 8 years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
- Accessibility: ADA compliant
- Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone
TENTATIVE PROGRAM
Dancing Queen - ABBA
SOS - ABBA
Money, Money, Money - ABBA
Voulez Vous - ABBA
Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
I Want to Break Free - Queen
Killer Queen - Queen
Waterloo - ABBA
Super Trouper - ABBA
Mamma Mia - ABBA
Don’t Stop Me Now - Queen
We Will Rock You - Queen
We Are the Champions - Queen
Gimme Gimme Gimme - ABBA
Performers: Palafox String Quartet
January 24, 2026 | 7:00 P.M. | tickets: $45
$16 (YOUTH 18 & UNDER)
Join us for an unforgettable evening of inspiration and powerhouse vocals in Stand in the Light, featuring vocalist Jordan Smith, winner of “The Voice.” Known for his extraordinary range and heartfelt delivery, Smith will perform selections from his latest gospel album, The People’s Hymnal, alongside other soul-stirring favorites. This uplifting concert celebrates hope, faith, and the enduring power of music to bring people together.
From contemporary pop ballads to gospel-infused anthems, Jordan Smith’s performance, backed by the full power of the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, promises to be a radiant and emotionally rich highlight of the season. Don’t miss this chance to experience one of today’s most compelling voices live in concert.
February 12, 2026 | 7:00 P.M. | tickets: $49
Known across the globe as “the ultimate-feel good show,” THE CHOIR OF MAN offers up one hour of indisputable joy for all ages! It’s a party. It’s a concert. It’s the best pub “lock-in” you’ve ever been to. Featuring pop, classic rock, folk, Broadway and pub tunes, THE CHOIR OF MAN has something for everyone. A multi-talented cast of nine handsome guys combines hair-raising harmonies, footstomping singalongs, world-class tap dance and poetic meditations on the power of community in this riotously enjoyable homage to that gathering place we all know— the local pub. With a real working bar on stage, come ready to drink in the action. The first round’s on us. Cheers!
february 17, 2026 | 9:45 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. | tickets: $10
No more milk and eggs... the cows and hens are on strike! Will Farmer Brown give in to the animals’ demands? Find out in a hilariously moo-ving musical about negotiation and compromise. Recommended for ages 4 to 9.
Click, Clack, Moo is written by Billy Aronson (book), Kevin Del Aguila (lyrics), and Brad Alexander (music); based on the book by Doreen Cronin with illustrations by Betsy Lewin. Original direction by John Rando (Broadway: On the Town, Tony Nom; Urinetown, Tony Award) and original choreography by Wendy Seyb. Orchestrations by Brad Alexander, set design by Beowulf Boritt (Broadway: Be More Chill; Act 1, Tony Award), and costume design by Lora LaVon (Broadway: Urinetown)
Clack Moo_Photo by Joan Marcus_ L-R_ Gretchen Bieber, Kristy Cates, Michael Thomas Holmes
Clack Moo_Photo by Joan Marcus_ L-R_ Gretchen Bieber, Sarah Katherine Gee, Kristy Cates, Drew McVety, DeMond B. Nason, Michael Thomas Holmes
february 21, 2026 | 7:00 P.M. | tickets: $35
$16 (YOUTH 18 & UNDER)
• Concertos featuring the student winners of the annual John Leatherwood Concerto Competition
• Jennifer Higdon: Blue Cathedral
• Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 3
• Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 4, Finale (joined by the Northwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra)
Our annual spotlight on extraordinary young talent returns as the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra is joined by the winners of the John Leatherwood Concerto Competition, showcasing some of the most promising young soloists in our region.The program continues with Jennifer Higdon’s Blue Cathedral, a luminous and meditative work that reflects on life, loss, and transcendence. The evening also features Brahms’ Symphony No. 3, a masterwork of emotional depth and lyrical beauty—his most personal symphony, full of introspection and noble spirit. Concluding the concert is a special side-by-side performance with the Northwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra. This inspiring collaboration highlights the NFSO’s ongoing commitment to music education and artistic mentorship.
march 10, 2026 | 7:00 P.M. | tickets: $49
Join us for Dirty Dancing in Concert, the classic film’s first live film-to-concert experience. Enjoy the digitally remastered hit film like never before on a full-size cinema screen, with a live band and singers performing the film’s iconic songs. With a soundtrack that marked a generation, Dirty Dancing in Concert promises to bring a thrilling new and unique experience to the 80s classic.
Directly following the film, the band and singers will throw an encore party that will surely take you back to the time of your life as you sing and dance along to your favorite Dirty Dancing songs.
Immerse yourself in the timeless romance and experience one of the most memorable movies of the past 35 years - now live!
April 3, 2026 | 7:00 P.M. | tickets: $38-$65
Almost ABBA - The #1 Tribute to ABBA recreates the magic and nostalgia of ABBA in a stunning costumed, choreographed, audience interactive experience.
Almost ABBA has performed for The US Military, NBC/Universal and the release of MAMMA MIA! They perform for audiences as large as 50,000 and were recently asked to open for Cher on her Here We Go Again Tour of Australia. With their sound alike performance, intricate harmonies and top-notch musicianship, they truly live up to their name, Almost ABBA!
april 10, 2026 | 9:45 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. | tickets: $10
Whatever you do, don’t let the Pigeon star in his own musical production! With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling, Caldecott Honor award-winning “Pigeon” picture books, and featuring music by Deborah Wicks La Puma (Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!), TheaterWorksUSA‘s Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party!
It’s not easy being the Pigeon-you never get to do ANYTHING! But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird CAN do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs, and feathers, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping.
april 18, 2026 | 7:00 P.M. | tickets: $35
$16 (YOUTH 18 & UNDER)
The season reaches its breathtaking conclusion with Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection”, a work that demands—and rewards—an extraordinary gathering of musical forces. This monumental symphony explores themes of life, death, and spiritual renewal, unfolding in a dramatic arc that moves from darkness and struggle to radiant transcendence. With its sweeping scope and emotional intensity, The Resurrection Symphony is one of the most powerful statements in all of symphonic literature.
For this unforgettable performance, the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra is joined by over 150 voices, including the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale, the Choral Society of Pensacola, students from the Niceville High School Chorus, and two guest operatic soloists. From the intimate to the explosive, Mahler’s vision will be brought to life with massive orchestral and choral forces in a concert that promises to shake the walls and stir the soul.
: 12:30-2:00pm | September 3rd and 4th, 2025
mattie kelly arts center galleries & collection:
MKAC Art Galleries produces seasonal fine arts programming utilizing 2700 square feet of airy exhibition space on the Niceville Campus. Offering workshops, guest artist presentations, faculty development opportunities, tours, and an educational volunteer program.
The Collection comprises seven Subcollections, including several thousand items ranging from contemporary to classical art, for example, a Salvador Dalí set of 135 watercolor woodblock prints of Dante’s Divine
Mission: Conduct programs to enhance Northwest Florida State College’s educational mission. As a teaching adjunct to NWFSC, the galleries present exhibitions featuring national and international artists from diverse styles and media. The MKAC galleries are a valuable cultural asset for the entire campus and community.
Volunteer: Volunteers can work as docents, object handlers, and more and gain a wealth of experience in the field. Interview, fingerprinting, and training are required for all volunteers.
To inquire, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Jasmine, at 850-729-6044 or richar48@nwfsc.edu.
Thank you for your support!
Jennifer Wren Supak, MFA, MA Gallery Director & Curator
Mattie Kelly Arts Center, Northwest Florida State College
Jasmine Richardson, BA Gallery Assistant & Volunteer Coordinator
Hours: Monday - Thursday | 10am -4pm
Tours: artgalleries@nwfsc.edu or call (850) 729-6044.
This year’s season calendar features mocha mousse, Pantone’s color of the year. To learn more, go to Pantone.com.
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS Music
There would be no without you!
Diamond - $7,500-$15,000
• 20 season ticket subscriptions in seating of choice
• Conduct national anthem before concert
• Verbal recognition from stage before event
• Logo projection in theatre before event
• Full page ad in concert program (ad provided by sponsor)
• Pre-concert reception for sponsor (if desired)
• Sponsorship mention on NFSO social media account
• All benefits in bronze level sponsorship
Platinum - $5,000-$7,500
• 10 season ticket subscriptions in seating of choice
• Verbal recognition from stage before event
• Logo projection in theatre before event
• Full page ad in concert program (ad provided by sponsor)
• Pre-concert reception for sponsor (if desired)
• Sponsorship mention on NFSO social media account
• All benefits in bronze level sponsorship
Gold - $2,500-$5,000
• 8 season ticket subscriptions in seating of choice
• Verbal recognition from stage before event
• Ad in concert program (ad provided by sponsor)
• Sponsorship mention on NFSO social media account
• All benefits in bronze level sponsorship
Silver - $1,000-$2,500
• 6 season ticket subscriptions in seating of choice
• Sponsorship mention on NFSO social media account
• All benefits in bronze level sponsorship
Bronze - $500-$1,000
• 4 season ticket subscriptions in seating of choice
• Company name listed on NFSO website
• Recognition as sponsor in event program
Concerto - $250-$500
• Recognition as sponsor in event program
Friend’s Circle - $100-$250
• Recognition as sponsor in event program
For donations and sponsorships call Jeanette Shires at 850.729.6004 or click
Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra at mattiekellyartscenter.org
