This summer marks the beginning of Tacoma Youth Theatre's 5th year of programming! Thank YOU for enthusiastically supporting our mission, and for trusting us with your growing young actors. Together, we are proving that a theatre with the sole purpose of nurturing young artists can and will succeed!
I am so proud of all the tremendous learning and beautiful theatre your young artists have experienced, and think we're on the right track. Entering into our 5th year of programming, I find Tacoma Youth Theatre well poised to begin the next step in fully realizing its mission -- to grow beyond serving as a theatre FOR young artists, into a theatre RUN BY young artists.
I strongly believe that producing theatre with a wide age-range of young artists, as well as all other uniquenesses and diversities, is of tremendous educational and artistic value. Teen actors, often playing the adult characters within a play often follow the lead of confident, energetic younger artists who so readily and naturally jump into the world of the story. Younger actors follow the lead of the older actors' focus, self-discipline, and patience. I think it's pretty magical, and we'll continue this structure - but with a few slight variations.
New Suggested Ages
From now on, pay-what-you-can, after-school productions and production-based, one-week theatre camps will carry suggested ages beginning at age 7.
New Opportunities for Young Artists Ages 5-8
Ongoing, equally affordable (and/or pay-what-you-can,) opportunities will be available for ages 5-8.
Check it out this summer with
My First Theatre Camp:
Cuttings and Connections to
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
I am particularly excited to instruct programming for beginning, younger actors that will best support their high-energy and creativity.
Ask about a just-added
Saturday Class for 5-8 Year-Old Artists
Beginning May 7th
Special Teen Productions
Look for special productions specifically designed for teenagers and more experienced younger actors. This summer, Managing Director and acclaimed theatre artist, Scott Campbell, will direct William Shakespeare's MACBETH. This story of murder, power, and madness is for actors ages 12-18 and will rehearse in the evenings.
"By the pricking of my thumbs,
something wicked this way comes"
MACBETH
Auditions July 23 or 24
Technical, Artistic, and Front-of-House Positions
Beginning this spring session, as part of an added value (no additional charge) the young actors in Tacoma Youth Theatre's after-school productions will have more formal opportunities to explore the technical, artistic, design and front-of-house workings of THEIR Theatre. Producing two shows each session provides ample opportunities to fill off-stage positions for the alternate casts' production. Look for young artists to begin staffing the box office, serving as ushers, running and designing lights and sound, assisting with costuming and props, and scenic painting for each session.
Youth Advisory Council
Beginning in September, look for Tacoma Youth Theatre to establish a youth advisory council of young artists. This council will learn basic Robert's Rules of Order, convene monthly as a collaborative body, establish a charter, and provide advice and insight on the workings of Tacoma Youth Theatre.
My continuing goal is to ensure that ALL young artists, ages 5-18, have a learning environment that best supports their theatrical growth. Tacoma Youth Theatre will always be a theatre FOR young artists. Thank you for your continued support as we move to truly become a theatre BY young artists.
I look forward to seeing many of you this summer.
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