TeenTix Blog by TeenTix

To the Steadfast TeenTix Family,

Woah - here we are. We are living through an unprecedented and extraordinary moment for Seattle’s arts community - and the world at large. I’ve found myself starting my conversations with “are you OK?” TeenTix, our close family, friends, teens, and all of our TeenTix Partners are doing everything we can to slow the COVID-19 pandemic. Right now, we are all faced with a thousand and one decisions on how to respond, how to do more, how to do less, and how to do the right thing.

Hey TeenTixers!

We hope you’re staying safe and healthy during this uncertain time. With the COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing measures put in place to protect public health, this is an unprecedented moment in history. We know that you may be spending a lot more time at home, and the arts are a great way to keep you grounded, and lift your spirits when times get tough. So we would love to hear how art is sustaining you right now. Whether you’re letting the creative juices flow and diving into your own art-making practice, reminiscing about a recent arts experience, or binge-ing On the Boards.TV, we want to hear from YOU. Young people are an integral part of the arts community, and by showcasing teen art and experiences we hope to show just how resilient the arts world is.

Hey TeenTixers!We hope this message finds you in good health. As you may know, Governor Jay Inslee has imposed a statewide prohibition effective 3/16/2020, on public gatherings and events of more than 50 people, out of concern over the spread of COVID-19. (Click here to read more on this).

This has directly affected the majority of our Arts Partners, cancelling many events and postponing others.

Read more below, and click this link to contribute!

Art has always been a way to build community, to connect people and ideas across all intersections of age and beliefs. TeenTix’s role is to help young people play a key part in the development of our arts community by helping them build connections through arts access right now. During these times of social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the arts community is looking for new and creative solutions to sharing art, and young people like those on The New Guard are a huge part of the answer.The New Guard: Teen Arts Leadership Society is an arts leadership training program that is the heart and soul of TeenTix, keeping us accountable to the teens we serve. New Guardians play a central role in guiding the development of TeenTix programs and events, identify organizational values and serve as the primary teen ambassadors for TeenTix while learning about all aspects of arts administration and leadership. What better real-world experience is there right now than working alongside professionals in our community to figure out how to shift strategies around upcoming events, continue fundraising during a crisis, and imagine new ways of exploring art and bonding with their peers?

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

Youth ages 16-19 with an established desire to pursue hip-hop and music as a career must apply online and meet all criteria in order to be considered. This year’s intensive will take place at MoPOP from July 27th - August 21st. Application deadline is June 1st.

Seattle Rep is committed to increasing low- and no-cost arts access and engagement opportunities for the next generation of theatergoers, with a special focus on prioritizing communities facing inequities. Their Youth Engagement programs offer professional theater experiences, in- and out-of-school arts learning, performance opportunities through Student Matinees & Workshop Residencies, the August Wilson Monologue Competition, Teen Nights and special student and teen access discounts.

Join Seattle Rep & Teen Tix for Teen Nights this season! Every show has a designated Teen Night, where you can get $5 tickets through Teen Tix and special pre- and post-show activities.See the schedule below, and learn more here.

One hundred years ago, the 19th amendment of the constitution was ratified, giving many Americans the right to the ballot box. But not everyone.

SWC rocks the vote with a timely and rousing concert that marks the centennial of this achievement and decries the continued struggle for free and fair voting rights for all people. Featuring “R.O.C.K. in the USA,” and The Beatles’ “Revolution,” plus a new commission, “Lifting as We Climb,” inspired by the words of suffragist Mary Church Terrell, charter member of the NAACP.

CHOP SHOP: Bodies of Work is partnering with with the Bellevue Arts Museum and The City of Bellevue Parks & Community Services Department to bring you a FREE dance workshop called the Experience Dance Program.

Two classes are offered as part of the program:

Looking to try something new this year? Get involved with the Press Corps and our Arts Partners through these upcoming writing workshops and intensives! Film Criticism Workshop

Where: SIFF CinemaWhen: January 17, 18, & 25Register here | More info

There's always something AMAZING for you to get your hands on at TeenTix's Arts & Community Partner organizations! Behold the wonder of art this season with the following classes, workshops, and opportunities.

DANCE

In the mood for some holiday cheer?

Our friends at Seattle Men's Chorus are offering complimentary tickets to TeenTix Members for their concert, 'Tis the Season, on November 30th! That's right - you're invited to RSVP for up to 4 FREE tickets to see this fun holiday show that will lift your spirits!

The New Guard is the heart and soul of TeenTix, making sure the teen voice is centered in everything we do & keeping the organization accountable to its constituents. But what do they actually DO? We're stoked to share some of the work they've been doing this Fall: Planning and Curating the Teeny Awards! Did you know that the New Guard leads the voting process amongst the TeenTix membership? They do! They're also an integral part of serving on the planning committee with TeenTix Leadership, leading the activities at the Teeny Awards, and hosting the show.Holding a Resume Writing/Mock Interview WorkshopThis is an annual meeting to help young folx feel professionally prepared for the job world. TeenTix Partner representatives and adults are welcome with an invitation - please reach out to us if this is something you want to join us in doing next year!Supporting TeenTix Arts PartnersOnce a year, Arts Partners are invited to join New Guardians at a meeting to talk about teen programming, youth outreach practices, and to get advice on how to build teen leadership groups at their organizations. Next year's meeting is in February 2020!Producing the Teen Arts & Opportunities Fair!The New Guard is excited to once again produce their Teen Arts & Opportunities Fair in Spring 2020 (stay tuned for how you can participate as partner) - and to prep for that, they invited members of our Arts & Culture Partner community to join in a discussion on arts equity when producing events in town. Some of their questions included:Why is racial equity necessary in the arts specifically/especially?How do we invite people into a space without tokenizing them (specifically in terms of effective outreach)?How can youth play a role in racial equity conversations?Within an art world that’s inherently motivated by profit, how do we balance racial equity, inclusion and community-building? Focusing on Racial Equity in the Arts This has been a big topic for The New Guard lately, so much so that some of them have launched a new program called the Colorization Collective. Here's Kaylyn Ready, New Guard alum, discussing how she found and came to love dance:

Does this all sound like stuff you'd love to do? The New Guard is now accepting applications for the Spring 2020 Cohort! Apply by December 3, 2019. More details here.

As all you old school TeenTixers know, Pacific Northwest Ballet's wildly popular Nutcracker ballet is the ONLY PNB show ALL YEAR that is NOT TeenTix eligible.

HOWEVER, because they love us so much, PNB always puts aside a little stash of TeenTix tickets for one day of The Nutcracker each year. It is an AMAZING, annual tradition that draws teens from far and wide. YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS IT!!

Have you always dreamed of working for an arts nonprofit? Are you passionate about teen arts access and the future of arts patronage in the Pacific Northwest? Are your fundraising ideas big, bold, and creative? YOU SHOULD WORK FOR TEENTIX! We're now hiring a Development Manager to begin work in January 2020. Guests raise their paddles at the 2019 Teeny Gala. Photo by Bronwen Houck Photography

We are seeking an energetic go-getter, who will bring strong organizational and communication skills to lead, manage and strategically advance TeenTix’s individual giving campaigns; our monthly giving club, our annual fundraising gala, and our community-building and stewardship events. This person will create and manage a dynamic mid-level donor strategy to grow the Major Gifts Program along with the Executive Director, and will provide administrative support to our grant contractor. Learn more here and apply today!

On Saturday, October 12, the arts community gathered for TeenTix's annual fundraising dinner at Northwest African American Museum. The theme this year was TeenTix Homecoming, and we celebrated in gowns, crowns, and letterman’s jackets galore in recognition of the true home we are building for young people in our community. Photo by Roman Robinson

Guests were invited to participate in a wine toss, a raffle, and polaroid pictures to commemorate the evening before sitting down to enjoy a delicious dinner by That Brown Girl Cooks! catering. The dinner program was hosted by Sara Porkalob, and included a video spotlight about TeenTix alum Sara Albertson, a poem written and performed by TeenTix members, and a moving speech from Daisy Schreiber, New Guard Leadership Board Member, and TeenTix Executive Director Monique Courcy.

On Saturday, September 28th, teens, parents, artists, and arts leaders gathered at SIFF Cinema's Egyptian Theatre to celebrate the 12th annual Teeny Awards Ceremony, hosted by Betty Wetter and members of The New Guard: Teen Arts Leadership Society.

The Teeny Awards are planned with support from The New Guard, TeenTix’s teen governing body, and celebrates the best in local arts and culture according to teenage art enthusiasts. Awardees are chosen by the New Guard based on votes by the TeenTix membership. Teen attendees at the 2019 Teeny Awards. Photo by Roman Robinson

Don't miss the #2019TeenyAwards DRAG EXTRAVAGANZA!

Every year, TeenTix throws a big ol' party (the Teeny Awards!) to celebrate the work that our Arts Partners do to keep art accessible for young people. In true TeenTix style, the party is full of snacks, crafts, photo booths, and an awards ceremony that honors art from the last year voted on by you, TeenTix members, PLUS a program full of super-fun teen-choice performances.

We asked our summer interns to give you the scoop on what they've been up to for the past couple of months. Read on to find out what real teens are doing to make our organization run! Neha Gupta

OUTREACHHi! I'm Neha, one of TeenTix’s outreach interns this summer. Over the past 5 weeks, Justin and I have been working on various projects to help expand the reach of the TeenTix Pass Program, specifically to areas outside of central Seattle.

Hey TeenTix-ers: Scholarships are now available for Singing the Gospel, a masterclass from our friends at The 5th Avenue Theatre!

This energetic and uplifting vocal master class will explore the history and influence of gospel music in musical theater. In this two-part course, students will work with Seattle-based singer and actress, Shaunyce Omar, to examine how gospel music has influenced both musical theater and pop music; learn the power of ensemble singing; and discover how to adapt their own personal style to gospel singing. Join in for this fun and engaging class and get singing!

Join Seattle Men's Chorus for a summer matinee full of song and activism with this special offer!

TeenTix members can RSVP right now to claim up to 4 FREE tickets for themselves and other folks of any age using this form. Then, attend the show on June 22nd at 2 PM to get your retro tunes on!