TeenTix Blog by TeenTix

Yay! It's here! It's the moment we've all been waiting for, when we reveal the winners of the Most Prestigious Arts Awards in Seattle TM: The Teeny Awards!All day long, we've been surprising the winning organizations, busting up boring meetings and rehearsals with an incredible cheer and dance routine, choreographed by Christy McNeil, and performed by the AMAZING Teeny Awards Delivery Squad, Megan, Ivy, and Aeon. Video is forthcoming, but, for now, please enjoy these results and photos. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts to ALL of our participating organizations for making us feel so welcome all year 'round.Category: Best Date VenueWinner: Seattle Art Museum1st Runner-up: Pacific Northwest Ballet2nd Runner-up: three way tie between SIFF, Seattle Opera, and EMP MuseumCategory: Best Seats in the HouseWinner: Seattle Symphony1st Runner-up: Pacific Northwest Ballet2nd Runner-up: ACT TheatreCategory: Best Box Office ExperienceWinner: Pacific Northwest Ballet1st Runner-up: Seattle Art Museum2nd Runner-up: three-way tie between Seattle Children's Theatre, Taproot Theatre, and ACT TheatreCategory: Best BathroomsWinner: McCaw Hall, home of Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Opera1st Runner-up: Seattle Art Museum2nd Runner-up: Benaroya Hall, home of Seattle SymphonyCategory: Best Group VenueWinner: Pacific Science Center's IMAX & Laser Dome1st Runner-up: EMP Museum2nd Runner-up: Unexpected ProductionsCategory: Venue I Want to Attend MoreWinner: ACT Theatre1st Runner-up: Book-It Repertory Theatre2nd Runner-up: Henry Art GalleryCategory: Favorite Organization, LargeWinner: Pacific Northwest Ballet1st Runner-up: Seattle Art Museum2nd Runner-up: Seattle SymphonyCategory: Favorite Organization, MediumWinner: Seattle Shakespeare Company1st Runner-up: Book-It Repertory Theatre2nd Runner-up: tie between Spectrum Dance Theatre and Taproot TheatreCategory: Favorite Organization, SmallWinner: Seattle Musical Theatre1st Runner-up: Unexpected Productions2nd Runner-up: Young Americans' Theatre CompanyCategory: Best Film OrganizationWinner: SIFF1st Runner-up: Pacific Science Center's IMAX2nd Runner-up: NFFTY, the National Film Festival for Talented YouthCategory: Best Museum or Art GalleryWinner: Seattle Art Museum1st Runner-up: EMP Museum2nd Runner-up: Henry Art GalleryCategory: Best Performing Arts OrganizationWinner: Seattle Repertory Theatre1st Runner-up: Seattle Symphony2nd Runner-up: Book-It Repertory TheatreCategory: Best Multi-Disciplinary OrganizationWinner: Seattle Arts & Lectures1st Runner-up: Cornish College of the Arts2nd Runner-up: On the BoardsCategory: Best Art ExhibitWinner: Nick Cave: Meet Me at the Center of the Earth at Seattle Art Museum1st Runner-up: Battlestar Gallactica, The Exhibit at EMP Museum2nd Runner-up: Shadows of a Fleeting World at Henry Art GalleryCategory: Best Dance PerformanceWinner: A Midsummer Night's Dream at Pacific Northwest Ballet1st Runner-up: All Tharp at Pacific Northwest Ballet2nd Runner-up: Cornish Dance Theater Spring 2010 Concert at Cornish College of the ArtsCategory: Best PlayWinner: Hamlet at Seattle Shakespeare Company1st Runner-up: Of Mice and Men at Seattle Repertory Theatre2nd Runner-up: A Doctor in Spite of Himself at Intiman TheatreCategory: Best Musical or OperaWinner: Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog at Balagan Theatre1st Runner-up: Chicago at Seattle Musical Theatre2nd Runner-up: The Magic Flute at Seattle OperaCategory: Best Film or Film EventWinner: Willy Wonka in Smell-o-Vision at SIFF Cinema1st Runner-up: NFFTY, the National Film Festival for Talented Youth2nd Runner-up: Louder Than a Bomb at SIFF CinemaCategory: Best Music PerformanceWinner: Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue at Seattle Symphony1st Runner-up: SoundOff! 2011 at EMP Museum2nd Runner-up: The Music Man in 60 Minutes at Seattle SymphonyCategory: Best "Other" ShowWinner: TheatreSports at Unexpected Productions1st Runner-up: Laser Nirvana at Seattle Laser Dome2nd Runner-up: Joyce Carol Oates at Seattle Arts & LecturesAnd, last but not least, our CRUSH OF THE YEAR, Spectrum Dance Theater's Amber Mayberry!

Our National Game @ Seattle Art MuseumOur National Game (The Ball Player), Douglas TildenTake me out to the ballgame, take me out to the crowd! Presenting the work of three distinct artists (Douglas Tilden, Norman Rockwell and Jacob Lawrence) Our National Game takes us back through time to baseball's golden age: a simpler time when a box of cracker jacks and a glove were the only things you needed for a great afternoon at the ballpark. Seattle Art Museum's newest exhibit reminds us that anyone can be a hero through agility and sport, and ultimately how baseball itself helped aid America's recovery from the world-shaking events of the 1940's.Our National GameThrough November 27Seattle Art Museum<?xml:namespace prefix = fb />

I'm one of the actors in Taproot's SOMETHING'S AFOOT. And, yes, there is, indeed, a live band under the stage for this production!

Review of Something's Afoot at Taproot Theatre by Katie M. Taproot Theatre is continuing their 35th anniversary season with a fantastic production. Something’s Afoot can best be described as a murder mystery musical filled with quirky characters and lively songs. The play is set in the 1930s, and the sets and costumes reflect that time period. Lord Rancour’s lakeside estate is well furnished by scenic designer Mark Lund, providing a great backdrop for the story.

Review of Passione: A Musical Adventure at NW Film Forum by Sandrine G. A parade of dangerous-looking, sun-baked women strut and sing their way through the musical pieces like the subjects of a string of internet videos whose links are clicked more through compulsion than desire. Accompanied by their impetuous lovers and neighbors, their dramatic flare demands all the attention of a peoples’ opera. Eminently entertaining, Passione nevertheless belongs less to film than to the music which it claims to illuminate. Although the movie is beautifully shot, its director John Turturro is often self-indulgent. He inserts himself into several dance numbers. He also appears throughout the film as a narrator and pretends to offer a profound analysis of Neapolitan culture that goes deeper than sentimental nostalgia while spewing clichéd nothings like some places you can go to only once; then there’s Napoli. That being said, Passione is cultural pornography in the best sense of the phrase. The sea and the sky are a gorgeous Mediterranean blue, each scrap of colorful graffiti becomes brilliant folk art under the gaze of the camera, and the array of cultural components to the rhythm of Neapolitan life is as splendid as the natural beauty of the sun-drenched Italian city. The fusion of cultures is astounding, from flamenco-like dancing originating on the Iberian Peninsula to the wailing, chanting North African and Middle Eastern musical elements to the hints of American pop culture that were all brought to Napoli’s shores along with the anguish of occupation. The tragedy of poverty and the risks of making homes under the shadow of volcanic Mount Vesuvius are both material for the powerful song and spontaneous lifestyle of Neapolitans. The only problem is that all this is already apparent in the trailer and becomes fully actualized in the music. Though beautiful, the film itself offers little context and less explanation. The soundtrack of Passione can be found on the internet and is selling at the North West Film Forum, the same place the movie is showing, and costs $20. This is slightly more than the cost of two general admission tickets but, unlike watching the movie at the theater, the CD can be enjoyed over and over again. Passione: A Musical Adventure NW Film Forum Through Thursday, July 21

David Herbert and the Mystery of the Holy Mountain @ Henry Art Gallery

David Herbert. Holy Mountain. Courtesy of the artist and Postmasters Gallery, New York.An ingenious and strange new exhibit is coming to the neighborhood. Using ordinary materials such as PVC pipe, Styrofoam, and Scotch tape, Seattle native David Herbert will build a recreation of Mount Rainier atop the heavy artillery alien spaceship from the popular film Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Join Herbert in a two-week open studio at Henry Art Gallery and see the madness for yourself!David Herbert and the Mystery of the Holy MountainThrough October 16thHenry Art Gallery

Teen Tix member Summer H. is the winner of the $50 Amazon.com gift card for voting in the 2011 Teeny Awards!Here's a little bit about Summer:She just graduated from Shorewood High School, and she's headed to Loyola University in Chicago this fall, where she plans to major in Theatre. A lifelong Seattleite, she loves theatre, singing, violin, skiing, reading, and playing with her dog. She's been a Teen Tix member for four years.Here are some of Summer's Teeny Awards picks:BEST BOX OFFICE EXPERIENCE: Young Americans' Theatre CompanyBEST BATHROOMS: Seattle SymphonyBEST DATE VENUE: Unexpected ProductionsFAVORITE ORGANIZATION (large): Intiman TheatreFAVORITE ORGANIZATION (medium): Book-It Repertory TheatreFAVORITE ORGANIZATION (small): Driftwood PlayersBEST ART EXHIBIT: Kurt Cobain/Andy Warhol at Seattle Art MuseumBEST FILM EVENT: NFFTY (The National Film Festival for Talented Youth)BEST "OTHER" SHOW: TheatreSportsWill Summer's picks prevail? Stay tuned to the blog for announcements and updates on our super secret surprise awards ceremony.Thanks for voting, Summer!The Teeny Awards are given annually by the Teen Tix Steering Committee. They honor our members' picks for the best in local arts, and they recognize those arts organizations that have done a particularly good job of welcoming teen patrons over the past year. For more info on the Teeny Awards, go here.

What's up TeenTixers, I have to make it brief as I'm departing for The Great White North, but I just heard about this and wanted to share!!!! Alex Prior is an amazing composer and conductor with whom I've had the pleasure of watching several times in performance. He's an amazing teen and we should all get out and support him!Here's an article by Michael Kysar wonderfully explaining Alex, his life, and what he's doing. "Alex Prior is the principle conductor for the annual Northwest Mahler Festival to be held on July 17th in Benaroya Hall in Seattle. He received two master degrees in conducting and in composition from St. Petersburg Conservatory at the age of 16. He conducted the Mahler 4th Symphony with Seattle Symphony Orchestra last year. He is now 18 years old and has recently conducted orchestras in Denmark and Germany.YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=alex+prior&aq=0&oq=Alex+Prior) has lots of examples of his work, including interviews.Young performers are invited to ask questions and get to know this extraordinary young musician. I’ve had numerous conversations with him, and he is funny, incredibly enthusiastic, and an amazing musician."Details:- Location: The Microsoft Store Bellevue Square116 Bellevue SquareBellevue, WA, 98004See it on Bing Maps! (http://www.bing.com/maps/?ss=ypid.YN925x182844282&vm=BingMapsTeam-BellevueSquare&i=1)- Date and Time: Saturday, July 9th, 5:30 pm to about 6:30 pm (Yes, it is this coming Saturday!)- Other:• The best bet is to park in the West Parking Garage and enter the mall therethat’s the garage west of Nordstrom across from QFC on NE 8th Street.• If you park in the West Garage, you should enter the mall on the ground level.Red Mango will be immediately on your right, and you’ll see the Microsoft Store directly ahead.There is no charge for this event, but seating space is limited.Sally forth TeenTixers!!! Show this amazing up and coming artist how supportive we are!!! Besides, IT'S FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Review of The Talent Show at Henry Art Gallery by Chloe L.

Review of Pilgrims Musa and Sheri in the New World at ACT Theatre by Emma M.Shanga Parker as Musa and Carol Roscoe as SheriPhoto by Chris Bennion You stumble into A Contemporary Theatre—better known as ACT. As you take your seat and scope out the round cozy playing space, you wonder what awaits you in the next hour. The answer: delight. Pilgrims Musa and Sheri in the New World takes you on a wonderfully witty ride into the lives of these mixed-up lovers. “The course of true love never did run smooth,” so Sheri and Musa find out when they embark on a relationship and run into several hilarious and perilous problems along the way. You’re probably jumping up and down in your seat (or at least you should be) asking “what problems?!” Discovering is half the fun, so you’re just going to have to be surprised!The brand new play is written by Yussef El Guindi. Pilgrims deals with important themes, like what does it mean to be an immigrant or a pilgrim?, and what do people want out of relationships? El Guindi approaches his topics with an unabashed sincerity and cutting wit. However, by the end of the play El Guindi’s message that we are all “pilgrims” on the circle of life becomes very clear. In fact, it's a bit bash-you-over-the-head, I-was-trying-to-make-a-point-and-in-case- you-didn’t-get-it...here-it-is! clear. Yes, yes we got the point. Trust me we didn’t fall asleep, it’s much too good a play for that! El Guindi undermines the cleverness of his own play because up until that point it has been based on the subtlety of his humor and wisdom.The clever wit is taken to the next level when you add all the talented acting. Starring as Sheri, Carol Roscoe, it can be safely said, steals the show. The over-talkative, relationship troubled, spunky waitress Roscoe portrays is brought to life by her exuberant energy.Anthony Leroy Fuller as AbdallahPhoto by Chris BennionAlso worth mentioning are Anthony Leroy Fuller as Abdallah and Sylvester Foday Kamara as Tayyin. Both play their respective characters with an intense and clear understanding, which makes the difficult characters much easier to understand.With the exception of the awkward writing at the end of the play, Pilgrims is a funny and engaging play, transformed into stellar performance by the whole company. A sparkling tale of true love and new journeys, Pilgrims is the play to see this summer.Pilgrims Musa and Sheri in the New WorldThrough July 17ACT TheatreNOTE: contains brief nudity and adult language

Review of PLAY! A Video Game Symphony at Seattle Symphony by Fanny L.The setting of Benaroya Hall Tuesday night was certainly a departure from my usual experience at the concert hall; a certain energy pervaded the scene now comprised of what I can only assume were mostly video game enthusiasts. Upon the introduction and entrance of principal conductor Andy Brick, it was made all the more clear how unique a symphony experience this was going to be. He was met with uproarious applause; as has been described before, it was fit for a rock star.PLAY! began with a world-premiere arrangement of the Super Mario Brothers theme (one of the few themes I recognized!) accompanied with a montage of game play from the series. The juxtaposition of a medium born of technology with such classical instrumentation was extremely refreshing and eye(ear)-opening. As neither an expert in symphonic music nor video games, I was greatly entertained by arrangement after arrangement even though I was not familiar with many of them. Of course, I was in the minority in that I felt like I was surrounded by video game fans; however, it was difficult not share their enthusiasm as familiar melodies were played. Had it not been for this audience zeal and the visual cues of the video montages, I would’ve certainly felt I was watching yet another typical symphony performance.However, as the evening progressed, I really grew to appreciate the medium of video game as a cinematic experience and the impressiveness of symphonic music. When viewed with the live symphony, the emotions and stories depicted in the video games displayed became all the more intense. I was also struck by the crowd’s enthusiasm and the surprising presence of Halo composer Martin O’Donnell only a few rows away from my own seat, which really added to the feeling of the whole experience being one made for the fans. It was a surprisingly intimate occasion for such a large venue and crowd. All in all, PLAY! was a wonderful introduction to classical music through video games, and vice versa; an informative, inspiring and entertaining experience melding the wonders of technology and the beauty of symphony music.PLAY! is closedNext up at Seattle Symphony, more symphonic/cinematic experiences with Casablanca and the Wizard of Oz, July 6 - 9More info at seattlesymphony.org

Review of Carmina Burana at Seattle Symphony by Tavis H.

Intense: a word used so often but understood so little. There are many words which have been overused into meaninglessness and though “intense” certainly falls under that category of words, it is truly the only way to describe the grandeur and brilliance of the Carmina Burana.

With this in mind, all I can say is that The Seattle Symphony has does it once again. In my fourth opportunity to see the Carmina Burana at SSO I have for a fourth time been blown away. The Carmina Burana, in its first manifestation, is a collection of medieval poetry mostly in Latin and Old German compiled in the 13th century. In modernity, Carl Orff used a selection of the poetry in order to inspire and accompany a rich and powerful piece which he too titled The Carmina Burana. With the blasting, ominous roar of the infamous opening piece “O’ Fortuna” to playful melodies and romantic movements, the Carmina Burana is most certainly Orff’s magnum opus and a broad swath of intriguing and entertaining composition.Though Carl Orff certainly gets a big tip of the hat, the standing ovation has to to Seattle Symphony. Too often a good piece of can be ruined by a bad interpretation, fortunately for us conductor Alexander Shelley delivers a fantastic performance with both zest and composure in leading the top notch performers of the Symphony and Chorale. Soprano Christina Siemens also deserves much commendation for the smooth and intense beauty of her singing, as do Baritone Michael Anthony McGee, and tenor Paul Karaitis for their exceptional and accessible interpretations. At the end of the day, the Carmina Burana conveys many different emotions throughout its poetic structure and having soloists with the capacity to show us, through the language barrier, what they are saying is a wonderful gift and the sign of a truly professional singer.

Together with such a tight ensemble, the Seattle Symphony has beautifully executed a complex piece. From the balance of the intensity of the music, instrumental sections, the radiance of the voices, and the uniqueness of the performances, it is safe to say the Carmina Burana is a Hollywood knock-out of a piece and is bound to please anyone, old or young, looking for a great night out.Carmina Burana is closed.Next up at Seattle Symphony: Casablanca and the Wizard of Oz.More info at seattlesymphony.org

We sent a member of our Teen Press Corps, Fanny L., to interview composer/conductor Andy Brick about PLAY! A Video Game Symphony, which plays tonight and tomorrow at Seattle Symphony. Here's what she had to say about it:Whether you are a video game enthusiast or haven't touched a console before in your life, PLAY! A Video Game Symphony is definitely an event to check out. Symphonic arrangements of video game music will be played alongside corresponding videos and graphics to make the experience all the more complete; the inspiring venue of Benaroya Hall combined with the technical prowess of the performers will breathe new life into this performance. Principal conductor and music conductor Andy Brick said in his interview with me that while PLAY! certainly attracts those who are interested in video games, there are always a good number of people who come out of curiosity. "You hear so much about video games in the mass media; this leads to performances like PLAY! attracting people who've never played video games before." He hopes to expose people to the classical concert experience through such relevant media as video games, and pique their interest in future events by doing so. Newcomers should expect to be pleasantly surprised by the refreshing combination of classic, symphonic music and modern technology; however, previous attendees need not fret as Andy promises there will be some exciting and brand new pieces for you guys as well.PLAY! A Video Game SymphonyJune 21 & 22Seattle Symphony

Teen Tix is pleased to fling open its doors and hand you the keys. In other words: COME AND JOIN OUR TEEN STEERING COMMITTEE!Teen Tix’s Teen Steering Committee is a group of opinionated and highly dedicated individuals who are committed to making the arts accessible for young people.Here are a few of the things that we do:• Come up with innovate marketing techniques for promoting the arts to teenagers• Award our annual Teeny Awards, recognizing the best in teen-friendly local arts• Write and create content for the Teen Tix blog, website, and other media outlets• Meet with leaders from various arts organizations to share our ideas and learn about what they do• Serve as “watchdogs” by attending venues and checking up on the box office experience• Plan and help execute special events at Participating Organizations• Act as ambassadors for Teen Tix at our schools• Help set the course for the future of the Teen Tix program• See shows!If you believe that the arts are valuable, if you want to help make the arts accessible for everyone regardless of age or income, and if you want to be a leader in Seattle’s youth arts movement, we need your voice!• The Teen Steering Committee meets monthly from September to June of each year at Seattle Center.• Participation in the committee can qualify for Service Learning Credit at your school.• First Meeting for the 2011-12 school year will be held Wednesday, September 28th from 4:30 - 6:00 in the Center House at Seattle CenterReady to throw in your name?It’s easy! You must be nominated to join the committee. Simply have an adult (who is not your parent) or a fellow teen email us with a short explanation of why YOU should be part of our team. Make sure they include your name and email address, so we can follow up with you.

PLAY! A Video Game Symphony @ Seattle SymphonyFinal Fantasy, The Legend Of Zelda, HALO: Reach, Super Mario Bros., Chrono Cross, Kingdom Hearts, World of Warcraft, Sonic The Hedgehog. These are perhaps not names that you immediately associate with a night at the Symphony. But, for two nights next week, Benaroya Hall will transform itself into the world's poshest gaming room as composer/conductor Andy Brick (he's composed the music for such little-known titles as Sim City: Rush Hour, Stranglehold, Sims 2, Warhammer, Mafia II, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Final Fantasy) leads the Seattle Choral Company and vocalist Aubrey Ashburn in renditions of all-new arrangements of songs from video games while gameplay sequences zip by on the overhead screens. w00t!PLAY! A Video Game SymphonyTuesday, June 21 & Wednesday, June 22 @ 7:30 PMSeattle SymphonyTeen Tix: $5, day-of-performance onlySeattle Symphony Box Office: 206.215.4747

All kinds of summer education opportunities from our participating organizations and community partners are still available. So don’t be boring, get out there and participate in the arts!(NOTE: Most of these programs charge tuition. No Teen Tix discounts are available, though most organizations offer scholarships and tuition reductions to qualifying students. Follow the links provided for more information.)VISUAL ART- BELLEVUE ARTS MUSEUM'S Teen Docent Program is perfect for those looking to learn about working in a museum. In this program you will learn about art and presentation techniques, then put your knowledge to good use by leading real museum tours!Students ages 13-18 are eligible to participate. To learn more about this program, visit bellevuearts.org/education/teen.- Do you love making art? CORNISH COLLEGE OF THE ARTS has a wide variety of classes in Art and Design for its summer session including digital photography, comics studio, oil painting, game design and much more.Students who register must be between the ages of 15-18. Register by June 17th to ensure a spot in one of these amazing classes! For more info and to register, visit www.cornish.edu/summer/art_design.DANCE- SPECTRUM DANCE THEATER offers two Summer Youth Intensives that delve into the world of ballet and contemporary dance with daily technique classes. Then students are given the opportunity to explore many other kinds of dance such as choreography, lyrical, and Brazilian samba. Students ages 10-16 are eligible to participate in these intensives.Spectrum is also offering a three-weekend workshop, “Give My Regards to Broadway” for teens and adults who love to sing and dance, or would love to learn! No prior experience necessary.For more information, download the brochure at spectrumdance.org/school/docs/2011-summer-camp.pdf.FILM- If video production interests you, take a look at Reel Queer Youth this summer (sponsored by THREE DOLLAR BILL CINEMA & REEL GRRLS). Express yourself via a short film in a small group with professional equipment and with the help of mentors and teachers.For more information and to register, log on to threedollarbillcinema.org/programs/RQY. All genders welcome.- REEL GRRLS, Seattle's awesome filmmaking program for girls (and sometimes boys!), is offering a bunch of workshops this summer, including a co-ed Teen Video Camp and a Summer Animation Camp. Get more info at reelgrrls.org/programs- Ever wanted to be a filmmaker? Now’s your chance to learn how! NORTHWEST FILM FORUM is offering a two-week-long Filmmaking Camp where students will learn about film—story, characters, plot, storyboarding and planning--you name it! They will then get to use professional equipment to make their very own film that will be shown on the last day of class. Recommended for ages 11-14.Or, if you’re more into animation, NWFF is also offering a Mixed Animation Camp that will teach students about traditional animation techniques like those used in Coraline, Gumby, and classic Disney movies. At the end of the class each student will receive a DVD with the films they made to take home. Recommended for ages 14-17.For more information and to register for these classes, please visit nwfilmforum.org/live/page/workshops/1633.SCIENCE- We know what you’re thinking—science isn’t art! But it’s just as cool (unless you think that doing science with ACTUAL scientists from UW isn’t cool. Then we don’t know what to tell ya.) BURKE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY & CULTURE is offering a summer program called Girls in Science, where students will learn to perform real scientific procedures and about current science and what it means for our future.This class is for girls who will be entering 7th-9th grade next school year. For more information, visit washington.edu/burkemuseum/education/summer.php.MUSIC- CORNISH COLLEGE OF THE ARTS is offering a wide range of summer music classes for teens taught by their esteemed faculty. Classes range from Songwriting to Jazz Fundamentals to a Classical Guitar Seminar. It is suggested that students register by June 17th to ensure a spot in their chosen class.Students who are 12-19 may apply for classes based on specific qualifications. These and many more classes are listed on their website at cornish.edu/summer/music.- EMP|SFM is offering Teen Artist Workshops from June-August this summer. Classes include Rock Band, Science Fiction Writing, Vocal Performance, and many more. Now is your chance to get one-on-one training with industry professionals. Registration is now open!Students who will be entering grades 8-12 are invited to register. To find out more, visit www.empmuseum.org/education/index.asp.THEATRE- Do you love to act, sing and dance? CORNISH COLLEGE OF THE ARTS is offering both Theatre AND Musical Theatre classes this summer. There are various exciting programs to choose from, such as dialect study, a solo performance workshop, a college audition class, and many more.These classes are for ages 15-18. Register by June 17th to ensure a spot for yourself in one or more classes! For more information visit cornish.edu/summer/theater/courses and/or cornish.edu/summer/theater/courses/musical_theater_intensive.- The (rightly) revered SEATTLE CHILDREN'S THEATRE Drama School offers an avalanche of classes all summer long, from beginner basics to advanced, pre-professional training. There are day-long and weeks-long classes in improvisation, stage makeup, acting for the camera, puppetry, acting, musical theatre, and more. Visit sct.org/classes/sctdramaschool for more info.- Edmonds' DRIFTWOOD PLAYERS is putting on High School Musical this summer, and you have the chance to get in! Auditions are June 26th, and they even offer an audition workshop the day before so you can meet with the staff to know what to expect.There is no specified age limit for this program. For more information and to register, log onto driftwoodplayers.org/education/youth.- SEATTLE SHAKESPEARE COMPANY will be holding multiple sessions of Camp Bill this summer, providing students with an opportunity to work with local artists and get hands-on training in Shakespearean theatre and theatre production. Sessions range from 1-3 weeks each.The first registration deadline is June 20th. Ages 10-17 welcome in various classes. To find out which sessions you qualify for and to register, visit seattleshakespeare.org/educaiton/campbill.asp.- TAPROOT THEATRE presents a number of great opportunities this summer for those interested in theatre. Take a two-week intensive aptly dubbed “Musical Theatre Supercamp” or relax into a one-week study of the Bard (Shakespeare) and all his works. You can also take a class entirely devoted to the art of comedy!Grades 4th-12th are welcome to register. There are tons of classes being offered so look for the right one for you on this page: taproottheatre.org/2011-summer-camps.GENERAL- THE VERA PROJECT, Seattle's always-all-ages music venue, offers tons of opportunities for young people, including running shows, helping out in the silkscreen or recording studios, curating exhibitions in the gallery - pretty much whatever you can think of. Learn more at theveraproject.org/getinvolved.- LANGSTON HUGHES PERFORMING ARTS CENTER is offering a huge variety of classes and workshops this summer including a performance-based talent celebration called Art in the Park, dance classes like Hip Hop and Freestyle, a writing class called Evolutionary Words, and much more.Ages 5-18 welcome to sign up. To find out how to be a part of LHPAC’s Summer program, visit page 21 of this PDF: seattle.gov/parks.centers/Garfield/Summer11.pdf.- WHIDBEY ISLAND CENTER FOR THE ARTS has something for you this summer if you like music, theatre, and production. Join WICA’s Summer Training Program for classes like Glee Club, Music Theory and Audition Song, or to be part of a play such as The Crucible. Many opportunities for many different interests.Ages 10-25 eligible to register. Registration opened on May 20th so hurry and fill out the form before classes fill up! More info and registration form here: wicaonline.com/WIFF/WIFF2011classes.html.

Photo by CeeDotA on flickr

The improvathon that's going on right now at the Market Theater is definitely a blast. Some of the performers had been going for a full 24 hours when I saw them, and a lot of them are pretty (totally, completely) zonked. As such, the improv that they're doing is a lot looser and freer-form than you usually see at Unexpected Productions. This means that they're willing to fly higher and try weird, crazy stuff, but sometimes in improv stuff does come crashing down to the ground. Such is occasionally the case with these skits. It's a different feel than usual in general, too--the audience and performers are constantly coming in and out, and new faces come to the stage frequently. In a lot of ways, it's like falling into some sort of weird improv dreamspace where very strange things happen and stuff is constantly changing around. And with improv, that can be pretty cool--it leads to sketches entitled "Cats Gone Wild" or "Mega-Death Yawwwrp," or frantic experiences with 20-pound zucchinis. As we all know, things like that should never, ever be missed. Above all though, it's a fundraiser for the Market Theatre, where some of the best and strangest weird stuff in the city arts-wise happens. So it's definitely worth the time and money to come down and kill a few hours seeing what improv, enthusiasm, and extreme exhaustion all team up to create in the final hours of the improvathon. The 50-Hour Improvathon is over, but you can catch TheatreSports every Friday & Saturday night at the Market Theatre. More info at unexpectedproductions.org.

We're so excited to be nominated for so many Teeny Awards this year. Thanks!

Photo by Angela Sterling

When the sun is shining and the thermometers around town finally crack 70 degrees, it may not seem entirely intuitive to go see a very dark ballet about betrayal, death, and supernatural vengeance. Sure, while you’re sitting in a dark, cool, enclosed space, you could be out water skiing or sunbathing. But the fact is that while summer comes only three months of the year in Seattle, the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Giselle is here for only two weeks, and it is not to be missed under any circumstances. The last show of their season and a completely new staging by Peter Boal of the classic work, Giselle is captivating and entrancing.

Review of Sense and Sensibility at Book-It Repertory Theatre by Allison C.Photo by Alan AlabastroWe’re all hoping for a happy ending, and for most of us, that entails falling in love. Growing up, Disney, Pixar, ABC Family, and other media have drilled in our heads exactly what it is and how it will happen. We are fully prepared to step out of our humdrum lives into a world with dragons, castles, evil villains, and most importantly, valiant, noble men and women who are willing to risk their lives for us. Even 200 years ago, Jane Austen recognized that what we have in reality can be so much better than this fairytale. She saw men and women that gave up more than their lives for each other. They committed their whole self, their soul and heart. In Sense and Sensibility Austen takes care to illuminate those constantly overlooked relationships that, in their own way, are “true” love. She eliminates the sugar-coated idealized view of love, and with a practical, yet delicate and graceful approach, leads the reader into a time of strict and precise expectations when it came to finding love.Photo by Alan AlabastroIn the on-stage production, Book-It Repertory Theatre introduces us to the Dashwood family, and especially, the two eldest daughters emerging into the rigid world of Regency England (early 1800s) courtship. Elinor and Marianne Dashwood represent two opposite outlooks on love. Elinor, played by Kjerstine Anderson, considered the “sense”, very practically looks for someone who is compatible and honorable. She is very concerned with properness of character and mutual affection. Jessica Martin, as Marianne, on the other hand, is concerned only with passion. She is the “sensibility” and the romantic. Her fantasized beliefs, especially that love is something that can only happen once, appall Elinor and set a much different tone for her relationships. Elinor is calm, calculated, and quiet, whereas Marianne is free, loud, and acts on her immediate emotions.Book-It brings this to life with much ease. The combination of Austen’s genius, the cast's eloquent expression of her characters, and director Makaela Pollock’s quest to provide “modern energy” results in a timeless reflection on love. As this was my first Book-It production, I can’t say if it is just the usual, but the organization really brought the point home. While Sense and Sensibility has compelling dialogue just like other plays, the characters also recite direct, third-person lines straight from Austen’s pen. The effect can be funny, interesting, informative, and/or emotional. An author’s words shape the story, and including them in the play controls the viewers’ emotions much more precisely than a regular format would. The modern energy comes partly from these little side notes, which reveal the relatable attributes of each character’s personality. The rest of this energy is radiated from the actors. They take their emotions, sometimes confusingly hidden under complex speech, and show them to the audience clearly and in a way that reminds the viewer that though the times were different, the feelings where much the same. Sense and Sensibility leads us to love on two very different journeys. In a signature of Austen’s, Elinor and Marianne both face and learn from their flaws. Together they grow and learn. Their experiences, though from a completely different time, are still relevant today. As the audience, we can learn from them to shed our magical, dreamt-up ideas of love and embrace the sweetly simple reality that will hopefully find us one day too.Sense and SensibilityBook-It Repertory TheatreThrough June 26