So do we! For the last 20 years, SCT Drama School students have imagined and created their own version of a (not so spooky) haunted experience for SCT staff, teaching artists and family members to enjoy.
Since we can’t be together in SCT’s classrooms to experience the spooks in person, now is your chance to bring this tradition to life in your living room. See below for the potion on how to craft your own Not So Haunted House and take a look back at years past.

• Step 1: The most important step in creating the perfect Not So Haunted House is your creativity. Use your body, your voice, and your imagination to craft the perfect spooky setting! Ask yourself: Who are you? A witch? A pirate? A ghost? Where are you? A graveyard? A pumpkin patch? The forest? 
• Step 2: Grab whatever items you have around the house that will help you bring your spooky tale to life. Those couch cushions would make great gravestones! Is there a creature lurking in lake bathtub? Dad’s coat sure looks like a headless monster! Who knows what’s lurking around the corner in the kitchen...the possibilities are endless!
• Step 3: Tap a friend or a sibling to help tell your story! They can be a new character or help to guide unsuspecting adults through your haunted path.
• Step 4: It’s showtime! Gather all who dare to enter your domain. Dazzle and delight with your spooktacular tale!
• Step 5: Remember, this is a Not So Haunted House. Make sure to find a creative way to reveal to your visitors that it’s all pretend! Halloween is the perfect time for tricks, but they’ll love this treat.

We can’t wait to see what you create! Send us photos at hello@sct.org or tag us @sct_seattle on Instagram and Facebook for a chance to be featured on SCT’s social channels. 

Happy Haunting!

Well… we guess we wouldn’t mind a few goofy skeletons and fun-loving ghouls, but no jump scares, okay?

During a time when the spooks can start to feel a bit overwhelming, we’re focusing on our favorite part of the Halloween season: treats. The creativity and community that surround SCT serves as a constant delight. And while we love a scary October story as much as the next Halloween lover, we’re letting our community partnerships, faithful families, and fellow theatres serve as nightlight to keep things bright when the world starts to feel a little dark.

So read on, and join us in celebrating community and indulging in some SCT treats this spooky season.

SCT is deeply grateful for the support we receive from our donors. As a special thank you, all those who give a gift of $100 or more between now and December 31, 2020 will receive a complimentary ticket valid for SCT’s next mainstage season. It is because of donors like you that SCT is able to continue using the power of theatre and arts education to grow empathy, spark joy, and invite young people to engage in the stories that surround us.

The next chapter of this story begins with donors like you. Won’t you give today?

​Do you miss seeing your favorite stories come to life on stage? So do we! But don’t miss a chance to hear your favorite stories come to life right in your living room with Saturday Morning Stories. SCT has partnered with Classical KING-FM 98.1 to bring beloved children’s literature to life through a crescendo of whimsical melodies and narrated plots. Hand selected titles take families on a classical music adventure where they can simultaneously engage in activities uniquely curated by SCT for each production that the whole family can enjoy.

Listeners can tune in at 8:30 a.m. through November 7, 2020.

Stuck on ideas for this year's Halloween costume? We're here to help! Take a look below for 10 inspiring, goofy, and bold characters to dress up as this year from past SCT productions. Build your own boat and travel to where the wild things are as Max, ditch the dress and become your own princess like Snow White, or channel your courage and throw on your boxing gloves as Muhammad Ali. 

The options are endless! What are you going to dress up as for Halloween this year? Let us know in the comments below!

September is a time of transition.

Like you, we have spent the last six months learning, adapting, and growing. And just as we have all grown accustomed to our safe-at-home virtual reality, we are pausing to plan for the school year and reflect on all of the recent change in our community and our world.

Transition can be daunting, but knowledge, courage, and growth makes the change worthwhile. So, whether you’re an artist learning new ways to express your creativity, a student preparing for a year of learning in new environments, or a parent or educator helping their child navigate the changing world, SCT is here to support. 
​
Join us as we embrace transition and welcome growth, and read on to learn more about SCT’s plans for the coming months.

Hear from SCT’s Associate Director of Education, Tiffany Maltos and Arts Based Learning Program Manager, Elizabeth Coen on the impact of community programs and how SCT plans to evolve, as we focus our efforts on our regional communities to continue bringing resources to schools this Fall.  

At SCT, we’re constantly asking ourselves how we can build on our mission of providing children of all ages access to professional theatre. Experiencing theatre at a young age has proven to be a strong tool for young people to build their social and emotional skills, unleash their creativity, and learn more about themselves and the world around them. We also know that not every young person has the ability to make a trip to the theatre, so the mission of SCT’s Community Engagement and Arts Based Learning Programs is simple: let’s bring theatre to them. 

​If we've learned anything in the last few months, it's that giving our eyes a break from our virtual world and screens is key, which is why we're so excited to announce our partnership with KING FM, designed to engage your ears and give your eyes some much needed time off.

SCT and KING FM have partnered to present a 10-week educational series, Saturday Morning Stories, which launched in mid-August and will continue through October 17, 2020. This series brings beloved children’s literature to life through a crescendo of whimsical melodies and narrated plots. Hand selected titles like Goodnight Moon and Peter and the Wolf take families on a classical music adventure where they can simultaneously engage in activities uniquely curated by SCT for each production that the whole family can enjoy. 

Read on to hear from SCT Curriculum Specialist and long time Teaching Artist Meredith Berlin on her process for designing the activities for Saturday Morning Stories, what families can expect from this unique new experience, and why it’s the perfect addition to your back to school schedule.

Join us in thanking one of our valued partners, King County's 4Culture, for their generous support of SCT through the COVID-19 Grant Relief Fund. Created as economic support to science, arts and culture organizations, and independent music venues, this grant of $10,000 will help support SCT’s efforts to re-launch and welcome patrons again. We are thrilled to be the recipient of King County’s support which will help us continue serving our community through virtual programming. Thank you, King County and 4Culture! 

At SCT, we’re constantly asking ourselves how we can build on our mission of providing children of all ages access to professional theatre. Experiencing theatre at a young age has proven to be a strong tool for young people to build their social and emotional skills, unleash their creativity, and learn more about themselves and the world around them. We also know that not every young person has the ability to make a trip to the theatre, so the mission of SCT’s Community Engagement and Arts Based Learning Programs is simple: let’s bring theatre to them.

The Community Engagement programs at SCT take actors, teaching artists, and other theatre professionals off the stage and into schools and community organizations that benefit from their expertise the most. “The priority in establishing these programs is always the community’s needs,” says SCT’s Associate Director of Education Tiffany Maltos. “We work individually with educators and program managers to identify what type of experience would benefit students the most. This could be an in-depth discussion about racism through a theatre piece like And In This Corner: Cassius Clay, a collaborative workshop on team building, or even an experience based around a subject they’re currently working on, like science or history. What is always consistent is our team’s ability to bring tools to the community that encourages growth in our youth.”

In recent years, SCT’s Community Engagement programming has seen tremendous growth; with a department increase of 30% in less than three years and 1,100 hours of programming in 2019 alone. The demands for this engagement was at an all-time high going into the 2020 school year. In addition to schools, SCT also works with community organizations like King County Juvenile Detention Center, Childhaven, and the Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Service. “When the pandemic hit, we knew we were going to have to potentially shift our programming to accommodate distanced learning, and we’re confident in the structure we have in place to successfully hold these workshops in a virtual space.”

In addition to Community Engagement, SCT’s Arts Based Learning Program, which works to reach middle and high school students across Washington, has also had to adapt its fall schedule to accommodate the virtual world. In partnership with Kaiser Permanente, SCT has developed and performed productions aimed to spark proactive conversations around mental health, bullying, and other relevant issues today’s youth are facing. “Through these performances and post-show workshops, we have shown students examples of conflict resolution, coping strategies for stress, and how they can build resiliency within themselves,” says Arts Based Learning Program Manager Elizabeth Coen. “We knew it was very important to continue our programming, and immediately went to work on how we can reach these students in a virtual world.”

“We’re excited to bring our show Ghosted to high school students virtually this fall,” says Coen adding that the production has been adapted for this new learning format and will include opportunities for students to participate in conversations about mental health.

“We are still able to provide a space to talk through the strategies and tools presented in the show with students in a virtual classroom,” says Coen. “The highest priority is creating a space where they feel safe, supported, creative, and curious. As we learned during our virtual Summer Drama School camps and classes, SCT’s Teaching Artists are extremely successful in doing this work in a virtual space. We can’t wait to dive in this school year.”

Though the transition to virtual learning and the heavy impact of the recent changes in our community were daunting for program leaders, Maltos says she sees this time as an opportunity to grow SCT’s offerings. “This time has allowed us to think thoughtfully about how we can deepen our partnerships. How can we be as impactful as possible? How can this succeed in an online space and beyond?” Maltos says.

As for the impact she anticipates seeing in the coming months? “Our Teaching Artists understand the limitations and the possibilities of a zoom room,” says Maltos. “We are committed to bringing the highest caliber experience to these students during a time when they may need it most.”

Join our friend Tubby the Tuba on a musical adventure this Saturday morning on KING FM! While you listen, gather the family and enjoy activities created by the SCT Education Staff specifically to accompany this unique experience. Please enjoy Dance, Music, and Edible Art activities inspired by and connected to the program narrated by Julia Child with music by George Kleinsinger.

​Tubby the Tuba is unhappy with his orchestra and is on the hunt for a melody of his own! Did you know Tubby the Tuba originally premiered as a radio show in 1946? Over the years, his tune has been sung by iconic storytellers like Dick Van Dyke, Danny Kaye, and in this Saturday's telling will be narrated by Julia Child. It's no secret that Tubby's journey is a story for the ages; it was even nominated for an Academy Award when a short film based on his adventures was released in 1947!

1. You can find a statue of Paddington in Paddington Station in London. Really! Paddington stands in his namesake station to greet visitors and travelers as they pass through London.

2. Paddington's creator, author Michael Bond, had the idea for Paddington in 1956 as he was wandering through a London department store on Christmas Eve, searching for a present for his wife. He saw a lonely teddy bear on a shelf and thought he looked like he needed a friend, so he brought his home and the rest in history!

3. Paddington books have been translated into over 40 languages! His adventures are enjoyed in countries all over the world.

4. If you know Paddington, we're sure you did know that his favorite thing is marmalade. But... did you know that his favorite marmalade is spiced orange?

5. There are 14 different Paddington books by author Michael Bond. Not to mention movies, TV shows, and of course, concerts! After you're done listening to Paddington Bear's First Concert, join him on his many other adventures as he gets into trouble and warms the hearts of his family and friends.

​Great question! The activities are designed to provide structures for artistic investigation and collaboration as well as family conversations on the themes embedded in the stories. Families can decide for themselves whether they would prefer to read the activity sheets before the program and engage in the activities as they listen, or if they prefer to use the activity sheets to extend learning after they have listened to the program. Each activity sheet includes simple instructions, a list of materials (which we are keeping minimal and simple so that everyone can participate without any need to buy supplies), and ideas for bonus activities and reflection. They are ALL designed to be fun and also help build confidence and connection to the music and each other.

​Whether or not they ever play a musical instrument, audition for a play, submit their art to an art gallery or their poetry for publication, these inter-generational activities help us see each other in a new light and are the types of experiences children remember for the rest of their lives.

Seattle, Wash.-- Seattle Children’s Theatre and KING FM present a 10-week education series titled Saturday Morning Stories to bring beloved children’s literature to life through a crescendo of whimsical melodies and narrated plots. Hand selected titles like Goodnight Moon and Peter and the Wolf take families on a classical music adventure where they can simultaneously engage in activities uniquely curated by SCT for each production that the whole family can enjoy. Listeners can tune in at 8:30 a.m. beginning August 15 through October 17, 2020.
 
“This collaboration with KING FM is a wonderful opportunity to combine our resources and offer the  experience of the performing arts from the comfort of your home,” says SCT Director of Education, Johamy Morales. “Through our activity guides and new curriculum, we hope to provide caregivers and young people with the tools they need to spark their own curiosity, courage, and play.”

KING FM, which reaches up to 250,000 weekly listeners across Puget Sound, has made it their mission to make classical music accessible for everyone in the community and to advocate for the arts throughout the region. “Teachers and parents use Classical KING FM to introduce children to classical music, and the station has additional programs to supplement this important work,” says Blaine Shepherd, Director of Programming and Corporate Support at KING FM.
 
The weekly activities, designed by long time SCT teaching artist and Curriculum Specialist, Meredith Berlin, offer all families a chance to play regardless of age. “The activities are designed to provide structures for artistic investigation and collaboration as well as family conversations on the themes embedded in the stories. Each activity sheet includes simple instructions, a list of materials, and ideas for bonus activities and reflection. They are all designed to be fun while building confidence and connection to the music and each other,” says Berlin, adding that listeners can engage the activities before or after the program, tailoring the experience for their family.
 
Families can learn more about Saturday Morning Stories and join in on the weekly fun by visiting www.king.org. Weekly activities will be made available up to one week prior to each production and will be available for review and download at www.sct.org.

 
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About Meredith Berlin (she/her), Curriculum Designer -  Curriculum Specialist and Teaching Artist, Meredith has taught SCT drama school students of every age and level for over twenty years. She has performed as an actor and dancer on stages in Seattle and Washington DC. She is also a director, choreographer, and is the author of The Ghost Light Kids Get Hooked, an adventure inspired by her experiences behind the scenes at SCT and other theaters. Meredith has received grants from both the Seattle and King County Arts Commissions.
 
Seattle Children’s Theatre is internationally recognized as a leading producer of professional theatre, educational programs and new works for young audiences, which have entertained, inspired and educated over 4 million children and their families. Since its inception, SCT has produced more than 260 plays, 115 of which are world premieres. Each season nearly 60,000 students and teachers experience the magic of live theatre through our Student Access Series. For this program, SCT subsidizes $1.3 million in significantly reduced and free tickets to make attending the theatre more accessible for schools in the region.  The 2018-2019 season is sponsored by Microsoft, Shubert Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and ArtsFund. Stay up to date with SCT by visiting our blog.
 
About KING FM -  Classical KING FM 98.1 is the primary institution developing new audiences for classical music and the arts in Seattle, Bellevue, and the Puget Sound Region. Listener-supported KING FM is located at Seattle Center with a mission to make classical music accessible for everyone in the community and to advocate for the arts in our region. In addition to creating programming that offers everyone in the region an opportunity to make classical music and the arts a part of daily life, Classical KING FM partners with arts and culture organizations of all size and scope in the region, offering broadcast performances of local concerts as well as an opportunity for local musicians to perform on our signature Friday evening program Northwest Focus LIVE. The Northwest Focus Concert Calendar offers listeners the opportunity to learn more about concerts and events to encourage them to deepen their involvement with classical music and the arts by attending and supporting the excellent performing organizations the region boasts.
 
More than 15,000 members are supporters of Classical KING FM, helping to pave the way for a bright future for the station, and bringing the richness of classical music to diverse audiences in the rapidly growing Puget Sound Region.

​​Sensory Drama is what happens when you reimagine traditional creative drama (facilitated group storytelling) to make it more inclusive of all kinds of learners and players! Sensory Drama classes have built-in moments for sensory engagement (seeing and hearing but also feeling, smelling, and moving our bodies through space). This helps class work for both students who are sensory seeking and those with sensory processing challenges, while simultaneously strengthening instruction for all learners, as it gives everyone more options for how to get and stay engaged! Other accommodations are provided as well. When we intentionally include young people with disabilities in our programming, we all win. 


These Sensory Drama summer classes are specifically for students with disabilities. We feel that holding space for these students is always important, but particularly important right now, as they have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 initiated shift to online learning. We want to show these students and these families how much they are valued by offering these experiences, tailor-made for them. 

So many fun accommodations! The biggest feature of Sensory Drama is, of course, its focus on multimodal sensory engagement, but we provide other accommodations as well. Once families register, all families will have access to a social story, detailing exactly what they should expect during class. This can help to alleviate anxiety and demystify the unfamiliar social situation created by distance learning. During class, we will follow a visual schedule to help ease transitions between activities. Also— and this is a big suggestion that came from consultant Talleri MacRae—we will be upfront about our expectation that not all families will stay connected for the entire class each day. Things happen, and we’ll provide families with enough structure that they can “finish” each class on their own time. Finally, we may provide accommodations for specific students’ needs, like modifying instruction for a physical activity for a student in a wheelchair or encouraging students who use Alternative/ Augmentative Communication (AAC) to use these devices. ​

This is a guardian and me experience because Sensory Drama is about connection, and it’s sometimes hard to feel that connection through a screen! We connect when we share in sensory experiences (when we touch the same soft fabric or smell the same smell of lavender). Guardians (and other members of your household) can expect to be fully included in the experience. We will play together! ​

I’ve been teaching virtual classes for young people with disabilities since March, and I’ve been completely inspired by the transition to online instruction. Just as I am inspired by the challenge of accommodating for individual students’ needs, I am inspired by the challenge of this online platform— it has its own constraints and affordances and has made me more creative as an educator! When a change prompts us to question our assumptions about how things must be done, new possibilities emerge. ​

Whether it’s two friends, a great distance, or just the dots, connecting to the people and things in the world around us is imperative. Right now, it can also be quite challenging. This month at SCT, we are taking the time to focus on how we connect with our audience, community and friends – near and far! The best way we know how to connect is through art, and even though the doors to our theatre may be closed for now, it isn’t stopping us from creating, sharing, and teaching. For generations, SCT has been a friend and resource to young people and their families, and that is a connection that will never waiver.

So read on to discover all the ways SCT continues to connect to our valued audience – nationally, regionally and locally.

We are excited to announce that on August 15, SCT will partner with KING-FM 98.1 for a 10-week educational series featuring the musical accompaniments from a number of our past productions including Goodnight Moon, Peter and the Wolf, and more! In addition to the experience of listening to these iconic scores and books, SCT’s education staff and teaching artists will be creating curriculum and activities to accompany each book narrative from home, designed to engage your student’s body, voice, and imagination.

KING-FM reaches across the Greater Puget Sound with up to 300,000 listeners a week, and with a simple click of a button you can join us on Saturday morning starting August 15 for an experience your whole family will love. Visit us online for more information from us and our friends at KING-FM on when and where you can tune in! Who knows, the music from your favorite SCT show may just be featured.

Join us in thanking one of SCT's great partners who really show us how to make connections. ArtsFund has been supporting the mission of SCT for decades and this year is no different. We were thrilled to be a recipient of one of their Arts Emergency Relief grants in May. We aren't alone! This spring ArtsFund provided $5.3M in grants to 111 organizations. Celebrating a major milestone this year, they have been connecting our community to the arts for 50 years. ArtsFund strengthens the community by supporting the arts through leadership, advocacy, and grant-making and SCT is thrilled to be connected to this great organization.

We are thrilled that we have been able to find new ways to connect with our students with virtual Summer Drama Classes. August marks the final month of summer classes, and over the course of the last 2 months, we have been able to welcome over 600 students from 14 states across the country to gather within SCT’s virtual walls. 

Encouraging connection through a virtual setting can be challenging, but our teaching artists and students have found success through SCT’s intimate class sizes and new roster of summer classes including unique affinity options and upcoming classes like Intro to Puppetry, Sensory Drama, and Stand Up classes for BIPOC students. It has been 2 months of supreme creativity and fun, and we can’t wait to see what August will bring!

Join Aiko Bethea as she facilitates a powerful (and virtual) discussion with Khalia Davis, Kennedy Dawson, LaNesha DeBardelaben, and Johamy Morales on how history, education, personal experience, and art intersect, equip, and inspire young people to change the world. As part of SCT and Northwest African American Museum’s audience, you have priority access to this exclusive prerecorded event on Saturday, August 1 at 10 a.m. or Sunday, August 2 at 5 p.m. Mark your calendars today and plan to join us on SCT's YouTube Channel for this exclusive post-show event! 

A groundbreaking collaboration among 37 Theatres for Young Audiences across the United States, led by the lead producing team of Bay Area Children’s Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, and Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, will present  the virtual premiere of A Kids Play About Racism, a theatrical adaptation of Jelani Memory’s A Kids Book About Racism. Premiering August 1 and 2 on the streaming platform Broadway On Demand, the new work is adapted and directed by award-winning director and TYA artist Khalia Davis and will be brought to life by an entirely Black and BIPOC cast and creative team from across the United States. A Kids Play About Racism will utilize theatre to offer young children and families a way to engage in meaningful conversation about race.

Khalia Davis

Adaptor and Director of A Kid’s Play About Racism, bicoastal multidisciplinary artist, and recipient of TYA/USA’s 2019 Emerging Leader Fellowship.

​

​Aiko Bethea

Recognized by Forbes and CultureAmp as a preferred anti-racism and DEI educator and consultant, Atlanta-based attorney, and former SCT Board of Trustees.

​LaNesha DeBardelaben 

Executive Director at Northwest African American Museum, 20+ year career building success for Black museums, national president of the Association of African American Museums Board of Directors.

​Johamy Morales

SCT’s Director of Education, Trustee for Theatre Communication Group, featured panelist for Colorado Creative Industries and TCG’s Rising Leaders of Color.

​Kennedy Dawson

A senior at Holy Names Academy, is honored to be a part of today's discussion. Kennedy is an active participant in her high school theatre department and has performed in multiple SCT productions. Kennedy considers herself a social activist and hopes to use her art as a platform to inspire younger kids of color to be unafraid to use their voices.

I had known that I had wanted to apply for the Teaching Artist Internship since I had heard about SCT in a TYA History course at my university. This theatre that values inclusivity, acceptance, and connection was an absolute dream for me. Growing up in Orlando, FL, I had never been to Seattle, or hardly any of the West Coast so, naturally, I was so excited to get to see what theatre was like on the other side of the country. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic swept through our world. I was terrified that the internship that I had dreamt of would no longer be a possibility. But, thanks to the amazing staff of SCT, Drama School Virtual Classes and a virtual Teaching Artist Internship were still possible. Though this internship has been different than expected, I have still found as much care and intentionality from the staff via a virtual platform, as I would have experienced in person.

Initially, I was nervous about how I could feel connected, since I would be doing the internship from the complete opposite part of the country. However, SCT made me feel so connected, included, and accepted. During the very first week, working alongside Brodrick Ryans (Education Coordinator), we shared experiences of growing up in the Southeast, a desire to share stories on stage of those who have not had a voice, and a love for seeing the growth in students. It was moments like these with teaching artists over the summer that made me feel connected and valued.
One of the most wonderful parts of this internship has been getting to know the eight other interns in the 2020 class. From virtual movie nights to hangouts over Zoom, these other interns have been intentional to keep the community that comes with an internship alive and thriving even in a virtual setting. These individuals have supported, inspired, and accepted me and made the family of SCT feel so real and tangible.
​
The term “SCT family” had been used before and during my internship experience, and I can honestly say that I have felt that sense of community and family from the moment I accepted this internship. SCT has gone above and beyond to ensure that I have felt accepted and supported, not only as an intern, but as a person. From check-ins with Johamy Morales (Director of Education) and Tiffany Maltos (Associate Education Director), to chats with Liz Cohn (Arts-Based Learning Manager) about our shared Floridian experiences, the staff has made me feel like a part of the family, even though I am 2,500 miles away. This internship experience over the summer has renewed my hope for the future of theatre and arts education in a post COVID world. We may be living in uncertain times, but one thing is for sure: being a part of the internship class of 2020 has changed my life for the better.

On December 31, 2019, with seconds to go, voices around the world made proclamations that the year 2020 would be one of perfect vision. As the countdown ensued and the last notes of Auld Lang Syne ushered in yet another January, none of the predictions made from futurists, academics or the government could forecast the global reckoning and revelations to come. 20/20, a term typically used to reflect one's visual acuity, would now metaphorically reflect the world’s account of a deadly pandemic—one that has claimed the lives of so many. The reality is that this pandemic has separated families, promoted fear, evoked anger, revealed truths, challenged policy, and shut down the world.  The PANDEMIC I speak of is called racism and it did not begin to reveal its ugly truth in 2020. For over 400 years, we have witnessed the normalization of legalized oppression of people of color, while many have continued to turn a blind eye.  We must not only open our eyes but also open our mouths and start to have these difficult conversations about race, specifically with our children.

I must warn you that this is not radical discourse of finger pointing and judgement (at least that is not the intent).  It is neither a placated account made more palatable to those who have grappled with this very difficult conversation.  It is; however, a sincere offering of my experiences in discussing race, prejudice and the Black Lives Matter movement with my children, and supporting those in my sphere who have sought ways to engage these topics with their children.  I am no expert or teacher of all things race.  But I am a student of the world who navigates as a woman of color, charged with leading four young minds (my children) to make wise decisions that will impact our world. More importantly, I am a part of a communal movement of those who have not always followed the precepts of what is appropriate to say or appropriate to do, but we continue to seek opportunities to learn more in order to do better.

Therefore, the question becomes when it is appropriate to have conversations with your kids about racism.  My husband and I started these conversations as early as kindergarten after noticing the shift in our children’s interactions when meeting new friends. We would start with questions that could range from something as simple as, “How was your day?” to “Who did what and why and how did that make you feel?” We soon discovered that at some point, the questions would begin to come from them.  I  recently recall when my seven year old son entered my bedroom as my husband and I were watching,  what was then, a peaceful demonstration on television. As he peered at the screen, he asked me why the people were marching.  I began to explain to him that a man named George Floyd died.  He turned and then asked, “Was he sick?”  My reply was “…no, the police killed him and that’s why all of those people are marching.”  He then said, “Are those people his family?” I smiled at him, envious of his innocence as pure as the lamb in a John Donne metaphysical poem and replied, “They are now!”   And just when I thought the line of questioning was over, he asked “why are they yelling black lives matter!”  I said, “Because sadly, for some reason, there are those who believe that they don’t.” He gave an inquisitive stare, which shifted to resolve and exited the room.

​These conversations have an entirely different tone when speaking to my twenty year old son whose simple drive to the grocery store requires two checklists: one with a list of items needed, and the other a mental checklist of do’s and don’ts to make it home safely.  Then there is my teenage daughter whose most upsetting account of racism or prejudice is witnessing her school administrators and teachers target black students for their dress code, hairstyles and argot. Nevertheless, the last conversation is one of an entirely different tone. It is bittersweet as I whisper in the ear of my differently abled (special needs) son who is completely unaware of the perils of the world.  Each tear is a shared emotion of gratitude and grief.  But what also grieves my spirit is that due to the unfair treatment of people of color, social justice movements, such as Black Lives Matter, must exist to both advocate and remind. The Black Lives Matter movement has been fighting to be heard since 2013’s urgent need to bring attention to police brutality. The impetus for this movement was the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in 2012. Despite their valiant efforts, more and more lives are lost to police brutality and the saga continues. There are those who feel the need to remind us that all lives matter-and they do. But this dismissive response and inability to acknowledge black lives further complicates the notion that “they” truly believe that black lives are a part of the ALL lives they tout. There is reciprocal value in these types of conversations, and we imbue our allies and all to do something differently.  My hope is the suggestions listed below will serve as a starting point in an effort to retain that innocence that celebrates the beauty of the world and not the perils of humanity. 


1. My first recommendation to start these tough conversations with young impressionable minds is to do just that, START somewhere.  As the quote states, “there are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth…not going all the way, and not starting” –Buddha

2. Acknowledge your own blind spots or micro aggressions before having these conversations. Be open to evaluating your lens of perspective before influencing theirs.  

3. Choose your words carefully.  Words have the power to embolden or dishearten. Which will you be responsible for? Our children are watching, listening and responding.

4. Identify teachable moments. Nurturing these moments help to impart tolerance and understanding. Our children look to us to find meaning in this world, so take advantage of those opportunities.

5. Discover parallels through avenues of interest like gaming, sports, and arts.

6. Utilize technology. Depending on the age, utilize social media as a catalyst for discussion. Though radical thinking and misinformation can be found on some platforms, there are organizations and reputable institutions, like that post responsible content that can jumpstart the conversation.

7. Find mirrors and windows through literacy. Conversations about race are not just about how others see you, but how you see yourself in the world.  Find the mirrors and windows of opportunity to teach them about themselves and those around them. Cicely Lewis, founder of the literacy initiative READ WOKE, provides a comprehensive list of books that are authored by or have main characters who are people of color.

8. The Arts. The arts promote confidence, ensemble ethic, unity, and empathy.  Young learners can create their own art (visual or performance) or attend an artistic experience and use it as the impetus for discussion.

THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES/USA (TYA/USA) 
ANNOUNCES 

THE VIRTUAL PREMIERE OF
A KIDS PLAY ABOUT RACISM

AWARD-WINNING TYA ARTIST KHALIA DAVIS LEADS AN ALL BLACK CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN ADAPTING JELANI MEMORY’S A KIDS BOOK ABOUT RACISM 

37 TYA THEATRES ACROSS THE NATION ARE CO-PRODUCING THE VIRTUAL PERFORMANCE, LED BY BAY AREA CHILDREN’S THEATRE, SEATTLE CHILDREN’S THEATRE, AND ALLIANCE THEATRE

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New York, NY, July 13, 2020 – A groundbreaking collaboration among 37 Theatres for Young Audiences across the United States, led by the lead producing team of Bay Area Children’s Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, and Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, will present  the virtual premiere of A Kids Play About Racism, a theatrical adaptation of Jelani Memory’s A Kids Book About Racism. Premiering August 1 and 2 on the streaming platform Broadway On Demand, the new work is adapted and directed by award-winning director and TYA artist Khalia Davis and will be brought to life by an entirely Black and BIPOC cast and creative team from across the United States. A Kids Play About Racism will utilize theatre to offer young children and families a way to engage in meaningful conversation about race.

The new work is adapted and directed by award-winning director and TYA artist Khalia Davis and will be brought to life by an entirely Black and BIPOC cast and creative team from across the United States, including Seattle-based educators and artists Johamy Morales (Seattle Children’s Theatre Director of Education), Brodrick Santeze Ryans (Seattle Children’ Theatre Education Coordinator), Jason Turner (Museum Educator and Tour Guide for the Northwest African American Museum), Nikki Toombs (Education Director at True Colors Theatre), Marquicia (Qui Qui) Dominguez (Seattle Based Teaching Artist) and Amberlee Joers (Seattle Theatre Group’s Broadway Education Administrator). 

As part of the production, educational materials developed by SCT in collaboration with the Northwest African American Museum will extend the experience and enhance age-appropriate engagement. “SCT is proud to be co-producing A Kid’s Play About Racism in collaboration with the talented artists and institutions from across the nation" says SCT Managing Director Kevin Malgesini, "Khalia Davis and Jelani Memory’s work is a profound way to elevate Black voices and share them with young people. This production also serves as a reminder that while our doors are closed, we are still making powerful art that connects our local, regional and national communities during this unprecedented time." ​All 37 partnering theatres are members of Theatre for Young Audiences USA (TYA/USA), the national organization representing the field of theatre for children and family audiences.

“I jumped at the opportunity to adapt Jelani Memory's book A Kids Book About Racism into a theatrical piece for young audiences simply because it meant we were recognizing the importance of including children in these difficult conversations,” shared lead artist Khalia Davis. “This show embraces the full spectrum of emotional response children may have as they navigate comprehending racism and how it may affect them." 

“When I wrote A Kids Book About Racism, I wrote it from my own kids. I never could have imagined it would have spread so far and wide to thousands of kids all over the world, or turned into a nationwide theatrical event.  I am thrilled to see what Khalia and these other amazing artists create,” offered Jelani Memory, whose book provides the inspiration for the production. A Kids Book about Racism is part of Memory’s children’s book publishing company A Kids Book About, which offers titles on a range of big topics to explore including feminism, belonging, gratitude, cancer, and many more.  

The scale and breadth of this co-production has been made possible in part through the network cultivated by TYA/USA, which connects organizations and artists across the country focused on theatre for young people and families. Through the last few months, TYA/USA has offered a range of programming to provide deep connections and resource sharing in response to COVID-19. Through this network, TYA theatres across the country have been able to come together to find ways to support each other and their audiences through new and innovative collaboration models.

A Kids Play About Racism will be streaming on Broadway On Demand on August 1 and 2 along with accompanying interviews and educational videos.

A Kids Play About Racism  is adapted and directed by Khalia Davis, with music composed by Justin Ellington and Costume Design by Ron McCann (California). It will be performed by Davied Morales (California), Angel Adedokun (California), Moses Goods (Hawaii), Rapheal Hamilton (Arizona), Isaiah Harris (Texas), Jessenia Ingram (Georgia), and Regan Sims (New York). 

The work is produced by Seattle Children’s Theatre, Bay Area Children’s Theatre, and Alliance Theatre, in partnership with Adventure Theatre MTC, Arts on the Horizon, Children's Theatre of Charlotte, Chicago Children's Theatre, Children's Theater of Madison, Children’s Theatre Company, Childsplay, Children's Theatre of Cincinnati, Coterie Theatre, Dallas Children's Theater, Dare to Dream Theatre, Des Moines Performing Arts, Filament Theatre, First Stage, Honolulu Theatre for Youth, Imagination Stage, The Kennedy Center, Magik Theatre, Metro Theater Company, Nashville Children's Theatre, New York City Children's Theater, Oregon Children's Theatre, Orlando Repertory Theatre, Pink Umbrella Theater Company, ReNew Productions, Rose Theater, Seattle Children's Theatre The Growing Stage - The Children's Theatre of New Jersey, The Gottabees, The Open Eye Theater, TheatreWorksUSA, Trike Theatre, Trusty Sidekick Theater Company, Wheelock Family Theatre at Boston University, and Orpheum Theatre Group.
 
About Khalia Davis: Khalia Davis (she/her) is a bicoastal multidisciplinary artist splitting her time between the San Francisco/Bay Area and New York. Directed and devised new works with prominent theaters such as Bay Area Children’s Theater, Atlantic Theater Company’s Atlantic for Kids, New York City Children’s Theater, Spellbound Theatre and more. Ms. Davis recently served as the Director of Inclusion and Education with Brooklyn Children’s Theatre restructuring their children’s musical theater programming through an anti-racism lens and currently teaches with New York City Children's Theater, the Atlantic Acting School, and for Disney Theatrical Group leading music and movement workshops and facilitating audience and community engagement. She is also an Artistic Associate for the nationally-known arts education organization The Story Pirates. As a performer, she has worked regionally and toured nationally on both coasts. Recently awarded the 2019 Emerging Leader Fellowship with TYA/USA and the NYCCT Leader Fellowship for 2019/2020. BA in Theater Arts from the University of Southern California. To learn more about Ms. Davis, check her out at www.khaliadavis.com.

About TYA/USA:Theatre for Young Audiences/USA (TYA/USA) is the leading national organization representing over 1,000 member theatres, organizations, and individual arts professionals across the United States committed to the professional field of theatre for children, young adults, and families. Recently, 1200 professionals from 46 states and 21 countries participated in the 2020 TYA/USA Virtual Festival & Conference. Dedicated to ensuring that all young people have access to high-quality theatre experiences, TYA/USA offers a variety of programming that connects professionals working in the sector through in-person gatherings and virtual sessions; provides opportunities for field-wide learning and leadership development; disseminates field news and research through a variety of print and online channels; and advances the field both internally and externally through a range of advocacy efforts. Founded in 1965, TYA/USA is the only theatre organization in the United States which has the development of professional theatre for young audiences and international exchange as its primary mandates. TYA/USA is the United States Center for the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People (ASSITEJ). More information can be found at www.tyausa.org.  

About Broadway On Demand: Broadway On Demand is the premiere streaming service offering an extensive and wide-ranging library of video on demand content, exclusive livestream events, interactive platforms, and educational resources.  It is designed as a virtual performing arts complex offering not only Broadway shows and movie musicals but also, individual artists, concert series, performance venues, and theatres around the world. Additionally, using a unique licensing interface, approved middle school, high school, and college productions will have the opportunity to be streamed to a global audience.  Broadway On Demand fulfills Broadway’s long-held promise of being the ‘longest street in the world’.

A tip of the hat, a shake of the hand, appreciation, recognition, thanks; however you want to say it, sign it, or express it, SCT is here to say we are thankful for YOU. 

As we welcome July, we are taking a moment to look back at an extraordinary—though unprecedented—year and acknowledge that we could not be here without each and every person who has shared their support of SCT and theatre for young audiences. 

So, please join us in an epic exclamation of thanks…

You are the flame that keeps creativity alive and bright! It is because of your support that SCT was able to successfully bring our Summer Drama School programming online and...

• Serve 436 students in 14 states in the first month of virtual Summer Drama Classes. We cannot wait to see what July and August bring!
• Bring 18 teaching artists onto staff for the summer to lead classes like Sketch Comedy, Playwriting, Story Drama, and much more. 
• Continue our Summer Internship Program by welcoming 9 college students and recent graduates to assist us virtually as Teaching Artist and Arts Administration Interns. 
• Introduce a new slate of summer classes focused making space for underrepresented voices in the BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and sensory friendly communities.

We are constantly inspired by your resiliency and leadership. Because you recognize the importance of live theatre and theater education, SCT served over 34,000 students from 311 schools across the region through School Field Trips, Arts Based Learning, and Community Engagement in the past school year. Thanks to your support, our community’s youth experienced the transformational power of live theatre.  ​

Though our Mainstage season was cut short, we are thankful to have shared the beauty and artistry of Black Beauty, the thrill in experiencing Corduroy’s adventures, and the clever re-telling of Snow White. Thank you for celebrating the joy of live theatre by gathering and sharing the magic of SCT with your families and the young people in your lives. ​

You embody the values and mission of SCT. You are the drama school families, ticket buyers, educators, board members, alumni, and community advocates who represent the many reasons why SCT will make it through this time to continue bringing theatre and theatre education to young audiences.

• Since March, 1,499 tickets were donated back to the theater
• SCT has had 1,429 first time donors (and counting!) 

Your direct support reaches far beyond SCT and into the communities we serve, sustaining Seattle’s vibrant arts and culture community for generations to come. You are the change makers, and we thank you.

As part of its expansive list of virtual Drama School offerings for summer 2020, Seattle Children’s Theatre is pleased to introduce a new slate of classes geared towards social justice and creating space for underrepresented voices. Due to the evolving status of COVID-19 related restrictions in Washington State and across the country, SCT is hosting Summer Drama School classes in an exclusively virtual setting and is using this position as an opportunity to reach, elevate, and champion new voices.
 
“SCT continues to examine our internal practices toward becoming an anti-racist organization and better serve our youth. We have a long way to go, but in this necessary time we hear our community and vow to continue serving by doing our part,” says Johamy Morales, SCT’s Director of Education. “As a leader in the arts community it is our responsibility to uphold the voices and stories that continue to be underrepresented in our field, and to champion more equitable access to programming, on our stages, behind the curtain, in our classrooms, and as we engage and work in service to our community.”
 
Among the new slate of classes is ‘The Art of Drag’, a one week class designed for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies which will explore the cultural and historical significance of Drag Performance while teaching students how to create their own drag persona. Taught by local Seattle Drag Queen, Isis, and Drag King, Dan D'Lite, this class aims to create a comfortable space for LGBTQ+ youth to grow and create.
 
Also included is Rise Up: Triple Threat, Rise Up: Short Plays & Stand Up: Playwrights for Change, a series of classes designed for students who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color where they can explore and create works written for them and aimed to ignite the power of social change through different areas of drama. Through the playwriting course, students will learn the fundamentals of storytelling based on their own experience. A variety of Triple Threat courses will celebrate musicals like The Wiz, In the Heights, and Allegiance written specifically for communities of color and will be instructed by BIPOC teaching artists.
 
Finally, a variety of Sensory Drama classes are being offered and are designed for students with disabilities, particularly those with sensory processing challenges, to explore drama with accommodations that meet their needs. Visual schedules, captioning, ASL, and accommodating motor movement will be used as the foundation for these classes and led by Teaching Artist and SCT’s Sensory Drama Specialist, Maddie Napel.
 
To make all offerings as accessible as possible, financial assistance is being offered to those who meet federal guidelines through the simple process of a one-time application. SCT will evaluate these applications on a case by case basis depending on the needs of the family with the goal of being as accommodating as possible. Payment plans will also be made available for those who may need it.
 
“It is our goal to embrace the opportunities provided by these unprecedented challenges to better connect with families and the world,” said Morales, adding that 24 students have registered for June classes who live outside of Washington State.  “Because classes are being held online, we can reach students from new communities and invite them to learn through our expansive curriculum, including our new and diverse offerings which allow educational space for underrepresented voices.”
 

SCT’s virtual summer classes are available for students 3.5-18 years old. To learn more about SCT’s summer programming, including July and August registration dates, please visit our website. For updates on SCT’s evolving position on COVID-19 and how it is affecting the theatre and it’s programming, please visit our blog.

A Kids Play About Racism: Though the play is no longer streaming, check out the resources developed for your family to engage on the topic of racism

• A Kids Play About Racism official site 
• Active Audience Guide - curated activities for Pre K - 5th grade students, and tools to help you continue the conversation around racism.
• A Kids Play About Racism: Timeout W/ Brodrick Podcast - During this episode, SCT Education Coordinator Brodrick Ryans interviews Khalia Davis, Davied Morales, and Justin Ellington who are all a part of the creative team for A Kids Play About Racism. 
• A Kids Book About Racism - Read and purchase the book by Jelani Memory that inspired the creative team to have conversations about racism and to bring these essential discussions to families in a new way. 

Juneteenth Resources:

• Honoring and Celebrating Juneteenth from New Victory Arts Break - Our friends at the New Victory Theatre have put together a wonderful series to engage the whole family in honoring and celebrating Juneteeth thorough art, drama, poetry, and community. 
• 6 Museums Join Forces to Commemorate 155th Anniversary of Juneteenth Join NAAM and 5 other Black museums from across the country to commemorate the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth. 
• Celebrating Juneteenth From the National Museum of African American History & Culture - Want to know more about Juneteenth? Learn from Lonnie Bunch III, Founding Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, as he leads a tour through our Slavery and Freedom exhibition to celebrate #Juneteenth
• ​Observing Juneteenth in 2020 from PBS - Parents, guardians and educators check out this resource if you want to learn more about the historical context for today’s conversions around racism, freedom and the long shadow of slavery. There is even a video geared towards children as a part of this resource. 
• 10 Children's Books Celebrating Juneteenth 
• Kids' Books to Celebrate Juneteenth

From the SCT Community:

• New Poem: How Reflection Works by Idris Goodwin (Playwright of SCT's 2018 production of And In This Corner: Cassius Clay)
• AOC(S) Podcast by Dedra Woods, (Mother in SCT's 2019 production of Corduroy and Rose in 2018's The Little Prince)​
• Timeout w/Brodrick by Brodrick Ryans (SCT Education staff member and teaching artist)

Book Lists with Books for Youth of All Ages:

• 26 Children's Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism and Resistance from EmbraceRace.org
• Black Art History: 10 Children’s Books Illuminate the Lives of Important African American Artists and Photographers from Culture Type 
• Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners from Common Sense Media
• Children’s Books By Brilliant Black Women: #OwnVoices Authors & Illustrators from Books for Littles 

Resources made for Young People:

• CNN and 'Sesame Street' to host a town hall addressing racism Live at 7 am PST on Saturday 6/6/20
• Kojo For Kids: Jason Reynolds Talks About Racism And The Protests

Podcasts for Parents and Guardians:

• Talking Race With Young Children: a podcast from Sesame Workshop and NPR 

Resources and Articles For Parents and Guardians:

• 8 Helpful Tips for Talking to your Children about the Black Lives Matter Movement: article written by Nikki Tombs, Education director at True Colors Theatre 
• Raising Race Conscious Children from raceconscious.org
• Embracerace.org
• Talking About Race from The National Museum of African American History and Culture 
• Social Justice Resources from the Children's Community School
• For Parents of Black Children: Black Pain, Black Joy, and Racist Fear: Supporting Black Children in a Hostile World from Psychology Benefits Society
• Talking With Children About Racism, Police Brutality and Protests from Aha Parenting 
• Being Black Is Not a Risk Factor from the National Black Child Development Institute  ​
• Anti-Racism For Kids 101: Starting To Talk About Race from Books for Littles 
• How to Talk to Kids about Race and Racism from Parent Toolkit
• Your Kids Aren't Too Young to Talk About Race: Resource Roundup from Pretty Good Design
• Additional resources complied by TYA/USA in collaboration with other organizations 

For Educators:

• ​Tolerance.org
  
• Teaching for Change: Building Social Justice Starting in the Classroom
• Teaching for Black Lives: A New Book from Rethinking Schools from Teaching for Black Lives
• Lesson Plan About the Death of George Floyd from PBS NewsHour Extra for Grades 6-12 including a news video & discussion questions about the protests & police brutality
• RACE & ETHNICITY from Teaching Tolerance ​

Artists and Arts Organizations:

• Northwest African American Museum
• Black Theatre Network
• Black Theatre Matters 
• ARRAY: Artists Activists Audiences Aligned ​
• Women of Color in the Arts
• AORTA.coop