With a new year comes change and the opportunity for new beginnings - and while we may not be penning and tracking resolutions, SCT is certainly in the business of transformation. We believe in the transformative power of live theatre and that when we are all able to gather together in shared space to experience art, magic happens. We believe in the power that comes with the ability to adapt and we applaud the families and artists who have so beautifully adapted to the changes in our world in the last year. To the teaching artists and educators who have found ways to keep creativity alive in a virtual space, we salute you! Most of all, we believe that every child has the ability to grow through creativity, empathy, hope and joy. And we’re here to help! With this we say to you: Happy New Year from SCT! May it be filled with magic, art, and more brilliant transformations to carry you onto the next. Read on to hear how SCT continues to grow and inspire transformation in the youth of our region. HELP SCT FUEL TRANSFORMATIONJoin SCT on February 5 to celebrate the legacy and bright future of Seattle Children's Theatre. We invite you to spend time with the actors, leaders, supporters, and friends of SCT for an evening filled with joy and enthusiasm for SCT. What is Fueling Transformation? It is the power of storytelling and live theatre that fuels our young people to reach for the stars. A place where they learn empathy, ignite their curiosity and find inspiration. Friday, February 5, 2021 6:00 p.m. Virtual Program Begins with host Don Darryl Rivera Registration is free! With benefits for sponsors and sponsor ticket buyers. TRANSFORM YOUR LIVING ROOM WITH WINTER DRAMA CLASSESNew Year, infinite possibilities. During a time when you may not be able to leave your living room, SCT Virtual Drama Classes are here to transport you to a different world. Join SCT Teaching Artists as they lead students on epic adventures built from play and creativity, all from the comfort of a zoom room! Trust us, this is the good kind of screen time. Classes are running January 15 - February 6 and February 12 - March 6 with titles like: NEW MASTERCLASS SERIES: MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORSTransform your professional skills and creative muscles this winter! This Master Class Series is for performers age 14-18 looking to enhance their performance skills and prepare for college and professional auditions. Students will be guided by professionals from across the nation covering the following topics: Audition and Casting Process, Monologue Preparation, Advance Acting Technique, and Business of the Business. Meet Your Instructors Khalia Davis, Rudy Ramirez, Melissa Firlit, and Kristopher Thompson-Bolden. SCT @ HOME: TRANSFORMATION ACTIVITIESSome of our favorite characters from past SCT productions know all about what it means to transform! Check out these activities from SCT @ Home featuring The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and Where the Wild Things Are. TRANSFORM A TEACHERS NEW YEAR WITH THE GIFT OF SCTDID YOU KNOW? SCT’s Community Engagement programs bring actors, teaching artists, and other theatre professionals into schools, homes, and communities where they use theatre exercises to explore a variety of common core lessons, and we’re prepared to do it all in a virtual space.
That’s right, SCT can come right to your classroom! Say thank you to your teacher and give them the gift of SCT to start the New Year off right. Some of our favorite characters from past SCT productions know all about what it means to transform! Check out these activities from SCT @ Home featuring The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and Where the Wild Things Are. Activity 1: Movement Activity for the whole family from The Very Hungry Caterpillar In The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the hungry caterpillar eats its way through many foods to transform into a butterfly. In this exercise, everyone will build their imaginations by engaging in creative movement and play to learn the life cycle of a caterpillar. Activity 2: Drawing/Create Your Own Edward activity from The Velveteen Rabbit In The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, everyone who meets Edward transforms him into what they need him to be. By helping them through different challenges, he is rewarded with new experiences and learns to love others. Here is a china rabbit of your very own, waiting to transform and go on a journey. We want to see your finished designs! Take a picture of your drawing and comment below or tag us with #sctathome to be a part of the conversation. In The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, everyone who meets Edward transforms him into what they need him to be. By helping them through different challenges, he is rewarded with new experiences and learns to love others. Here is a china rabbit of your very own, waiting to transform and go on a journey. Activity 3: Mask Making activity from Where The Wild Things Are.
Transform your self with the help of a mask! These masks are waiting for you to bring them to life. Or you can draw a new one. Have fun coloring and decorating them. Then put one on and have a rumpus of your own. We want to see your finished masks! Take a picture of your creations and comment below or tag us with #sctathome to be a part of the conversation. Build your professional skills and maintain your creative muscles this winter! This master class series is for young performers age 14-18 looking to enhance their performance skills and prepare for college and professional auditions. Students will be guided by professionals from across the nation covering the following topics: Audition and Casting Process, Monologue Preparation, Advance Acting Technique, and Business of the Business. *There are no prerequisites required, but we strongly recommend students to have taken Acting I and Acting II prior to this class. Meet your instructors:
12/10/2020
SCT @ Home for the Holidays!SCT @ Home is back this December with some favorite at-home drama activities - this time with a winter flare! Perfect for young ones who are out of school, these activities are designed to gather loved ones together, get everyone laughing, and bring imagination, innovation, and creativity alive in our homes. Check out the links below for drama activities, games, coloring pages all inspired by our past holiday performances! Activity 1: Big & Small drawing activity from The Velveteen Rabbit Toys are all around us this holiday season, but what if you were a tiny human amongst all the toys!? Use your imagination (and your art supplies) to create a story or drawing about or a small human trying to find a place in a big toy world. We want to see your finished stories! Take a picture of your drawing and comment below or tag us with #sctathome to be a part of the conversation. Activity 2: The White Witch's Statue Garden from The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe Nothing says winter in Narnia quite like the White Witch and her evil spell that makes it all winter, all the time. Ban together with your fellow "statues" and collaborate as a team to surround her and break the wicked spell, allowing winter to come to and end! Activity 3: Making Tracks in the Snow with Peter from The Snowy Day The best part about snow is.... playing in it of course! While there may not be real snow on the ground, you can use your pencil to imagine all the fun tracks you could make and draw the patterns. Bonus points if you take it one leap further and use your body to bring the foot patterns you drew to life! Even more bonus points if you share the fun with someone else! We want to see your creations! Take a picture of your drawings or a video of you in action and comment below or tag us with #sctathome to be a part of the conversation. Activity 4: Penguin March from Mr. Popper's Penguins Penguins aren't the only animal that lives where it is very cold! Take a page out of Mr. Popper's expedition book and delve deep into what other animals make their habitat amongst the snow and take turns bringing those animals to life in your living room! Let the expedition begin! Activity 5: Button Search and Find from Corduroy HELP! Corduroy has lost his button in the toy shop and he needs your help to find it! See if you can find all 10 buttons hidden in this coloring page and then let your imagination go wild and turn this coloring page into a true masterpiece! We want to see your finished drawings! Take a picture of your drawing and comment below or tag us with #sctathome to be a part of the conversation.
12/5/2020
THE GIFT OF THEATRE: DECEMBER @ SCTAs the weather grows cold and the year comes to a close, we’re embracing the season of giving. And what better way to bring us all together than through the gift of theatre. Theatre inspires our creativity, encourages community, and connects us through shared experiences. Through the help of donors, drama school families, audience members, like you, SCT has kept the spark of theatre alive even with the house lights down. This month, read on to learn what SCT is planning for December and how each of us can participate in spreading the gift of theatre this holiday season. ON-SALE NOW: WINTER DRAMA SCHOOL CLASSESWinter is here! Well… Winter Drama Classes are here. Register now for your favorite class titles - back virtually this winter by popular demand. A virtual drama class is a great way to stay creative, and connect with friends - invite a sibling, classmate or cousin across the country to take a virtual drama class with you! Better yet, gift them a class as a special holiday treat. Classes are running January 15 - February 6 and February 12 - March 6, including Story Drama, Musical Theatre, Improv, Master Class Series, and MORE! SAVE THE DATE: FUELING TRANSFORMATION 2021Join SCT for our Annual Fundraiser and help us continue to give the gift of theatre for years to come. This happy hour timed event will be a one-hour virtual celebration of SCT’s legacy and bright future. We invite you to spend time with the actors, leaders, supporters, and friends of SCT for an evening filled with joy and enthusiasm for the power of live theatre. Friday, February 5, 2021 5:30 p.m. Breakout Room Happy Hours Begin 6:00 p.m. Virtual Program Begins with host Don Darryl Rivera GIVE YOUR TEACHER THE GIFT OF SCTI think you’ll agree with us when we say, educators are superheroes. And right now, they’re tired! Teachers have been working tirelessly to keep their students engaged and enthusiastic about their education while also making sure they’re staying safe. This holiday season, why not give your child’s teacher a break and let SCT do some of the work? SCT’s Community Engagement programs bring actors, teaching artists, and other theatre professionals into schools, homes, and communities where they use theatre exercises to explore a variety of common core lessons, and we’re prepared to do it all in a virtual space. GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUNG THESPIANSThe holidays are here and what better way to spread cheer to the young people and families on your list than the gift of SCT. You might be surprised to learn of the many ways you can use an SCT gift certificate, so allow us to help you give a gift that will garner a standing ovation. SCT INTERNSHIP APPLICATIONS CLOSE JANUARY 8!Seattle Children’s Theatre is one of the largest professional children’s theatres in the US and each summer, SCT Education Programs offer over 15 internship positions to support Drama School programming including nearly 200 camps and classes for students ages 3½ -18, partnership camps across the city, and programming for the upcoming season and school year. The Internship Program is an exciting opportunity to develop hands-on experience in theatre education through classroom observation, teaching artistry, and arts administration or content marketing, while building professional relationships in the field. In addition, interns receive professional development opportunities to increase proficiency in theatre and education. A GIFT FROM OUR TYA PARTNER - BAY AREA CHILDREN'S THEATREScreen-free Audio-Musical Adventures with a Storytelling Kit | Delivered Right to Your Home
Play On! is a new musical series of theater kits crafted in response to COVID-19 to continue to inspire creative learning and arts education around the country. The brainchild of our friends at the award-winning artistic team at Bay Area Children’s Theatre, these first released kits center on three original musical stories entitled, “Twinkle’s Musical Adventure,” “The Ice Cream Factory Fiasco: An Agent 11 Adventure” and “The Gingerbread Family” for kids of all ages. These musicals-in-a-box come complete with all the essentials kids and families need to create, listen to and participate in (screen-free) their own musical imagination adventure in their own home.
12/1/2020
GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUNG THESPIANSThe holidays are here and what better way to spread cheer to the young people and families on your list than the gift of SCT. You might be surprised to learn of the many ways you can use an SCT gift certificate right now, so allow us to help you give a gift that will garner a standing ovation.
CAMPS AND CLASSES GALORE Gift certificates can be used for any of our current or upcoming classes. Winter Session is on sale now and feature some of SCT’s most popular classes from the last year. From ages 3.5-18, our classes, taught by theatre experts and artists, that will inspire your young thespian to think critically about their creativity no matter the focus or goal. CREATE YOUR OWN DRAMA ADVENTURE Let your gift recipient take advantage of our newest offering where they determine their dramatic fate! Whether the focus is science, math, social justice, theatre arts or sensory drama, they pick the focus and the duration. The options are wide open, but we might suggest some of these fun ideas:
SAVE IT FOR LATER The value of an SCT gift certificate never diminishes or expires and they make the perfect gift for family and friends who enjoy the flexibility of all SCT has to offer. Put it to use today or hold onto it and use it to see your favorite show during our next season of theatre. ![]() Welcome to SCT Recommends, where we are sharing what members from the SCT community are enjoying, watching, reading, or listening to during this time! Johamy Morales, SCT's Director of Education is also enjoying some fun things which you can learn about below, along with her recommendations on how to keep creativity alive in your home. The Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery A couple of weeks ago I stopped by an art gallery called The Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery, a multi-use accessible cultural arts gallery located on the border of West Seattle and the White Center neighborhood. They host monthly art exhibitions focused on marginalized communities and communities of color, while offering an ever growing gift shop with unique collection of apparel, jewelry, handmade gifts, and amazing works of art by local and national artists. We are located at 9414 Delridge Way SW Seattle WA 98106. Nepantla is a Nahuatl (Aztec language) term which describes being in the middle or the space in the middle. The term was popularized by Chicana writer/scholar Gloria Anzaldua. Most often the term references endangered communities, cultures or gender who due to colonialism/marginalization or historical trauma, that engage in resistance strategies of survival. Nepantla becomes the alternative space in which to live, heal, function, and create. I invite you and your family to explore and support this local gallery as they prepare for a new exhibit this thanksgiving holiday season. How We Show Up by Mia Songbird
This past month I read How We Show Up: Reclaiming Family, Friendship, and Community and I was left moved and inspired by Mia Songbird's words of wisdom. After almost every presentation activist and writer Mia Songbird gives to executive, think tanks, and policy makers, one of those leaders quietly confesses how much they long for the profound community she describes. They have family, friends, and colleagues, yet they still feel like they’re standing alone. They’re “winning” at the American Dream, but they’re lonely, disconnected, and unsatisfied. Through research, interviews, and stories of lived experiences, How We Show Up returns us to our inherent connectedness where we find strength, safety, and support in vulnerability and generosity, in asking for help, and in being accountable, while leading us to liberation. Lately I have been reflecting on the amount of stress and challenges that our parents, caregivers, and educators are navigating in this time. Give some self-care to yourself! Carve a little time to read a book. Our children look to us, the adults, in these unprecedented times and it is important for self-care in order to care for those we love. It takes a village to care for our youth! Join SCT in utilizing this list of resources to continue the expansion of diverse voices and storytellers you and your family are reading, watching, and listening to as we go into this holiday season. Know of other resources that should be included? Let us know in the comments below. Food is where we meet, where we build, where we struggle, and where we survive. -Peoples Kitchen Collective My family is not religious, but when we eat dinner together, we give thanks. We include the rain, the sun, the moon, the soil, and the wind. Our gratitude starts with "Thank you to all the hands that touched this food on its way to our table." It's meant to acknowledge not just my husband or me, who cooked the meal, but everyone from the farm to the grocery store to our home who grew, harvested, fed, slaughtered, transported, stocked, and bagged the food in our meal. It's meant to acknowledge that it takes a lot of labor from many, many people for us to eat. It's meant to make visible the people we are connected to through our meal. -Mia Birdsong from How We Show Up; Reclaiming Family, Friendship, and Community Thanksgiving from the Native American Perspective:
Indigenous Artists & Organizations:
A Kids Play About Racism: Check out the resources developed for your family to engage on the topic of racism
Podcasts for Parents and Guardians: November is a time to gather with loved ones, share joy, and reflect in gratitude. And let’s be honest… it’s also about delicious food we share in community. As we look to the next month, we’re thinking about the word harvest- the hands that worked to harvest the food at the dinner table, our ability to harvest ourselves physically, mentally and emotionally, and how we harvest the spirit of community as we give thanks to one another. Read on to see all the fun ways we plan to engage and support our community this month by harvesting creativity, compassion, and action. We would love to hear from you! What will you harvest in November to stay engaged, active and creative? Let us know on social media! BUILD YOUR OWN CREATIVE ADVENTUREHarvest creativity right from your living room with SCT’s Community Engagement Programming! While we may not be able to gather in person, did you know SCT can come to you? Are you interested in a 90-minute immersive adventure that takes students to the center of the earth during science class? How about a 60-minute virtual acting class to celebrate a birthday? Maybe you’re looking for a way to connect your child to a cousin across the country, why not get creative via zoom with SCT? Whenever, whatever occasion, and however long, SCT is here to help you build your own theatre adventure. DRAMA SCHOOL CLASSES... COMING SOON!Have any plans this January? Well, now you do. SCT Drama School Classes are coming back virtually. We’re excited to get creative and tell stories with you! Keep an eye out for an announcement later this month. SPOTLIGHT ON: WASHMASKS: HEART OF WASHINGTON MASK DRIVE, WASHABLE MASKS FOR WASHINGTON FARMSWhat it is: WashMasks is a cooperative mutual aid founded by artists, arts educators, and teachers with the focus on providing support and advocacy for Washington farm workers and their families. Since April, the volunteers of WashMasks have gathered and distributed nearly 17,000 masks, over $2,000 in school supplies, 20 full shipments of food, bedding, infant care, and paper goods; and $1,000 in cash donations for farm working communities affected by Covid-19 and the wildfires. How YOU Can Help: Adult and children’s masks are greatly needed! Learn how to make masks from home and donate to WashMasks here. Looking to donate in other ways? Donate to Seattle Rep’s Food and Mask Drive SEW THE SEEDS OF GIVINGFeeling grateful for 45 years of SCT? Celebrate by giving $45 today to ensure 45 more years of sparking joy, encouraging empathy and building community for our region's youth. And don’t forget! Now through the end of the year, any gifts of $100 or more will receive a free ticket to SCT’s next Season of Theatre. WHAT VOICES ARE YOU BRINGING TO THE DINNER TABLE?Learn how to expand the range of voices and storytellers you and your family are reading, watching, and listening to as we go into this holiday season.
Food is where we meet, where we build, where we struggle, and where we survive. - Peoples Kitchen Collective My family is not religious, but when we eat dinner together, we give thanks. We include the rain, the sun, the moon, the soil, and the wind. Our gratitude starts with "Thank you to all the hands that touched this food on its way to our table." It's meant to acknowledge not just my husband or me, who cooked the meal, but everyone from the farm to the grocery store to our home who grew, harvested, fed, slaughtered, transported, stocked, and bagged the food in our meal. It's meant to acknowledge that it takes a lot of labor from many, many people for us to eat. It's meant to make visible the people we are connected to through our meal. - Mia Birdson from How We Show Up; Reclaiming family. Friendship, and Community View and contribute to a list of resources, books, TYA plays and more here.
10/20/2020
CREATE YOUR OWN NOT SO HAUNTED HOUSESo 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.
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! In need of further inspiration? Take a look into 2 SCT classrooms from haunted years past! DO YOU MISS SCT'S ANNUAL NOT SO HAUNTED HOUSE?We're sharing what members from the SCT community are enjoying, watching, reading, or listening to during this time! First up is Brodrick Ryans, SCT's Education Coordinator and a 2020 Emerging Leader with Theatre for Young Audiences USA (TYA/USA). He's also a bunch of other cool things, which you can learn about below, along with his recommendations on how to keep creativity alive in your home.
10/2/2020
ALL TREATS, NO TRICKS: OCTOBER @ SCTThis October, SCT is all about the fun and none of the fright.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. DIVE BACK IN: THE GHOSTLIGHT STORIES
INSPIRATION: TOP 10 SCT CHARACTERS TO BE THIS HALLOWEEN
A TREAT FOR SCT DONORS!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?
DON'T MISS OUT: SATURDAY MORNING STORIES WITH KING-FMDo 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! 1. A Young muhammad ali from 'and in this corner: cassius clay' (2018)2. ASLAN FROM 'THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE' (2016)3. MAX FROM 'WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE' (2016)4. SNOW WHITE FROM 'SNOW WHITE' (2020)5. JACKIE ROBINSON FROM 'JACKIE AND ME' (2011)6. LYLE FROM 'LYLE THE CROCODILE' (2011)7. pippi from 'pippi longstocking' (2013)8. cat in the hat from 'dr. seuss's cat in the hat' (2012)9. BLUE & YELLOW DOG FROM 'GO, DOG, GO!' (2011)10. corduroy from 'corduroy' (2019)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. SPOTLIGHT ON: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & ARTS BASED LEARNINGHear 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. learning through music: |
Take some time this Saturday morning away from your screens and join our friend Paddington Bear on a charming musical journey to his first concert. While you listen, gather the family and enjoy activities created by the SCT Education Staff specifically to accompany this unique experience. iInspired by a the program narrated by Stephen Fry, with music by Herbert Chappell, activities include Storytelling, Visual Art, and Movement exercises for the whole family to enjoy. |
did you know?
5 fun facts you didn't know about paddington bear

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.
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.

SCT is excited to partner with KING FM to present a 10-week education series, Saturday Morning Stories, beginning this Saturday, August 15. This series will 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. through October 17, 2020.
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' and what families can expect from this unique new experience.
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' and what families can expect from this unique new experience.
Meet Meredith Berlin, Curriculum Designer of 'Saturday Morning Stories' Partnership with |
what can young people and families expect the experience of 'saturday morning stories' to be like when following along with sct's activities?
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.
what was the process of developing the educational curriculum for 'saturday morning stories' like?
First I got to have a wonderful time listening to all of the programs. How lucky I felt to spend part of my work day joining Paddington Bear for tea, reflecting with Tubby the Tuba about the unique contributions I have to offer, and marveling at the courage and strength of Maui who snares the sun (just to name a few). As I listened to the programs there were sections that drew me in, and I would listen to those again and again, allowing them to inspire connections to movement, dance, visual arts, acting or writing activities. Once I decided which art forms to focus on I invited colleagues with expertise in those areas to contribute activities to the project. My colleagues and I are currently engaged in the process of solidifying those big ideas and honing them down into activities that anyone can try at home with their family.
why do you think it's important for families to take this time together?
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.
do you have a personal favorite show that will be features in 'saturday morning stories'?
Oh, that is the hardest question of all! Carnival of the Animals is something I listened to as a child, on my little plastic record player. My friends and I would choreograph dances to the music, dress up and perform for our parents. I seem to remember that I was an elephant. Later in life when I took cello lessons I had the chance to play some music by Saint-Saens myself, so I have a connection to that music that grew as I grew. But truly I love all the stories and musical pieces for different reasons.
8/6/2020
SCT AND KING FM PARTNER TO BRING A SATURDAY MORNING MUSIC AND STORY PROGRAM TO PUGET SOUND FAMILIES
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.
###
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.
“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.
###
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.
MEET TEACHING ARTIST AND SENSORY DRAMA SPECIALIST, MADDIE NAPELMaddie (she/her) has a background in sensory drama from working with Seesaw Theatre at Northwestern University and is the founding Artistic Director of Parachute Players. She also has extensive experience as a teaching artist in special education classrooms in Seattle and personal experience with the disability community as a sibling of an adult brother with cerebral palsy. Through her work and training, she has sought out (and continues to seek out) partnerships with teachers and artists with disabilities. |
First, tell us a bit about Sensory Drama. Who is it for and why is it unique?
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.
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.
What kinds of accommodations are made for different students?
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.
What is the goal of a guardian and me experience? What does that participation look like for both guardian and student?
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!
How has your experience been while teaching these classes in a virtual environment?
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.
VIEW THE CURRICULUM FOR
SENSORY DRAMA - OCEAN ADVENTURES
meeT sensory drama consultant, |
7/30/2020
CONNECTION NEAR & FAR: AUGUST @ SCT
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.
So read on to discover all the ways SCT continues to connect to our valued audience – nationally, regionally and locally.
NATIONAL
There is a lot going on in our nation and the world right now, and we believe that the best way to process and learn about big changes is through art. SCT is excited to be a leading producer for the world-premiere of A Kids Play About Racism, which debuts on Broadway on Demand for free on August 1 & 2. The effort, supported by 41 theatres for young audiences, is developed from Jelani Memory’s A Kids Book About Racism and directed by bicoastal multidisciplinary artist Khalia Davis who was recently named TYA/USA’s 2019 Emerging Theatre Artist. As part of the production, educational materials developed by SCT in collaboration with the Northwest African American Museum will help students learn through art, history and education, inspiring and equipping them to change the world.
EXCLUSIVE FOR SCT FAMILIES
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!
REGIONAL
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.
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.
THANK YOU, ARTSFUND!
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.
LOCAL
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!
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!
7/28/2020
JOIN THE CREATIVES & EDUCATORS BEHIND 'A KIDS PLAY ABOUT RACISM' FOR A POST SHOW DISCUSSION
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.
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.
MEET THE PANELISTS

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.
7/28/2020
CONNECTION IN THE MIDST OF COVID-19: HOW SCT MADE ME FEEL WELCOME FROM 2,500 MILES AWAY
by chloe tower - summer 2020 intern

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.
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.
7/20/2020
8 HELPFUL TIPS FOR TALKING TO YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT
WRITTEN BY NIKKI TOMBS
EDUCATION DIRECTOR AT TRUE COLORS THEATRE
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.
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.
7/16/2020
SCT TO COPRODUCE 'A KIDS PLAY ABOUT RACISM' IN PARTNERSHIP WITH 37 TYA THEATRES ACROSS THE NATION

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
_______________________________
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
_______________________________
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’.
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’.
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. SCT is sponsored by Microsoft, Shubert Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and ArtsFund.
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