TeenTix Blog

Two thumbs up for Leah and the YCW: both are awesome!

"Passport control" CruisAir by on flickr(search results is an art project. Everyday we search for and post a random flickr photo using the search term "passport".)The Teen Tix Passport to the Arts contest is still on!Here's how it works: - Download the passport- Take it with you and ask for a stamp at the box office every time you use your Teen Tix pass - Once you have 6 stamps, return your passport to us to be entered to win fabulous prizes like a $200 gift card to a retailer of your choosing (choose from Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, GAP, iTunes, Pagliacci, Starbucks, Target, or a pre-paid Visa card). The contest runs through December 29th, 2009, so you still have plenty of time to see art and win! Download your passport and all of the contest details here.

Review of Abe Lincoln in Illinois @ Intiman Theatre by Emma K.If there is one name that has stood the test of time, a recognized staple of democracy and equality, it is surely that of Abraham Lincoln. President Obama heralds him as his favorite President, while history books laud his actions and sing his praise. The side of President Lincoln that we know is one of strength and force. Through his fight for ultimate American values he arguably established himself as one of the figures whom our nation is most proud to call its own. Yet, at what cost to his person, and at what toll to his spirit? These questions are explored in Intiman’s illuminating biographical play, Abe Lincoln in Illinois.Allen Galli, Reginald André Jackson, Russell Hodgkinson, and Erik Lochtefeld as Abe in Abe Lincoln in Illinois. Photo by Chris Bennion.Written by Robert E. Sherwood to commemorate Lincoln’s Bicentennial, this play examines the period of Lincoln’s life from his early adulthood to his election. Fictitious characters share the stage with historical figures, including Lincoln’s wife Mary Todd and adversary Stephen Douglas. A great theme of the piece is Lincoln’s attachment to Illinois, and accordingly the play itself radiates a strong sense of community. This is conveyed by members of the ensemble sitting onstage to watch scenes, and singing during set transitions. Their rapport with each other creates the ease and simplicity of Lincoln’s home life. The stage is mostly bare, set against a background of high grass and a tree blowing in the wind. Wooden slatted pillars stand off to the side, used as entrances and exits, while a wagon is moved around the stage throughout the various acts. All of these components create an environment of comfort and familiarity.When the audience is first introduced to the President-to-be he is, all in all, what we expect - the unkempt, charming backwoods boy striving to learn and better himself. Yet as time progresses he is revealed to be insecure, tentative - anxious even, constantly questioning his validity as a man and a thinker. His self-deprecation weaves its way throughout his entrance into politics, at some times endearing, at others off-putting. This is more of a comment on Lincoln’s own person than the actor behind this rendition, Erik Lochtefeld. Mr. Lochtefeld expertly colors in the aspects of this man that we recognize, and also those that are unfamiliar - his Lincoln is awkward, sensitive, introspective, and commanding.Mr. Lochtefeld is strongly supported by a seasoned cast, with the wonderfully passionate Peter Dylan O’Connor as Billy Herndon, impeccable R. Hamilton Wright as Stephen Douglas and robust Hans Altwies as Joshua Speed standing out. Also to be noted are Angela DiMarco as Lincoln’s ill-fated sweetheart Ann Rutledge and Clayton Corzatte as a delightfully blunt and cynical Ben Mattling. The only weak link in this cast of nineteen is Mary Jane Gibson, as Mary Todd. She delivers the character with precision, but lacks the fierce strength that she so often declares possessing.Sheila Daniels expertly directs the play which is a beautiful mix of comedy, thoughtfulness and excitement. It is a balance between the public and private life of a deeply contemplative man. Lincoln’s quest for moral and self-understanding shows the importance he placed upon his actions. As he anguished over his decisions and values, so he showed the respect with which he held his position. Nothing was taken lightly during his life, nor is it in this production. His story is handled with care and sensitivity by all. As the generations look towards a new leader in Washington D.C., it would be worth their while to revisit one of the past in this revealing and delicate production. Abe Lincoln in Illinois is a must-see.- Emma K.October 17th, 2009Abe Lincoln in IllinoisINTIMAN TheatreThrough November 19thRecommended for people ages 15 and up

"Passport picture from catalog 1989" by Hugo90 on flickr(search results is an art project. Everyday we search for and post a random flickr photo using the search term "passport".) The Teen Tix Passport to the Arts contest is still on!Here's how it works: - Download the passport - Take it with you and ask for a stamp at the box office every time you use your Teen Tix pass - Once you have 6 stamps, return your passport to us to be entered to win fabulous prizes like a $200 gift card to a retailer of your choosing (choose from Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, GAP, iTunes, Pagliacci, Starbucks, Target, or a pre-paid Visa card). The contest runs through December 29th, 2009, so you still have plenty of time to see art and win! Download your passport and all of the contest details here.

Review of Rock 'n' Roll at ACT Theatre by Atanis K.The concept of writing a play about Rock and Roll carries with it the potential for enormous success as well as for disaster. It’s an ambitious idea and I was glad that it turned out to be the former. If you are not familiar with classic Rock and Roll bands or the social and political climate in Europe during the 1960s through to the 1990s, you may want to do some research before you attend Tom Stoppard’s Rock 'n' Roll. This is not because the play revolves around some obscure event only a select audience will understand, but because understanding the time period and music will help the viewer fully appreciate the humor and intellectuality of this play.

Matthew Floyd Miller and Jessica Martin in Rock 'n' Roll. Photo by Chris Bennion.The story begins in 1968, with a young man named Jan who plans to return to Prague to see his mother and his home country, which has fallen under Communist rule. The play proceeds to follow the events of post-World War II Europe through the perspectives of Jan and his friends in Britain. The play features clever humor interspersed with social, political and philosophical commentary, all supplemented by some of the all-time greatest rock songs by classic groups from the time period. Although the story is somewhat compelling, partly because the viewer knows of the historical events that will take place before they happen, it is really the characters and their interactions that drive the play. Unlike many stories with a hero leading the plot and lots of flat, supporting characters, in Rock 'n' Roll, every single character had a distinct personality and a role to play, from Jan’s former professor Max, to Max’s wife Eleanor, to their daughter Esme, and so on. And it is these varying personalities that allow for the profound discussions of politics and philosophy that make the play such a phenomenal work of art.Plot elements aside, the presentation of the play far exceeded any expectations I had. While most plays throw in one or two gimmicks with the props, and a few overuse them, Rock 'n' Roll was both creative and effective in its use of props. Just when I thought they couldn’t possibly throw anything more at me, I found out why there were balloons among the lights and why a bookshelf is floating near the ceiling. I could write pages on the use of props, but suffice it to say you will never quite know what to expect. And neither are the props distracting. They serve exactly their intended purpose and nothing more.Whether you’re looking for some good musical theater, or to be taken back to the good old days, or simply for a way to spend your weekend night, I would recommend checking out Rock 'n' Roll. It’s a powerful and unforgettable experience that you’ll be talking about for days after.- Atanis KOctober 18th, 2009Rock 'n' RollACT TheatreThrough November 8th

"Loryn Bowser aka Don Dagmar 1921" by puzzlemaster on flickr (search results is an art project. Everyday we search for and post a random flickr photo using the search term "passport".)The Teen Tix Passport to the Arts contest is still on!Here's how it works: - Download the passport - Take it with you and ask for a stamp at the box office every time you use your Teen Tix pass - Once you have 6 stamps, return your passport to us to be entered to win fabulous prizes like a $200 gift card to a retailer of your choosing (choose from Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, GAP, iTunes, Pagliacci, Starbucks, Target, or a pre-paid Visa card). The contest runs through December 29th, 2009, so you still have plenty of time to see art and win! Download your passport and all of the contest details here.

ON THE BOARDS October 15, 2009 - A packed theatre buzzes with excitement, waiting for the new Reggie Watts comedic spectacular featuring Tommy Smith, Transition. The audience faces a large projection screen featuring just the legs of a skateboarder that is intermittently disrupted by a single frame of a face and an electronic noise. We sit on the edge of our seats to try to predict the interruption, waiting for the next chance to decode what we see. Reggie Watts in Transition, featured at On the Boards. Photo courtesy of the On the Boards blog. The entire performance followed suit. From beat boxing to movie clips, reenacted scenes and relationship commentary, Reggie took the audience on a journey through nonsensical brilliance. One theme that he always seems to return to, however, is the destruction of the human experience through technology. Not only does he beat box about the downfall of society through technology, but he couples his ideas with a paradoxical theme of technology throughout the performance. Every sketch seems to incorporate some form of equipment, almost every bit tied to the immortal internet. The performance is captivating, intriguing, and above all hilarious! Made for those with extreme ADD or an attention span for funny man Reggie Watts, Transition is the perfect attraction for older Teen Tix members. (Contains course language.) For more info, visit this link. - Leah F.

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Ever been sitting at your computer with nothing to do? (AFTER your homework is already finished, we assume.) Rest assured, your weekly cure for boredom is here! This week we're bringing you the CINEMORGUE, an online database of actors and actresses who have kicked the bucket on screen. Think you're a movie buff? Quiz yourself on deaths in movies, browse a photo gallery, or just explore the alphabet of actors and actresses who have made an all too morbid appearance on the big screen. Visit the Cinemorgue here! - Leah F.

"passport-1977" by Andrea_R on flickr(search results is an art project. Everyday we search for and post a random flickr photo using the search term "passport".)The Teen Tix Passport to the Arts contest is still on!Here's how it works: - Download the passport - Take it with you and ask for a stamp at the box office every time you use your Teen Tix pass - Once you have 6 stamps, return your passport to us to be entered to win fabulous prizes like a $200 gift card to a retailer of your choosing (choose from Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, GAP, iTunes, Pagliacci, Starbucks, Target, or a pre-paid Visa card). The contest runs through December 29th, 2009, so you still have plenty of time to see art and win! Download your passport and all of the contest details here.

"passport photo" by Justin Mclean on flickr(search results is an art project. Everyday we search for and post a random flickr photo using the search term "passport".)The Teen Tix Passport to the Arts contest is still on!Here's how it works: - Download the passport - Take it with you and ask for a stamp at the box office every time you use your Teen Tix pass - Once you have 6 stamps, return your passport to us to be entered to win fabulous prizes like a $200 gift card to a retailer of your choosing (choose from Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, GAP, iTunes, Pagliacci, Starbucks, Target, or a pre-paid Visa card). The contest runs through December 29th, 2009, so you still have plenty of time to see art and win! Download your passport and all of the contest details here.

Reggie Watts & Tommy Smith Transition @ On the BoardsThis guy:plus this guy:plus this guy:plus this guy:equals awesome.Reggie Watts (that last guy above) is a local treasure. He calls himself a comedic performer, which we guess is the only box big enough to hold his plurality of talents. Transition will be theatre with music, with dancing, with story, with Teen Wolf, with Stevie Wonder, with "apocolyptic overtones". And it will be funny. And that's all we really know. Isn't that great? Isn't it fun sometimes not to know? Yes, it is. We'll be there tonight. Will you?TransitionONE WEEKEND ONLY: Thursday, Friday & Saturday October 15th - 17thOn the BoardsNOTE: contains coarse language. On the Boards' programming is best suited to mature audiences ages 16 and up.

This is an amazing, one-time, FREE opportunity for those of who are interested in dance and writing:How to Write “Dance”A free seminar for aspiring young journalists, arts critics, dance writers, and reviewersSaturday, October 24, 20092:00 – 4:00 pmPacific Northwest Ballet – Phelps Center301 Mercer Street at Seattle CenterSeattle, WA 98109Pacific Northwest Ballet invites high school and college students and faculty to attend a special FREE seminar to inspire aspiring dance writers and critics.Photo by Angela SterlingReticent to review dance for the school paper because you just don’t “get it?” Or do you study dance but get tongue-tied when trying to explain it to the layman?PNB is presenting a seminar for both the aspiring arts critic who doesn’t know a perfect plié from a pair of pliers AND the dance student who can grand jeté like a grasshopper but trips over a typewriter.This entertaining and decidedly non-scholarly panel discussion has been created to encourage both wannabe writers and budding ballerinas to overcome their fear of the pen (or keypad).Panelists will include:Rosie GaynorContributing writer, Pointe Magazine, Financial Times, and founder, SeattleDances blogMoira MacdonaldArts writer, Seattle TimesMarcie SillmanCultural and special projects reporter, KUOW, National Public RadioThe seminar will include selected film excerpts from dance performances, with commentary from the panelists. And rather than simply defining plié and jeté, we will provide participants with the tools to translate what they have seen into words. All attendees will receive complimentary tickets to attend PNB’s upcoming DIRECTOR’S CHOICE program (and will be encouraged to write about it afterwards).Seating is limited for this free seminar. To reserve a space, please e-mail gtucker@pnb.org or phone 206.441.2426. We hope you can join us!

"Posing for her passport" by bobandeuni on flickr(search results is an art project. Everyday we search for and post a random flickr photo using the search term "passport".)The Teen Tix Passport to the Arts contest is still on!Here's how it works: - Download the passport - Take it with you and ask for a stamp at the box office every time you use your Teen Tix pass - Once you have 6 stamps, return your passport to us to be entered to win fabulous prizes like a $200 gift card to a retailer of your choosing (choose from Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, GAP, iTunes, Pagliacci, Starbucks, Target, or a pre-paid Visa card). The contest runs through December 29th, 2009, so you still have plenty of time to see art and win! Download your passport and all of the contest details here.

Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps @ Seattle Repertory TheatreOur reviewer, Emma M, calls the show "simply brilliant" and "definitely worth it."

Photo by Craig SchwartzThe Stranger's David Schmader says "this well-constructed show is a campy rush, laced with rare, only-in-the-theater moments. And no, you don't need to have seen the film."The Broadway Hour Seattle's Kacie Shiflet says "It will entertain and thrill even those who live under a rock and have never enjoyed a classic suspense thriller. Hitchcock would be pleased."Basically, people can't get enough of this lightening-paced circus of theatrical magic: four actors play dozens of characters, set pieces fly in and out in the blink of an eye, and everybody leaves laughing. You like laughing right? We thought so. Go tonight!The 39 StepsSeattle Repertory TheatreThrough October 24th

Every once in a while here at Teen Tix HQ we do stop facebooking long enough to crunch some numbers and see how well we're fulfilling the ol' mission. Today's numbers are full of good news for us, for Seattle's young arts-lovers, and for the long-term health of our cultural community. So we thought we'd share. We're also throwing in some quotes from our fantastic members. Because quotes are nice."I took some friends with me to different shows: plays, concerts, etc. and if it wasn't for the Teen Tix, they would not have seen them. These are friends who had never gone to a theatre or been to a show outside of what they had seen in school."In our most recent member survey (Sept. 2009) 70% of Teen Tix members said that they now attend the arts more frequently (37.5%) or a lot more frequently (32.7%) than they did before joining Teen Tix.Teen Tix tickets sold in April, 2004 (our first month): 4Teen Tix tickets sold in April, 2009: 441"My grandmother really enjoys going to the theater. She has taken me to musicals for years. Now, I can take her with me with my Teen Tix. Thanks."By the end of 2009, Teen Tix will have facilitated the sale of over 12,500 teen tickets to the arts over our five year history.The Teen Tix weekly e-newsletter reaches over 16,000 teens, parents, and adults who work with youth. In 2008, Teen Tix members used their passes 3,874 times. That's a 24% response rate, over 10 times the industry average for e-marketing![David Daniels, Jupiter Research, 2006, Forrester Research, 2007]

The Teen Tix experience at ACT Theatre

"For me, the arts made me a much more open-minded person"In April of 2004 (our first month), 11 teenagers signed up for Teen Tix. In September of 2009, that number was 542.97% of our new registrations are online and word-of-mouth driven.

"I love Teen Tix and how it connects teens to the arts, and how it invokes their cooperation on so many levels."

Our family of participating organizations has grown to include thirty-three of our region's best arts producers (they're all listed over there on the right). That's fourteen theatres, four museums, two dance companies, one opera company, three cinemas, one symphony, one international performing arts festival, one arts and lectures series, one laser dome (guess which one), and five multi-disciplinary arts centers. Whew!

"Since I got my Teen Tix registration, I have seen more art than I ever have in my life, and have truly realized how great it is. And I have cajoled my friends into getting their passes, and dragged them all over town; to the ballet, Intiman, SAM, you name it. And we have had a wonderful time. And we agree on two things: we love art, and we love Teen Tix. Simply put: Teen Tix has helped expose me to art I would not have seen without it, and has expanded my mind and enriched me as a person. ZOMG. Teen Tix rules."

Teen Tix is Seattle's amazing arts access program for teenagers. Any teenager (13-19 years old) can sign up for a FREE Teen Tix pass. Show that pass at any of our 33 participating arts organizations to get $5.00 day-of-show admission (or $5.00 anytime admission at our museum partners). That's it! There's no catch. Teen Tix exists to help teenagers take advantage of Seattle's rich cultural life. It's for you. You can sign up for your free Teen Tix pass here. Get the details on how to use your Teen Tix pass here.Consult our frequently asked questions page here.

"unusable passport photo" Archie Pelago by on flickr(search results is an art project. Everyday we search for and post a random flickr photo using the search term "passport".)The Teen Tix Passport to the Arts contest is still on!Here's how it works: - Download the passport - Take it with you and ask for a stamp at the box office every time you use your Teen Tix pass - Once you have 6 stamps, return your passport to us to be entered to win fabulous prizes like a $200 gift card to a retailer of your choosing (choose from Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, GAP, iTunes, Pagliacci, Starbucks, Target, or a pre-paid Visa card). The contest runs through December 29th, 2009, so you still have plenty of time to see art and win! Download your passport and all of the contest details here.

ONE NIGHT ONLY: The Laramie Project: 10 Years LaterWhatever you were going to do tonight, skip it and do this instead. On October 6th, 1998, Matthew Shepard, a 21 year-old student at the University of Wyoming, was tortured and beaten near Laramie, Wyoming by Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney, who testified that they targeted Shepard because he was gay. He died of severe brain injuries six days later, on October 12th, 1998.A New York-based theatre company, The Tectonic Theatre Project traveled to Laramie and conducted interiews with the town's residents. They made a play out of the interviews, and then HBO made a movie out of the play.The trailer from the HBO film. (Note: contains derogatory language)Tonight the Seattle Rep along with 100 theatres around the world will present a staged reading of The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later, an epilogue to the original, groundbreaking play. Our local reading features some of Seattle's best actors (Marianne Owen, Suzanne Bouchard, Sarah Rudinoff, Gretchen Krich, and Troy Fischnaller) and is directed by Jerry Manning, Producing Artistic Director of Seattle Rep.The reading is free and open to anyone, but expected to fill up quickly. Doors open at 6:30. Live-blogging and tweeting are encouraged, as long as you sit in the balcony. The show is recommended for people ages 14 and up for mature themes.The Laramie Project: 10 Years LaterFREE staged readingTonight, Monday October 12th @ Seattle RepDoors at 6:30Laramie Project Online Community

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