TeenTix Logo
Login
Sign Up

Teddy M wins free tickets to STAR WARS: In Concert

Congratulations to Teddy M, winner of two free tickets to STAR WARS: In Concert October 13th at Key Arena. And thanks to everyone who took our survey and entered to win tickets. Keep your eyes peeled for answers to some of the questions you asked in the survey, and changes based on your suggestions. Thanks Teen Tixers! We're nothing without cha. And congratulations Teddy. Have a great time!Love,Teen TixNOTE: STAR WARS: In Concert is NOT a Teen Tix-eligible event.

Read More

knee-slapping-laugh-so-hard-your-belly-hurts-jolly-old-fun-old-bean stuff

Review of The 39 Steps at Seattle Repertory Theatre by Emma M.When you think Alfred Hitchcock you probably think of his movies like “Rear Window” “Strangers on a Train” “Dial M for Murder” “Psycho” “The Man Who Knew Too Much”. Scary stuff. Nail biting stuff. Keep-looking-over-your-shoulder-for-the-murders stuff. Not comedy. Not slapstick. Not knee-slapping-laugh-so-hard-your-belly-hurts-jolly-old-fun-old-bean stuff. The 39 Steps is most definitely a comedy. A parody really.But “What are the 39 steps?” asks Richard Hannay, the main character. Well the original Hitchcock film is a classic spy thriller full of murder and suspense: Hannay meets a beautiful woman called Annabella. She tells him she’s a spy trying to prevent a secret from leaving the country. Later Annabella is murdered in his apartment, leaving Hannay alone and fearing for his life. He decides to try to figure out the mystery Annabella has left and becomes a fugitive on the run trying to find out whom or what are the 39 steps, and clear his name from the murder charge, of which he is completely innocent.Ted Deasy, Scott Parkinson, Eric Hissom and Claire Brownell in The 39 Stepsphoto by Craig Schwartz.This version of The 39 Steps follows the same plot line, but it is as different from the Hitchcock film as night is from day. Full of amazing physical comedy, clever writing, and a perfect sense of timing, this play is hilarious. The characters are larger than life caricatures which the whole cast does a really excellent job of playing. So why is it advertized as Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps if they are so different? Because this play spoofs almost every Hitchcock film ever made. Actors climb out the “Rear Window”, do the aerial chase scene from “North by Northwest” (perfectly I might add), and they refer to one of the characters as “The Man Who Knew Too Much”. Constant Hitchcock puns aren’t the only thing that makes this play a total Hitchcock spoof. This play captures the physical style that is so very Hitchcock.The actors in this play have an enormous task. There are four actors and dozens of characters. All of the actors are fantastic. Ted Deasy plays Richard Hannay, Claire Brownell plays Annabella/Pamela/Margret, Eric Hissom plays Man #1, and Scott Parkinson plays Man #2. Hissom and Parkinson play dozens of characters each and are simply brilliant! There is a marvelous scene where they change characters at lightning speed using hats as a guideline.Alfred Hitchcock once said, “A good film is when the price of the dinner, the theatre admission and the babysitter were worth it.” The 39 Steps, whether you have Teen Tix or not, is most definitely worth it.- Emma M.September 30th, 2009The 39 StepsSeattle Repertory TheatreThrough October 24th

Read More

OMGOTB

Seriously? This is not a lame attempt to pander to you via ham-fisted teen lingo throwdown. (That's what we usually do, it's just not what we're doing right now.) This is an earnest, mature, sober, adult expression of enthusiasm of the unrestrainable variety: ZOMG we got OtB!!!!!!!!!On the Boards presents shows that "light up parts of your brain you forgot were there" (David Schmader, the Stranger)If you've never heard of On the Boards there's a reason. You're not cool enough. Just kidding sorta. You're totally cool. Your mom told me.Okay, I'm sorry. It's the end of the day. Describe the venue:In the valley between the verdant, blooming fields of dance, theatre, music, and film, there is a fecund marsh where art forms mingle and merge and cross-polinate. It grows impossibly riveting 7-hour-long staged readings of classic American literature and singers singing songs while hanging upside-down and sword-wielding Italian dancers covered in paint and art-history lectures disguised as dinner. It is On the Boards.

Read More

A Fresh Though Classic Flower

Review of Enchanted April at Taproot Theatre by Paulina PIf I had only looked at the title and synopsis of Enchanted April, running now through October 23rd at the Taproot Theater, I would probably have thought that it was a bit too predictable to be worth my time. The story of two English housewives, one too vivacious for sullen England and the other who resembles a “tragic Madonna", who one rainy (literally) day decide to rent a castle in Italy and find two more women to share the expenses, an aging matron and a young flapper, can really only have a few endings. The story sounds perfect for a movie or candy novel. Which of course it is.Charity Parenzini and Nikki Visel in Enchanted April. Photo by Erik Stuhaug.Enchanted April is based upon Elizabeth von Arnim’s novel was adapted for the stage in 1925 and inspired not one but two movies. This adaptation interestingly enough though written before the movies runs a bit like one. The beginning and ending are both monologues of Lotty Wilson, played by Charity Parenzini. The two lacked effective presentation and feel like they should be said over the loudspeaker. They fit not to introduce a continuous narrator but as mild philosophy and succinct epilogue. Mrs. Wilson stood in the middle of the stage and sort of windmilled her arms about while telling the story. It gave the audience something that sounded good but wasn’t much to look at.However, these were truly minor sections of the play and though an ill-fitting frame the picture inside was fantastic. Italy works as a panacea for the women turning ill emotions into love and orneriness into peace while capturing quite the laughs. The changes in the characters occur because it takes people to change a person. Each character had some sort of serious background that made the audience care and relate to them since their tragedies were not absurd. In many works self-realization focuses on how alone one finds self but Enchanted April does the opposite. It shows how one can rely on others and that it is sometimes the only way to discover one’s self.This point was excellently delivered by the cast, which included strong male and female characters. The performance allowed couples and widows to be paralleled but not identical once by literally placing both on stage in parallel scenes. This worked well except for the fact that the more interesting scene was in the back and one had to listen very hard to get even half of the words spoken. However, the snippets that one does hear allow intrigue to build for the second act. Which of course contains a no-nonsense Italian maid who subtly steals the show with her quick incomprehensible wit.As a whole Enchanted April was a fresh though classic flower. The ending is in fact predictable but it is, though moderately cliché to say, more about the journey than the ending. It explores less solemn ways to discover or re-discover one’s happiness giving the audience equal measure to cry and laugh which makes the laughing just that much better.- Paulina P.September 25th, 2009Enchanted AprilTaproot Theatre CompanyThrough October 23rd

Read More

PNB wins a Stranger Genius Award!

Today is Sheetcake Day! That's the day when Stranger staffers ambush local artists with sheetcakes that say "You're a Frickin' Genius". Why? Because this is how they inform these artists that they are each the recipient of a Stranger Genius Award, an annual $5,000 award given to four artists and one organization that the Stranger judges to be deserving of, y'know...cake (and money and glory). So far today cakes have been delivered to Film Genius Zia Mohajerjasbi (who you may know as the auteur of numerous Blue Scholars videos), Literary Genius Stacey Levine, and Organization Genius(es?) Pacific Northwest Ballet.Here's a picture of PNB's adorable Artistic Director Peter Boal receiving his cake:Of course, here at Teen Tix, we didn't need the Stranger to tell us what we already knew in our hearts. You guys have been giving PNB the love from the very beginning, and this year, they took top honors in our first annual Teeny Awards. So congratulations, PNB, on a stellar awards season, enjoy your cake, and keep up the good work.Love,Teen TixUPDATE: The lovely and talented Jeffry Mitchell is the Visual Art Genius. Jeffry once gave me the best compliment I've ever received, but, alas, I cannot repeat it here. Anyway, Jeffry's show just closed at the Henry, but you can bask a bit in his genius by watching this video of him talking about his art on SAM's website. Congratulations Jeffry! Now, WHO will be the Theatre Genius? I'm bursting with anticipation!

Read More

search results: passport

"passports rubber stamp sheet" by Traci Bunkers 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.

Read More

A (random, hastily-compiled, totally-not-exhaustive) Collection of Some of My Favorite Lines From Teen Tix Reviews

"Like the aforementioned kid-friendly versions of hit shows, RENT: School Edition (as we must learn to refer to it) is creative in its excising of certain curse words. The F-bomb becomes unexpectedly versatile, being replaced in turn by 'CRAP', 'NO', 'STINKING', 'HELL', 'JERK' and even, 'SELF RIGHTEOUS!!'"- Jenny S reviewing RENT: School Edition at Seattle Children's Theatre, August 4th, 2009"The play itself is a horrific slasher, a ghastly tragedy played out in agonizingly slow motion through scene after scene of malignancy, vitriol, and madness."- Anna B reviewing Othello at INTIMAN, July 14th, 2009"Oh Junot Diaz! How do I count the ways of your coolness? If I were to say that within a two hour period of time I didn’t develop a man crush on this wonderful poet of the vulgar I would be lying. All I can really say is “Vonnegut and Marquez, pack your bags; you guys are old news!"- Tavis H reviewing Junot Diaz at Seattle Arts & Lectures March 6th, 2009"The audience arrives early to stake claims marked with blankets and garden chairs with the legs cut off. Here everyone is asking themselves “is my chair too tall?” Near the stage the action has already begun as well."- Molly L reviewing Romeo & Juliet by Wooden O at Volunteer Park July 16th, 2008Think you can do better? We're looking for a few good freelance teen reviewers. We send you to shows (Free tickets! The occassional snack tray!) You write the reviews, we post them on the blog, you receive fame and glory. Hooray! Interested? Send an email to teentix@seattle.gov and we'll add you to the list.

Read More

Hey, Young Filmmakers? NFFTY’s Calling.

Our good friends over at the National Film Festival for Talented Youth announce the 2010 festival call for entries. NFFTY seeks entries for feature-length and short films in narrative, documentary, animation, music video, and experimental categories. Submissions are open to any filmmaker 22 years old or younger, living anywhere in the world. The early deadline is October 31st, 2009, final deadline is January 15th, 2010.Find out everything you need to know about submitting your film hereNFFTY has become the largest and most influential film festival and support organization for filmmakers age 22 and under. NFFTY occurs each spring in Seattle, Washington and includes 100+ film screenings, filmmaking panels, concerts by youth bands, and opportunities for young filmmakers to network with industry professionals and each other. Young filmmakers from around the world submit feature-length and short films in narrative, documentary, animation, music video, experimental, and international categories.

Read More

YCW Grads: Where Are They Now?

Super-reviewer Paulina Przystupa (absorb her ouevre here) moves effortlessly from third- to first-person in her update, the fourth in our series"I'm doing good. Paulina is here and going into her second year at the University of Washington and LOVING it. I am almost a junior by credit (only lacking six of those) and am having to go through the terrible decision of what major I am going to have. (Leaning towards a History/Anthropology double major) I just got a new job at Suzzallo Library (which you should all stop by and say hello). It's been pretty cool being out of high school and in my wisdom I have discovered one great thing: Always take the time to sit back and relax. Whether that be with a book, movie, or a blog there is nothing more important to one's mental health than the fifteen minute (to four hour) breather time."Thank you Paulina. I'm taking your advice and making this my last post of the day. See you all tomorrow.The Young Critics Workshop is a 5-month-long critical writing seminar for 11th & 12th graders and college freshmen who are interested in learning about arts criticism and journalism. It's taught by Brendan Kiley, Arts Editor at the Stranger. Applications for this year's workshop are due October 15th. Download more info here. Download the application here. Email questions to teentix@seattle.gov

Read More

search results: passport

"Arouna Story #2 (2/4) - The Pilgrim Passport" by Osvaldo Zoom 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.

Read More

Michelle Obama on Why the Arts Matter

From today's L.A. Times:

“We believe strongly that the arts aren't somehow an 'extra’ part of our national life, but instead we feel that the arts are at the heart of our national life. It is through our music, our literature, our art, drama and dance that we tell the story of our past and we express our hopes for the future. Our artists challenge our assumptions in ways that many cannot and do not. They expand our understandings, and push us to view our world in new and very unexpected way..." "We want to show these young people that they have a place in our world, in our museums, our theaters, our concert halls... We want them to experience the richness of our nation's cultural heritage, one on one, up close and personal, not on TV. We want to show them that they can have a future in the arts community -- whether it's a hobby, or a profession, or simply as an appreciative observer…"She was addressing an international audience at the Pittsburg Creative and Performing Arts School. Thanks Mrs. Obama. You made my day.- Holly A.

Read More

Nothing Short of Brilliant

Review of Roméo et Juliette at Pacific Northwest Ballet by Atanis K.

Take a brilliant Ukrainian composer, an inspired French ballet choreographer, and the most famous love story ever written, combine them with the dancing talent of the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s performers, and you get the sublime, two-and-a-half hour production known as Roméo et Juliette. Even if you are not familiar with Shakespeare’s play, you can still relate to and enjoy this production about the conflicting emotions of love and adolescence. Lucien Postlewaite and Carla Körbes portray their characters with such passion that it is difficult not to find yourself believing they are really the star-crossed lovers the Bard wrote. In fact, the only thing I found difficult to believe was that this is Ms. Körbes’ first time in the role.Lucien Postlewaite and Carla Körbes in Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Roméo et Juliette. Photo © Angela Sterling.Brilliant as well are Jonathan Porretta’s depiction of Mercutio and Batkhurel Bold’s depiction of Tybalt. Mr. Porretta is every bit as mercurial as I expected his character should be, and Mr. Bold’s whole demeanor right down to his movement, his stance, and his facial features screams “villain.” Olivier Wevers also plays the part of Friar Laurence outstandingly, personifying the manipulative attributes that Jean-Christophe Maillot envisioned the character. While every dancer performed with outstanding technique and personality, it is these three that stand out to me above the rest.Batkhurel Bold (as Tybalt) and Jonathan Porretta (as Mercutio) in Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Roméo et Juliette. Photo © Angela Sterling.Though the dancers are the face of the ballet that everyone sees, just as integral are the unseen artists that make the performance happen. Ernest Pignon-Ernest has created a set that is simple, elegant and functional. The set consists of geometric walls that can move across the floor with textures projected upon them. It is the right balance of simplicity and sophistication to provide a sense location without distracting from the performers. Jérôme Kaplan, the costume designer, does an excellent job in crafting the appearances of the characters, and it is in no small part due to him that their personalities are so easy to see. Tybalt’s black costume implies the darkness and anger within character, just as Romeo’s and Juliet’s light costumes reflect the lovers’ hearts and emotions and Friar Laurence’s costume symbolizes his power and, for the most part, control over the situation.This added theme of control and the presence of the acolytes are a digression from the original play’s vision that lends itself nicely to the production. To say Maillot’s work is unique and creative would be as gross an understatement as saying Shakespeare is “a good writer.” The choreography is nothing short of brilliant, and is easily some of the best I have ever seen. Maillot throws in humor as appropriately entertaining as the clever puns lost in the transition from play to dance. Every scene is carefully planned out for maximum impact: Props are utilized to the fullest rather than shown once then discarded. In scenes with many dancers, emphasis is given to the main characters when necessary and divided among everyone when a more chaotic atmosphere is desired. In scenes with fewer dancers, Maillot adds lots of movement in order to use the whole stage effectively. This ballet is one of the most beautiful performances I have ever watched, and whether you know what an arabesque is or not, you are sure to enjoy this production as much as I did.- Atanas KSeptember 24th, 2009Roméo et JuliettePacific Northwest BalletThrough October 4th

Read More

search results: passport

"Ruth Bayton 1923 Passport Photo" 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.

Read More

search results: passport

"Selected Passport Pages" by [Zakkalicious Mikael] 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.

Read More

search results: passport

"myself" by The Divine Miss M. 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.

Read More

YCW Grads: Where Are They Now?

For the third installation in our series, Teri Güethner (who will live on forever in YCW history as the girl who wrote, for an assignment, a review of her homecoming date) shares this:"I am now a freshman at Seattle University, my major is Humanities for Teaching (I want to be a high school math teacher!). One thing I've learned since high school would probably be that it's really important to keep in touch with your old friends and let them know what's happening. You want to take those friendships with you to college so that your social circle keeps growing instead of starting over!Best of luck to the YCW! I had SO much fun doing it."The Young Critics Workshop is a 5-month-long critical writing seminar for 11th & 12th graders and college freshmen who are interested in learning about arts criticism and journalism. It's taught by Brendan Kiley, Arts Editor at the Stranger. Applications for this year's workshop are due October 15th. Download more info here. Download the application here. Email questions to teentix@seattle.gov

Read More

YCW Grads: Where Are They Now?

The mighty Ashraf Hasham steps up for the second installation in our series."yo!so here we go:I'm at Wagner College in Staten Island, NY, majoring in Arts Administration. One important thing I've learned in high school is that its always a good idea to challenge yourself to exit your comfort zone, that's when you really recognize who you are. And one (of the many!) things I've learned from YCW is looking at all forms of art with a critical, yet open eye/mind. This has certainly helped me out in my artistic excavations in the city!"The Young Critics Workshop is a 5-month-long critical writing seminar for 11th & 12th graders and college freshmen who are interested in learning about arts criticism and journalism. It's taught by Brendan Kiley, Arts Editor at the Stranger. Applications for this year's workshop are due October 15th. Download more info here. Download the application here. Email questions to teentix@seattle.gov

Read More

YCW Grads: Where Are They Now?

Ruby Aliment was one of the first graduates of the Young Critics Workshop. Here's what she has to say for herself:"Writing this gives me an excuse to not study for my logic exam. I love it! I am finishing out the semester at Loyola University Chicago before transferring the University of Puget Sound to finish my sophomore year.Since graduating high school, I haven't really looked back or thought about it. I suppose I've learned a lot. Like, to stand up for my work, even when it gets me fired from the school paper; listening to my teachers complain about their salary doesn't stop after high school, it gets worse, and that I should never sacrifice my beliefs to please anyone else. Also a tip for those of you that think your school paper's editor is really awesome and chill: Don't date him/her. It won't end well.Overall, the Young Critics Workshop was awesome. It looks great on resumes and college applications. Plus it's free and anything free is worth doing at least once. Regardless of where you want to go or where you go to school, The Stranger is very well-known, so being able to say you took a class with the Performance Editor gives you major credibility. A Stranger-related tip: If you didn't do the reading for your gender studies class, raise your hand and mention Dan Savage. Professors love it."The Young Critics Workshop is a 5-month-long critical writing seminar for 11th & 12th graders and college freshmen who are interested in learning about arts criticism and journalism. It's taught by Brendan Kiley, Arts Editor at the Stranger. Applications for this year's workshop are due October 15th. Download more info here. Download the application here. Email questions to teentix@seattle.gov

Read More

Hey you! With all the ideas! Get over here!

Teen Tix is pleased to fling open its doors and hand you the keys. In other words: COME AND JOIN OUR TEEN STEERING COMMITTEE!Teen Tix’s Teen Steering Committee is a group of opinionated and highly dedicated individuals who are committed to making the arts accessible for young people.Here are a few of the things that we do:• Come up with innovate marketing techniques for promoting the arts to teenagers• Write and create content for the Teen Tix blog, website, and other media outlets• Meet with leaders from various arts organizations to share our ideas and learn about what they do• Serve as “watchdogs” by attending venues and checking up on the box office experience.• Plan and help execute special events at Participating Organizations• Act as ambassadors for Teen Tix at your school• Help set the course for the future of the Teen Tix program• See shows!If you believe that the arts are valuable, if you want to help make the arts accessible for everyone regardless of age or income, and if you want to be a leader in Seattle’s youth arts movement, we need your voice!• The Teen Steering Committee meets monthly from October to June of each year at Seattle Center.• Participation in the committee can qualify for Service Learning Credit at your school.• First Meeting for the 2009-10 school year is October 26 at 4pm.Ready to throw in your name?It’s easy! You must be nominated to join the committee. Simply have an adult (who is not your parent) or a fellow teen email us with a short explanation of why YOU should be part of our team. Make sure they include your name and email address, so we can follow up with you.Hurry! The first meeting of the year is October 26th

Read More

Login

Create an account | Reset your password