Hamlet is my favourite play ever. I read it, and then I reread it a good four or five times, and I still find the plot engaging, the characters extremely likeable, and the ideas presented thought-provoking. I'm not even joking: I would love to be IRL friends with Prince Hamlet lol.
Today's video of the day is a walk through the streets of a Dutch city (looks like Amsterdam to me) with three guys with whom it would be a pleasure to amble the streets of any city, European or no: Reggie Watts, Tommy Smith, and (wait for it) Brendan Kiley (who is apparently now the mascot of this blog). Reggie and Tommy's new show Transition runs October 15 - 17 at On the Boards.
Dutch A/V (sample) from Tommy Smith on Vimeo.
"pink lady passport photo" by david bessent 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.
It's high time we blogged about Intiman's Front Porch Theatre series, awesome participatory theatre events at "unexpected venues" like coffee shops, libraries, and churches. And today gives us the perfect motivation, because our own Professor Kiley (also known as Brendan Kiley, Arts Editor of the Stranger and teacher of our upcoming Young Critics Workshop) will be reading the part of Young Abe Lincoln. Oh, this is going to be wonderful. Come on down!Intiman Front Porch Series for Abe Lincoln in IllinoisTONIGHT! Tuesday, October 6th @ 6:00 PMMount Zion Baptist Church1634 19th AveSeattle, WA 98122About FRONT PORCH THEATER (from INTIMAN's website):Front Porch Theater brings the stories on our stage to life in neighborhood gathering spots (including coffee shops and libraries) and unexpected venues that encourage spontaneous participation. Family, friends and neighbors come together to read an excerpt from the American Cycle play aloud, followed by moderated conversation about the issues and ideas it inspires. All are welcome; those who don’t wish to read are encouraged to attend as audience and participate in the discussion. This fall, Intiman will join with community partners to co-host a Front Porch series for Abe Lincoln in Illinois, with readers taking on iconic roles from the play. For more information about the schedule or to participate please write us at frontporch@intiman.org. Abe Lincoln in IllinoisINTIMAN TheatreThrough November 15th
Wow, this play seems amazing. This writer really sounds like she's know what she's talking about. I MUST SEE IT!!!!!! This person should write more reviews!!!
which will also be, I just noticed, our 301st post. Blogging is fun! And so is this:Pomplamoose does "All the Single Ladies", and it is very very good.Thank you to TeenTixTipper Matthew
"Tibet Passport Control" by gruntso 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.
Last Sunday night Teen Tix members had a chance to enter the frightening suburbian zombie gaming underworld (via the frightening urban underworld of fringe theatre) at Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom at Washington Ensemble Theatre. Teen Tix members attended a pre-show costume demo with N3 Costume Designer Pete Rush, and a post-show Q&A with the cast and crew. WET is known for producing edgy, challenging, visually arresting theatre at their teensy tiny space (The Little Theatre) on Capitol Hill. Teen Tixer Stefania H. was there and tells us that Neighborhood 3 is no exception:"Neighborhood 3 was a thought provoking, entertaining, and spooky show that was thoroughly enjoyable. The clash of the video game world and reality was fun especially for a teen who likes video games, but was performed in a way that left a great deal of thought for the audience which made this show especially appropriate for the talk back after the show. It was also really neat to see how some of the costumes were put together and all of the thought and time put into costume designing. It was a great learning experience and definitely interesting. The WET did an awesome job with this show. It's a show to see and will be especially interesting to teens!"Neighborhood 3 Costume Designer Pete Rush ropes a Teen Tix volunteer into trying on the video game zombie suit. Sweeeeet. Neighborhood 3: Requisition of DoomWashington Ensemble TheatreThrough October 26thFor more info, visit the N3 facebook.
Review of Remember Being Born? at Taproot Theatre by Tucker Cholvin Taproot Theatre, it seems, is a busy place these days. Currently in the middle of their production of Enchanted April, Taproot is also offering audiences a hidden late-night gem. Remember Being Born?, a one-man show performed by Solomon Davis, is a quirky and deeply personal story that refuses to be pinned down into just one category. Neither here nor there in its unique combination of stand-up routine, memoir, and coming-of-age story, Remember Being Born? makes full use of its adaptability to delve deep into Davis’ childhood and persona. Solomon Davis in Remember Being Born? at Taproot Theatre Photo by Liz Ragland On stage, Davis begins as the funnyman—Steve Martin comparisons are inevitable, as his effusive, physical energy fills the house as well as when he whips out his harmonica for a doleful few notes at the end of a monologue. Other parts of his act seem improvised and unexpected, only adding to the fervor. His charm as a storyteller and his affection for screwball comedy succeed in winning audiences over immediately, laughing at one self-effacing story after another. The mood shifts a little as Davis recalls his father dating, but the screwball comedy is never far off. With each new story, we see Davis a little bit older—one moment being told by his father to use his middle name, Mark, rather than Solomon, and the next moment auditioning for the high school play. Awkward by their subject matter, his stories are also powerfully endearing, and in Taproot’s small theatre the stand-up comedy of the beginning evolves into a story more deeply and intimately personal. Recounting being raised by his father after his mother’s death in a car crash, Davis yet again transforms the show, this time into a search for identity and where he comes from. Davis dwells most poignantly on the latter, seeking the mother he never knew out through memories, and hoping that she is the answer to who he is maturing into. At its end, Remember Being Born?’s wit and humor does not degrade its intimacy and meaning, and its occasional seriousness does not obstruct the humor. Instead, Davis leaves his audience both with a smile on their face and a profound sense of who he is as a human being. Such a balance is hard-struck, and it is to Davis’ great credit that he can find it. Done well, theatre is the opportunity to delve deeper into the world of others than we can in daily life. In his incisive and magnificent performance, Davis’ Remember Being Born? succeeds marvelously. - Tucker C October 2nd, 2009 Remember Being Born? Every Friday night at 10:15 through October 23rd Taproot Theatre
"When Passport Photos Go Bad..." by ibeamee 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 Photoshopped (Alliterations " by intanchly 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.
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 a website that allows you to watch bits of television and movies all in one place. It's called Neave Television.They call it television without context, we call it hours of visual entertainment! Watch clips from sources all around the world, let your mind explore and be inspired!Explore Neave Television!
Review of The Shipment at On the Boards by Marissa B-TThe atmosphere is one of light joviality; the patrons of On the Boards anticipate something great. Most seats are full, the theater is humming with conversation-- then silence pervades, and The Shipment begins with a burst of light and movement. In the opening few minutes, the joviality remains, but alongside it arises an air of surprise and pensiveness registering in the faces of some viewers.Aundré Chin and Douglas Scott Streater in The Shipment at On the Boards.The Shipment, written and directed by Young Jean Lee, is currently playing in Seattle at On the Boards. The show consists of various theatre formats designed to address and reevaluate black stereotypes in contemporary culture. The opening dance routine, choreographed by Faye Discroll, energetically lights up the stage and breaks the so-called mold of black choreography. This performance sets the audience up for emotional polarization that is a key component throughout. In its entirety, The Shipment is a mere ninety minutes, yet its purposefully haphazard sequence of performances delivers a range of feelings and experiences. It should be mentioned that there is also wide range of profanity, as well (especially in Douglas Scott Streater's Standup Guy monologue); and anyone uncomfortable with hearing vulgarity every few minutes need not attend. The point of the play is not to soothe or solely entertain the audience. The language is intended to rile listeners; it is part of an attempt by Young Jean Lee's Theater Company to provide a new window onto their subject. Lee and the diverse, complementary cast of five blend a series of widely varying monologues, dances, and scenarios portraying common representations of the black identity in media. This first startling portion gives way to silence, into which, beautiful three-part harmony suddenly sounds. An innovative a cappella song divides the sections of the play. While blending seamlessly with the rest, its introspection tones down the intense stylization and drama of the first segment. Here, removal of the fourth wall serves to movingly connect actors with reality and the people sitting before them. Act II (if one can place that label on it), is distinct in style and content from preceding episodes. It would be unfair to reveal much; simply know that Act II is rooted in characters that each actor wanted to and had never had the opportunity to play. Therefore, as might be expected of so talented a cast, the roles are infused with an extra vibrancy. The last scene, as noted during an interview session afterward, is not about anything in particular. It is more the theme and potent conclusion that matter here.The Shipment was a more than usually collaborative effort between playwright/director, actors, and other members of the design team. Costume designer Roxana Ramseur's work is marvelous in conveying the several contrasting personalities each actor takes on. Suits, party dresses, colorful vests, evening gowns-- each costume perfectly aided in fleshing out each character and the role they had in a given scene. Lee succeeds brilliantly in realizing her concept. The process itself of formulating The Shipment is intriguing, with more material contributed by the actors than by the unconventional playwright/director/editor/creative stylist.- Marissa B-TThursday, October 1st, 2009The ShipmentThrough Sunday, October 4thOn The Boards
"Passport photos through the ages" by kh1234567890 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.
“Not only did this workshop improve my writing and my confidence in it, YCW led me to explore Seattle's rich culture; I saw plays and exhibits I never would have on my own.” - YCW graduate Elsa W.The Young Critics Workshop is a writing seminar for 11th & 12th graders and college freshmen who are interested in arts criticism and critical journalism, taught by The Stranger's Arts Editor Brendan Kiley.Professor KileyThe Young Critics Workshop gives young writers the opportunity to explore critical journalism, meet and learn from professional critics and artists, and hone their critical writing skills in the company of peers. The YCW is a challenging and rigorous writing course. Classes will be held twice a month for five months. Approximately three quarters of the class periods will be devoted to writing instruction, with the other quarter dedicated to guest speakers and field trips to see art. Students will be asked to attend and review at least three shows over the course of the five-month workshop in addition to completing writing assignments both in and out of class. The class will be conducted in a seminar style, and students will be expected to participate in class discussions and to read and respond to one another’s work.YCW graduate Paulina P.• The Young Critics Workshop is free of charge and open to all 11th & 12th graders and college/university freshmen.• All classes will be held at the Center House at Seattle Center.• Classes will be held approximately twice a month for five months. All classes will be held from 5 – 7 p.m. on Thursdays.In the words of previous participants:"Nitty-gritty discussions about writing in the first few classes fried my brain in the best way, while keeping things funny and casual.""When you know what you are supposed to do you can write ok, when you know why you are supposed to do it you can write better, but when you understand that you are the middle man, the mediator, between the artist and the audience, then that's when you can write a piece of excellent criticism."Stranger Day at YCW, with Stranger writers Brendan Kiley, Charles Mudede, David Schmader, Matthew Richter, Paul Constant, and Lindy WestHere's a blog post by YCW grad Bianca G about Stranger Day.". . .when [Brendan] was just talking about working at The Stranger or telling stories about being a theatre critic, it was the most entertaining, memorable, and engaging part of the class.""At the end of the short five-month run, I can proudly say that not only have my critical writing techniques improved exponentially, but my way of looking at, and reacting to, art has evolved into a more cognizant and analytical brand."More more information about this year's YCW, click here.To download an application, click here. Applications for the 2009-2010 Young Critics Workshop are due October 15th, 2009.Questions? Email teentix@seattle.gov
"Photo on the Passport" by *Kassiopey 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.
Where Are They Now proflies former Teen Steering Committee superstar, Ms. Jasmin Kwan. What's your name? Jasmin KwanHow old are you? 18Where did you go to high school? Ballard High SchoolWhere are you now? I'm currently a sophomore at Cornish College of the Arts studying artsy fartsy things that cost a lot of money. I'm a barista at the Blue Saucer cafe and I'm on two soccer teams. I still live at home and I haven't changed much from when I was doing Teen Tix. :]What's one thing you know now that you wish you'd known when you were in high school? I wish I knew that I was never going to see my classmates after graduation. I would have dressed more obnoxiously, made more art, auditioned for a play, and taken music classes. Peers in high school are tough to deal with, but they don't matter.What's one thing you want to do that you haven't yet? I really want to be a roller derby girl.What's your favorite art form and why? My favorite art form.... You're asking someone who goes to an art school! I really like going to the free first Thursdays in Pioneer square, there's lots of multimedia work and painting and photography, anything with lots of detail and complexity and simplicity. I also like accordians, classical guitar, improv and circus. All of which I think more people should expose themselves to [the art, music and performance part...]. There are so many artists out there, just waiting for you to see that they can do, so GO! Get watching and learning and teaching!Why should people join the Teen Steering Committee? Join the TeenTix Steering Committee! I got to go to some free plays [like $5 wasn't good enough] I got free food. I got to decided which venues we should to contact to broaden the TeenTix usage. Adults don't know what we want, they're still stuck thinking we want Backstreet Boys and Chia pets. No, we want improv and intense dramas and controversy and authoritive testing! Plus, Holly and Pete are really cool, and it would be really awesome to have some kids cooler and more clever than I to be on that committee.Anything else? I RUV TEEN TIX! There should be a TeenTix fan club for all the grown up people, and they do marshmallow eating contests to get a lifetime membership card.Ooooo yeah!Thanks Jasmin. And you are SO cool and clever. We'll totally take that marshmallow-eating contest thing under advisement. You want to join the Teen Steering Committee now, don't you? I knew it. Guess what? We're recruiting! We want YOU! Just have an adult (who's not your parent) or another teen send us an email nominating you. It can be one sentence long. Just make sure they include your contact info, too. More info on TSC and what it does can be found here. Don't delay! The first meeting of the year is October 26th!
Carla Korbes as Juliette. Photo by Angela Sterling.The Winger, written by PNB Principal Dancer Carla Korbes (currently starring as Juliette in PNB's Roméo et Juliette), is an interesting glimpse into the world of a young professional dancer.For me the opening of the season was emotional in many levels. First, it was my premiere in the role of Juliet. Second, this version is so dramatic and intense that by the end I felt like I had merged with the character and I couldn’t help but feel upset, angry, sad and at the same time wired and happy; it was the most disoriented I’ve ever been after a performance.
Okay, over on Slog, David Schmader has been posting one of these PS22 Chorus videos every morning, and every morning they have been making my day. But I think today's, of the chorus doing Lady Gaga's Just Dance, is my favorite. These kids have received a crazy amount of press for children (or anyone) and yet they don't display an ounce of the ego or competitiveness that I remember from my choir days. (And we had a lot less to be snooty about than these kids do.) They just look like they having tons of fun, supporting each other, and dancing up a storm. I think their choir director is a genius. Enjoy.
