Meet Julie!

We wanted to give you a glimpse of what goes on here at SCT, so you could get to know some of the work that happens here behind the scenes. The interns who help make the Summer Season's student productions possible are a vital part of our community, so we'll be posting some of their responses to a questionnaire we handed out, in the hopes that you can get to know them a little better.

Here's a little spotlight on Julie Baldwin, one of the outstanding education interns here at SCT!

1. What led to your decision to intern with SCT?
I had visited the Seattle area in January and their support
of the arts really impressed me. As a theatre for youth major,
I of course started to look into the SCT and discovered how
holistic their program seemed to be and how much I agreed
with their mission statement. When I returned to Iowa and
started looking for internship opportunities, SCT was on
the top of my list. I seemed to keep running into it
--mentioned in books on my report about the Federal Theatre
Project, raved about by my professors...I liked that the
internship would allow me to shadow so many different
professionals instead of just teaching like mad for three
months like most children's theatre internships. And after
interviewing with Ellie and Karen, I knew that it would be
a wonderful fit for me.

2. Where are you from, and what did you study before coming here?
I am from Cedar Falls, Iowa and I currently am finishing
my studies in Theatre for Youth and Spanish.

3. Why is theatre important to you personally?
I see theatre as not only a great tool for social change
and vehicle for social commentary, but one of the most
intimate was to connect human beings to one another.
It forces people to become physically and emotionally
close in a very short amount of time. I believe that
maintaining this connection may be the only thing that
keeps us from becoming sucked into the techno-era that
distances us from geniune human interaction.

4. What do you feel you bring to SCT’s Summer Season program?
I bring my passion and intensity to serve the community
through theatre. I believe that sometimes all that
children need is encouragement and a chance to prove
themselves. Through the summer season, they get the
chance to do so and I'll be on the side lines cheering
them on as hard as I can.

5. What’s your most memorable experience so far as an intern here?
Movement with Eric Johnson is pretty memorable for me--
his style of teaching and encouragement is so different
from anything I have seen and I believe it will really
influence my teaching style in the future.

6. What do you feel are the biggest challenges confronting you as an intern?
My goal for the summer: to work on observing and
understanding and child's behavior--what lies beneath
the words or actions they employ or what they are
saying nonverbally. Also, to try to assess the stage
of each child so that I can interact with each of them
as they need.

7. What part of this internship are you looking forward to the most?
Working with such a variety of age groups and observing the differences.


8. What is your specific job as an intern this summer – specifically,
what shows or age groups will you be working with the closest?
I am doing a lot of work with 4th through 6th graders,
both through Wayside Stories and acting and musical theatre
classes. I will be working also with 3-7 year olds through
Splash and story drama and have a few weeks of 7th-12th graders.


9. What do you feel is the most valuable thing you’ve learned so far as an intern here?
The power of influence in 7th-9th graders. In other words,
how one person's behavior can drastically influence the
behavior of others in the class.

10. What are your plans for the future?
To teach, to act, to have a hand in making theatre happen.

Getting into Character

One of our Drama School Classes decided to dress up and take it to the streets--
Zombie style! After a thorough costumes & makeup session, the students went outside
to show off the fruits of their efforts.


Some of the kids took to following unsuspecting pedestrians, walking behind them
and begging for water and band-aids.


Some of them really took their newfound roles to heart! One even played dead for
a solid 15 minutes in the middle of the sidewalk, getting more than a few odd glances.


It was great to see so many kids getting into their character and learning what it's like
to fully engage in a dramatic role!

Meet the Interns!

We wanted to give you a glimpse of what goes on here at SCT, so you could get to know some of the work that happens here behind the scenes. The interns who help make the Summer Season's student productions possible are a vital part of our community, so we'll be posting some of their responses to a questionnaire we handed out, in the hopes that you can get to know them a little better.

Here's a little spotlight on Julia Welch, one of the outstanding education interns here at SCT!

1. What led to your decision to intern with SCT?
My interest in theatre is very wide, ranging from acting to producing, directing
to designing, and from teching to teaching. SCT has an amazing internship program
that allows me to explore many areas of theatre in an environment that combines
them with my interest in education. The program was recommended to me by
previous summer interns as well as several membersof my college faculty. These recommendations, along with my personal interests, lead me towards SCT.

2. Where are you from, and what did you study before coming here?
I grew up in California (just south of San Francisco) and upon
entering college moved north to Tacoma, Washington where I attended the
University of Puget Sound. I dabbled in several disciplines including
chemistry and english before majoring in theatre arts. A liberal arts
college, the University of Puget Sound encourages students to develop
into well rounded individuals and my education was just that, within
the context of both my overall experience at the university and my chosen
major. I was required to participate in all areas of theatre and found
my passion to be in technical theatre, stage combat, and improvisational
comedy.

3. Why is theatre important to you personally?
I think that theatre is a unique medium as it requires the audience to engage
in a different way from many other art forms. The audience is an active
participant in the performance and the immediacy of the actions on stage and
the reactions off stage create some real magic. Theatre speaks to me in a way
that nothing else does and I find it unbelievably vibrant, persuasive, engaging,
academic, and passionate. Making theatre and sharing in that creation is a
powerful experience and one that I think everyone should take part in.

4. What do you feel you bring to SCT’s Summer Season program?
This summer I have been assigned to work on Romeo and Juliet as part of
SCT’s Summer Season. At the very least I will bring my enthusiasm and energy
to the rehearsal hall and hopefully a bit of knowledge and experience too. I
have a deep love for Shakespeare and hope the actors will enjoy working with
that beautiful language. Also, I am thrilled to be working on a show that
involves stage combat (as I am an actor/combatant recognized by the
Society of American Fight Directors) and I hope to share those skills in a safe
environment. Finally, I feel that I bring an organized mind to the project.

5. What’s your most memorable experience so far as an intern here?
This is a two part answer for me. Let me begin my saying that before arriving
at SCT I knew nothing about creative drama. It wasn’t even a term I had heard
before. On the first day of intern training two of the drama school staff led
the new interns through a creative drama class and I was amazed. I was
captivated by the story and the exercises and activities. The next week I got
to watch my first creative drama class and once more I was amazed by the kids
in the class and how much they cared about and became invested in the story.
It was unforgettable.

6. What do you feel are the biggest challenges confronting you as an intern?
Since it’s still early in the summer, my biggest challenge is simply my lack of
experience. This is the first week I am working with the kids and while it’s
thrilling, there are also a lot of unknowns. There are plenty of questions that
I am learning the answers to as I go. I expect that each week will get a little
easier and I will get a little more confident.

7. What part of this internship are you looking forward to the most?
While I love all the classes I am working on and am really enjoying the company
of the education staff and other interns, I am most excited to work on a stage
combat class later in this semester. Watching a student go from being scared
to pick up a sword to performing choreographed fights is incredible. I love to
watch their self confidence grow along with their skills. To me, stage combat
is more challenging than a lot of other theatrical disciplines since it requires
such high stakes for the characters involved and that asks a lot of the actors.
Success in stage combat is empowering. It is inspiring to see students take
risks and push themselves in a safe and controlled environment.

8. What is your specific job as an intern this summer – specifically,
what shows or age groups will you be working with the closest?
I am working on the Summer Season production of Romeo and Juliet which is from
grades 7 to 12. Other than that, my time is pretty well split up between the
different age groups. I seem to be assisting on all kinds of different classes
as well as doing some administrative work. It is a very balanced schedule that
allows me to do a little bit of everything.

9. What do you feel is the most valuable thing you’ve learned so far as an intern here?
I am sure that I will learn a ton more over the course of the summer, but in these
last couple weeks I feel that the most valuable thing I’ve learned is to just try.
Even if you are nervous or uncomfortable or even scared, there is so much to be
accomplished by putting yourself out there and trying. One of the great things
about SCT is that there are many other intern and staff members who are your
support system. Just try and even if you fail there will be people to help you.

10. What are your plans for the future?
It’s hard to say at the moment what I’ll be doing at the end of this summer.
I hope to continue working in theatre in some capacity, whether that means
I’ll get a job somewhere or another internship or even volunteering. Eventually
I’d love to go to graduate school for scenic design, but that’s still a couple
years off at least. Other goals I have are to work as an improv teaching artist
and to become a certified teacher through the Society of American Fight Directors.
For now I will enjoy every minute of this internship and hope that any future
experience is even half as great as this one is turning out to be.

Goodbye, Natasha!

Today we say goodbye to our school-year Education intern, Natasha Ransom. We've enjoyed her relentlessly positive energy and are sad to see her go.

Yesterday, she brought in this picture to share.


This is, of course, the patio outside SCT, and the cute little girl on the left is Natasha. The photo was taken in 1994, and that is what makes the picture so special. Natasha's relationship with SCT is going on 15 years. And while that is in fact special, it is by no means unique.

We hear stories like this all the time. Don Darryl Rivera, who played the lead in I Was a Rat!, shared a story recently about his first memory of an SCT play from the 1993-94 season, which featured actors with whom he now shares the stage.

People develop long-lasting relationships with this theatre, whether they be audience or artists, volunteers or staff. And we couldn't be more proud of that fact.

Chatting with the "RENT" cast

Last night, our Summer Season cast of RENT: School Edition had the opportunity to see the professional tour of RENT, including Broadway originals Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal, at the Paramount Theatre. After the performance, the professional cast met with our students for a chat-back.


It was an amazing experience. The professional cast treated our students with an incredible amount of respect, seriously considering their questions and speaking to them as fellow artists.


And our students were beside themselves. Not only did they get a chance to talk with artists pursuing the careers to which they aspire, but they were also able to pick the brains of people currently living in the roles the students will soon undertake.


Many thanks to the cast, Broadway Across America, and the Paramount Theatre for making this special evening happen.


And, thanks to Evening Magazine, who filmed the meeting. We'll update this post as soon as we know when the segment will air.

Bring on the interns!

The summer interns have arrived, infusing our entire building with a new fever-pitch of energy. And that means it is time to turn Behind the Curtain over to their capable hands.

So, let me take this opportunity to introduce Jordan, or PR/Marketing Interns. Jordan will be taking the helm here, bringing you insight into the camps, classes and student productions that make summer so much fun at SCT.

Hi everyone, my name is Jordan Gilbertson and I’m the PR & Marketing intern for the 2009 Summer Season. I’m originally from the Seattle area — or the Eastside, at least, which sort of counts — but for the past 3 years I’ve been at Amherst College, Massachusetts as a Political Science major. I’ve learned a lot, but never had the chance to get acquainted with the workings of the professional theatrical or PR/Marketing communities. I’m honored to be a part of something with such a great mission and sense of purpose, especially seeing as I still have no idea where my life is headed professionally.

I was raised on some of the outstanding productions they’ve had here in the past. In fact, one of my earliest childhood memories is of a Seattle Children’s Theatre show. Point is, this theatre has had a genuine formative impact on me, and I’m excited to help spread the word about the programs here.

Over the summer, this blog is going to introduce some of the other passionate and talented interns and staff helping run this year’s Summer Season. Hopefully, you’ll get a chance to see all of the work and passion that goes into making SCT productions such great experiences for youth and parents alike.

I look forward to seeing you at one of our Summer Season productions!

Annett Mateo and her new rock band

SCT's very own Annett Mateo, our lead properties artisan and resident puppet master, has been getting a lot of press lately for her work on the hand-puppet rock band she made for the Experience Music Project.

First, an article in the Seattle Times, and now a segment on KING5's Evening Magazine.

Congratulations, Annett, and great work on the rock band!

Letter: Go see "Goodnight Moon"?

This is the closing weekend of our 08-09 season, with both "I Was a Rat!" and "Goodnight Moon" coming to an end. This week, we received an email that we just had to, with the author's permission, share with all of you.


My family was recently given tickets to see Goodnight Moon. Our daughter is four years old, but we weren't sure how she would react. Claren has autism, and Goodnight Moon is one of her favorite books. After beginning to talk last year, she now recites it perfectly. I knew the play would have to veer away from the original words, and when it did, because of her adherence to routine, I worried that she would lose it and have to be removed.

She was mesmerized. Her eyes lit up as she took in the set, and saw the book come to life. For Claren, who does not know how to pretend, you are not putting on a play. Your set *is* Goodnight Moon. And she fell in love with it. After the show, I purchased the Goodnight Moon puzzle as well as the partner book, My World. And every time she's said, "Go see Goodnight Moon?" I have replied, "Of course we can. We'll go in a few weeks."

I didn't realize the show ended so quickly, nor did I ever dream that it would sell out. I'm writing to ask you if there's anything I can do to help her see the show again. To have Claren request something is a very big deal in our family. Claren is not interested in baking cookies with me, or doing crafts, or shopping. She doesn't make the connection between process and result. But Goodnight Moon she understands. I know many parents who find their children's constant demands very stressful. We are not blessed with that problem.

Please let me know if there is anything that can be done. We will come at any time, on any day. I will stand, holding her, in the back or off to the side if need be. We will watch it from the "cry room." We would come to a dress rehearsal if there are any left. I'm sure I must sound like a crazy parent, but because we have so few opportunities to engage and enthrall Claren, it means so much to us when one presents itself. I deeply regret the assumption that tickets would remain available. Please let me know if there is a way for us to see the show again. Although we were planning for my husband and I to bring her, we would be thrilled if just one of us could bring Claren again.


We didn't think she sounded like a crazy parent at all, but rather someone working very hard to provide the best for her daughter. And, of course, we found a way for Claren to attend.

But, the point isn't how nice we are at SCT. It's about the incredible power of the human connections that live theatre provides. I can't imagine a better testament than this letter.

We hope that Claren and her family enjoy "Goodnight Moon" this weekend as much as the first time around. And we hope that you will all join us for the 2009-10 Mainstage Season, starting in September, when we offer another year of stories with the power to enrich the lives of your family.

Creating your own post-play discussions

After nearly every performance, SCT artists return to the stage for a post-play discussion with the audience. They ask audience members about elements of the play, like the effect of parts of the musical score or whether they identify with any characters in the play, and also take audience questions. It is a valuable part of the SCT experience as it helps kids, and adults for that matter, make more personal connections to the material.

And the discussion doesn't have to, and dare we say shouldn't, stop when you leave the theatre. This article from the National Endowment for the Arts, which talks about dramatic play for children, offers some great suggestions for discussion points for your family after seeing a play:

- A good story. Theatre for young audiences today is wide-ranging, offering plays on subjects from traditional fairy tales to current events. Whatever the topic, a good production will clarify its subject. Did you learn something new or gain a new insight through the play?

- Credible characters. A “willing suspension of disbelief” is necessary for viewing theatre, but the characters should be plausible. Did actions seem totally out-of-character for someone in the play? If so, did you lose interest in the drama?

- Excellent performance skills (acting, dance, music, and any other skills called for such as juggling, fencing, etc.). Do these skills support the development of character? Are they at a level befitting the expectations of the actors, both in terms of the amateur or professional status of the company, and the actions of the characters?

- Effective visual elements. Do scenery, costumes, and lighting transport you to the place and time of the play? Are they visually engaging? In cases where scenery and lighting are minimal or absent, did the production stimulate your imagination in other effective ways?

- Challenging ideas. A good script can provoke thought, bring new ideas to light, perhaps help you look at a facet of life in a new or different way. Ask your child what he or she got from a performance. Try open-ended questions such as: What did you see on the stage? What was a particular character trying to do? What happened at the very beginning?

- Insight into other cultures. Theater can take us in time and place to other communities and cultures. Did the production help you learn about cultural or ethnic traditions?

- Strong emotional response and involvement in the plot. Were you moved by the action of the play? While emotions can’t always be verbalized, a discussion with your child about his or her feelings about what happened can benefit both of you.


Of course, it doesn't have to be anything so formal. Simple questions like "What did you like about the play?" or "Who was your favorite character?" on the car ride home can get the discussion rolling.

The ability to forge connections between people is one of the great strengths of theatre arts, and with a little encouragement it can start some great conversations with your kids. And that makes for a more enriching experience all the way around.