Seattle Rep YouthFest
June 3 & 4, 2023
Bagley Wright Theater
Join us on June 3 & 4, 2023 in celebrating a whole year of creation at our second annual YouthFest. From solo performances to full-length plays and beyond, this two-day festival showcases the work of some of the most talented youth in the Pacific Northwest.
In between shows, we will have activities in the lobby including candle-making, free headshots, resume review, prizes, and a PromaDrama getting-ready station. We will also have free snacks and drinks available all day!
There will be food trucks in the Seattle Rep parking lot from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m, with grilled cheeses from The Cheese Pit on Saturday and hot dogs from Monster Dogs on Sunday.
| Saturday, June 3 Pass Includes ticket to PromaDrama |
Tickets |
| Sunday, June 4 Pass | Tickets |
| PromaDrama Single Ticket | Tickets |
Note: All Youthfest performances and activities will take place at Seattle Rep in the Bagley Wright Theater, except for Teen Night (lobby and Leo K. Theater) and Promadrama (PONCHO Forum).
Friday, June 2 at 6:30 p.m.
-
Teen Night
Friday, June 2 at 6:30 p.m. – Teen Night for Lydia and the Troll
Kickoff YouthFest by buying your $5 tickets with your TeenTix pass to see Lydia and the Troll on Teen Night! Join us for a free pre-show reception, fun activities, and a chance to hang out with other teens in a youth-only space!
6:30-7:30 p.m. Teen-only reception, featuring free snacks, drinks, and activities – including puppet-making and a costume closet where you can try on formal clothes and even take away a prom outfit for PromaDrama! (PONCHO Forum)
7:30-9:00 p.m. Lydia and the Troll performance (Leo K. Theater)Call (206.443.2222), message, or text (206.565.2996) the Patron Services Office to take advantage of this $5 TeenTix ticket offer.
Saturday, June 3 at 12:30 p.m.
In this special triple-feature, watch unique performances by youth from the Next Narrative Monologue Competition, Young Women Empowered’s Y-WE Speak Program, and Macha Youth Voices.
-
The State of the Students
An all-youth cast will perform this new piece by local writer Rachel Atkins, which blends testimonies from students across the Seattle region into a powerful ensemble play.
The State of the Students was created by Rachel Atkins with support from Seattle Office of Arts & Culture.
-
Y-WE Speak
In partnership with Young Women Empowered, Y-WE Speak is a program that fosters a generative and supportive ensemble of girls, trans*, and non-binary youth who together explore themes of identity, community, and social justice. Throughout the year, these teens have been writing personal monologues and creating two group pieces that examine issues important to them.
Performances include:
I Am Poems (short film)
Reflection (group piece)
Dead Flowers (group piece)
1992, a solo show by Zaiba
Monologues by Lane, Amirra, Jackie, Andrea, Becky, Fatiya, and Sade
Content advisories: Profanity, depression, underaged drinking, car accident, death, physical abuse, grief, depiction of a panic attack, discussions of racism.
-
Macha Youth Voices
Macha Youth Voices presents solo shows from two artists who have been working on these pieces all year.
Analisa Magnano's solo show is a piece in which she addresses a doctor in a direct manner about her outrage with how everyone sees her and refers to her as "Anna" (which is a term commonly used in place of Anorexia) instead of Ana. She is more than her disorder. She wants to be seen as her whole self.
Cordelia Carranza-McCulough's solo show is about her attempt "to prom." That is, to try and be a "normal" teenager, connect with peers and have... fun?
Saturday, June 3 at 6 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
-
Saturday at 6 p.m.
Don’t Bother Me I Can’t Cope
Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center presents Don’t Bother Me I Can’t Cope, a musical by Micki Grant
Music and Lyrics by Micki Grant
Conceived by Vinnette Carol
In partnership with Seattle RepSynopsis: A Tony nominee as Best Musical of the season, this dynamic mixture of rock, calypso and ballads features a dozen singer-dancers in 20 numbers. In revue-style format, Don't Bother Me I Can’t Cope explores the African American experience through vibrant song and dance.
-
Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
PromaDrama
For one night only, teens from all over can come and participate in this over the top prom experience. At this masquerade ball themed event, there will be dancing, crafts, refreshments, photo-ops, games, a chocolate fountain and more! Attendees are asked to dress in prom attire you feel comfortable in, from sweatpants to ball gowns.Don't have a prom outift? Come to Teen Night on June 2 where we will have a costume closet for you to choose from!
Single Tickets are only $10!
Saturday YouthFest pass includes a PromaDrama ticket.
Planning Committee: Leila Neidlinger & Malia Silva
Sunday June 4 at 12:30 p.m.
Asian American Pacific Islander Club Performance, Red Eagle Soaring, Ground Zero Radio, and Next Narrative Monologue Competition Monologues
-
Red Eagle Soaring presents Counting Worms
by Tapwehta “Sunny” Rowe
Synopsis: Earl is an old native man who’s lived a hard life full of experiences including boarding schools, the Vietnam war, and more. We now sit with him through his last days as his memory fades away and he recounts his life.
-
Dearest Partner of Greatness
A Ground Zero Radio Production
Written by and Starring: Sadie Gingold
Directed by: Kylie RowlandSynopsis: Murder, power, sex, and honesty. A modern-day Lady Macbeth is an actress fighting for roles in an industry desperate to silence women’s voices. A chance encounter with the talented Max Bethel sends her on a spiraling path into marriage, madness, and murder. Dearest Partner of Greatness explores what it means to be a good person and the lengths to which we’ll go for those we love.
-
Asian-American & Pacific Islander Club Performance
Seattle Rep’s Asian-American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Club presents an original piece that they have been devising throughout the year.
-
Next Narrative Monologues
Youth who competed in the Next Narrative Monologue Competition will perform monologues written by 50 of the best contemporary Black playwrights in the U.S.
SUNDAY, JUNE 4 AT 6 P.M.
-
Penguin Productions presents Hand to God
By Robert Askins
Directed by Kyle GerstelSynopsis: After the death of his father, meek Jason finds an outlet for his anxiety at the Christian Puppet Ministry, in the devoutly religious, relatively quiet small town of Cypress, Texas. Jason’s complicated relationships with the town pastor, the school bully, the girl next door, and—most especially—his mother are thrown into upheaval when Jason’s puppet, Tyrone, takes on a shocking and dangerously irreverent personality all its own. Hand to God explores the startlingly fragile nature of faith, morality, and the ties that bind us.
