Seattle Children’s Theatre and WWU team up to prep students for performing arts professions

Western Washington University's Theatre Department and Seattle Children's Theatre (SCT) have come together to create a unique partnership, working together on new projects like “The Snow Queen” and “Hip Hop Theatre Weekend” that give current WWU students the opportunity to pursue professional work through an experiential learning lens.  

Stemming from their shared passion for theatre and the philosophy that “we go further together,” WWU Professor and Chair Rich Brown and Idris Goodwin, artistic director of SCT, came together to find the perfect balance of artistic and intellectual discovery in live theatre – and brought it to Western.  

“The Snow Queen” brings in a flurry of opportunities – commercial and educational  

Brown and Goodwin started their first project with a special "work in progress" play development reading of "The Snow Queen,” which they hosted at WWU earlier this year. "The Snow Queen" is an adaptation of the beloved Hans Christian Andersen tale, penned by NYC-based playwright Matt Opatrny. WWU Theatre students Anna Olsen, Gabe O’Rourke-Dela Cruz, and Bryer Ramsey participated in the development workshop of “The Snow Queen,” getting to learn from Brown, Goodwin, and Johamy Morales, SCT’s associate artistic director. Morales was able to use the time with Western’s students and faculty to significantly develop the play’s West Coast run, which will premier at Seattle Children's mainstage in December 2024.  

One of the key aspects of this collaboration is the opportunity it provides for Western students to work alongside seasoned professionals in the field, both enriching their education and preparing them for the real-world challenges of the industry. 

The cast and creative team working on this production are all local to the Seattle area, and audiences may recognize many of these professional actors from previous SCT shows. Joining Morales and Rich Brown on stage is Teague Parker, an actor, improviser, teaching artist, and 2017 WWU theatre alumnus who has brought his talents to SCT on the stage and in education offerings.  

“Ever since I was first welcomed to Western Washington University by Rich Brown and Kamarie Chapman, I've always been impressed by the strength of the pedagogy and the palatable excitement for the possibilities of theatre. It was no surprise to me to discover the breadth of WWU alums within the arts and cultural landscape of Seattle, as well as the institution I was selected to lead a year and a half ago,” said Goodwin. 

From the page to the stage: Developing talent through real-world training 

One of the key aspects of this collaboration is the opportunity it provides for Western students to work alongside seasoned professionals in the field, both enriching their education and preparing them for the real-world challenges of the industry.  

“WWU and SCT's partnership was such a big learning experience for me. It provided a unique, hands-on learning opportunity that we don't get in the classroom,” said O’Rourke-Dela Cruz, one of the students actively involved in the production. 

O’Rourke-Dela Cruz’s classmate Bryer Ramsey agreed, saying, “Both Goodwin and Morales are fantastic at cultivating spaces where the freedom to express your own ideas and interpretations is encouraged and celebrated.” 

Coming soon: Partnership continues with “Hip Hop Theatre Weekend” 

Coming up next as part of the partnership, Western will host “Hip Hop Theatre Weekend” with SCT in January 2024 here on campus.  

Artists from New York and Seattle will be on campus presenting writing workshops and offering performances for the whole WWU community. “Workshops like these are so valuable to us and SCT. The connections our students build with professionals are truly unique,” said Brown.  

Seattle Children's Theatre, a leading producer of new works, has long been dedicated to enriching the lives of young audiences through professional theatre and education. Its mission aligns with Western's Theatre Arts Department, which aims to educate students on theatre literature, history, and practice, while nurturing the development of innovative theatre artists equipped with writing, devising, and entrepreneurial skills, so our students can add their voice to the cultural conversation.  

“As Artistic Director of Seattle Children's Theatre, my goal is to better integrate the key pillars of our mission (education, production, and new work). I believe it’s through the creation of these nexus points we foster innovation and growth. This partnership with WWU is key to the success of this goal,” said Goodwin.  

“This partnership brings a host of benefits for our students, faculty and staff alike. First, our students make professional connections by working directly with pros as we develop new work at WWU to premiere on SCT’s mainstage. So, when they graduate and walk into acting auditions or design interviews, they will already have a relationship with professional artists. Second, our faculty and staff bring our expertise and experience to SCT while continuing to hone and develop our craft, which in turn, serves our students daily in the classroom,” said Brown. “And it’s not only a gift to the students and professionals involved but also to the community at large, expanding the range of stories being told and building a pipeline of regional talent." 

“This is only one of the opportunities that Western has offered me in terms of my own professional development and getting to know the industry a lot better and also applying all of the training I’ve received from Western,” said Olsen. 

Read more about WWU's College of Fine and Performing Arts and upcoming events.