There have been many studies that conclude that Theater is good for us, it teaches creativity and self-expression and inspires our imaginations. It more effectively communicates content and leaves greater room for new perspectives and critical thinking than a recorded performance. In a live performance we see the whole picture and we only get to do it once, which fine tunes our focus and extends our attention span, it resonates with us, prompts an often complex emotional, connection which can stay with us for days as we process the story and the message it carries. Theater promotes tolerance and acceptance, encourages community spirit, empathy, and goodwill. All great reasons to take your friends and family to a show and we have plenty to see in local theaters. And be sure to check listings for age recommendations.
Olympia and the surrounding communities are home to many truly stellar theater companies. They are passionate about their work, fabulously talented, truly dedicated, and fiercely hardworking. They are also hugely supportive of each other and share many resources, acting talent, and are ready to advertise each other’s achievements. Jump in and support their productions, here they are:
Children’s Theater Experience
Arts Festival presents Jungle Book Kids adapted from Disney’s animated film and the works of Rudyard Kipling. The “man cub” Mowgli, bounds through the jungle and learns what it means to be human.
Showcase presents Mean Girls Jr, adapted from Tina Fey’s 2004 blockbuster film, and the Broadway smash hit. It is about chasing popularity and being true to yourself.
Spotlight presents Much Ado About Nothing which is one of Shakespeare’s most frequently performed comedies and includes two quite different stories of romantic love. Hero and Claudio instantly fall in love, but outsider, Don John, strikes out at their happiness. Beatrice and Benedick are kept apart by pride until others decide to play Cupid.
Workshops enrollment closing date was June 21 – but they will take people after that date if there is still space. More details and registration at CTEkids.org
WHAT
CTE productions of Jungle Book Kids, Mean Girls Jr, & Much Ado About Nothing.
WHERE
Kenneth J. Minnaert Center, SPSCC, 2011 Mottman Rd SW, Olympia, WA 98512
WHEN
Jungle Book Kids: July 27, 28 at 6:30 p.m. & July 29 at 1 p.m.
Mean Girls Jr: July 27, 28 at 8 p.m. & July 29 at 7 p.m.
Much Ado About Nothing: August 3, 4 & 5 at 7 p.m.,
HOW MUCH
Tickets for shows are free with requested donation
LEARN MORE
www.CTEkids.org
Theater Artists Olympia
The Mystery Plays are two loosely interrelated one-acts, inspired by the tradition of medieval mystery plays but seen through the lens of The Twilight Zone.
Built to be two acts; the first play, The Filmmaker’s Mystery, Joe Manning, a director of horror films, is the sole survivor of a terrible train wreck and is being haunted by the ghost of another passenger. As the police investigate Joe, he in turn is desperate to understand the reason for, and the cost of, his survival.
In the second play, Ghost Children, Joe’s ex and attorney, Abby Gilly, travels home to a small town in rural Oregon to deal with unresolved issues related to her brother’s incarceration for the murder of the rest of their family. Like the original medieval mystery plays, The Mystery Plays wrestles with the mysteries of death, the afterlife, faith, and forgiveness.
The Mystery Plays written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Directed by Pug Bujeaud
WHAT
The Mystery Plays
WHERE
Capital Mall, 625 Black Lake Blvd, Olympia, near the cinemas across from Old Navy.
WHEN
August 10, 11,12 & *13. 18,19, *20 & 21. (yes that’s a Monday,) 25,26 & *27.
Curtain at 7:30 p.m., except *Sundays at 2 p.m.
HOW MUCH
$20
LEARN MORE
www.olytheater.com
Juice Box Theater
Juice Box is a brand-new theatre company founded by a group of local authors, tech wizards, and actors with over 100 years combined theatrical experience to produce fun, short, original shows, perfect for kids of all ages.
Shows are written and directed by Kate Ayers
Juice Box is planning a Juice Box Fundraiser of A Weekend Of Gilligan’s Island. They will most likely be a Friday and Saturday night. Check website for details.
WHAT
Rapunzel, and Three Billy Goats Gruff. Children’s Theater.
WHERE
Capital Mall, 625 Black Lake Blvd, Olympia, WA 98502. Located near the cinemas across from Old Navy.
WHEN
Rapunzel: July 20,21 & 22
Three Billy Goats Gruff: August 17, 18 & 19
All shows start at 10:30 a.m.
HOW MUCH
$5. Children under two are free.
LEARN MORE
www.olytheater.com
Animal Fire
Animal Fire Theatre is excited to present its 11th season production, William Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. This play examines the challenges of power and privilege, sexism, and the constant struggle for justice, justice, justice, justice. and opening July 7. Showings are each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until the 30th, begin at 7:00 p.m., and, as always, they are FREE for all.
WHAT
Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure
WHERE
East Capitol Campus (At the water sculpture near the Korean War Memorial)
WHEN
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. from July 7-30 p.m.
HOW MUCH
Free
LEARN MORE
https://animalfiretheatre.com
Harlequin
Harlequin Productions is showing at the State Theater this summer: the Tony-winning Falsettos directed by Corey McDaniel with musical direction by Aaron Lamb. Written by William Finn and James Lapine. This is a sung-through musical that tells the story of a large, eccentric, and dysfunctional but loving Jewish family in New York at the end of the 1970s.
Starring Jon Lutyens* (Murder for Two), Meg McLynn (Tenderly), Nicholas Main (Man of La Mancha), Bruce Haasl (Tenderly), Kristen Natalia (String and Shadow), and two actors in their Harlequin debuts, Karin Terry, and Josh Doyle.
Age Recommendations: Adult themes; ages 11 and older with guidance.
WHAT
Falsettos
WHERE
The State Theater, 202 4th Ave E, Olympia WA 98501
WHEN
Runs June 30 – July 22. Check website for times and show dates.
HOW MUCH
General $50, Senior/Military $46, Student/Youth $33, Groups 6+ $40. Check website for Rush Tickets, and Pay What You Choose nights.
LEARN MORE
https://harlequinproductions.org/show/falsettos/
String and Shadow (Olympia and on tour)
String & Shadow’s 2023 show Ship of Fools: A Giant Puppet Odyssey in it, three mimes set sail from the Port of Styx across the mythical boundary waters connecting the world of the living to the underworld. Aboard a mysteriously sentient ship, they encounter a world of beautiful and strange creatures: hermit crabs carrying houses on their backs, a ghostly humpback whale, and much more. Under layers of colorful fabric and dancing cardboard, Ship of Fools deals with themes of loss and acceptance, depicting a wondrous unknown and speaking to the power of friendship and love. It is brought to life by three mimes, three musicians, and six puppeteers.
(*Elizabeth Lord, one of the actors also hosts karaoke typically the last Friday of every month at the Olympia Eagles club, 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. However, she will not be hosting in July as she’ll be on stage with the above-mentioned play. She calls/hosts bingo at both the Olympia and Lacey Senior Centers, Senior Services for South Sound. Elizabeth Lord also hosts StoryOly every 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7p.m. at the Brotherhood Lounge. Check website for details: www.professionaltalker.com )
WHAT
Ship of Fools: A Giant Puppet Odyssey. Outdoor puppet theater for kids of all ages.
WHERE
Calliope Farm, 1335 Overhulse Rd NW, Olympia, WA 98502 (N.B. not Rochester)
WHEN
July 7-30. Showtimes are 6:30 p.m. Fri-Sun and an additional Sunday matinée at 2:30 p.m. The show then goes on tour August 1-20, check String and Shadow website for details.
LEARN MORE
www.stringandshadow.com/about
Lakewold Gardens
An abridged version of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be presented at Lakewold Gardens featuring actors playing multiple roles and faery dancers, accompanied by a live piano adaptation of Selections from Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, by Duo Powers-de la Torre. With the beautiful gardens as a backdrop, it will be a magical evening. There will be two performances, see website for details.
Directed by John Serembe
WHAT
Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream
WHERE
Lakewold Gardens, 12317 Gravelly Lake Drive Southwest, Lakewood
WHEN
Sunday, July 30, 4-8 p.m. (This event is a fundraiser)
Friday, August 4, 7 p.m. (Price includes garden admission from 6 p.m.)
HOW MUCH
July 30 -$250 (day event fundraiser)
August 4, $20 (includes garden admission)
LEARN MORE
https://lakewoldgardens.org
Toad: (Centralia)
Toad is producing The SpongeBob Musical: youth edition with kids ages 8 to 18 performing. Their mission is “to inspire, nurture, challenge, amaze, educate, and empower young theatre artists via top-quality performing experiences.” With their programs, they seek to stimulate, celebrate, and enhance young actors’ and audiences’ understanding of themselves and others through the shared magic of live theatre.
WHAT
The SpongeBob Musical: youth edition
WHERE
226 West Center Street, Centralia
WHEN
July 28 & 29 at 7 p.m., and 30 at 2 p.m.
HOW MUCH
Adults $15, Student (17 and under) $10, Seniors (60+)
LEARN MORE
www.toadtheater.com
Tacoma Arts Live: (Tacoma)
Tacoma Arts Live invites you to immerse yourself in a unique theatrical experience of Shakespeare’s, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Director Deanna Martinez reinvents this whimsical romantic comedy by rooting it in a celebration of Boricua-Hawaiiana culture. Magic, potions, and mystery are met with hula, ipu heke, and true aloha spirit in this fantastical escape. Hawaii will fully surround the audience and performers through beautiful, huge projections created by flora&faunavisions.
This is ‘Shakespeare in the Park… in the Armory.’ Wear aloha shirts and flower crowns, and bring your beach towels, leis, lauhala mats, pillows, and low-profile beach chairs to enjoy the enchanting oasis inside Tacoma Armory.
We are delighted to collaborate with our cultural consultants from the Asia Pacific Cultural Center, who are supporting the music and movement for A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Seating is first come, first served on the floor. Create your own tropical paradise: pack beach towels, lauhala mats, blankets, pillows, and low beach chairs, and enjoy the enchanting oasis inside Tacoma Armory.
WHAT
Midsummer Night’s Dream. Shakespeare in the park
WHERE
Tacoma Armory – 1001 S. Yakima Ave, Tacoma
WHEN
Aug 17 to September 3, Thursday- Saturday, 8 p.m. 3 p.m. Sunday
HOW MUCH
$39 general admission, floor seating
LEARN MORE
www.tacomaartslive.org