KIDSTAGE
KIDSTAGE Inside Scoop Fall 2025
Dear KIDSTAGE families,
We have just wrapped up an incredible summer – almost 900 campers across both locations, two incredible productions, a community performance in the Everett plaza, and the launch of our College Prep program. This summer was truly transformative for our students, who discovered new depths of creativity, resilience, and community.
In our theatres, students did not just learn to perform – they learned empathy, to lead, to trust, to fail gracefully, and succeed boldly. They discovered that every role – whether on stage or in the wings – is essential to creating the magic.
Summer 2025 Highlights
Company of Chicago: Teen Edition photos by Ivy Green. (2025).
Company of Les Misérables School Edition photo by Cesar Cabrera. (2025).
Chicago: Teen Edition (Everett) was a huge success with the students taking on every aspect of the production with mentorship by Village Theatre professionals. Students stepped into leadership roles while developing the ability to collaborate effectively under pressure.
Our beautiful production of Les Misérables School Edition (Issaquah), which performed on the Mainstage, featured 42 actors (ages 10-18) and almost 30 students working behind the scenes. Students were able to work with a professional team of designers and directors, including Timothy McCuen Piggee, who recently directed The Color Purple on our Mainstage.
Coming Up Next
We are so excited to pivot into our upcoming 2025-2026 school-year season. We sent out our big announcement via email in mid-August, so check that out for all the exciting details! And please consider this your friendly reminder that Fall Classes and our next round of Audition/Application Dates are coming up soon:
- Issaquah Fall Classes: Start SEP 13 (early start due to Salmon Days)
- Everett Fall Classes: Start SEP 20
- Everett Winter Production: Into the Woods
- Issaquah Winter Production: Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 in Concert
- KIDSTAGE Originals: Writer Applications
- Summer Independent Production: Proposal Applications Due
KIDSTAGE in the Community
Sarah Rose Davis and Lorenzo Pugliese in Jersey Boys. Photo by Auston James (2025).
Crystal Hairston, Kataka J. Mackenzie, and Melany Bell from The Color Purple. Photo by Auston James (2025).
We always love to highlight KIDSTAGE alumni appearing on our Village Theatre stages! Sarah Rose Davis and Drew Bates were recently in the company of Jersey Boys and Kataka J. Mackenzie, Eyual Degada, Zhanea June, and Rae Nellie were in the company of The Color Purple.
Did you also happen to catch Bye Bye Birdie at The 5th Avenue Theatre? And did you know 14 of the cast members were directly connected to KIDSTAGE?
- Students: Paul Abwao, Ana Sofia Cabrera Castro, Liz Conlon, Connor Craggan, River Dejong, Alexander Hernandez, and Isaiah Hyde
- Alumni: Kekoa Dilay, Nick McCarthy, Amani Velada and Chalia Wendland
- Instructors: Ania Briggs, Keoni Dilay, and Mackenzie Neusiok
I would also like to highlight KIDSTAGE alum Maleah Haverly who was recently recognized as one of the HUSKY 100 winners doing impactful work in the fields of psychology and disability advocacy.
Finally – Thank You!
Thank you again for being such an important part of our Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE family. We cannot wait to welcome your student to our upcoming Fall Classes and Winter Productions.
Please join us at our annual fundraiser brunch, Mimosas & Mocktails, on Sunday, October 19th. This event supports the work of our Youth Education program including scholarships for students who could not otherwise afford to participate. Also, as a fun bonus – there is a pre-Halloween costume competition!
My door is always open, and I love hearing from you. You can reach me at sbixler@villagetheatre.org.
Yours,
-Suzie C. Bixler, Director of Youth Education
Originally published September 3, 2025