KIDSTAGE
KIDSTAGE Inside Scoop Summer 2025
Dear KIDSTAGE families,
Spring reminds us that growth takes time, care, and courage – all qualities our students continue to embrace as they discover their unique voices and share them with the world! In these past weeks in our weekly classes, spring productions, and our advanced musical theater training program, we have watched the seeds of creativity take root. Students who once hesitated to speak up now are stepping confidently into the spotlight. Our students are cultivating not just artistic skills, but empathy, confidence, and resilience.
Program Highlights
The cast of KIDSTAGE Shrek the Musical JR. Photo by Ivy Green (2025).
The cast of KIDSTAGE A Wrinkle in Time. Photo by Ivy Green (2025).
Village Theatre Institute alum Amani Velada performed a solo with Santino Fontana April 18.
We just wrapped our outstanding production of Shrek the Musical JR. in Everett, showcasing the immense talent and professionalism of our 25 exceptional students sharing a story about embracing and celebrating individuality.
We also concluded this past weekend our production of A Wrinkle in Time in Issaquah. This is only the second time in the last 20 years that KIDSTAGE has produced a play, and students were able to dive into a powerful story that emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself, embracing personal strengths, and overcoming adversity.
Students from our Village Theatre Institute program got to perform with Broadway star and Tony Award-winner Santino Fontana in his Village Theatre concert on April 18. What an incredible opportunity for our teen artists to perform alongside him and be inspired by what it takes to be a professional artist.
New Program! COLLEGE PREP
We are delighted to introduce the launch of our new College Prep program for students that are auditioning for performing arts programs or launching careers after high school. This is an intensive outcome driven program for 12-14 dedicated students in each of our locations. It offers expert guidance on audition materials, dance pre-screens, interview coaching, self-tape techniques, professional headshot support, and mock auditions. This comprehensive training experience pairs well with our Village Theatre Institute.
Click here to learn more about our new College Prep program.
Coming Soon
Has your student been participating in classes and looking for the next step? We are thrilled to announce our upcoming auditions for students to join our Village Theatre Institute advanced musical theater training program next season, as well as the amazing performance opportunities we have this summer.
- Click here to learn about auditions for our school year Village Theatre Institute advanced musical theater program.
- Click here to learn about auditions for our Issaquah Summerstock Production of Les Misérables School Edition, our Everett Summer Independent Production of Chicago Teen Edition, and our Everett Summer Performance Intensive.
- Click here for student musician opportunities in both Les Misérables and Chicago.
- Click here to apply for our Technical Theater Program to work on our summer productions.
And it’s not too late to register for our incredible line-up of Summer Camps!
Student Highlights
(Left to right) KIDSTAGE students Giselle Kendrick, Inara Sheldon, and Kylie Anderson at the Teeny Awards.
Ben Dow and Sarah Rose Davis in Jersey Boys. Photo by Auston James (2025).
KIDSTAGE alumni Eyual Degaga, Kataka J. Mackenzie and Rachel Nellie will be in The Color Purple opening May 27.
The Teeny Awards is put on by TeenTix each winter and honors 20 students from around Puget Sound. Village Theatre was proud to have 4 students honored at these awards: Kylie Anderson, Nathan Gibson, Giselle Kendrick, and Inara Sheldon.
Giselle Kendrick was also selected as one of two regional finalists for the Next Narrative Monologue Competition and will perform in New York City at the Apollo Theatre in May.
Congratulations to all four of these students on their outstanding accomplishment!
I always love it when our KIDSTAGE alumni return to our Mainstage! Drew Bates and Sarah Rose Davis are currently in our Mainstage production of Jersey Boys and Eyual Degaga, Kataka J. Mackenzie and Rachel Nellie are in the company for The Color Purple.
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 family to our upcoming auditions, camps, and summer programs – where every child has the chance to shine!
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 May 1, 2025