Andi Alhadeff, Performer, she/her

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

Growing up we would always go to see shows during the holidays. We would often go to a show at Arts West called Voices of Christmas, where folks would share about their holiday traditions, sing songs and tell stories. We would also go to see productions like Black Nativity and the Nutcracker. Sitting and celebrating the spirit of the season together with live performance was such a gift and a tradition I am so thrilled to get back to.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

It is surreal and magical to be back in performance spaces again. There is something quite healing and energizing. I think internally, we have all shifted over the course of this time and it is thrilling to see how we show up in these spaces with familiarity but also with a new sense of identity and purpose.

Andrew Pang, Associate Music Director, he/him

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

Every holiday season, I engulf myself in the wonders of the overall holiday season, as there is something almost inexplicably beautiful about holiday music – it’s in a place where many people almost universally love it, or at least recognize it when the holidays come around!

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

It feels absolutely amazing and blessed to finally be working to perform live once again! I’m definitely looking forward to adjusting back to live performances and putting smiles on everyone’s faces.

Brandi Birdsong, Performer, she/her

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

I’ve been a choir nerd since the early age of 12 and have always been a part of some sort of holiday concert. So for 16 years, holiday music and spirit has always been a priority in my life, you can say. With family, dancing and singing is a must when we gather together, as well.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

Being new to the company, of course I have a sense of excitement. With this group of people, there is already a sense of family. I can’t help but feel like I’ve known some of these people for years rather than weeks. You can’t find that in every company or with anyone.

Casey Raiha, Performer, he/him

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

Usually I’m in a show around the holidays.  But whether I am or not, there’s always a musical to see, Carols to sing, Christmas specials to view.  The arts have always played an essential part in the holidays for my family and I.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

I was fortunate enough to be in a handful of virtual productions in 2020.  But there’s nothing quite like being in the room together, making art and telling stories.  It’s definitely an indispensable human experience.

Colleen Nielsen, Stage Manager, she/her

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

For the last decade or so I’ve been working on a show during the holidays so time with my family meant that much more to me.   Not to mention, Christmas music is a THING in our house.  It starts the day after Thanksgiving and always with the same album.  I also get to paint nutcrackers based on Village Theatre shows. It’s one of my favorite new traditions.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

There is an element of the surreal in coming back together again.   There’s a feeling of coming back home and finding that home has changed and yet the parts that you loved remained the same.   I love the energy involved in us all being in the same place, in the same space.

Cy Paolantonio, Director

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

My family and I see the winter holidays as a time to soak up as much arts and culture around Seattle as we can. Every year we try to do some combination of the following: head to the Armory to see the miniature train and take in a concert, get dressed up to see PNB’s Nutcracker, visit the Teddy Bear Suite at The Fairmont, and see the holiday lights at Woodland Park Zoo. The winters where I’ve worked on holiday-themed shows like A Christmas Story or Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn always feel extra festive because I know I’m part of making someone else’s holiday season special.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

Staying creatively engaged and validated as an artist during the pandemic was tough. Theatre is team sports, and when our line of work shut down, when we lost our jobs and became very isolated from each other, it was challenging to stay artistically motivated. To be collaborating with a team again, on a production with all these departments and moving parts, it’s exciting, stimulating, and nerve-wracking, all in one glorious package.

Jordon Bolden, Performer, he/him

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

Gospel has been a massive part of my family’s holiday traditions. From John P. Kee and Kirk Franklin to Yolanda Adams and Whitney Houston, if there ain’t Gospel music playing in the house, it simply ain’t Christmas! That music quickly warms our spirits, reminding us the reason we all gather together.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

Like a fever dream, honestly. Everything feels nostalgic and familiar, but the world has changed. We’ve changed. So, personally, I’m trying to only hold onto the present and remember how monumental this moment is.

Kataka Corn, Performer, they/them

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

We watch holiday classics, listen to traditional Christmas music while cooking and decorating, and try to catch a family musical for the holidays.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

To be back in action again with the theatre family is truly a blessing and the best gift I could have received this holiday season. I can’t wait to share this joy with everyone!

Kyle Nicholas Anderson, Performer, he/him

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

From playing the piano, to singing carols, to listening to holiday bops while baking cookies, music is at the heart of our holiday traditions.  When we are unable to make it home for the holidays, we put on our favorite holiday album and are instantly transported to our family, loved ones, and wonderful memories.  I hope this concert incites some wonderful memories for you as well.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

November 2nd was our first day of rehearsal (599 days since March 13th).  The only feeling I have is gratitude.

Lauren Paris, Performer, she/her

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

I was in the Seattle Girls Choir growing up, so the holidays were always packed with concerts. A favorite of mine and my family’s through the years was singing for the opening night of The Christmas Ship. I have so many wonderful memories from those performances. I recently moved back to the Seattle-area, and look forward to attending Christmas Ship performances or listening from the shore with my new husband (who’s a Midwesterner, and new to the Pacific Northwest) and our family. When I lived in Chicago, I used to sing Chicago’s first Christmas Tree Lighting of the season every year, which was at The Wrigley Building. I absolutely loved this job and the festivity we all shared at it each year. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to step into a new arts community (to me) this season in the Seattle-area.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

It is unbelievably surreal to have the opportunity to return to the theatre, especially during the holiday season. Togetherness is something I will never take for granted again, and togetherness at the theatre is at the top of my list of favorite things.

Aaron Alonso, KIDSTAGE Production Manager – Everett, he/him

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

The holidays wouldn’t be the holidays without the arts! And this goes beyond simply the performing arts, seeing Village Theatre’s holiday show, attending the Nutcracker, or going to a holiday orchestra concert. This includes other art forms, the small things: listening to holiday music non-stop on the radio as soon as the calendar turns November (yes, I’m that kind of person), watching holiday classics on TV or going out to the movies to watch the latest blockbuster, or deciding how to decorate the house (the number of times we’ve argued over where the Christmas tree is going in a particular year is astonishing). It’s those small details you don’t normally think about that makes our holiday season special. It’s all art, and something we always look forward to this time of year.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

The first word that comes to mind is grateful. Theatre by its very nature is about being together as a group, as a community, creating and engaging with a collective experience, where you have your heartbeats sync up, you lean forward from your seat, and forget your worries for two hours and experience storytelling at its most visceral and magical. We haven’t been able to celebrate and congregate as a community in so long, so to have the chance to do that right on time for the holiday season makes this return to the stage that much more meaningful for everyone involved. We are grateful to be able to tell stories again, and are even more grateful to do so with our community once more.

Anasofia Gallegos, Casting Associate & Programs Assistant, they/them

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

Every year during Thanksgiving, my family and I will enter our own Holiday entertainment ideas into a hat, then draw one! Sometimes it’s the ballet or the theatre, other times a movie or a concert.    ”

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

Feels like coming home after college. You’re a lil older, a lil wiser, maybe a lil hesitant, but still feel welcomed and warm back in a familiar place you’ve missed.”

Andre Burman, Associate Technical Director, he/him & Beth Burman, Gardens and Groundskeeper, she/her

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

Creating home-made gifts has always been of high importance in our family.  From woodworking, metal-work, and sewing detailed crafts to home-baked cookies and pies.  I produce an annual printed family calendar with pictures of siblings and uncles, children and grand-children and family pets.  It’s the highlight of the family get-together to look through the calendar.  Purchased gifts are nice, but not a large part of our tradition.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

Being back making theatre feels wonderful and a bit scary!  We haven’t forgotten how to ride the theatre bicycle, but it feels a bit wobbly remembering how to do it!

Angela Linder, Youth Education Administrator

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

The arts make any day of the year festive, but there is something so very moving when I see our theatres dressed up in lights, attend a holiday music concert, or see a holiday show.  There’s something even more delicious when you work in this environment.   I go back far enough with Village Theatre to remember “decorating day” with our Everett staff, where I personally strung lights on the trees at the Everett Performing Arts Center, and the secret delight I had knowing our patrons would be enjoying my handiwork.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

Coming out of this pandemic–where every day at the theatre was a “dark” day; dust gathered on desks, and our KIDSTAGE Philodendron plant, who I named “Audrey 2,” sadly, didn’t make it—to see the lights on, desks occupied, smiling faces who are so happy to be back, and even the big truck taking up our parking spots while scenery loads in…it’s the best.  The very best.  It was truly heartbreaking to shut down, and watch friends turn in their keys and to worry how they were going to make it.  Well, we’re back now, and we can’t wait to welcome back our audiences!  I can’t wait to be back in the audience, either!

Blaire Smith, Education Programs Coordinator KIDSTAGE- Issaquah

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

During the holidays there are so many opportunities to admire and experience the holiday magic through the arts. Be it going to a holiday show, craft fair, or the baking cookies! One of our many Smith family holiday traditions is a Holiday Cookie Bake! Everyone brings their favorite dough, and we fight over oven time and feast on cookies and cookie dough as we decorate! Then after drive around aimlessly admiring Christmas lights!

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

For me, theatre is “home.” Having the everyone back together is something that feels like coming home. There is a different energy as we come back, everyone is grateful to be there and ready to breath new life into their work.

Bobbi Kotula, Individual Giving Manager, she/her

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

Singing in holiday concerts at school and church were a huge part of my December celebrations. In high school September is when we started learning the music for our holiday concert; When the leaves start to turn, I still get an itch to sing holiday songs. Its part of my DNA to practice so if you hear me singing Deck the Halls before the first leaf falls, you’ll know why.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

I’m still working remotely so I am not feeling the excitement that pulsates through the building when we are in production, however, I am cautiously excited that we will be back to celebrating life through the exceptional gift of live theatre. This pandemic has revealed so much to the world. We can be a selfish lot, but we can also be courageous, kind, and creative. I believe Village Theatre has focused on being the latter choice and as we move forward in celebrating what we do best, I know that we are taking every safety precaution imaginable. Our courage, kind, & creative souls will bring hope and light back to our weary world.

Brandon Ivie, Associate Artistic Director – New Works, he/him

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

Every year we go to a holiday show together as a family. It’s different every year. We’ve done big musicals at Village and The 5th, we’ve done Seattle Symphony, we’ve gone to a special music service at our church, we’ve been to clubs like Jazz Alley, really just depends on the year.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

It’s thrilling and exhausting! I forgot how much work it is, but also how joyous it is!

Caitlin McCown, Associate Production Manager, she/her

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

To me, the arts are intrinsically entwined with the holiday season. Whether I’m stage managing A Christmas Carol, attending The Nutcracker ballet with family, watching holiday movies with friends, or singing in a choir, I tend to seek out the arts during the holidays. I think that’s because to me, the arts exemplify the holiday spirit— they are about finding joy through a shared experience.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

Being back in production is a truly wonderful feeling! Making live theatre gives me a sense of purpose and serves as a reminder to persevere and be hopeful for the future. And after the shut down, I am returning to the theatre with a greater appreciation for the ability to gather with family, friends, and coworkers. To me, there is nothing better than the feeling of community and collaboration that live theatre provides. It’s so good to be back!

Danielle (Dani) Franich, Associate Advancement Director – Development, she/her

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

We are a pretty musical family. Once Thanksgiving dinner is over, it is time to turn on the holiday tunes. (They are not allowed before that) On top of enjoying the production at Village Theatre, there are always such beautiful productions that pop up during the holiday season. I love to bring a friend along for dinner and a show as a holiday gift or a chance to connect during this busy time of year.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

I’m looking forward to the day that we open the door to our audience with excitement and joy. One of my favorite things about working with our audience is hearing what they loved about our shows and the fun that they had attending. Everything from where they had dinner, who they ran into on the way to the theatre, the best part of the show, and how they can’t wait to see it again! I’m filled with a mix of anticipation, joy and relief to be returning to what we do best.

Diane Wright, Director of Finance, CPA

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

For many years when my kids were growing up our holiday family tradition was centered around theatre. Our family as very involve with theatre in Snohomish County and my husband and kids spent several holiday seasons in productions.  They did a couple of productions of A Christmas Carol with my husband playing Scrooge and my kids playing various  Cratchit kids, including Tiny Tim,  or  the Ghost of Christmas Past, Young Scrooge or Little Fan.  They were also in a couple of productions of  It’s Wonderful Life with my husband as Mr. Potter and my kids as Bailey kids.  The closest I ever got to the stage was running the spot light.  It was a fun family time and definitely memories we will treasure.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

It is exciting to be ramping back up  and to get back to producing the top quality shows we are known for.  We are doing everything we can to make sure we offer a  safe and tremendously entertaining experience for everyone.  We are ready to bring Village Theatre’s high level of quality productions back to Issaquah and Everett and look forward to seeing our patrons in the Theatre once again.

Heather Berry, Senior Accounting Associate, she/her

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

Since I was 17, my holiday plans have revolved around whatever show I was doing or now the shows my husband and kids are doing. My favorite tradition is the cast/crew gift exchange. The kids and I love to figure out what will make the person they pick feel super appreciated!

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

It feels like my heart is beating again. All the little things that would normally go unnoticed are cause for a cheer and maybe a happy dance. Seeing all of our teams reassemble, the tickets arriving, hearing music flowing out of the rehearsal rooms it’s magical. I nearly skip through the halls feeling like I’m in the opening number of Kiss Me Kate.

Jacquelyn S. Rardin, Associate Advancement Director – Marketing, she/her

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

The arts play a large role in our holiday celebrations! It is a tradition for us to visit the annual Gingerbread Village in Downtown Seattle, where Seattle’s best architects, designers, and chefs come together to create large-scale gingerbread houses for public view, with donations benefiting JDRF Pacific Northwest Chapter, an organization supporting people with Type 1 Diabetes. We also look to attend a holiday concert or live performance every year, favorites being Seattle Men’s Chorus, ACT’s – A Christmas Carol, and, of course, musicals at Village Theatre. On Christmas Day, it’s tradition to treat ourselves to dim sum, a movie, and holiday lights.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

It feels amazing to be part of the return to live performance, where we’re planning together and building towards a common goal: to bring wonderful productions and experiences to our audiences. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be here, right now, at Village Theatre, supporting its vision and important reemergence back to stage!

Jana Rekosh, Graphic Designer

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

We haven’t been married long enough to have a holiday arts tradition – but we will some day!

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

It’s really busy and so exciting to be able to help promote all of the theatre’s programs! As the graphic designer there are so many creative projects to work on for Mainstage, Village Originals and KIDSTAGE. I’m happy to help inspire people to return to the theatre once again!

Jay Markham, Production Manager, he/him

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

The Christmas holidays at our house is pretty traditional with us all looking forward to family, good food and lots of cozy good times. We like to watch holiday movies and play a lot of reindeer games.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

Being back in production again feels like coming home to an old familiar friend. It’s comforting and warm to know we’re getting to do what we love again. Happy Holidays everyone!

Jes Spencer, Associate Artistic Director – Arts Engagement & Casting, she/her

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

Every year we would go to church to sing sections of Handel’s Messiah at midnight on Christmas Eve. It was always so special to see the church lit up with holiday decorations and HUNDREDS of candles for the concert. It was made even more special as I got older when I joined the choir and eventually became a soloist. “O Thou that tellest..” will always have a very special place in my heart. I get teary eyed when I think of the joy I feel when I sing that song.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

It’s a true emotional whirlwind. I’m full of gratitude as I watch performers, crew, orchestra and our amazing artists in the shops come back and make magic once again. It’s been overwhelming and exhausting, but I couldn’t be happier.

Kati Nickerson, Director of Youth Education, she/her

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

A favorite thing we do is our Advent gift giving game. We plant a gift for someone in one of 10 places represented by a hand drawn picture. The gift giver plants each picture in a location that leads you to the next location and the next until you find your present.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

How does it feel to have the entire company back in full production again? Great!

Kyle Baiz, Company Manager, he/him

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

Always a holiday show!  But instead of traditional (The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol) shows I like to see the quirky side of the holidays with shows like Dina Martina’s Christmas show and The Atomic Bombshells Homo For The Holidays. Oh and I decorate my place like a department store window that exploded.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

It is the best Christmas gift I could ever ask for.  Thanks Dad!

Leah Gibson, Head House Manager & Facilities, she/her

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

The Holiday Season does not truly begin for my family until we have seen a show. This could be anything from a large, profession production of a ballet or musical to the small recital for our children’s voice studio or high school band. The familiar songs and stories are as necessary as the food, decorations and rituals that accompany this time of year.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

I am so excited that we are able to throw open these theatre doors and our arms to the community before the end of this year. It feels like an extra special opportunity for celebration: preceding our 2022 Season with a gleeful return to live theatre in the form of all the songs that make this season of joy so memorable and heartfelt. It will feel so good to be hearing music and laughter in our auditoriums again.

Marion Skalley, Development Associate, she/her

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

My most cherished moments are gathering as a family in our living room and being serenaded with our favorite holiday songs by my daughter on piano and my son on guitar. In years past, ballet recitals, piano recitals, performances of The Nutcracker, and the Village Theatre holiday show rounded out our holiday calendar. Now that my children are grown, I look forward to them coming home at Christmas and filling the house with music.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

It is so thrilling to see the theatre coming alive with preparations for reopening. I’ve missed the interactions with Village Theatre donors and patrons. I can’t wait to stand in the lobby of The Everett Performing Arts Center on Opening Night and welcome both familiar and new faces back to the theatre!

Marvin Henderson, Marketing Manager – New Works & Youth Education, he/him

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

One of my favorite holiday traditions is on the first weekend in November, my mother and I go Christmas decoration shopping, and we start bringing down the holiday decorations to start the holiday transformation of the entire house.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

It feels like opening your first gift on Christmas Morning!

Maurianna Zingarelli, Education Manager, she/her

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

I think my first play was Christmas-themed, when I was about 5 years old. As a devout theatre family, live performances have always been part of our Christmas traditions. I loved going to The Nutcracker with my dad, seeing professional choirs with my mom, and belting out the best Elvis album (Blue Christmas) with my brother. I’m looking forward to building arts-based traditions with my little family of three.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

I’m beyond proud of the Youth Education department for their dedication to keeping theatre alive for hundreds of students over the past year and a half. From virtual theatre camps to virtual productions, we allowed creativity to bloom during the darkest of times. I know we’re all excited to move forward into the light and love of live interaction once again.

Michelle Leyva, Communications Consultant

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

Music is part of everything our family does – so during the holidays we listen to music, we sing and dance to music, we write music, we goof around with musical backdrops just as we always do… but with more sleighbells and ho ho hos.

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

It’s awesome – finally!! There has been such a void – I am very happy for all the people involved.

Nicole Beerman, Institute Manager, Issaquah, she/her

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

I grew up singing carols with my show choir and dancing in the Nutcracker every year from when I was little to 16 years old. Then fast forward to my adult years, performing in many holiday shows for Village Theatre, around Seattle, and in New York City. Performing during the holidays is very close to my heart and makes this time of the year much more special. As for my little family, we always try to see shows, build gingerbread houses from scratch, and sing (at full volume) all the Christmas music we can find!

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

This is a very exciting time for all theatre companies across the country, including our very own Village Theatre. We were the first to be shut down and the last to re-open and we couldn’t be happier about starting rehearsals again! The energy is absolutely bubbling with excitement!

Tim Symons, Associate Artistic Director – Music, he/him

How are the arts part of your holiday traditions?

My wife Taylor and I are both performers, so we have spent our entire adult lives performing during the holidays. We’ve always enjoyed sharing the holiday season with the company of the shows we’re working on each year. We have a 1-year old now, and can’t wait until he’s old enough to attend shows with so many of these friends we’ve made through all of the years of performing!

How does it feel to be back in full production again?

Personally, I can’t wait to hear multiple people singing in harmony together. So many performers gave so much of themselves during the pandemic in solo online content/performances…but I’ve really missed hearing duets and live group singing, and I am so excited to get to experience these things as an audience member again!