DramaQueen

About DramaQueen

Mission

DramaQueen is a Seattle-based community of artists, technicians, audiences and patrons dedicated to promoting the marginalized and disenfranchised voices of the contemporary American theatre.

Objectives and Purposes

To produce, present and promote high quality live theatre, featuring a diverse range of voices, with an emphasis on works by or about women, gays and persons of color;

to build a diverse multi-cultural community of theatre artists, technicians, audiences and patrons;

to develop an enthusiastic, appreciative, discerning and intellectually curious audience that actively seeks out challenging theatre experiences;

to be an incubator for nurturing and developing new plays and playwrights, particularly those who bring to the stage diverse and unique perspectives, by offering readings of new unproduced plays and providing playwriting workshops and workshop productions of new plays;

to enter into an ongoing dialogue with the community that is both spirited and dynamic.

Artistic Vision

We are passionate about theatre. We have a passion for the art of theatre in general and our work in particular. We recognize the power of theatre to challenge complacency, revitalize the imagination, nurture the unexpected and embrace the variety and diversity in our lives. We believe that theatre has the ability to better our lives by inspiring us, illuminating us, giving us new perspectives on our world, connecting us with others, making us think and challenging our assumptions.

We acknowledge and celebrate the subversive essence of art. True art is edgy, bold and dynamic and tells universal truths. True art engages the intellect, makes us thoughtful, gives us pause, challenges and expands our world view. It is concerned with raising questions and seeking honest answers. It touches deep recesses in the heart, elevates the spirit, enchants, charms, and at times makes us giddy to be alive. On occasion, it wants to kick a little butt so as to expose and challenge complacency and self-satisfaction. True art is structured and disciplined. It is passionate. It knows no fear. It does not pander, compromise nor apologize. It doesn’t need to and knows it had better not.

We are dedicated to diversity. We believe in the importance of reflecting the diversity of our community in our plays, programs, artists, staff, volunteers and board. We believe theatre should act as a bridge to bring diverse people together, fostering mutual understanding, collaboration and celebration. We share our differences and discover our commonalities.

Our Programs

Our vision includes serving as an incubator for nurturing and developing new plays and playwrights, particularly those who bring to the stage diverse and unique voices.

We seek contemporary plays with a strong literary focus, with ideas and language that are grounded in narrative.

We expose our audiences to a diverse range of work and voices, with an emphasis on works by women, gays and writers of color.

We strive for excellence in our acting ensemble.

We seek directors who work collaboratively with actors, designers and technicians, engaging them as full creative partners in the development of the play.

Our patrons can expect to have their world-view expanded through provocative and courageous and truth-based artistry; to be engaged, enlightened and entertained; to think, to laugh, to cry, to care; to be challenged and even (on occasion) to be offended.

Our Environment

Participation in programs and activities is open to all individuals regardless of race, gender, income, sexual orientation or creed.

We strive to create a welcoming, supportive and professional atmosphere where both audience and artists can gather to create and share art.

Collaboration and teamwork is at the core of all that we do. We provide a collaborative artistic home for local theatre artists to grow, develop and interact.

We treat every member of our theatre family with care, always mindful that our human assets are our most precious. We build trust in each other through respectful, courteous, honest, compassionate and candid communication. We openly communicate our ideas, concerns, questions and needs, even when it is difficult. We encourage our audience and patrons to do the same.

We strive to listen closely and really hear each other without judgment or blame. All ideas are treated with respect and given full consideration because we know great ideas often come from unexpected places.

How We Operate

We are dedicated to operating with honesty, ethics and integrity in all we do.
We live our belief that art drives the business. We operate an efficient and effective business with our artistic goals driving our business decisions.
Artists (playwrights, actors, designers, techs) get paid first.
We strive to nurture the artistic development and professional growth of each individual on our team.

Karen Kinch, Artistic Director

Karen has been involved in theater since age nine and directing since 1982 when she and her husband Jim founded West Seattle Totem Theatre. And now, with some insight into how power works in our society, they have formed DramaQueen to give another voice to those outside the American theatre mainstream. What does that mean? Check out DramaQueen’s Vision Statement! And what’s with the three monkeys? They signify our commitment to integrity and ethical behavior in how DramaQueen operates.

Volunteer Program

Download our volunteer application form in PDF format.

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