Search

Book-It Repertory Theatre 

Description

Book-It began as an artists' collective in 1987, adapting short stories for performance and touring throughout the Northwest. From its origins as a dedicated group of volunteer artists, the company has matured into an innovative professional performing arts organization with a budget of $1.3 million, a home at the Center House Theatre on the Seattle Center campus, a staff of 18 and a flourishing education program, Book-It All Over.

Mission Statement
Book-It Repertory Theatre's mission is to transform great literature into great theatre through simple and sensitive production to inspire our audiences to read.
Donate Now
Book-It Repertory Theatre
Seattle Center House 
Seattle 
WA
98109-4623 
(206) 216-0877 

Charlotte M. Tiencken 
Managing Director 

Programs

Book-It Repertory Theatre Programs

All of Book-It's work is created using the trademarked " Book-It Style" introduced by founding co-artistic directors Jane Jones and Myra Platt and developed by the Book-It Company of Seattle artists. With a signature spare production aesthetic, the Book-it Style preserves the complex narrative of the novel; it is shared by all the characters who shift seamlessly in and out of their character's words and the narrator's prose, creating the effect of literally seeing words spring to life on stage.

Mainstage Subscription Season
Every season, Book-It produces four-five world-premiere adaptations of great literature - both contemporary and classic - each title carefully selected for its unique voice, exceptional literary accomplishment and for its potential to inspire a love of reading in our audience. Our audience is invited to take a journey through diverse worlds, to see other points of view and other experiences in ways that enhance understanding, broaden knowledge and increase empathy.

Book-It All Over
Book-It All Over is a unique model of arts education designed to enhance reading and comprehension skills while engaging youth with great stories and professional live theatre. One of the largest arts education programs in Seattle, Book-It All Over served over 55,000 students and educators last year through curriculum-based touring performances with workshops, classroom residencies, student matinees and professional development for teachers.

Recent Successes and Current Challenges

In 2010, Book-It was honored with a Mayor's Arts Award, and an Anniversary grant from The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. The Anniversary grant recognizes change agents (Jane and Myra) who created organizations that continue to deliver high impact programs. Jo Lynn Allen, president of the Foundation noted: "Through our Anniversary grants, we are recognizing leaders who exemplify passion, dedication and the entrepreneurial spirit that has made their organizations succeed."

Book-It has spent the last year working on a Feasibility Study for organizational transformation; our long-term vision is to create a center for the promotion of theatre and literacy. This theatre center will contain performance spaces, reading resources, classrooms and informal community gathering spaces. The study has identified key areas in which we need to build capacity and we are now beginning to incorporate the findings into our strategic planning process focusing on:
  1. Raising donor and audience awareness of our education program as a core element of our work
  2. Building organizational strength in areas of fundraising and audience development, including the introduction of more sophisticated patron management systems
  3. Building our board of trustees in key areas of expertise and community leadership.

We are excited about the opportunity for growth and transformation in the years ahead and invite community support of our capacity building initiatives.

Evaluation


Book-It Repertory Theatre (Book-It) is the only theatre in our region, and one of few nationally, to transform literature into theatre with the primary mission of inspiring audiences to read. Using their trademarked Book-It Style, the Theatre offers mainstage adaptations of a wide variety of pieces of literature, as well as educational opportunities in-school and out.

Best Practices
Book-It launched a new, comprehensive assessment system that evaluates the impact of their work on audiences, particularly the impact of their program on student audiences’ reading behaviors and skills. The data they collect is shaping future program design. This work is guided by a Literacy Advisory Committee made up of specialists and educators in the field.

Book-It is one of the only theatre companies in Seattle to invest exclusively in local talent and offer mentorships/internships to young professional artists just starting out.

Proven Success
Book-It celebrated its 20th Anniversary Season in 2010. Since its founding, Book-It has over 60 world-premiere adaptations to its credit, and its trademarked Book-It Style is widely respected for the consistent artistic quality of its work.

Collaboration
The theatre has a strong reputation of partnering with a variety of community organizations with complementary missions to enhance literacy instruction, build awareness on specific issues and reach communities that are unlikely to see their work at their home theatre. Partnerships have included the Seattle and King County Library Systems, Literacy Source, Frye Art Museum, Treehouse, ACLU, Town Hall and Save Darfur Washington, among others. Book-It also develops adaptations of a variety of smaller, non-mainstage pieces for organizations looking for another way to engage individuals.

Additionally, their teacher development program, Bringing Theatre into the Classroom is a partnership with Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company and Seattle Repertory Theatre.

Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:

Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:

DateAmountPurpose
9/10/2011 $10,000.00support general operating expenses.
12/10/2008 $15,000.00support general operating expenses.
12/14/2006 $30,000.00support general operating expenses.
12/16/2004 $25,000.00support general operating expenses.
6/13/2002 $20,000.00support general operating expenses.

Financials

Similar Organizations

Give broadly to Arts & Culture
If broadening access and engagement with the arts, increasing arts education in public schools, and creating and preserving arts space is important to you, then make a difference by giving to the Grantmaking Program.
Questions or comments about this organization?
Contact us to learn more.