SecondStory Repertory Programs
SSR's Youth Theater Education Program offers classes and camps for children ages 4 to 18. Our educational goals are to promote an appreciation of the arts, build confidence, teach methods of self-expression, and develop listening and cooperation skills. Classes focus on building specific skills, while performance camps provide the experience of writing, directing, and/or acting by prepping and staging a performance. SSR is also dedicated to providing quality educational programming for teens. We believe that theater education programs create compelling learning experiences for students that also benefit parents and the broader community. Many studies have found not only increased academic achievement for students involved in the arts, but decreased delinquent behavior and improved cooperation and attitudes about school. Our Teen Internship Program focuses on the development of teenaged Actors and Stagehands, although we also provide opportunities for Front of House, Technical and Administrative interns.SSR's Teen Musical is a highly competitive program offered in the summer. The Teen Musical is treated as a professional production, and uses professional directors and the same high production value seen at all SSR Mainstage productions.
Each season, SSR produces 6-7 plays and musicals that reach approximately 8,000 people a year. The Mainstage Series is a diverse mix of contemporary and classic productions that capitalizes on the Puget Sound's rich talent pool, and utilizes local. As the only semi-professional theater in Redmond - a city driven by science and technology - SSR feels the responsibility to better reflect the interests and passions of its community and to introduce new audiences to the theater.
SSR is committed to providing outstanding theatrical performances and educational opportunities for children. Our Theater for Young Audiences Series, consisting of 5 productions each season, is specifically geared towards students from Kindergarten through 6th Grade, and reaches more than 9,000 young people and their families each year. Highly interactive and based on classic tales and award-winning children's books, these shows are professionally presented as both student matinees and evening performances for the public. Prior to each student matinee, teachers are provided with a curriculum guide to help prepare the students for their theater arts experience. Our professional facility and high production values give students an opportunity to see theater made first-hand.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
In addition to being awarded the 2010 Redmond Arts Commission Award, SecondStory Repertory has recently completed a restructuring plan reducing overhead expense by over 17% in order to create a sustainable business model that relies more upon earned income rather than contributed income.
We are always looking for volunteers to assist with various tasks around the theater in addition to storage space for our set pieces, costumes, and props.