Community theater meets public broadcasting in an evolving variety/sketch format. Designed as a venue to define and articulate the narrative and character of the northwest, with a focus on an open process meant to include as many voices from the community as possible.
Introduction
As residents of the Pacific Northwest, how do we tell our collective stories? Our world has shifted much of our common narrative to venues that are walled off, professionalized, or mediated by commercial platforms. This has mixed effects and great work is done in all these spaces. But telling stories together in a trust-based community is essential to the human experience. Modern forms of storytelling should be open to full participation by all, not just for production by professionals and consumption by everyone else.
The format
We are working to build a creative community centered around the format of a regularly-produced, locally focused variety/comedy show.
Not everything has to be laugh-out-loud funny, but we believe in the power of comedy to welcome all, heal wounds, process trauma, speak truth, prompt change, and express joy.
With this format, we want to build a flexible structure where people can work on individual elements of a cohesive show (individual segments, live show, coordination, etc.) with goals of:
- Openness of participation: A structure that enables full participation by anyone in the community, intentionally lowering barriers to entry (including barriers of available time).
- Openness of format: By embracing and evolving a comedy/variety show format, we hope to build a process that encourages flexible participation and experimentation within a cohesive whole.
- Openness to voices: Through an intentionally eclectic mix, we hope to encourage different modes of expression and different voices to come together.
We envision an in-person show where we can share a space to create a streamed show that can reach and welcome a wider audience as well. Our goal is to use modern tools, formats, and distribution for a community-first, locally-rooted production.
Vision
A creative community consistently joyfully telling stories together of, for, and by the whole region.
Values
- Community
- Curiosity
- Respect
- Joy
- Fun
FAQ
Does this pay?
No. We appreciate and support professional artists and all who make their living in artistic or media fields. However, this particular endeavor is focused on community rather than professional success. Think community theater rather than regional theater, or advocating for community gardens without detracting from fair wages and conditions for agricultural workers.
We envision a complement to professional creative opportunities, open to community members to tell stories together. As part of that, we want to keep this a space for community involvement rather than employment, that is more open than a job and that does not demand a professional level of commitment to fully participate.
I don’t have any experience in TV, media, performance, etc. Can I participate?
Yes! We welcome anyone who is interested in respectfully and joyfully working with others in the community to play, grow, and tell stories together. We invite you to learn from others and flex your creative and collaborative muscles in this endeavor.
I’m a professional in a media, performance, or related field. Can I participate?
Double yes! All are welcome to participate. If you have professional experience in the capacity you’ll be involved, we invite you to consider this a way to teach, mentor, or explore new areas. Our primary goal is involving the community and evolving the regional narrative over high production values or polished end results. We want this to be an artistically vibrant and welcoming endeavor, although your work here may not lead your portfolio or your reel.