I
REGIONAL REPORT
SPOKANE ARTS
n 2018, nearly 800 attendees
participated in TheaterFest, viewing
special performances and previews of
upcoming events, as well as hands-on
activities like taking a voice lesson
from an opera singer, improv comedy
exercises, meeting ballerinas and the
cast of “Mary Poppins,” or picking
up an instrument themselves through
the Spokane Symphony’s instrument
petting zoo. Participating theaters and
organizations offered one-day-only
specials on season ticket packages and
upcoming events, plus hosted drawings
and giveaways, providing audiences a
unique chance to preview an upcoming
show in person, then to secure their
tickets at a special discounted rate.
The TheaterFest organizing committee
— comprised of the Downtown Spokane
Partnership, Spokane Symphony, and
Spokane Arts — expects this year’s
event to build on the success of the first
year, with new opportunities for people
to engage via more theaters and groups
participating.
“We’re delighted to expand TheaterFest
to two stages this year,” said Elisabeth
Hooker, marketing and programming
director of the Downtown Spokane
Partnership. “Not only will it give
community members even more
opportunities to experience performing
arts of all kinds, it allows us to showcase
a wider range of cultural and artistic
offerings. It’s such a fun, exciting day
for people of all ages.”
The TheaterFest organizers held an open
call earlier this year, inviting performing
artists, theaters, and cultural groups to
tell the organizers how they’d like to be
involved, whether through performing,
creating an activity or workshop, or
hosting a table. The response was
tremendous, with far more groups
expressing interest in performing than
even two stages running concurrently
could accommodate.
1.
We Are Marshall
July | August 2019
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