Editor’s note: In this feature, our arts and culture writers take a deeper look at the local arts scene, shining a spotlight on issues and trends, both local and national, and the art makers in our community. Bad news will always travel fast, so giving good news a signal boost feels imperative these days — and ambitious, inventive new theater projects are always good news. While this is in no way a comprehensive list, here are a few of the new spaces and new (or new-to-Seattle) companies I’m excited to keep an eye on.
The Underground Theater began as an online queer film festival launched by TUT creative director Ry Armstrong during the height of the pandemic, then pivoted to live performance. In April, TUT produced its first stage production, Cris Eli Blak’s “Brown Bodies on a Blue Earth,” directed by Executive Director Brodrick Ryans, in a fittingly underground space in Belltown. “As a Black, queer human, I’m excited to be able to tell my own stories,” Ryans said.
“I was given the opportunity to tell a Black and brown queer story from a Black and brown queer perspective, and we’re not always given the reins to those stories.” The company’s stated mission is to “develop new works that release shame and nurture community,” and Ryans aims to encourage artists working with TUT who trained in predominantly white institutions (which is many, if not most of them) to show up authentically, not as the version of themselves adapted inside those rigid edu.