PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT

November 23, 2021

After careful deliberation, Intiman has decided to sunset the Intiman Emerging Artist Program (IEAP) for the foreseeable future. This decision is not made lightly and was informed in part by the feedback we received during our strategic planning process in 2020. The past 2 years have been momentous for Intiman: we have formed an institutional partnership with Seattle Central College and finally have a permanent home for our productions, shops and offices. In addition, we have partnered with the college to launch a new Associate of Arts degree in Technical Theatre for Social Justice. We believe that the best way Intiman can serve Seattle’s artists and the larger theatre community right now is by training the next generation of culturally sensitive backstage/off camera technical storytellers, and diversifying this hidden workforce. We welcomed our first cohort of students in September and will continue our STARFISH Project (free technical theatre program for high school-aged youth) in partnership with Seattle Public Schools in the South End, which serves as the initial step in this career pathway.

In an effort to best serve these two programs and not over-extend our small but mighty staff, we are focusing our efforts around them. We are grateful to every artist who has been part of IEAP, and consider them colleagues and collaborators. Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

-Jennifer Zeyl (Artistic Director) & Julieta Vitullo (Education Director)

PAST ITERATIONS OF THE PROGRAM

The 2020 Intiman Emerging Artist Program (IEAP) was a special “Alumni Edition,” welcoming back alums from every year of the programsʼ history. They received advanced training in Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Theatre of the Oppressed, and theatrical devising techniques. Intiman provided stipends for participants in this educational program.

The IEAP alumni cohort shared their devised work with the public in a series of online, interactive presentations of Sojourn Theatre’s THE RACE 2020. Additional private offerings were provided to Seattle Public Schools and Universities across the country. The show engaged over 1,000 members of the community in a civic dialogue to inspire voter registration and action just in time for the presidential elections. 

The live virtual presentations played Sep. 25th – Oct. 4th, 2020. Tickets were provided Free for Everyone.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE INTIMAN EMERGING ARTIST PROGRAM

“This program is unique in that it puts you face to face with decision-makers in the industry.  It is also unique in the degree to which the program is constantly reevaluating itself to meet the needs of the participants.”
~ Maile Wong, 2016 Emerging Actor

Emerging artists, and especially artists of color, face many barriers to realizing their dreams of telling relevant stories that can change the world.  IEAP seeks to expand the breadth of theatre experiences with more diverse stories and more diverse storytellers.

Launched in 2015, the Intiman Emerging Artist Program (IEAP) has trained nearly 100 actors, directors, stage managers, writers, and producers with the goal of removing barriers on underrepresented voices within the community.

The program has had 5 iterations, providing emerging talent with over 685 learning hours78 workshops from 46 teaching artists, resulting in 14 showcases.

“[IEAP provides] access to some bomb mentors and connections across the Seattle theatre community and you will come out of the program a different person, with a fire under your butt to CHANGE THE WORLD WITH YOUR ART.” ~ Steven Tran, IEAP 2018 

92 artists have participated in the program, 19% trans or gender non-conforming55% womxn, and 68% POC.

Some of our past workshop leaders, teaching artists, and artist mentors have included:

Robert Aguilar (lighting designer), José Amador, Harmony Arnold (costume designer) Christine Baitman (marketing), Alleson Buchanan (arts admin), Desdemona Chaing (director), Valerie Curtis-Newton (director), Sheila Daniels (director), Chris Ensweiler (actor), Ali el-Gasseir (casting), Alice Gosti (choreographer), Kathy Hsieh (artist), Tracy Hyland (actor), Davida Ingram (activist), Rosa Joshi (director), Marya Sea Kaminski (director), Lindsay Kujawa, Maggie Lee (writer), Jéhan Òsanyìn (activist), Timothy Piguee (artist), Ryan Purcell (director), Lily Raabe, Tracy Rector, Andrew Russell, Matt Starritt (sound design), Shellie Stone (stage manager), Amy Thone (actor), Crystal Yingling (educator), and Jennifer Zeyl (artist), as well as graduates of earlier years’ IEAPs. 

Training and networking events with Emerging Artist Program participants have included:

A Contemporary Theatre (ACT), Annex Theatre, Artist Trust, Book-It Repertory Theatre, KEXP, McCaw Hall, Museum of Pop Culture (MoPoP), Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Center, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle International Film Festival, Seattle Theatre Group, SIS Productions, Taproot Theatre, Theatre Puget Sound, Washington Ensemble Theatre (WET), Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, and the City of Seattle.

IEAP Alums have moved on to secure 580+ gigs at over 200 organizations, including Book-It, ACT, ArtsWest, Seattle Rep, Washington Ensemble Theatre, and Intiman.

“Intense. Full. Challenging. Necessary.” ~ Jay O’Leary, 2016 Emerging Producer

Contact

emergingartist@intiman.org