STARFISH Project is a free-of-charge, after school technical theatre training program for high school aged youth. Students in the project gain hands-on skills from professional mentors across the fields of drafting, lighting, sound system engineering, programming Qlab and sound/light boards, construction, and more. Interested students can sign up to learn more at the link below.
About STARFISH Project
Launched in 2017, STARFISH Project directly challenges inequitable ideas around who has access to the stagecraft trades and seeks to increase representation among previously marginalized voices by offering free after-school technical theatre training and production support to high school students from South Seattle schools. Working with professional mentors (members of the IATSE Locals 15, 488, and 887, USA 829, and the Western WA Theatrical Training Trust) with a 5-to-1 student to mentor ratio, STARFISH students are empowered to design, build, and manage all technical aspects of a fully staged production while receiving a stipend for their participation. Our mission is to fascinate diverse high-school aged youth with the world of backstage storytelling and the array of reliable, often-unionized career opportunities available in the industry. We envision an industry with diversity, equity, and inclusivity among these unseen, behind-the-scenes storytellers.
As of summer 2021, there have been 6 projects (at 3 South Seattle schools and 1 virtually) with 141 students participating in 679 Project hours, 90 workshops, and 23 performances. There is also another project underway where STARFISH students learn filming and documentary skills while creating a new documentary about student creativity. Stay tuned for the upcoming release date.
While each project looks a little different and is tailored to best meet student needs, one thing remains constant — Intiman seeks to change the face of onstage, backstage, and behind-the-scenes storytelling by bringing traditionally underrepresented voices to the forefront both onstage and behind the curtain. About 3/4ths of STARFISH students are BIPOC, 53% female-identifying, and 12% Trans or Nonbinary, demonstratiing a diversity far greater than that currently within the industry.
During the most recent iteration and under the guidance of our professional STARFISH mentors, STARFISH students wrote, designed, composed music, produced, and presented 2020 Vision: Through our Eyes, a film that highlights students’ experiences and perspectives throughout this past tumultuous year.
Press for STARFISH Project
Photo by Naomi Ishisaka.
STARFISH Mentors
Erin (she/her) is a storyteller, connector, and sound fanatic who has lived in Seattle, WA for over a decade. Her career has taken her to regional theaters, Off-Broadway productions, award ceremonies, news publications, institutions, and classrooms around the country. Also an arts administrator, musician, actor, and producer, Erin has a particular knack for new work and takes a dramaturgical approach to most things. She is a community minded person and attributes her path to each collaborative relationship she’s made along the way. More at www.erinbednarz.com
Vada (she/her) discovered her passion for lighting after her first theatre production in high school. She graduated from DePaul University with a BFA in Lighting Design and served as the Lighting Design Intern at Seattle Repertory Theatre for the 2016-2017 season. She joined the Lightswitch team in 2019. Her favorite credits include leading the Overwatch League 2018-2019 team as the Lighting Director, tour programmer for Esperanza Spaulding ’12 Little Spells Tour’ and serving as a Lighting Designer for the Nerf Tour stops. In her spare time, Vada enjoys sketching and finding new ways to push the envelope on every production.
Kathleen (she/her) is a Pacific Northwest base 3D Experience Designer, Technical Theatre Mentor and Professional. She has cultivated ten year of experience in the live entertainment, film, and events industry working both in corporate and theatre. In addition to her love for theatre and design she also serves on the Friends of the Conservatory Events Committee contributing to the Volunteer Park Conservatory.
K.D. (she/her) has nearly 30 years experience with almost every facet of Costume Design and Wardrobe. She has been a cutter, stitcher, draper, assistant to the Designer and Costume Designer. She has worked in the wardrobe dept in films, music videos and the theatre as dresser, wig crew and wardrobe supervisor. She is a proud member of TWU 887. The theatres she has worked with include Seattle Rep, Intiman, ACT, 5th Avenue, On the Boards, Spectrum Dance, Seattle Shakespeare Co., Book it Repertory, Strawberry Theatre Workshop and Portland Playhouse. She has worked on the films of the Directors Wes Hurley, Lynn Shelton, Charles Mudede and Norma Jean Straw. The choreographers she has collaborated with include Pat Graney, Donald Byrd, Alice Ghosti, 33 Fainting Spells and Maureen Whiting. She has worked with the students in The Starfish Project, Cornish College of the Arts, Holy Names Academy, Kennedy Catholic High School,The Northwest School and The Evergreen School. K.D. has a BFA in fibers/textiles from the University of Washington and worked for many years as a production weaver. Which made her a firm believer that there are many different paths that lead to a life in the theatre and that she hopes to be able to help many along theirs.
Rajah (he/him) is a multimedia artist based out of Seattle who specializes in projection and video based art. His installation videos often explore themes of media history and the ephemeral nature of the era of digital media.
Howdy folks! I am Tariq Sahali and I am recognized for my technical aptitude, troubleshooting perception, technical evangelism and presentation style. This recognition has earned the nickname – tarqnology. Tarqnology is my ability to convey technical information in a non-technical manner to advanced & non-technical users of technology. Specifically, my technical expertise encompasses enterprise information technology support, digital media development and delivery (broadcasting), and Nanotechnology – an applied science. In IT, I am responsible for delivering timely technical solutions of varying scopes (Hardware, software, networking, and peripherals) to the end-user in dramatic, educational & theatrical environments. Having the ability to “put myself in their shoes”, a keen sense of empathy coupled with a supreme level of patience, and the know-how, has made Theatre Tech IT – “my thing”. In the world of Digital Media development, I’m responsible for planning, test scripting and quality assurance of hardware and software applications, coordination of content delivery via multiple sources, and addressing individuals or large groups to advancements of future digital production concepts and tools; lessons are available. So when you get a chance, talk nerdy to me.
Terrence (he/him) is a Seattle based filmmaker. Regional Emmy awardee (2016). Former Design Director of Video for the University of Washington Athletics marketing department. Starfish Documentary Mentor. Currently filming for his Filipinx Food Seattle documentary. Serving as part or full owner of @musangtinos @filipinxfoodseattle @anaktoykompany & @loveandpicnics.
Masao (he/him) works in the music industry and with youth empowerment organizations. He is Co-Founder of projectUcan, and is part of the City of Seattle, Creative Advantage initiative. He is currently launching a new form of mixed media for youth as the Program Manager for Ground Zero Radio at the Vera Project.
Visting Artists & Speakers
Michelle Nicole Matlock (she/her) is the founder of Circle Up Productions (CUP), a live entertainment and performing arts education company based in Tacoma, WA. Currently, Michelle is the curator of Puget Sound Revels, Our Truths-An Evening of Global Majority Stories and leading several online Power of Play Clown Workshops. Michelle has been a part of the entertainment industry for over 25 years and had the honor of being the first African American to create a main character for Cirque du Soleil. She toured with Cirque’s big top show OVO for close to 10 years. Prior to Cirque du Soleil, Michelle spent 15 years as a performing artist, teacher and producer in New York City. During that time, she toured her critically acclaimed solo show The Mammy Project across North and South America and had the pleasure of working in the NY theater and circus scene, playing with Big Apple Circus Clown Care, Circus Amok and The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus. Michelle grew up in Tacoma, WA., studied theater for 3 years at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. and is a Graduate of the National Shakespeare Conservatory in New York City.
Gregoiré Séxton Brown (he/him), better known by stage name “Sax G”, is a multidisciplinary artist. As a musician he’s worked with Brainfeeder’s Georgia Anne Muldrow, Shady Records’ and internet favorite Conway, The Machine. His last performances being at SXSW and The NorthWest FolkLife Festival.
Photo by Naomi Ishisaka.
Past Projects
For the 2020-2021 school year, STARFISH Project went virtual in a three-trimester model with the goal to create and produce a hip-hop show inspired by the life and works of James Balwin. Over the course of the year, the Project evolved as the student’s experiences and perspectives changed, and the final product is one they feel certain would have made Baldwin proud.
Beginning in Fall 2020, STARFISH students began dramaturgical research including the following workshops: Dramaturgical Research on James Baldwin; The Role of Technical Theatre in Revolutionary Movements; Physical Space & Design of Protests; The #BLM Movement; Hip Hop as Performance; and Depictions of Uprisings & Movements on Stage & Screen. Masterclass Leaders included Julie Chang-Schulman (Julie-C), Gregoiré Séxton Brown (Sax G), Michaud Savage, Michelle Matlock, Jasmine Mahmoud, Donte Felder, Olisa Enrico, and our 7 technical theatre mentors.
In the Winter Trimester, Michelle and Sax G returned to guide STARFISH students’ story writing and music composition while they learned the fundamentals of design and technical craft from our STARFISH mentors. To ensure a hands-on experience, each student received a Home Kit of art supplies and tech tools valued at $550.
The Project culminated in Spring 2021 with students producing an original film they titled 2020 Vision: Through Our Eyes.
STARFISH Project returned to Rainier Beach High School (RBHS) and partnered with South End Stories (SES) and SES founder Donté Felder to present 4 performances of THE DEFIANCE, a collaborative effort to devise a play depicting a world without art. THE DEFIANCE was written by youth and performed at Seattle Rep in 2017. This iteration slightly adapted the script and included some new creative elements devised by the actors. The largest of the Projects, this STARFISH iteration included 34 students and was directed and facilitated by SES, featuring youth-generated content and performances from Orca K-8, Rainier Beach High, Franklin High, SAAS, Center School, and Cleveland High students. And, as they had in spring 2018, with dancers from Baile Diore Dance Studio and founder TiQuida Spellman. The Project occurred on 28 days over 7 weeks from April 15th thru June 4th, 2019 and consisted of 143.5 program hours. Additionally, there was a field trip to Seattle Opera made available to STARFISH students of this year as well as all prior years. Throughout the Project, STARFISH students were guided by 8 mentors learning 40 different aspects of technical theatre.
Lovingly referred to as “STARFISH Light,” on just 15 days over 5 weeks from February 15th thru March 19th, and for a total of 63 Project hours STARFISH hosted its first iteration at Chief Sealth High School. For this Project three mentors worked with 14 students on painting, costuming, lighting, and sound for two performances of a collection of plays by playwright Lindsay Price. Along with the traditional technical theatre training, STARFISH students also received workshops on dramaturgy, play analysis, and the foundational software QLab.
From October 22nd thru December 19th, 2018, STARFISH project returned to Franklin High School to support the school’s production of Steel Magnolias. For this iteration Intiman partnered with scenic designer Lex Marcos to make the show come to life. This 8-week Project occurred over 29 days for a total of 101 project hours culminating in 4 student-supported performances. For this academic year Intiman received The Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) and a Satterberg Grant which supported the initiation of STARFISH student stipends to further remove potential barriers to participation. In total 27 students received expert mentorship from 7 professional theatremakers in carpentry, lighting, electrics, costumes, wardrobe, sound, and stage management.
In Spring 2018, STARFISH launched a Project at Rainier Beach High School (RBHS). For this iteration Columbia City Youth Theatre Group with Donté Felder and the Renton-based Baile Dior Dance Studio with founder TiQuida Spellman partnered with STARFISH as the students devised a show they called As Told By Us. The project occurred on 28 days over 6 weeks from April 16th thru May 29th, 2018. In total 28 students participated in 89.5 project hours and 4 performances. Five professional mentors taught STARFISH students technical skills focused on lighting, props/paint, wardrobe/costume, sound, and electrics/stagehand. Additionally, students took a field trip to see Intiman’s mainstage production of Wild Horses.
In March 2017, Intiman began a game-changing project built to address concerns with representation in and access to the Stage Craft trades. The pilot STARFISH Project was launched in partnership with The Sawhorse Revolution and Western WA Theatrical Training Trust at Franklin High School in Seattle’s Mount Baker neighborhood. Over an 11-week period from March 8th thru May 10th, 26 students worked under 13 professional mentors on the school’s production of The Wedding Singer. STARFISH students received 93 hours of training in tool use and safety as they helped to build and run all technical aspects of the show over 16 performance hours.
2020 Vision: Through Our Eyes
Audiences of all ages are invited to join us for 2020 Vision: Through Our Eyes. This is a film based on STARFISH students’ lived experiences as well as their dreams & vision for the future. The students have taken on everything from writing, performing, music production, design, and technical craft under the guidance & mentorship of our STARFISH mentor team and directors. They were inspired by James Baldwin: “Illuminate that darkness, blaze roads through that vast forest, so that we will not, in all our doing, lose sight of its purpose, which is, after all, to make the world a more human dwelling place.”
Read more in The Seattle Times!
You can learn so much through the STARFISH Project, not just for theater, but also for other jobs that could help you pursue your future career or even life building skills. If you have any passion, curiosity, liking, etc of designing, building, and so much more than why not go for it!
Photo by Naomi Ishisaka.