Blog | Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute

It doesn’t get much simpler: Free Tickets!

Written by Lisa Myers Bulmash on June 13, 2013 · 2 Comments

You read that right: We’re giving away two pairs of free tickets to see an innovative new film — a movie executive-produced by dream hampton, Wyatt Cenac and Jay-Z! Take a peek at this mashup of live action and animation.

“An Oversimplification of Her Beauty” follows Terence (Terence Nance, who also directed the film)…

Credit: Variance Films

… and Namik (Namik Minter) during a moment when they teeter on the brink of friendship and romance.

Credit: Charla Harlowe/ Variance Films

“An Oversimplification of Her Beauty” opens on June 21 at the Grand Illusion Cinema. Here’s how to win:

Tell us you want the tickets by commenting on our Facebook page.
Leave your comment by Tuesday, June 18th at 5pm PT.
Winners will be chosen by random drawing on June 19th.

The winners may pick up tickets at the Grand Illusion Cinema box office prior to any showing. Please note: tickets are first come, first served, and valid for the week of June 21-June 26. Hurry — you don’t want someone else scoring your tickets, do you?

“A Soldier…” speaks with one voice worldwide

Written by Lisa Myers Bulmash on June 10, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Remember the 1984 film “A Soldier’s Story”?

Now imagine what it would be like to see actors stage a reading of the play on which that film was based — actors in more than 25 theater companies — on two continents — all performing at the same time.

Credit: Project 1Voice

You don’t have to imagine long!

Ryan Fields at the Intiman. Credit: LaRae Lobdell/ PhotoSister.com

On Monday night, June 17th, Ryan Fields, Drew Hobson and their castmates lift up their voices to stage a reading of “A Soldier’s Play” here at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute! We’re proud to host the Hansberry Project and Brownbox Theater as they bring to our stage this Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton.

Valerie Curtis-Newton at the Intiman. Credit: LaRae Lobdell/ PhotoSister.com

Simultaneously, in 25 African American theaters and one in Port Elizabeth, South Africa…

… actors will stage their own readings of the play.

It’s a national day of celebration that honors Charles Fuller’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play as it highlights African‐American theatre companies across the country. The multiple-readings event is coordinated by Project1Voice, a nonprofit that promotes the work of African American theatres and playwrights.

If the film version of “A Soldier’s Play” stayed with you long after you left the movie theater, imagine how much better it’ll be performed live! Join us at 7:30pm on June 17th!

Seattle’s Harlem Renaissance Gala: Imagine the possibilities

Written by Lisa Myers Bulmash on June 6, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Some kids who dream of being onstage exceed beyond their wildest dreams. Take ballerina Misty Copeland of the American Ballet Theatre, for example. Most ballet dancers begin taking lessons when they’re in kindergarten. Copeland didn’t even know what ballet was until she was 13 years old.

Her mother barely had enough money to house the family in a motel room. Copeland found her way to ballet in a very accessible, nurturing way: through a youth performing arts program.

Spring Youth Performing Academy students sharpen their skills during dance class. Credit: Lisa Myers Bulmash

Youth Performing Academy students during African dance class. Credit: Lisa Myers Bulmash

Many Seattle teens are like Copeland, in that they don’t connect with the arts until they’re in their teens. That’s why the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute is critical to the possibilities of artistic excellence in young people. Young artists are the reason why we urge you to join us at LHPAI for the second annual Seattle’s Harlem Renaissance Gala on June 29th.

When you pick up tickets for two or even a table of eight, you’re supporting young children in the pre-performing arts program as well as teens in our Summer Musical and Youth Academies.

The confidence and skills young artists learn in LHPAI performing arts programs support them for years to come. Remember singer and activist Aisha Fukushima? She’s a graduate of our Teen Summer Musical. And who knows: perhaps right now, LHPAI is training the next Aisha Fukushima, or the next Misty Copeland.

Credit: Marty Sohl/American Ballet Theatre

Not only is Copeland a soloist at a prestigious American Ballet Theatre, she’s the first black soloist there in twenty years, and only the third black female soloist in the company’s history. Imagine the possibilities of what your Gala ticket might bring to a young artist’s life here in Seattle.

Meet the stars of the “Harlem Renaissance”

Written by Lisa Myers Bulmash on May 30, 2013 · Leave a Comment

At the end of June, we’re excited to welcome back to the stage two of our favorite performers: “Moms Mabley”…

“Moms Mabley” speaks to a full house at our 2012 gala

… and our namesake, “Langston Hughes”!

“Langston Hughes” pauses for photos at our 2012 gala

These are just two of the stars (or people who look a lot like them) whom you’ll encounter at “Seattle’s Harlem Renaisssance Gala — Meet Me at the Savoy!” on June 29th.

Just for fun, let’s find out how much you know about the real Moms Mabley and Langston Hughes:

Jackie “Moms” Mabley. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

What was Moms Mabley’s given name?
What was the name of the film Moms Mabley appeared in with another Harlem Renaissance icon (Paul Robeson)?
Which TV show introduced Moms Mabley to a wide audience?

Langston Hughes. Credit: National Portrait Gallery

What was Langston Hughes’ full name?
Which college did Langston Hughes graduate from?
Who is the modern-day writer Langston Hughes discovered and mentored?

Give up? Come to the gala and ask our stars the answers in person! And whether you purchase a ticket for one or sponsor a table for eight, you help ensure a bright future for our youth artists.

Teens during a Summer Musical performance exercise. Credit: LHPAI

Proceeds benefit our Teen Summer Musical, Pre-Performing Arts and Youth Performing Arts Academies. Follow this link to meet us at the Savoy!

Alumna: LHPAI is “a treasure and a jewel of Puget Sound”

Written by Lisa Myers Bulmash on May 23, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Here at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, we firmly believe the performing arts transform and influence people’s lives, and there’s no better proof than this alumna of our teen summer musical: singer and hip hop activist Aisha Fukushima.

Credit: AishaFukushima.com

We go way back with Aisha… back to our 2002 production of ”The Wiz”. Aisha won the plum role of Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West. (She’s the one in the stage makeup.)

Aisha (at right) as the Wicked Witch of the West

Credits: Aisha Fukushima, Donna Carpenter

Aisha remembers the summer musical as a nurturing, empowering environment, one that encouraged individuality as it enveloped the kids in a community atmosphere. She says LHPAI was “a place where you could be yourself and take risks and be creative. You were writing yourself into existence.”

Credit: Aisha Fukushima, LHPAI

In 2009, she was awarded a Watson Fellowship, which supported her as she traveled to six countries to collaborate with other hip hop activists on the “RAPtivism” album.

Today, Aisha is also a writer, public speaker, educator and “RAPtivist” (rap activist) working to raise social awareness of the connections between global hip hop and social justice. Last summer she was asked to speak about the RAPtivism project in a TEDx Sitka presentation on using creativity to drive social change.

Even though Aisha’s a performing artist, she emphasizes that LHPAI’s youth programs are valuable for all kids, including those more interested in other fields like, say, engineering. “The point is… that you bring confidence to your work and to honing your craft.” She calls LHPAI ”a treasure and a jewel of Puget Sound” and still feels closely connected to the community.

In Aisha’s opinion, “the question is not ‘why should I go, but ‘why not?’ ” Hey, we’re not gonna argue with that.

The “Harlem Renaissance” returns at our annual gala

Written by Lisa Myers Bulmash on May 16, 2013 · Leave a Comment

At the end of June 2013, we’re going to turn back the clock for one evening… and take the supporters of the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute all the way back to the 1920s.

During our Harlem Renaissance Gala fundraiser “Meet Me at the Savoy”, we’ll celebrate African American performing arts luminaries born in or active during that era: our namesake Langston Hughes (a central figure of the Renaissance)…

Langston Hughes. Credit: Smithsonian Portrait Gallery

poet Maya Angelou, singer Billie Holiday and many others. And just for laughs, we’ve also invited the groundbreaking comedienne Moms Mabley — the subject of LHPAI’s fall play.

Jackie “Moms” Mabley. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

You’ll see all of these renowned figures — or people who look and sound remarkably like them — as we also honor a living jazz legend: Seattle vocalist Grace Holden. She’s performed with notables like Quincy Jones, in venues as varied as Jazz Alley and the Experience Music Project.

Credit: Paradox Studios

Co-chaired by the Honorable Charles Z. Smith and Eleanor M. Smith, the gala also includes dinner as well as a silent and dessert auction. The success of our gala helps young people create their own artistic legacies. When you buy a ticket for one, or sponsor a table for eight, you support LHPAI’s youth performing arts academies and the teen summer musical.

So be transported in time, and transported by our performances! Tickets go fast, so sign up now for a night of song and support for LHPAI’s youth programming.

Dive into volunteering at LHPAI

Written by Lisa Myers Bulmash on May 11, 2013 · 1 Comment

Our volunteers regularly pull off amazing feats of service, transforming empty rooms…

Volunteers setting up for LHPAI’s 2009 gala fundraiser

… to welcoming spaces for a full house of guests.

Our 2009 gala, “Illuminating Langston”

And now we have a host of upcoming volunteer opportunities waiting for your unique skills:

Harlem Renaissance Gala Fundraiser

Many of you have experience from last year’s gala, and you all came through with enthusiasm and skill! This year’s experience will be even better and more meaningful! Our volunteer coordinator Jacob Galfano will email you in early June with the roles we’re looking to fill. You can expect these roles to be somewhat similar to the experience you had during the Langston Hughes African American Film Festival (LHAAFF).

If you can think of something that would add to the gala experience for our guests, we’d love to consider your ideas! Email your brilliance and your questions to jacob.galfano@seattle.gov.

Teen Summer Musical/Marketing & Outreach

We’re looking for energetic people to help us spread the word about our upcoming auditions for this year’s Teen Summer Musical! We will provide you with fliers as well as a social media toolkit to help you promote these auditions to your networks. Please don’t hesitate to contact our Education Coordinator to sign up, or to ask specific questions: kristi.matsuda@seattle.gov.

Survey Data Entry

Our volunteer coordinator Jacob Galfano considers himself a bit of a stats nerd who loves collecting accurate data and analyzing it to support more amazing LHPAI programming. For him, it’s a party — and he’s throwing open the doors of his survey data “party” to our volunteers. We need you to help Jacob record survey data from our recent events, including LHAAFF. Join Jacob’s party at jacob.galfano@seattle.gov.

VTWs (Volunteer Tuesdays & Wednesdays)

In addition to survey data entry, we have project-based and operations tasks that need your support, every Tuesday and Wednesday during normal business hours (9am-5pm). We’re also open to hearing your ideas on how you’d like to support LHPAI as a volunteer. Check in with Alfred Love at the box office (in our lobby), and he’ll get you started. Alfred is at alfred.love@seattle.gov.

But we’re not all work and no play at LHPAI — check out the rewards below!

Volunteer Orientation & Celebration

Join us in July as we celebrate our fiercely strong and smart volunteer base with food and fun! We’ll pick a solid date when the sun is shining (after July 4th, right?) for the fun… barbecue may be an option. Here’s your space to enjoy yourself while you offer feedback to help us make the volunteer experience more meaningful and enriching. Jacob will email you with more information soon.

Volunteer Rewards

We’re hard at work putting together the rewards page here on our site, where you can track your hours and rewards. In the meantime, enjoy the opportunities listed below! Please pay close attention to the due dates and contact Jacob immediately (jacob.galfano@seattle.gov) to enter the drawings!

Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF)

If you want to attend either SIFF event, notify Jacob by 5pm on Monday, May 13th. He’ll need this information:

your name
whether you want one or two tickets
whether you want tickets for Opening Night, Closing Night or both (rank your preference)

Your SIFF options are:

Opening Night Gala at McCaw Hall — Thursday, May 16th, 7pm: Seattle premiere of “Much Ado About Nothing” with director Joss Whedon and star Nathan Fillion scheduled to attend
Closing Night Gala at Cinerama — Sunday, June 9th, 6:30pm: Seattle premiere of “The Bling Ring” directed by Sofia Coppola

Repertory Program 6 at Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB)

If you’re interested in attending any of the PNB performances below, notify Jacob by 5pm on Friday, May 17th. He’ll need this information:

your name
whether you want one or two tickets
date and time of the performance you’d like to attend

PNB’s 40th anniversary season comes to a close with a tribute to George Balanchine, whose works have been integral to the ballet company’s history. Six guests are invited to attend any of the performances of DIRECTOR’S CHOICE and visit the donor lounge for complimentary wine, hors d’oeuvres and chocolate. Choose from these dates:

Dress Rehearsal for Rep 6

We have two tickets available for the PNB’s dress rehearsal for Rep 6, on Thursday, May 30th.

DIRECTOR’S CHOICE Rep 6 performances

Saturday, June 1st, 2pm or 7:30pm
Thursday, June 6th, 7:30pm
Friday, June 7th, 7:30pm
Saturday, June 8th, 7:30pm
Sunday, June 9th, 1pm

Remember, these are limited-time offers specifically for our volunteers! So get to know LHPAI inside and out as a volunteer, and enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Two “Magical” Nights of “Diverse Harmony”

Written by Lisa Myers Bulmash on May 9, 2013 · Leave a Comment

If you’re in the mood to hear young voices lifted in song, make room in your schedule to hear Diverse Harmony this weekend! To get you into a musical state of mind, here’s a snippet of “New York State of Mind,” which they performed in 2012 at Key Arena.

We’re partnering with Diverse Harmony to present the “Magical Thinking” concert, celebrating creative minds. Kids invent imaginary worlds of their own, but it also takes imagination to transform the world as young people mature. Diverse Harmony explores these concepts in two shows:

Friday, May 10th, 7:30pm
Sunday, May 12th, 2pm

Diverse Harmony bills itself as “the nation’s first gay-straight alliance youth chorus,” founded in 2002. They perform here in Seattle and other Northwest cities, and they’ve also brought their music to audiences in Denver, Chicago and even Montreal, Canada. Its vision is of a world in which differences are celebrated through music and the performing arts — much like our own values of connection-building between diverse communities and creating a nurturing environment for young performers.

But those are just a few reasons why we’re partnering with Diverse Harmony. Mostly, we like them because the 58-member chorus can SING! Join us as we work with Diverse Harmony to make this weekend “magical.”

“Give BIG” to support LHPAI youth programs

Written by Lisa Myers Bulmash on April 25, 2013 · Leave a Comment

How many arts classes can you think of that introduce kids to major artists like director Robert Townsend…

Students of LHPAI Spring Youth Academy meet director Robert Townsend at our 2013 film festival

… and teach them performing arts skills presented by local and internationally-known artists?

Students in our Spring Youth Performing Arts Academy have had those opportunities and more, just this year. Pretty incredible, huh? Yet these are the kind of arts opportunities you’ve helped support at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute.

That’s why we’re asking you to “GiveBIG” to LHPAI.

Every dollar counts during this one-day, online giving event presented by the Seattle Foundation. When you make a donation on May 15th, you’re supporting teen/youth programming and Pre-Performing Arts classes for three to five-year-olds.

Here’s how GiveBIG Day works:

The Seattle Foundation will collect donations to non-profit organizations like LHPAI on May 15th, for the entire 24-hour period — midnight to midnight (Pacific Daylight Time).
LHPAI also receives a prorated portion of a pool of matching funds from the foundation.
The amount LHPAI depends on the size of the matching funds pool and the total donations raised on GiveBIG Day.

And GiveBIG donors are also eligible for a thank-you gift of their own that day too! You can find out more on the Seattle Foundation’s website.

When we say “every dollar counts,” we really mean it. You give, the Seattle Foundation stretches that dollar with matching funds. Each donation supports new voices, young dreams and grassroots community work in the performing arts. So mark your calendar now… set yourself a reminder email… and then go online to give big on March 15th!

The grand finale: Closing Night at our 10th annual film festival

Written by Lisa Myers Bulmash on April 18, 2013 · Leave a Comment

We’re halfway through the milestone tenth anniversary of the Langston Hughes African American Film Festival, and there’s still more to come: Closing Night with director Robert Townsend!

Director Robert Townsend on the set of “In The Hive”

This versatile filmmaker joins us for the final night of LHAAFF, April 21st at 6pm (tickets still available) for two of his films plus a reception. Townsend presents the Seattle debut of his latest movie, “In The Hive” , with LHAAFF supporter Comcast.

Townsend directs “In The Hive” stars Michael Clarke Duncan & Loretta Devine

Based on the emotionally gripping story of The Hive, a school for “throwaway” boys in North Carolina, the film follows a young man (Jonathan Daniels) who is thrust into this school that may give him his last chance to find a positive direction for his life. This is poignant, timely and a must-see.

Townsend’s documentary “Why We Laugh“ features performances and insights from comedians from Redd Foxx to Bill Cosby and Chris Rock. The great news: Townsend will actually introduce “Why We Laugh” to the Seattle audience.

ff-why

If you’ve always wanted to get inside the head of a film director, April 21st is the day to do it! Our own Bryan Johnson and Robyn Johnson present the short film “What About Us?”, starring Jasmine Guy. The Northwest-based international filmmakers will be here to talk to the audience.

At 1pm to 3pm that day, the collaborative team will dive into the debate about the stark differences between the attention given to well-to-do families of missing children versus the attention for children of less-affluent families.

Don’t miss these intense yet nuanced films on your final day and night of LHAAFF. If you haven’t already visited Brown Paper Tickets to purchase Closing Night tickets… what are you waiting for?