Announcing our 2022-23 Season:
After several years of uncertainty as we navigated the pandemic, OFT is excited to announce a full season in 2022-2023! Featuring original adaptations of beloved stories, folktales old and new, music, puppetry, and more – this magical season will help your family have important conversations about the world we live in, while enjoying an entertaining night out on the town.
THE SECRET GARDEN
September 30 – October 16, 2022
a modern adaptation of the beloved book, set in the Pacific Northwest
written by: Mabelle Reynoso
directed by: Emily McHugh (String & Shadow Co-Director)
assistant directed by: Marissa Rivera Bolaños.
Recommended for ages 5 and up.
In our modern-day retelling of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic novel, a recently orphaned young girl moves to the Pacific Northwest in search of hope and community. Our imaginative play will explore the meaning of friendship as a group of children overcome isolation and grief by healing a magical garden – and themselves. The Secret Garden is being developed with Mabelle Reynoso – a Latinx multidisciplinary storyteller and award-winning playwright who we first collaborated with during OFT’s Fully Vaxxed project this spring. To help tell the story, String & Shadow Puppet Theater (OFT’s first Company-in-Residence) will create a beautiful transforming environment with puppet creations.
DRAGONS LOVE TACOS
November 4 – November 20, 2022
a whimsical and fiery play based on the popular children’s book by Adam Rubin
written by: Ernie Nolan
directed by: Kate Arvin
Recommended for ages 3 and up
When young Leroy starts learning about Dragonology – the oldest of all the natural sciences – he could never expect the fiery consequences. Soon, his house will be full of dragons having the most epic of epic taco parties. Which sounds fun – until they get a hold of the spicy salsa! This deliciously hilarious tale will have you bopping along in no time.
SOLSTICE CO-PRODUCTION
with String & Shadow Puppet Theater
December 9 – December 24, 2022
an original winter folk myth
co-created by: Emily McHugh, Donald Palardy, & Lily Raabe
directed by: Luz Gaxiola
Recommended for ages 5 and up
Our original folk tale (currently untitled) will follow a young hero on an epic adventure as they set forth on a journey from a land of darkness, through a great forest, to find the sun. As they embark on their magical adventure they’ll befriend a polar bear, warm a king’s icy heart, and heal a world that has been split in two. Filled with music, puppetry, and friendship – our tale will create an opportunity for families to come together around the Solstice and to reflect on the ending of another year.
THE GIRL WHO SWALLOWED A CACTUS
March 10 – March 26, 2023
a whirlwind adventure about five friends and a coyote who want to save the world
written by: Eric Coble
directed by: Rebecca Rogers
Recommended for ages 5 and up
This unique twist on traditional storytelling brings the audience into a magical desert landscape where young Sheila and her band of buddies are out of school for the summer and building the most epic fort ever. Something strange happens one night when the fort draws the attention of a well-dressed coyote and our young heroes are transported into the middle of a moonlit desert facing The Council of Howls, The Sting Brigade, The Death Cactus and more. This whirlwind adventure is about respecting the environment and the animals with whom we share the planet – and asking whether we are ready to take on the mission of saving the world from ourselves.
ALICE IN WONDERLAND: A NEW MUSICAL
May 5 – May 21, 2023
an imaginative, musical twist on a classic tale
written by: Lavinia Roberts
directed by: Lily Raabe
music by: Ahmed Alabaca
Recommended for ages 5 and up
Based on the beloved book by Lewis Carroll, our new musical adaptation will be filled to the brim with magic, puppets, and an original musical score. The play will explore what it means to be a child navigating the world of adults and being asked to play by rules that sometimes make no sense. Ultimately – will Alice be brave enough to say ‘no more’ and topple the cards that are stacked against her? With all the characters you love coming to life onstage, our production will also feature a few fresh surprises, including a menagerie of puppets from String & Shadow Puppet Theater.
Other Stuff to Check Out
(1) Tales Told in 10 – a 24-Hour Play Festival – April 2023 (Dates TBD)
Our popular 24-hour play festival will return in April, exploring the theme of “transformation”. Tales Told in 10 provides an opportunity for community artists to come together, participate in an intergenerational creative space, and generate new works of theater in a short span of time. Our 2023 festival will be curated and directed by Hannah Eklund.
(2) Ongoing Education classes and camps!
OFT will continue to offer robust educational programs for grades K-12 in the 2022-2023 season including after-school classes (such as improv, acting, and more!) four days a week, and break camps. Check out our website for the latest offerings, and subscribe to be kept in the loop as new sessions open for registration.
How to Attend & Ticketing
After a successful spring pilot of ACCESS FOR ALL ticketing in the spring of 2022 – Olympia Family Theater will continue this initiative into the fall. All tickets for the 2022-2023 season will be available on a sliding pay-what-you-can scale of $5-$35. Additionally, we will hold at least 10 tickets for FREE day-of walk-up tickets, available on a first-come, first-served basis..
This year, rather than season subscriptions, OFT is offering a membership to the Sunflower Squad. This group of supporters get 1 ticket to each show in the season, a season T-shirt, free exchanges, an invitation to an annual family-friendly “Member Party”, access to first rehearsals for all Mainstage productions, and two flex tickets to bring guests to a show of your choice throughout the season.
Membership costs $180.00 per person, which is just $15.00 per month and helps us have a steady flow of support through the season. Further details can be found on the Membership page – we appreciate our Members and their willingness to invest in our work!
Memberships are available now, and single ticket sales will open for all our shows on September 1st, 2022. Tickets and memberships can be purchased online or by phone with Visa, MasterCard or American Express, and are available 24 hours a day on this site.
- Friday performances are at 7pm.
- Saturday performances are at 3pm and 7pm.
- Sunday performances are at 3pm.
Our box office and lobby open 1 hour before performance times. Seating begins 15 minutes before performance times.
Accessibility & Inclusion
All performances are wheelchair accessible. Contact the box office with any special needs when making your purchase, (360) 570-1638.
We hope to offer ASL interpreted performances for all productions in the 2022-2023 season. Details TBD.
