Education & Community Engagement > Overview
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Who We Serve
STG’s Education and Community Engagement Department served close to 40,000 Pacific Northwest residents in the 2022-23 Season. In the 2022-23 season, our vision was expressed through 541 individual engagements including 461 free events.
We are creating programs and spaces where we can ensure people are feeling welcomed and represented. Our targeted goal is focusing on historically excluded communities. We do this to ensure we are thinking about communities that traditionally would not attend or participate in our events. This is important to us as we are a world where the global majority population has a platform for creative expression.
Accessibility Note
STG is committed to ensuring our Education & Community Engagement programs and events are accessible for anyone who wants to participate.
To learn more about our overall accessibility work as an organization regarding our buildings, events, ASL, Open Caption, Sensory-Friendly & Inclusive Performances, and more, visit our accessibility page here.
If you have any questions, accessibility needs, or scholarship needs regarding our Education & Community Engagement events or programs, reach out to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Education Programs
STG’s Education Programs provide trainings and classes focused on personal and professional development for participants in schools, community centers, and STG theatres. The goal of these sessions and events is to empower, enrich, and celebrate participants’ quality of life using the arts.
Our vision for Education Programs:
- Connect the community with meaningful arts learning opportunities
- Ignite the possibilities of what participants role in the arts can be
- Empower participants to be and develop their best selves
- Support artistic and personal growth and goals
- Celebrate everyone’s artistry and brilliance
List of Education Programs
AileyCamp
AileyCamp provides a free program for selected youth ages 11 – 14 using the power of dance and personal development to support in developing a heightened awareness of their full potential, self-confidence, critical thinking skills and decision-making skills to navigate difficult challenges. Learn more here.
Art Sessions
STG offers ongoing art class sessions that are free and open to educators, students, families, community groups, artists, and beyond. View our recorded art class sessions here.
Broadway Programs
STG’s Broadway Programs include a variety of events, residencies, and experiences that include an intersection of educational and community engagement opportunities in relation to Broadway shows, artists, and themes. Learn more about current digital Broadway programming here.
Broadway Inclusion Program
STG’s Broadway Inclusion Program provides theatre arts programming to neurodivergent and/or disabled community members and their families and caregivers. Participants tend to be between 8-50 years old, but all ages and abilities are welcome! Learn more here.
Dance for Parkinsons
STG Dance for PD® offers weekly, free livestream dance classes for people with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners. Learn more here.
DANCE This – Performance
STG’s signature dance program, DANCE This, brings together youth and adult performers from diverse communities for collaboration and to share their culture through the art of dance. Local choreographers and nationally known guest artists work with this region’s vibrant talent in a lively performance for all ages. Learn more here.
DANCE This – Camp
STG's DANCE This Camp at Centrum is an opportunity for young dancers at all levels to study dance for one week in beautiful Port Townsend, WA. Students will participate in a variety of dance styles and genres with local and national educators. Learn more here.
DANCE This – Spring Workshop
The DANCE This Spring Workshop is an opportunity for students ages 13-19 at all levels and be immersed in dance. Students will be exposed to a wide range of dance styles and techniques in a supportive, yet challenging atmosphere. Learn more here.
Disney Musicals in Schools
Disney Musicals In Schools is a free program where STG Teaching Artists partner with educators and staff members in selected Title I elementary schools to produce Disney KIDS musicals and create sustainable theatre programs at their schools. Learn more here.
For Educators
STG presents and produces several daytime matinees each season for school and community groups at the historic Paramount, Moore, and Neptune Theatres. Learn more here.
Community Engagement
STG’s Community Engagement creates work and programs in partnership with artists, community members, and organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest. The goal of Community Engagements is to showcase artists and their work, collaborate with creatives, cultural groups, and non-profit organizations, and share professional opportunities that positively impact people in our region.
Our vision for Community Engagement:
- Create opportunities for people of different cultural backgrounds and artistic mediums to collaborate on projects and performances
- Elevate the voices of Black, Indigenous, and people of color and historically underrepresented communities
- Provide Professional Development opportunities to artists
- Deepen the experience and perspectives on arts performances
List of Community Engagement Programs
Community Advisory Groups
Seattle Theatre Group's Community Advisory Group (CAG) creates and holds space for the greater Puget Sound BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Disabled and/or Neurodivergent Communities to gather and converse; empowering individuals to participate, share knowledge and support the art they want to experience; thereby making STG venues and programs safe and accessible for all. Learn more.
ELEVATE
ELEVATE is a showcase of Black and Brown voices uplifting one another through the art of spoken word. Learn more here.
Global Party
Global Party is a high energy performance of cultural and contemporary dance and music. The performance features talented youth and adult performers celebrating rich cultural traditions from around the world. Learn more here.
More Music @ The Moore
More Music @ The Moore features exceptional young musicians mixing up diverse music styles. Each year, artists are mentored by Seattle-area based professionals as well as a world-renowned Music Director. Learn more here.
RE:DEFINITION
Tariqa Waters, owner and curator of Martyr Sauce, and the late Jonathan Moore founded the RE:DEFINITION gallery at the Paramount Theatre bar in 2015, a partnership with Seattle Theatre Group (STG) to redefine historic cultural space. The goal of the space was always to elevate underrepresented artists and issues of equity in our community. Learn more here.
Season Engagements
STG’s Season Engagements include a variety of events, discussions, classes, and experiences that include an intersection of educational and community engagement opportunities in relation to the Performing Arts Season shows, artists, and themes. Learn more here.
Sensory-Friendly Performances
Sensory-friendly and inclusive performances are designed to provide a supportive and judgment-free environment for people affected by sensory processing challenges so they may enjoy the shared experience of live theatre. Learn more about upcoming sensory-friendly or inclusive performances, and read about past programs and performances here. Learn more here.
Up Next
Songwriters Lab and More Music @ The Moore alumni musicians will be previewing their music on Starbucks' and STG's social media platforms and on the STG Up Next web page.
Young Ambassadors
STG Young Ambassadors is a group of artistic individuals ages 15-20 who represent STG in the Seattle arts community and get a behind-the-scenes experience in preparation for careers in the arts. The mission of this program is to diversify the pool of applicants for arts industry jobs by providing equitable access to work experience. Learn more here.
Meet our Team
Our Education & Community Engagement team is excited to connect with you!
Get to know more about us
Marisol Sánchez-Best, Director of Education & Community Engagement
Marisol Sánchez-Best (Mixtec, She/Her) was born in Oaxaca, Mexico. Her work and passion is focused on theatre access initiatives and providing platforms for historically underrepresented communities. Prior to STG, she worked at La Jolla Playhouse as the Associate Director of Education. She has worked in the US and México as a theatre educator, actor, and teaching artist trainer. Marisol received her undergraduate degree from San Diego State University with a double major in Theatre Performance and Spanish and and M.F.A in Performance from the University of Florida. Her biggest pride is elevating and sharing the beauty of her Oaxacan culture.
Marisol Sánchez-Best (Mixteca, ella) nació en Oaxaca, México. Su trabajo y pasión se enfoca en iniciativas accesibles para comunidades históricamente marginalizadas. Antes de STG, ella trabajó para La Jolla Playhouse, como la Asociada de Educación. Su trabajo expande desde Estados Unidos y México como educadora, actriz y entrenadora para maestros docentes de teatro. Marisol recibió su licenciatura en teatro y Español de San Diego State University y su Maestría en actuación de la Universidad de Florida. Su orgullo es elevar y compartir la belleza de su cultura Oaxaqueña.
Connect with Marisol Sánchez-Best via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Rex Kinney, Associate Director of Education
Rex Kinney (he/him) is the Associate Director of Education overseeing education initiatives and productions at Seattle Theatre Group. He is a dance educator, producer, choreographer and teaching artist. His goals are to be able to highlight the vibrant stories of our artists and provide a space that all learners can discover an environment that is surrounded by community, imagination and creativity. Prior to STG, Rex spent 20 years as the Head Coach and Director of the Shorecrest High School Hip Hop Team. During this time, he helped the team to 15 consecutive Washington State District 1 titles, 10 WIAA State Dance/Drill Championships, and 5 National titles. He was honored by the Washington State Dance/Drill Coaches Association as “Coach of the Year” in 2011 and inducted into the Coaches Hall of Fame in 2017. Rex has taught and choreographed for several groups, studios, companies and organizations all over the Northwest. The arts have made a huge impact in his life and career but is most proud of being a husband and dad to four amazing children.
Connect with Rex Kinney via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Sarah Strasbaugh, Associate Director of Community Programs
Sarah Strasbaugh (she/her) is an arts producer and community liaison working within the Greater Seattle area for the last 20+ years. Currently Sarah’s work at Seattle Theatre Group involves producing large scale performances as well as intimate workshops, community events and everything in between. From music and arts festivals to film to theatre, Sarah’s work has been centered in the community. Her balance of logistics, artist relations, event production, and a passion for inspiring art experiences are at the heart of her career.
Connect with Sarah Strasbaugh: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Adriana Wright, Education Partnership Manager
Adriana Wright (she/her) was born in Southern California and grew up in Tijuana, Mexico. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cornish College of the Arts with a BFA in Dance in 2013. She has performed in various works by artists in Seattle, San Diego, and Mexico. Her choreographic work has been presented through Seattle International Dance Festival, On the Boards NorthWest New Works, Velocity Dance Center's Bridge Project, Cornish College of the Arts and Southwestern Community College. Currently, Adriana works as a Teaching Artist for various Community Education Programs in the greater Seattle area where she teaches creative movement and adaptive dance in public schools, early childhood centers and enrichment programs. She researches and experiments with movement through choreography, literature, and teaching choreography and creative movement.
Adriana Wright (ella) nació en San Diego, CA y creció en Tijuana, México. Se graduó con honores de Cornish College of the Arts con una Licenciatura en Artes Finas en Danza. Se ha presentado en varios proyectos con artistas en Seattle, San Diego, y México. Su coreografía ha sido presentada a través del Seattle International Dance Festival, On the Boards NorthWest New Works, Velocity Dance Center's Bridge Project, Cornish College of the Arts y Southwestern Community College. Actualmente, Adriana trabaja como Artista-Docente para varios Programas de Educación para la Comunidad alrededor de Seattle donde da clases de movimiento creativo y danza adaptada en escuelas públicas, centros de educación de infancia, y programas de enriquecimiento. Adriana investiga y experimenta con movimiento usando medios de coreografía, literatura, y dando clases de coreografía y movimiento creativo.
Connect with Adriana Wright: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Leah Townsend, Community Engagement Manager
Born and raised in Milwaukee, WI Leah Townsend has always been an advocate for the arts. Growing up and attending concerts, plays and dance performances with her mom ignited her lifelong commitment to serving the greater community by providing access to the arts. Leah herself is classically trained in the violin and has played for over nine years. Prior to joining STG, Leah's experience with audience engagement and participation expanded with her work with the Walt Disney Company working at Disneyland as a Guest Relations Representative. Intentionally engaging with different communities from diverse cultural backgrounds and providing space for others to fully immerse themselves within an environment where they can show up as their true selves is a major passion of hers. Leah is coming to us from the Marcus Performing Arts Center where she served as the Community Education and Engagement Specialist working with a variety of community organizations, schools and local community leaders and artists. She received her undergraduate degree from Central Michigan University where she majored in Public Relations and Media Design with a certificate in African and African Diaspora along with a MA in Global Community Engagement from the University of Denver.
Connect with Leah Townsend: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Deshawn Morton, Dance Manager
Deshawn began dancing at Tacoma School of The Arts, performed with the Tacoma City Ballet Company, and studied in NYC with the Dance Theater of Harlem. Deshawn received a BFA in Dance from the University of Arizona.
Deshawn has worked with Kabby Mitchell, Donald Byrd, Tammy Dyke-Compton, Robert Garland, Rodni Williams, Amy Earnst, and more. Deshawn performed at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and danced with the Capital Movement dance company in D.C. Deshawn is currently a dancer with Khambatta Dance Company in Seattle.
Deshawn is also dedicated to teaching and mentoring youth through the art and discipline of dance. In the D.C area, as a dance educator with the Prince George's County Public School, Ballet Program Director at Starmakers Academy, Dance Camp Director with the Dance Institute of Washington and as the School Director of Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center, a non-profit dance school dedicated to providing quality Classical Ballet training for Urban Youth.
Connect with Deshawn at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mary Kibala, Education Coordinator
Mary Kibala (she/her) is a graduate of the University of Washington Bothell where she obtained her bachelor's degree in Community Psychology and Society, Ethics, and Human Behavior. Having grown up in Seattle, Mary is very active in the local dance community. She grew up primarily dancing at Westlake Dance Center and has participated in performance groups like Westlake Affiliates and ZTheory Company. A background in dance and an interest in the role of the arts in our society influenced Mary’s path through higher education and her career goals. During her time at UW, Mary had the opportunity to participate in an Applied Community-Based Theatre Project with The Seattle Children’s Hospital Alyssa Burnett Adult Life Center. In this project, Mary Collaborated with staff and families to develop and deliver theatre education during the Covid-19 Pandemic. In March of 2023, Mary was hired as an Education Coordinator with Seattle Theatre Group and she is excited for the journey ahead.
Rachel McKinney, Community Engagement Coordinator and AileyCamp Administrator
Rachel McKinney (she/her) is a Seattle native and a graduate of Green River College, with an associate degree in Fine Arts. At Green River College she studied photography, which led to her interest in videography and editing. In 2021 Rachel collaborated with Seattle Theatre Group (STG), in the inaugural ELEVATE program as a videographer and editor. Her STG credits include, STG’s AileyCamp, Disney Musicals in Schools (DMIS) and Broadway Inclusion Program (BIP). Rachel has been dancing for twenty years and has taught tap for Northwest Tap Connection and Spectrum Dance Theater in Seattle, Washington. She has performed at Floripa Tap Festival in Brazil, Cross Cultural Exchange trip in Barbados, Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Kennedy Center in Washington DC, and STG’s DANCE This and Global Dance Party for over 10 years. She has also been a member of Youth Tap Ensemble and Color Lines Dance Ensemble along with performing in the Groovement. She proudly joins the STG team to continue sharing her passion for the arts and administrative skills.
Andrea Freed, DANCE This and Dance for PD Administrator
Andrea Freed, born and raised in the greater Seattle area in Washington state, started dancing ballet at the age of four and fell in love with it. In 2017, Andrea earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree, magna cum laude from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, where she studied primarily ballet and modern dance. While at Cornish, Andrea performed in works by Kyle Abraham, Iyun Harrison, Pat Hon, Veronica Lee-Baik, and Gerard Theoret. Andrea has been teaching ballet since 2012 and has taught at the Academy of Russian Classical Ballet, Woodinville Dance Academy, and Gotta Dance. She also has a passion for dance administration and started working with Seattle Theatre Group (STG) in 2017. She now works with STG on their DANCE This program and more recently their Dance for Parkinson’s program. She believes that dance is for everyone and enjoys sharing that message in these programs and in the classes she teaches.
Meet our Artists
Our Education & Community Engagement team is fortunate to work with an incredible team of artists in our programs! You can read more about them here.