Monthly Archives: December 2017

My father’s coat

This is a request for blankets, winter coats, or a donation to help BAT buy emergency blankets, sometimes called space blankets. It is now winter and BAT sees many people in need of a little warmth. DONATE HERE.

Now, the Holiday story: on Christmas Eve we were at BAT doing what we do most days to make it possible for BAT to produce better live theater.

In the building next to BAT is Transform Burien, a group of churches who work together to feed and clothe those in need. They are great neighbors, and when BAT gets a costume donation we always check to see if there is something Transform Burien’s clothing bank can use.

On Christmas Eve, Transform Burien had a free meal for people. It was also the day it snowed in Burien. As they cleaned up a few apparently homeless folks hung around under the awnings at BAT. It was a cold and snowy night.

As we were leaving, we noticed some we’re underprepared for the cold.

At BAT we keep a box of blankets, energy blankets, and winter coats that we give out when we see this kind of need. BAT does not use that many heavy coats and blankets on stage, and the emergency blankets are there just to give out.

BAT had not restocked its supply of blankets and the like since last winter, so we did not have as much to share as we do sometimes. BAT gave out what it had, but there was still a gentleman without a warm coat.

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Year end 2017

It is that time of year when we look back and look forward. Here at BAT, our fiscal year ends in June, but the calendar year is a good place to pause too.

Looking ahead, BAT is getting ready for Rapture, Blister, Burn. Like all of the shows this season, BAT is excited to get Rapture, Blister Burn on stage. About a week ago, BAT had the first reading of the show with the cast. We all laughed out loud. Rehearsals begin in earnest right after the First of the Year.

Soon, there will be auditions for Church & State. Church & State is BAT’s final show this season, and the season will end with a gem.

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A script search

BAT is reading scripts for 2018-19. This is a fun time because, right now, BAT’s season could be anything. Literally anything. As BAT begins the narrow things down, the season will come into focus.

To make a good season, BAT often has to chase down scripts. This is how BAT has gotten to know a number of playwrights and their agents. Some of these relationships have lasted, and others have not. But either way, dealing with an author or an agent is almost always more fun than dealing with a big script publishing house. To the publishing house, BAT is just someone at the end of an online royalties form. With an author or agent, BAT has a face.

Right now, BAT is chasing down a script from London. This chase may not turn into something because the rights may not be available in the US, but sometimes they are. Once the foreign show is done by a US professional house, even just once, it may be available to smaller theaters like BAT. So, it is possible, if BAT finds the right person to talk to, that the show might be available.

This chase has been frustrating, but as it turns out fun.

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Is there more than butts in the seats?

This is a tale of two shows. One, BAT’s current Holiday show, The Christmas Carol Rag, and the other In The Next Room, or the vibrator play which BAT produced in 2016.

The former is currently in production. The run is half over and it has sold out five performances. It looks like that trend will continue throughout the run. BAT is a small house, but a show that consistently sells out is a very good thing.

During the entire run of In the Next Room, or the vibrator play the show was seen by just over half as many people who are likely to see The Christmas Carol Rag. GET YOUR TICKETS HERE.

So, by the butts in the seat measure, The Christmas Carol Rag is a better show for BAT. Right? About twice as many people will see it. Well, it may not be the best show for BAT.

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