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BAT meets the Burien Arts Commission

The Burien Arts Commission has a few new members. A good thing. But they do not know BAT. A bad thing.

So, soon BAT will be introducing itself the Burien Arts Commission. BAT was asked to tell the Commission what BAT does. Here is a brief outline of what BAT does. (Can you think of more?)

Brief History

BAT is getting ready for the 40th consecutive season in what is now called the Burien Parks Annex. Originally this space was offered free to BAT, but when Burien became a City, the City saw the Annex as a profit center and began changing BAT rent. That rent has gone up significantly over the years.

About BAT

BAT has a 94 seat house in the Annex

BAT typically does four main stage shows a season (usually over four weekends). EXAMPLE  HERE are some photos from BAT’s recent seasons!!!

According to the 2017 study by Foster School of Business at the University of Washington, these four shows bring $141,000 to Burien, over and above ticket prices. On average each patron spends $22.70 per person in Burien

70% of BAT audience is from outside Burien. The audience comes from as far away as Vancouver, BC, and Vancouver, WA. The audience is mostly from nearby cities, and the Eastside and Covington areas.

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Beyond plays at BAT

BAT is a nonprofit (501(c)(3) entity) that means we do have not shareholders, but we do serve the community. BAT was recently asked, “Does BAT do more than just put on plays?”

As a BAT volunteer, this is an odd question because I see what BAT does, but it is worth answering.

Where to begin?

BAT has a script club. It is where people in the community read a script a month and talk about it. (Like a book club). LINK

BAT has a playwriting group, Seattle Playwrights Studio. BAT’s effort to help keep theater alive and well. LINK

BAT has a lending library, BALL. It is located in Phoenix Tea in Burien. LINK Right now there are about 300 scripts in BALL, but BAT will be adding about 700 more over the next few months. Look for the grand opening notice and party! (BALL had been located in a Burien bookstore, but that store recently closed.)

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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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