FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 9, 2021
SATURDAY MORNING LIVE! At the National
“Creating Tomorrow Together”
Sparkles with Premieres of Fifteen Co-Commissions
The National Theatre Foundation’s 2021-22 Series for
Children and Their Families
Will be Online and Free to All
Northwestern University
Synetic Theater
Happy Theater
Indigenous Cultures Institute in Partnership with the University of Texas at Austin
(Washington, September 8, 2021)—With a wide array of programs drawn from around the country and from the D.C. region’s own talented wellspring of artists, SATURDAY MORNING LIVE!, the beloved mainstay of The National Theatre’s education and community programs, returns for a dynamic season of all new work. Last year’s series, as re-envisioned by National Theatre Foundation Executive Director David Kitto, was greeted by a Facebook patron as, “The best way to start Saturday mornings!” This season’s performances will simultaneously appear on Facebook Live (https://www.facebook.com/NationalTheatreWashingtonDC) and on The National Theatre’s YouTube Channel at 9:30 AM Eastern Time (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDKiKdqBgUNMgGAZqsYDOZA). “SATURDAY MORNING LIVE! AT THE NATIONAL” is made possible by The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, Inc.
With the overarching theme of “Creating Tomorrow Together”, the series of 15 premieres co-commissioned by The National Theatre Foundation focuses on the eternal verities of kindness, joy, and resilience to be found within all of us and what we can do to make a brighter tomorrow. “Some of the best national work in family programming is being done at the university level, especially by the two organizations represented in this series. We were especially impressed with the work of Northwestern University last year, and are delighted to welcome the Indigenous Cultures Institute in partnership with University of Texas at Austin,” explained David Kitto. “We also welcome the remarkable Synetic Theater and Happy Theater to our series for the first time. As we reviewed productions and ideas being created around the country and here at home in the Washington metropolitan area, we believe we have found a way to provide programming that will not only entertain, but perhaps provide fresh inspiration and insights. This is a series that we believe is right for our times.”
“Now in his third year, David continues to lead The National Theatre Foundation with vision and innovation,” said Board Chairman Charles C. (Sandy) Wilkes. “Our community programming is stronger than it has ever been, and we have David and his team to thank for it.”
Kim Peter Kovac once again served as Artistic Curator for SATURDAY MORNING LIVE! AT THE NATIONAL, and in commenting on the new season said, “The 2021-22 season of Saturday Morning Live! at the National promises to be exciting, educational, and empathetic for all the young people who experience these performances. The season is a partnership between The National Theatre Foundation, two of the nation’s premiere university theaters developing programs for young audiences, and two D.C. metro area companies. This engagement of innovative artists dedicated to performances at the highest level will work both individually and as part of the season’s overall theme of ‘Creating Tomorrow Together’” Mr. Kovac, who is a long-time veteran of Washington theater, was for more than 20 years Artistic Director for the Kennedy Center’s Theater for Young Audiences (TYA).
On the heels of their successful National Theatre debut earlier this year, artists from Imagine U, the popular family series for all ages from Northwestern University, will return with six all-new performances. Created by a company of artists with roots in theater specifically for young audiences, each episode is a mix of music, movement, crafts, and storytelling.
New to SATURDAY MORNING LIVE! AT THE NATIONAL will be Synetic Theater, Inc., Indigenous Cultures Institute in partnership with University of Texas at Austin, and Happy Theater’s Tia Shearer Bassett and Natasha Mirny. “We wanted to present a mix of national work and the finest community programming by local organizations,” pointed out Mr. Kitto. “Synetic Theater and the partnership of Tia Shearer Bassett and Natasha Mirny are known throughout the area and beyond for the excellence of their work.”
Northwestern University’s first three programs are titled “Kindness,” “Home,” and “Stepping In.” Synetic Theater will perform three programs collectively called “Jessica’s Journey.” Jessica’s family has moved, and each program finds her solving the challenges of making a new life. Happy Theater’s Tia Shearer Bassett and Natasha Mirny create “Happy Soup” to chase away the blues, with a little help from the audience. The Indigenous Cultures Institute in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin gives us Ana, entrusted by her grandparents with the important task of gathering the small green fruit quenepas from a great, tall tree, and she finds she can do more than she thought.
Learn more about our upcoming season here!
PRESS CONTACT:
Patricia O’Kelly
PR Advisor to The National Theatre Foundation
(202) 999-9806