Opportunity for Island to be model for the arts | Letter

Published 1:00 pm Wednesday, May 25, 2016

I have heard from Mercer Island residents and families involved with Youth Theatre Northwest (YTN) that the program could be in jeopardy. This saddens me greatly as I have been a huge fan of YTN for 17 years.

I first became familiar with the program when I taught at Bertschi School in Seattle from 1999-2002. Our school had a partnership with YTN and their instructors would work with our classes to create original plays. I was inspired by the creativity of the staff and the child-focused nature in how they worked with my students. One of YTN’s instructors was able to get the most painfully shy students I have ever worked with, to have a speaking part in a play about insects. It was a miracle and made everyone cry.

Also, part of our school commitment was to go see one of the YTN plays every year. I love watching a play with actual children, not adults, playing children’s parts, unlike the Seattle Children’s Theatre. Young people watching their peers perform is what inspires them to pursue the arts — not adults playing “Winnie the Pooh.”

One of my dear friend’s children have been in many performances at YTN. I know how much these experiences have influenced and built confidence in her girls. My own children have thoroughly enjoyed going to see plays at YTN over the years.

Please realize what a unique asset this program is to Mercer Island. The arts are so often pushed aside in education and the Mercer Island community needs a program like YTN; it has the ability to change young people’s lives. This is a chance for Mercer Island to be a model for cultural arts and supporting youth in the community.

Kendall Wills

Seattle