<p>Seattle and it’s surrounding cities have fantastic regional theatre. We’ve got the 5th Avenue Theatre where many pre-Broadway runs (Catch Me if You Can, Shrek, Memphis…) are produced along with national tours and their own regional productions. Village Theatre is split between Issaquah and Everett, WA, and also produces brand new musicals each year. Hits that went to Broadway include Next to Normal and Million Dollar Quartet. Both theatres have big youth education programs, especially Village’s KIDSTAGE which takes actors ages 10-20. I believe there production team programs continue to age 25.</p>
<p>There’s also the New Voices Songwriter Showcase at ACT Theatre which features songs from many up and coming composers.</p>
<p>Surprisingly northwest WA does not have any schools with “big” theatre programs. The University of WA offers a BA in Drama and a masters in Acting. We have Cornish College of the Arts which I’ve heard does a lot of small experimental theatre.</p>
<p>The greatest part about Seattle is just the number of audition opportunities available. We have everything from small community theatres to paid professional ones. It’s a great place to see Broadway quality shows without having to go all the way to New York.</p>