Get to know
Night Night, Roger Roger
By Roni Ragone | Directed by Jacqueline Meyners
And
Seattle Public Theater’s Education Department
by Sara Schweid, Development Associate
Teens Learn to Spread Their Artistic Wings in Seattle Public Theater’s Education Department
On a warm afternoon in July, the 18 high schoolers in Seattle Public Theater’s youth summer production of “Night Night, Roger Roger,” filled a basement rehearsal room in the U-District — some running lines; others asking their stage manager last-minute questions; one group piled on top of each other, laughing and taking selfies in an armchair in the corner that’s barely big enough to hold them all.
Today’s rehearsal is a stressful milestone: the first run-through where actors aren’t allowed to call “line,” asking for a prompt on their lines if they get lost. Director Jackie Meyners takes a moment to brainstorm strategies with the cast for how to handle the situation.
Students call out ideas, which she coaches them through. “Rely on your team, and trust that they’ll be there to help you if you need it,” she concludes.
This blend between an educational and professional environment is one of the unique aspects of Seattle Public Theater’s program, says Jackie, who also serves as Seattle Public Theater’s education director. Some teens have been involved in theater for years while others are trying it out for the first time, so there’s always a level of teaching involved.
“We meet them where they are,” Jackie says. “My goal is to give teens a space where they can show up authentically as themselves, get theater training in a high-caliber environment, and make connections with future employers and teens from other schools.”
Áine McKenna, 16, has been involved in education programs at Seattle Public for the past three years. She’s also part of the drama department at Shorecrest High School, where she’s a rising junior, and she loves meeting teens from high schools around greater Seattle. “I’ve learned so much from stepping outside the bubble of my school theater world,” she says. “It’s been awesome to get involved outside of what’s close and comfortable.”
(Aine in the 2026 production Night Night, Roger Roger by Roni Ragone)
A PROGRAM FOR TEENS BUILT BY TEENS
Each school year, a group of 10 teens are selected from a pool of applicants to serve on Seattle Public Theater’s Student Advisory Board. They participate in workshops led by Seattle Public staff members -- ranging from marketing to sound design to artistic leadership – and work together to select the youth show for the following summer.
After joining the Public in 2023, incoming Producing Artistic Director Amy Poisson and Education Director Jenn Ruzumna gathered a small group of teens to help resurrect the theater’s education program, which had fallen by the wayside during previous years. Some foundational aspects of the revitalized program included the youth summer production run by professionals with student actors and mentees, tuition-free participation for everyone, and paying students a stipend for their work.
(2026 Student Advisory Board under the Night Night, Roger Roger Marquee)
Cordelia Carranza, 20, was one of the teens in the inaugural cohort. Cordelia says the Seattle Public team valued the Student Advisory’s input and she’s proud that so many of their initial goals have come to fruition. “It’s better than I hoped it would be,” she says. “I'm very happy to see how it's providing a place that’s safe, community-oriented, and fun.”
A STEPPINGSTONE TO PROFESSIONAL THEATER
The Public’s education program also teaches and expects professionalism from participants, says Cordelia, which was one of the aspects her initial cohort really emphasized. “Providing pre-professional opportunities in an environment that’s still incredibly fun, nurturing, and supportive is really unique,” she says.
The expectations are definitely high – the summer youth shows are part of Seattle Public’s season programming – and the teens are eager to rise to the challenge.They’re supported by a creative team of professional artists and mentors from Seattle Public’s staff.
“It’s a wonderful steppingstone to professional theater,” says Jesica Avellone, Áine’s mom. “The simple fact that you pay the kids makes them show up professionally and encourages them to take agency for making a quality production.”
Discovering New Passions
Two years ago, then-15-year-old Sam Pederson Spaulding decided he wanted to try acting, so he submitted his first-ever audition for the summer youth show, “Shadows Under the Market,” and was offered a role.
“It was pretty incredible to see him stumble upon his passion,” Sam’s mom, DeAnza Spaulding, says. “Trying something new at such a vulnerable age can be scary, but the community really took his hand and helped him blossom and find his voice.” And she’s seen Sam’s skills grow beyond just performing. “I’ve seen him deepen his compassion, his capacity for leadership, and his desire to use his voice to advocate for himself and his community.”
Sam says the program has been “life changing.” He’s met some of his best friends and – after meeting and working with so many people making a living in the theater – he’s decided he wants to pursue acting after high school. “I’ve met so many people working professionally in theater, and it’s helped me realize it’s actually possible,” he says.
Lexi Poisel, 17, isn’t sure whether she’ll pursue a career in theater, but she’s confident she’s gained valuable skills at Seattle Public. “This workspace is unlike any other,” says Lexi, who’s heading into her fourth year with the program. “I’ve been encouraged to develop my skills and craft, but also to utilize what I have to offer in a group setting with my peers. The abilities I’ve learned here are ones I’ll use for the rest of my life.”
Ellie Vergara, 17, already knew she wanted to pursue a career in stage management, and has been thrilled with the opportunity to work alongside the Public’s Production Stage Manager Bailey Dobbins. As a stage management intern during the summer youth production, Ellie has taken on tasks such as tracking scene changes, taking line notes for actors, and learning to call the show. “It’s a great opportunity to see how things work in the ‘real world,’” Ellie says.
Showing teens that theater careers are possible is one of the education department’s goals, Jackie says. “I'm always trying to talk kids into pursuing arts as a career,” she says. “There's a lot in the world that tells them it’s not possible, it's silly, or it has no value. But we really try to show them it’s a viable path.”
FINDING THEIR ARTISTIC WINGS
Every year, teens in Seattle Public Theater’s education department programs get a chance to explore something new. Whether it’s working with a playwright-mentor to write and perform a piece sharing their own experiences for Youth Voices, taking ownership over programming in Student Advisory, meeting new friends at Teen Show Nights, or stretching their artistic comfort zone in the summer show.
DeAnza Spaulding is grateful the Public has created a space for teens to find community and joy as they plan for their future. “I'm just over-the-moon impressed with the level of intentionality and commitment to letting our kids find their wings and making sure they're able to do that in a way that feels safe and honors who they are,” she says.
Meanwhile, Sam Pederson Spaulding can’t wait to get onstage with his “Night Night, Roger Roger” castmates to show audiences what they’ve been working on. “I just love being on stage with my friends,” he said. “Sometimes I forget there are people watching because it feels like I’m just up there having a conversation with friends.”
Come See Night Night, Roger Roger!
Night Night, Roger Roger
Written and Conceived by Roni Ragone
Directed by Jacqueline Meyners
August 7 - 15, 2026
It’s midnight, but that doesn’t mean the world slows down. Night Night, Roger Roger is a fanciful comedy about the world after the sun goes down. Roller-skating Nanas, kids with tin cans, literary-obsessed vampires, clumsy security guards, kids without tin cans, quirky game show hosts and more. This play is a plea for every person to stop growing up so fast—take your moment with the universe and enjoy it.