For a few short weeks each summer, Seattle's actors take their work outside, presenting plays in the parks. These performances are intimate; no walls separate actors from the audiences crowding in closely catch the action. They are affordable; the cost is whatever you want to pay when they pass the hat. And the skill and imagination on display here is impressive. With only a box full of props, actors have to create worlds on the park lawn. They can switch between roles within a second, with the aid of a hat, a cape, a swagger or a change in voice. And they often have to improvise, keeping the play going no matter what comes at them: be it rain, sirens, stray frisbees, or excitable dogs.
Some of these plays are directed at children. Many are directed at adults, but are enjoyable for older children. Several companies present short versions of the plays, getting everything done in an hour or less. Some of the plays, such as Shakespeare's tragedies, are really not for kids.
Bring: a blanket, layers, water, some cash to put in the hat, and, if you like, a picnic. Don't bring packaging that can make noise. You never realize how much noise a bag of chips makes until you try and open one quietly. Also, outdoor theater is designed for a human audience, so it's not a good idea to bring dogs. There are of course exceptions; a stalwart service dog or a stoic and cultured senior, say. But for many dogs, seeing a play isn't that much fun, and they can disrupt the action, if for example, an actor suddenly moves in their direction. Camp chairs are a good idea for some, but avoid blocking anyone's view: the taller the chair, the farther back in the audience you need to sit.
Productions come to parks all over the city. Here are the Seattle parks and outdoor spaces hosting plays in 2018, with some good picks for kids.
Central
Volunteer Park
1247 15th Ave EThis lush and leafy park in Capitol Hill has an amphitheater along with two frequently used lawns for putting on plays. All three spaces come to life on July 14 and 15 when the Seattle Outdoor Theater Festival gets going.
Pinocchio, produced by Theater Schmeater. 60 minutes. 5 p.m. Saturday, July 14, 5 p.m. Sunday, July 15, 4 p.m. Sunday, August 5.
When You Wish Upon a Pizza, produced by The 14/48 Projects. 60 minutes. 2 p.m. Saturday, July 14, 2 p.m. Sunday July 15.
The Two Gentleman of Verona, produced by Greenstage. 45 minutes. 4 p.m. Sunday, July 15, 1 p.m. Saturday, August 18.
Twelfth Night, produced by Last Leaf Productions. 6o minutes. Noon, Saturday, July 14.
The Three Musketeers, produced by Greenstage. 2 hours. 7 p.m. Saturday, July 14, 7 p.m. Thursday, August 16, 7 p.m. Saturday, August 18.
Dr. Blanche Lavizzo Park
2100 S Jackson StWhen You Wish Upon a Pizza, produced by The 14/48 Projects. 60 minutes. 6 p.m. Wednesday July 25.
Judkins Park
2150 S Norman StPinocchio, produced by Theater Schmeater. 60 minutes. 4 p.m. July 28, 4 p.m. August 4.
Pratt Park
1800 S Main StThe Two Gentleman of Verona, produced by Greenstage. 45 minutes. 7 p.m. Friday, August 17.
Powell Barnett Park
352 Martin Luther King Jr. WayWhen You Wish Upon a Pizza, produced by The 14/48 Projects. 60 minutes. 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18.
Southeast
Seward Park
5900 Lake Washington Blvd SFollow the signs to the amphitheater in the middle of the upper loop drive.
The Three Musketeers, produced by Greenstage. 2 hours. 7 p.m. Friday, July 13, 3 p.m. Sunday, July 15.
Othello Playground
The Three Musketeers, produced by Greenstage. 2 hours. 7 p.m. Friday, July 20.
Pinocchio, produced by Theater Schmeater. 60 minutes. 4 p.m. Saturday, July 21, 4 p.m. Sunday, July 22.
When You Wish Upon a Pizza, produced by The 14/48 Projects. 60 minutes. 5 p.m. Saturday, July 28.
The Two Gentleman of Verona, produced by Greenstage. 45 minutes. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug 4.
Pritchard Island Beach
8400 55th Ave SWhen You Wish Upon a Pizza, produced by The 14/48 Projects. 60 minutes. 5 p.m. Sunday July 29.
Northwest
Salmon Bay Park
2001 NW Canoe PlWhen You Wish Upon a Pizza, produced by The 14/48 Projects. 60 minutes. 5 p.m. Saturday, July 21.
The Two Gentleman of Verona, produced by Greenstage. 45 minutes. 3 p.m. Sunday, July 22.
Wallingford Playfield
4219 Wallingford Ave NThe Two Gentleman of Verona, produced by Greenstage. 45 minutes. 7 p.m. Saturday, July 21.
Ballard Commons Park
5701 22nd Ave NWWhen You Wish Upon a Pizza, produced by The 14/48 Projects. 60 minutes. 5 p.m. Sunday, July 22.
Dunn Gardens
13533 Northshire Rd NWThis private botanical garden in the northwest corner of Seattle opens to the public for a showing of Pinocchio. No dogs.
Pinocchio, produced by Theater Schmeater. 60 minutes. 4 p.m. Sunday, July 29.
Lower Woodland Park
Whitman Ave N and N 59thFollow the signs to the performance area just east of Shelter 6.
The Three Musketeers, produced by Greenstage. 2 hours. 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5
Sandel Playground
9053 1st AveThe Two Gentleman of Verona, produced by Greenstage. 45 minutes. 3 p.m. Sunday, August 5.
West Seattle
High Point Commons
6400 Sylvan Way SWThe amphitheater is behind High Point Neighborhood House.
The Two Gentleman of Verona, produced by Greenstage. 45 minutes. 7 p.m. Friday, July 13.
Camp Long
5200 35th Ave SWPerformances are at the south end of the park, in front of the large climbing rock.
The Three Musketeers, produced by Greenstage. 2 hours. 7 p.m. Saturday, July 21.
Lincoln Park
8011 Fauntleroy Way SWThe Three Musketeers, produced by Greenstage. 2 hours. 3 p.m. Sunday, July 22, 7 p.m. Friday, July 27.
Roxhill Park
2850 SW Roxbury StWhen You Wish Upon a Pizza, produced by The 14/48 Projects. 60 minutes. 5 p.m. Saturday August 4.
Highland Park Playground
1100 SW Cloverdale StWhen You Wish Upon a Pizza, produced by The 14/48 Projects. 60 minutes. 5 p.m. Sunday August 5.
Delridge Playfield
4458 Delridge Way SWThe Two Gentleman of Verona, produced by Greenstage. 45 minutes. 3 p.m. Sunday August 12.
Northeast
Magnuson Park
7400 Sand Point Way NEFrom the entrance at the end of NE 74th St., follow the signs to the Magnuson Community Garden Amphitheater.
The Three Musketeers, produced by Greenstage. 2 hours. 7 p.m. Friday August 10, 3 p.m. Saturday August 11.
Cowen Park
5849 15th Ave NEThe Two Gentleman of Verona, produced by Greenstage. 45 minutes. 7 p.m. Friday August 10.
Magnolia
Discovery Park
3801 Discovery Park BlvdThe performance space is about 200 yards south of the Environmental Learning Center.
The Three Musketeers, produced by Greenstage. 2 hours. 3 p.m. Sunday, July 29.
Queen Anne
David Rodgers Park
2800 1st Ave WThe Two Gentleman of Verona, produced by Greenstage. 45 minutes. 3 p.m. Sunday, July 29.
