Theater Arts

Storytelling is one of the oldest forms of art. Picture stone age men and women gathered around a campfire inside a cave; sharing their adventures about wild animals and locations of plentiful berries and grasses. Recreating a hunt; drawing maps and images; acting out details of bravery; and commemorating the love of other family members all becomes magic as it touches all who listen and gaze. Performance art reaches back before ancient Greek theater. Homer told his tales of daring-do, which were repeated and repeated until the art of writing developed about twenty-five hundred years ago.Greek theater is still with us in language and actual scripts. Over the years, theater has changed and adapted to our modern world. Plays have become films and films have become plays. Everything starts with stories and the actors who perform them. And community theater in Ocean Shores carries on the tradition. Young actors learn their skills and sometimes move on to larger audiences, while older actors still maintain their love and skill of performing before a live audience, no matter the size. At the heart of it all is community theater. And we cherish community theater in Ocean Shores.

Ocean Shores is proud to share Stage West Community Theater with the world. Each season is a chance to participate and welcome guests from all over the pacific northwest. Our local actors live for their time on on-stage. It’s the same in every acting troupe around the world.

“Honest to God, this is the absolute best kind of moment. The auditorium lights are off except for ones over the stage, and we’re all bright eyed and giggle-drunk. I fall a little bit in love with everyone.” – Becky Albertalli, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

This is the tenth year of Stage West. The theater officers and board offer a wide variety of talent and history.

“I am just finishing a 6-year term on the Board of Tacoma Musical Playhouse and my third year as Board President there. I previously served as Secretary and Vice President on that Board as well. I look forward to working more closely with Stage West!” – Lorraine Hardin

“Well, I have always leaned toward the creative side of life. Through my childhood and early adulthood I was always drawing or painting something. In junior high I got involved playing bass guitar in a rock band and that continued for the next 20 years.” – Ron Cooper

“I love comedy and improv and am so thankful to be cast in several comedic performances with Stage West. Who knew a quiet accountant by day is really a ‘Rapper’, the diabolical ‘Ma Denny’, a ‘Crazy Aunt’ and a ‘Southern Drama Queen’?” – Pamela Nygaard

Stage West Community Theatre strives to present innovative and entertaining theatre experiences while creating opportunities for children and adults to develop talents in all aspects of theatre arts. ‘A Doublewide Texas Christmas’ in December 2018 set record attendance. Pamela Nygaard says “We were so surprised to see a large tour bus arrive from Rochester and Olympia organized to see our matinee performance after lunch at a local restaurant. I receive inquiries asking whether we will have a production while people are planning their visits and from locals who are anxious to know how soon tickets will be available for the next production. We teamed up with the annual June Ocean Shores Wearable Art Show. The show attracts artists from all over the state and proceeds from the show funds our youth programs. We also have mystery theatre events with the North Beach Artist Guild and the Chocolate on the Beach Festival. There always seems to be something fun to work on next.”

According to a survey conducted by Nielsen Scarborough in spring 2016, over 47 million Americans attended a live theatre event within the past month. When we watch live theater we connect. We feel the emotions of the actors and we see ourselves. Community theater is alive and well in Ocean Shores and invites visitors to experience the fun and joy of our community and our theater.