Dear Friends of Drama,

“The cast’s seriousness elevates both the humor and the tragedy of Chekhov’s play.”— Shoreline Area News

Richard Nguyen Sloniker (MFA Acting, 2009), a graduate of the University of Washington School of Drama, was recently featured in The Seattle Times for his work as a leading actor in Seattle’s regional theatre community.

UW Drama presents The Seagull, opening January 29Seattle, WA - The University of Washington School of Drama proudly presents Anton Chekov's classic, The Seagull.

While February might be just 28 days, the UW College of Arts & Sciences offers an exciting lineup of more than 40 in-person and online events. From thought-provoking art and music to conversations on culture, history, and science, the UW community invites you to explore, learn, and connect across disciplines throughout the University.

Union Arts Center’s New Works Northwest Festival returns January 22–25, 2026, offering staged readings, community events, and artist conversations that center the development of new plays by Pacific Northwest writers. Now in its third year, the festival invites audiences into a vital step of the creative process, supporting stories as they move from script to stage.

Interdisciplinary artist Kyra Miller Himmelbaum (MFA, Acting, PATP ’03) continues to create work that moves across performance, film, and visual storytelling. Her recent project, Bluebeard Gaslight, blends puppetry, horror, experimental film, and handmade design into a striking, genre-defying experience. 

PATP alum Ariel Estrada receives critical recognition for contemporary performance. Actor Ariel Estrada, a graduate of UW Drama’s Professional Actor Training Program (PATP), is earning strong reviews for their performance in Full Contact, with critics noting the work’s physical intensity, emotional clarity, and ensemble-driven approach.

PATP alum Jose Rufino earns praise for emotionally resonant stage work.

Actor, director, educator, and author Timothy Johnson is celebrating the publication of his first acting book while continuing active collaborations in the professional theatre field.