Vision 2020

The aim of the Bellevue Youth Theatre Foundation is to look beyond the present, and the planned near-term activities to envision how the program might better meet the future needs of the community. We want to create a guide or a roadmap for the next ten years.

The BYT program has a history of success, both in the increasing numbers of participants, and in the increasing quality of the experience—for participants and audiences alike. The benefits of the program can be evaluated in several dimensions. Youth The core focus of the program is the development of youth. Theatre provides young people with a safe, supportive environment, enabling the growth of creative, social, teamwork and leadership skills. The BYT program has demonstrated remarkable success in balancing the goals of recreation and theatre. Families More than just building better youth, the program allows families to participate together in a common endeavor. In this way, BYT offers a unique multi-generational experience. Communities The BYT commitment to inclusiveness is an essential element in building a stronger community. Cultural, racial and economic diversity are built in to the program and protected by policies that include scholarships for those who need financial assistance. By seamlessly incorporating adults, seniors and persons with disabilities in the program, young people are provided with real life experience in the real life community. Society Building stronger individuals and stronger community is helps to build a better society, but the BYT program also contributes to improving the overall cultural climate. Participation in the program builds awareness and appreciation for the arts because our youth are future arts patrons.

The BYT program has grown through meeting the needs of those in areas near the existing facilities. We know that the benefits of the program are important to citizens and families throughout Bellevue, and in communities beyond the boundaries. In the future, the BYT program can enable the same kinds of individual and community growth across a wider area. This is the Bellevue Youth Theatre Foundation's vision for how this can happen:

Phase 1 – Crossroads Expansion 2009-2011 This phase of the vision includes the completion of the new facility at Crossroads, as well as the necessary infrastructure and supporting changes necessary for the program to make full use of the new capacity. In addition to helping to define the community requirements and needs, the role of the Foundation will be to assist with implementation, and to prepare for future growth and extension of the program. Phase 2 – City-wide Program 2012-2015 This phase incorporates the changes necessary to extend the BYT program to all parts of the City of Bellevue. This will require additional facilities in locations not reached by the program, and will certainly involve rehearsal space, and perhaps additional performance space. Further strengthening of infrastructure will also be necessary. The role of the Foundation will be to evangelize the model and act as a bridge to communities or partners (such as the school district) in enabling the expansion of the program.

Phase 2 A – Developing the ‘Front Door’ 2012-2015 This phase could either precede or follow the city-wide expansion, depending on the opportunities that arise. The concept is the establishment of a showpiece facility for the program, where the theatrical capabilities can be displayed prominently. This would require a central presence, either in a BYT-controlled facility or in a shared facility, and would likely involve an increased emphasis on the artistic side of the mission. The Foundation would focus on establishing and enabling the ‘front door’ through building community support, promoting the program and if necessary, fundraising.

Phase 3 – Regional Presence 2016-2019 This phase would involve further extension of the program, outside Bellevue, establishing physical presence in other communities within the region. In addition to growing the program on the Eastside, efforts would be made to “colonize” areas in Seattle where the benefits of the BYT program model might be realized. In this phase the role of the Foundation might increase, adding the responsibility for replicating the BYT model in other communities, possibly as satellites or franchises of the BYT program.

Additional strategic goals While the central mission of the program relates to the development of young people through theatre, there are additional benefits to participants, and to the community as a whole, resulting from the success of the BYT program. The inclusive nature of the program, and the policy of making facilities available to the community where possible has positioned BYT as an important partner for nascent theatre and other arts groups. By serving as an incubator for other groups BYT is able to build the inventory of arts organizations in the community.

The nature of the BYT program is such that it is well-suited to cooperation or integration with other types of arts groups. The commitment to inclusiveness translated into a willingness, and a readiness, to incorporate other interests in the program, while at the same time providing a model for other arts groups to follow. If the BYT model were to be applied to a broader cross section of arts groups, along the lines of an ‘arts factory’ concept, there would be a positive impact on the growth and development of the arts in Bellevue. The BYT model has been demonstrated successful, and may be an asset in a wider arts environment.

Enrichment and expansion of the program There are opportunities for the program beyond simply increasing its size and reach. Where possible, improvements in the caliber of instruction, exposure to broader audiences (such as with a touring company) or increased specialization are possibilities. The role of the Foundation would be to provide for capabilities or experiences for program participants that would not otherwise be possible.