In an era defined by uncertainty and a sense of disconnection, ArtsWest has announced its 2026-2027 season, aptly titled "A Visible Existence". Drawing inspiration from artist Kara Walker’s sentiment that "Art is a way to make your life matter, to make your existence visible," this upcoming slate of productions asks how art can reveal the hidden worlds we carry within us. From intimate storytelling to high-energy musicals, the season brings together a collection of "artists, dreamers, outsiders, and communities" as they struggle to understand themselves through memory, music, and imagination.

Reclaiming History and Tradition

The season kicks off from September 17 to October 11, 2026, with The Chinese Lady. This production tells the true story of Afong Moy, a woman displayed as a living exhibit in 1800s America. Narrated from her point of view, the play offers a "funny, heartbreaking, and devastatingly contemporary portrait" of the American experience as Moy works to reclaim her own narrative after half a century of performance. Learn more

As winter approaches, a beloved Seattle theater tradition returns with Snowed In, running from November 28 to December 20, 2026. This joyful holiday musical follows four artists on a cozy retreat who find themselves battling a blizzard and rising tensions while trying to write the "perfect holiday show". It is a celebration of friendship, family, and the "true meaning of the holidays". Learn more

Artistic Ambition and Modern Dilemmas

The new year brings a "thrilling battle over artistic purpose" in John Logan’s Tony Award-winning play, Red, appearing from February 4 to February 28, 2027. The story focuses on master abstract expressionist Mark Rothko and his assistant, Ken, as they debate the nature of success while Rothko’s iconic paintings are created live on stage. The play serves as a searing portrait of an artist’s vulnerability and the fear that his crowning achievement may become his undoing. Learn more

Spring introduces a suspenseful shift with a sci-fi family drama exploring the consequences of A.I. from April 8 to May 2, 2027. Following the disappearance of her sister, a woman named Merril uses artificial intelligence to create a version of her lost sibling. However, as the A.I. evolves and reveals a secret, the story transforms into a gripping true-crime race against time. Learn more

A Scathing Look at Culture

The season concludes from June 10 to July 3, 2027, with a blistering comedy inspired by Shaw’s Pygmalion. This production takes a sharp look at cultural and racial appropriation as pop star Dorian Belle attempts to "change his image" for a new reality TV show by hiring a hip-hop group from Chicago. The play promises a scathing yet entertaining exchange of ideologies and "alleged street cred". Learn more

Join the Conversation

Each story in the A Visible Existence season explores the "messy, funny, vulnerable, and deeply human desire to matter". ArtsWest invites the community to experience these hidden histories and joyful collaborations.

Tickets and Subscriptions: Subscriptions for the 2026-2027 season are on sale now. You can secure your seats for these thrilling theatrical experiences through the links below:

• BUY TICKETS
• SUBSCRIBE TO THE SEASON

For more information on planning your visit, you can contact the ArtsWest Box Office at (206) 938-0339 or visit them at 4711 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116