Rooted in research into the Shiva Sutras, the Sangeetha Ratna Kara, and the Natya Shastra, Birth of Sound follows one unbroken thread: how sound became mantra, mantra became melody, melody found expression, and expression became dance. Audiences can expect classical Bharatanatyam with expressive abhinaya, Sanskrit texts brought to life through movement, and a journey from stillness to the complete art of Natyam. No prior knowledge of Indian classical dance is needed, only curiosity and a willingness to listen with your whole body.

Highlight: a solo, research-driven work by an artist with 23+ years of training, and a rare chance to see the ancient origin story of Indian music and dance on stage.

DOORS: 1:30 PM

SHOW: 2:00 PM

Jumpsuit is an experimental night for works-in-the-works, crossing various genres of live performance. Curated by the Short Shorts team, "Jumpsuit" gives performers more time than they would get at Short Shorts Open Stage. Sometimes, an artist needs more than 5 minutes to experiment with an idea! While slightly more formal, this evening will maintain the casual, supportive vibe of Short Shorts, hosted by Alisa Popova & Erica Badgeley, with lighting design and technical support from Ricardo Solis.

Artists presenting work: Erica Badgeley, Cameo, Zara Felipe Lopez, Alisa Popova, and Symone & Sarah.

Follow @short__shorts__ on IG for updates and artist announcements!

DOORS: 7:00 PM | 1:30 PM

SHOW: 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM

3...2..1 returns to Seattle with The 3...2..1 Project, a virtual creative development program working with six local creatives and culminating in a live performance. 3...2..1 was born at Seattle Open Art's Place in November 2024 and has since grown into an international format, with presentations at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and residencies with UK arts institutions. At the heart of 3...2..1 is a simple belief: artmaking can be a healing practice, regardless of an artist's genre or level of experience. It felt only natural, then, to continue developing 3...2..1 as a creative development format designed to uplift the stories waiting to be told. For our inaugural 3...2..1 Project, we are joined by six inventive creatives, each bringing their own perspective, story, and level of performance experience to the process. Over the course of the project, these artists have been challenged to shape the stories they carry into performance using the 3...2..1 format. What emerges is more than a final performance: it is the beginning of a new way of seeing themselves as interdisciplinary storytellers. We can't wait to see where these seeds take them next.

DOORS: 7:00 PM

SHOW: 7:30 PM

A technique-driven workshop combining movement, clown, mime, and dance to develop a more conscious, expressive, and physically dynamic stage presence. Drawing on the work of Mexican masters Sigfrido Aguilar and Sergio Langarica, Carmen shares techniques in corporeal geometry, presence, and atmosphere to explore how comedy and meaning emerge through the body, movement, and subtlety. Based on her recent intensive training in Guanajuato, Mexico, this workshop invites participants to tune their physical instruments and discover the playful body and ritual of physical theater.

DOORS: 10:30 AM

SHOW: 11:00 AM

Flying along the edges of the world, Carmen Aguilar y Wedge (Whoopsie) is an award-winning Mexa designer, artist, and physical theater maker. A devoted enthusiast, amateur clown historian, and menace, she channels the lineage of tricksters through her body and stories on stage. In 2024, she premiered her first solo show, Help Wanted, winning Best New Flop, and in 2026 premiered her second show GRA, taking home the Audience Choice Award at the Montreal Clown Festival. A founding member of the bouffoon ensemble Filthy Habits, Carmen trains, teaches, and performs internationally, and can be seen with Church of Clown and Fou Fou Ha in her hometown of San Francisco.

DOORS: 7:00 | 2:00 PM

SHOW: 7:30 | 2:30 PM

Art in community – explore, experiment, connect. 

The stage is yours for 5 minutes – dip your toes into performance practice with us!

All live art is welcome – dance, theater, music, word, and anything else you want to bring in.

Come as a performer, or as an audience member! 

Sign up at the door to perform. 

DOORS: 7:00 PM

SHOW: 7:30 PM

The second run of an Independent Comedy Showcase hosted by NOT CLICKBAIT. Performances from up to 4 sketch teams all in one night!

Come on down to Seattle Open Arts Place to behold an overload of sketch comedy mayhem! Each team is given a time limit and NO RULES! Anything goes, and performers/writers are encouraged to get wacky, experimental, and to bust out some never-before-performed sketches just for you! We’ll make you laugh, make you cry (from laughing), and maybe even cause your humor chip to short-circuit 🤖

DOORS: 7:00 PM

SHOW: 7:30 PM