Company History

Future seasons will bring more productions and collaborations that support Ear to the Ground's mission:  actively engaging audiences' imaginations to present captivating, transformative theatre, while also supporting the development and training of emerging physical theatre artists.

2005 -- Ear to the Ground hosts Portland, Oregon's Nomadic Theatre Co. with their production of The View from Here for a weekend of performances. In the summer, Ear to the Ground produces a double bill The Peevish Reconciliation of Chickee and Boom-Boom along with Under the Table's Solo, a Two Person Show. In the Fall, a team of five performers, a composer, and an art director collaborate to develop a unique theatre piece exploring the number zero entitled The Zero Project. The year concludes with the Winter Wonderland fundraiser with goofy music, talking Christmas trees, and yummy cake.

2006 -- Graceful Gurtie, Valerie Moseley's tap dancing klutz appears at Annex Theatre's Spin the Bottle.

2007 -- Chickee & Boom-Boom develop a cabaret set that tours to The Moisture Festival with Zero Boy, Janet McAlpin, Brothers from Different Mothers (among many) and to the Columbia City Cabaret where they made a special Halloween appearance. The year concludes with a trip to Spokane, WA on New Year's Eve where we perform The Peevish Reconciliation of Chickee & Boom-Boom to packed houses at Spokane's First Night celebration.

2008 -- Chickee & Boom-Boom continue to appear at regional venues including Redmond Performance Center with Brothers from Different Mothers, the Columbia City Cabaret, the Pink Door, with the Von Foxies at Theatre off Jackson, and at the Moisture Festival with such internationally recognized acts as Al Simmons, Hacki Ginda, Lelavision, and others.

2009 -- In late 2008, Ear to the Ground wins a City of Seattle smART Ventures award to produce Not all Clowns are Bozos. The show goes up in January of 2009 at Theatre Off Jackson to full houses. Chickee & Boom-Boom continue to appear around town including Annex Theatre, Bumbershoot, and the Columbia City Cabaret. Chickee & Boom-Boom also host the kick-off event for Theatre Puget Sound's Live Theatre Week.

2010 -- 2010 opens with another successful run of Not All Clowns are Bozos - NACAB II: Clown Harder. In the spring, the company introduces the Clown Dojo - a physical theatre training series bringing in top-notch regional teachers for classes in Red Nose clowning as well as other physical styles.

2011 -- Not All Clowns are Bozos III: Clowning me Softly kicks off 2011 with more terrific clown artists and great reviews, and plans are in the works to bring another installment of the popular show to Theatre Off Jackson in April 2012 with an expanded run. Ear to the Ground continues to build it's reputation as a center for clown and physical theatre in the Seattle region. The fall brings another Clown Dojo training series as well as participation in Theatre Puget Sounds Arts Crush events.

2012 -- Not All Clowns are Bozos IV: So You Think You Can Clown brings another installment of the popular show to Theatre Off Jackson with a wildly successful expanded run in April. Another ensemble-created theatre production School of Fish appears in The Seattle Fringe Theatre Festival in September 2012 and another Clown Dojo workshop series is being planned for October and November. Ear to the Ground lays the ground work for a new community outreach program--clowning in health care settings. The company takes the next step in its evolution--developing and expanding its board of directors to include members skilled in non-profit management, governance, strategic planning and fundraising.