TAPS Theater: Bringing Global Stories, Free Workshops & Community to the Shoreline Stage

May 2

Bringing Global Stories to the Shoreline Stage Through Community & Creativity

In just one year, TAPS Theater (Turkish American Performers of Seattle) has begun carving out a unique space in Shoreline’s arts scene—bringing people together through theater, improv, and storytelling. As part of the long-standing nonprofit TACAWA, TAPS was created to expand cultural connection through performing arts, offering both performances and accessible opportunities for the community to participate, learn, and create.

Q & A with TAPS Theater

Q: How long have you been in business?
A: TAPS Theater for 1 year- under our non profit, TACAWA, for 50 years.

Q: What inspired you to start?
A: TACAWA:Turkish American Association of Washington has STFF Film Festival, Turkfest, ICFF children's festival, a Turkish school ,etc. but nothing on performing arts, so we started TAPS (Turkish American Performers of Seattle) to connect with the larger community through stage arts.

Q: What services do you provide for our community?
A: Theater plays, improv nights, free drama workshops, free emcee training for ICFF, sketch writing and acting.

Q: What do you love the most about Shoreline?
A: That the community is diverse and very welcoming/inclusive.

Q: Why are you based in Shoreline?
A: We work in collaboration with Shoreline Community College Theater.

Q: What’s one thing you wish your customers knew about you but never ask?
A: We are international! We don't only serve to Turkish community but are willing to connect with other cultures!

Q: What inspires you each day?
A: Smiling faces!

Q: What has been your proudest moment in business so far?
A: We were able to put 1 play, 1 improv night, 1 fundraiser, emcee training twice (3 months each) 18 free drama sessions, 2 apperances at festivals all in the first year of foundation!

Q: How do you approach customer service, and what sets you apart?
A: We don’t have customers. We have participants and audience (open to everyone) because we're small and just beginning, it is hard to reach out to bigger community without a budget.

Q: What advice would you give to someone starting a business in Shoreline?
A: Connect to organizations like yours that help us promote our events.

Q: How does your business support or give back to the local community?
A: Most our events are free. For this particular play, the tickets started from $13 up to $24. But cost is not a barrier, we will give away or offer 20% of all tickets.

Q: If you could change one thing about Shoreline, what would it be?
A: Safety. :)

Q: What future plans or goals do you have for your business?
A: To have an established address/office of our own.

Q: What’s your next upcoming event?
A:I Anatolia