Magpie Artists' Ensemble

Our artistic mission is to push the boundaries of print and performance mediums, bringing diverse stories to life in exciting and accessible ways.

[magpieartistsensemble]

Magpie Presents: The World Premier of

BriarRose, a Queer Musical Fairytale

If you’ve been wandering through the woods searching for the mirror that truly reflects you - you found it! Welcome.

BriarRose is the age-old story of a fairytale Princess banished by an evil Queen, with a twist: the “Princess” is actually Briar, a young trans man just discovering his identity. With help from budding sorceress Ellen, Briar is able to magically transform into his true self, and together they make a new life for themselves deep in the enchanted woods. But when dashing Prince Alister and Lady Knight Brunhilde appear after Ellen casts a seemingly harmless charm, Briar and Ellen’s simple lives are suddenly much more complicated - and the Queen still casts a long shadow over what should be a happy ending.

Join this cast of familiar characters as they explore a world where magic can unlock what lies inside your heart - for better or for worse…

BriarRose will have its world premier run at Theatre Off Jackson in Seattle on Pride Weekend 2023 (June 24 & 25). The production will also have a proshot!

Downloads and in-person tickets can both be purchased by supporting our Kickstarter campaign, launching in May.

Auditions will be March 3 & 4 at the Armory in Seattle - click here to sign up.

[magpieartistsensemble]

Stream BriarRose, A Queer Fairytale Musical!

BriarRose is the age-old story of a fairytale Princess banished by an evil Queen, with a twist: the “Princess” is actually Briar, a young trans man just discovering his identity. With help from budding sorceress Ellen, Briar is able to magically transform into his true self, and together they make a new life for themselves deep in the enchanted woods. But when dashing Prince Alister and Lady Knight Brunhilde appear after Ellen casts a seemingly harmless charm, Briar and Ellen’s simple lives are suddenly much more complicated - and the Queen still casts a long shadow over what should be a happy ending. Join this cast of familiar characters as they explore a world where magic can unlock what lies inside your heart - for better or for worse…

Stream the show here, or get tickets to watch in-person in Seattle, Pride Weekend!

[magpieartistsensemble]

An exciting update on the world premier of Briar/Rose: our production will be partially funded by the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture! Their generous grant will help cover the costs for the venue, Theatre Off Jackson.

If you'd like to support this queer fairytale musical, support our Kickstarter (launching May 1st!). All backers will receive a professional recording of the show.

[magpieartistsensemble]

Magpie Presents: The World Premier of

BriarRose, a Queer Musical Fairytale

If you’ve been wandering through the woods searching for the mirror that truly reflects you - you found it! Welcome.

BriarRose is the age-old story of a fairytale Princess banished by an evil Queen, with a twist: the “Princess” is actually Briar, a young trans man just discovering his identity. With help from budding sorceress Ellen, Briar is able to magically transform into his true self, and together they make a new life for themselves deep in the enchanted woods. But when dashing Prince Alister and Lady Knight Brunhilde appear after Ellen casts a seemingly harmless charm, Briar and Ellen’s simple lives are suddenly much more complicated - and the Queen still casts a long shadow over what should be a happy ending.

Join this cast of familiar characters as they explore a world where magic can unlock what lies inside your heart - for better or for worse…

BriarRose will have its world premier run at Theatre Off Jackson in Seattle on Pride Weekend 2023 (June 24 & 25). The production will also have a proshot!

Downloads and in-person tickets can both be purchased by supporting our Kickstarter campaign, launching in May.

Auditions will be March 3 & 4 at the Armory in Seattle - click here to sign up.

[magpieartistsensemble]

Reminder that auditions are by appointment only - so sign up now!

[magpieartistsensemble]

THE MYTH CYCLE is now available for streaming!

Experience this epic queer saga of love, loss, and triumph in the face of adversity.

MEDUSA'S BLESSING reimagines Medusa's origin story to become one of empowerment and connection between queer women in the face of patriarchal violence.

ICARUS FALLS is a queer retelling of the myth of Icarus and Daedalus. While Daedalus spends years devising a way for him and his son to escape their prison, Icaus grows up without his father noticing - and catches the eye of the Titan Helios.

PHOENIX RISING is a fresh addition to the Greek canon, following a "forgotten" child of Zeus as he dares to defy his father and live as the man he knows himself to be. Drawing inspiration from other mistreated mythological figures, he finds the strength to rise again in the face of adversity.

Includes an exclusive extra - a unique workshop documentary production of Achilles + Patroclus which includes the full show, with footage from the first reading and some of the cast's improvised/ensemble-generated staging.

[magpieartistsensemble]

Magpie Presents: The World Premier of

BriarRose, a Queer Musical Fairytale

If you’ve been wandering through the woods searching for the mirror that truly reflects you - you found it! Welcome.

BriarRose is the age-old story of a fairytale Princess banished by an evil Queen, with a twist: the “Princess” is actually Briar, a young trans man just discovering his identity. With help from budding sorceress Ellen, Briar is able to magically transform into his true self, and together they make a new life for themselves deep in the enchanted woods. But when dashing Prince Alister and Lady Knight Brunhilde appear after Ellen casts a seemingly harmless charm, Briar and Ellen’s simple lives are suddenly much more complicated - and the Queen still casts a long shadow over what should be a happy ending.

Join this cast of familiar characters as they explore a world where magic can unlock what lies inside your heart - for better or for worse…

BriarRose will have its world premier run at Theatre Off Jackson in Seattle on Pride Weekend 2023 (June 24 & 25). The production will also have a proshot!

Downloads and in-person tickets can both be purchased by supporting our Kickstarter campaign, launching in May.

Auditions will be March 3 & 4 at the Armory in Seattle - click here to sign up.

[magpieartistsensemble]

CALL FOR ARTISTS

Visual artist needed for posters + character sketches to promote an upcoming queer fairytale musical!

Project Details:

• 1-2 poster designs

• 6 character sketches for promotional posts

First poster deadline in late January, with additional deadlines between February and May.

To Apply:

Please email your portfolio or work samples and rates, along with any questions, to [email protected].

The script & song recordings can be provided to interested artists upon request.

[magpieartistsensemble]

We are currently closed for submissions!

[magpieartistsensemble]

CALL FOR ARTISTS

Visual artist needed for posters + character sketches to promote an upcoming queer fairytale musical!

Project Details:

• 1-2 poster designs

• 6 character sketches for promotional posts

First poster deadline in late January, with additional deadlines between February and May.

To Apply:

Please email your portfolio or work samples and rates, along with any questions, to [email protected].

The script & song recordings can be provided to interested artists upon request.

[magpieartistsensemble]

Our first BTS post for the workshop of "Achilles + Patroclus" - an article on the writing process from playwright James T. Washburn - is live! The article, BTS footage, and performance will all be available to Patrons at any tier.

Become a Magpie Patron here!

[dragonwolfe22]

I have been loving the letters from Sealed with Honey from @magpieartistsensemble, and today a piece of art arrived too! (I won't show it all since it just got here and that seems like spoilers) It's already framed and waiting to go on the wall.

This is such a fun storytelling format, and I can't wait to read more!

[magpieartistsensemble]

Thanks for sharing! 💌

[magpieartistsensemble]

Now Streaming: RUST: A Ghost Story

Our February production will be a workshop reading of Rust, a new Shakespearean thriller by James T. Washburn with music by Fiona Balbirona.

Part medieval drama, part horror movie, Rust follows a cast of familiar archetypes after the curtain has fallen on their story - "Shakespeare after Shakespeare."

A skeleton crew of courtiers and servants wander the abandoned hallways of a once-great castle, haunted by the dramatic events that led to the fall of the royal family. As a strange song fills the halls, each member of the court begins to succumb to their own form of madness. The survivors are forced to confront their roles in the story - and decide whether to accept their fates as written, or try to create their own destinies.

Streaming available tickets now on Ko-Fi!

All Magpie Patrons receive a free streaming ticket, along with exclusive behind-the-scenes content about the show & the opportunity to ask questions and give feedback.

[magpieartistsensemble]

Thank you so much to all the performers who submitted! We had a great turnout. We'll reach out to everyone by the 17th and announce casting once it's confirmed.

[magpieartistsensemble]

What does Accent:RP mean?

RP stands for "Received Pronunciation." It's the standardized British accent used in theatre and voiceover work!

[magpieartistsensemble]

Sealed with Honey Podcast Voice Actor Auditions

Open November 2nd - 15th

Information + Audition Slides Available Here

Characters:

Bridget Arnold Female | 19 | Accent: RP | Pay: $100 for ~5 minutes of recordings

Henri Bélanger Male | 26 | Accent: French | Pay: $40 for ~2 minutes of recordings

Sealed with Honey is an immersive queer epistolary novel set in England and France in the 1850s. We are creating a podcast adaptation that will be available for free to both our readers and the general public. 

Sealed with Honey is produced by Magpie Artists’ Ensemble, a small queer artistic collective in Seattle that emphasizes intersectional representation and accessibility in our work. BIPOC and queer, disabled, or otherwise underrepresented actors are especially encouraged to apply.

[lgbtqiahistoricalromance]

Sealed with Honey ...an immersive queer romance novel by Magpie Ensemble.

Simon Ward is a reclusive, melancholy poet, resigned to spending his days in the same idyllic - if dull - countryside where he grew up. That is, until his vivacious cousin Bridget convinces him to write a letter to her dashing Bohemian friend, Gabriel, and an unlikely friendship is born. Over the course of a year, Simon and Gabriel write increasingly personal letters to each other, discussing everything from the artists and writers of the day to their own small hopes and aspirations...until finally Simon decides to take a risk he never thought he’d take.

Told in real time via letters sent to the audience over the course of a year, Sealed with Honey is the queer period romance you’ve been waiting for.

Projected backed, but for those that missed the campaign, a podcast is coming and a compilation will be available this Fall!

Photo of my first shipment. Thanks @magpieartistsensemble

[magpieartistsensemble]

Thanks for sharing! It's so exciting to see letters arriving in their new homes.

[stopcallingmeapollo]

- excerpt from In Patroclus’ Name, an untitled opera, James T. Washburn

I completed my first aria and thought I’d share a bit! Comment if you’d like to be tagged when I post excerpts.

EDIT: Future excerpts will be posted on my sideblog, @occamspen.

[occamspen]

The music workshop for Achilles & Patroclus is this weekend! We’ll be recording a staged reading-style performance on June 12th; reply to this post if you’d like to be tagged with info on how to watch it!

[occamspen]

@magpieartistsensemble is adapting A+P into a graphic novel! Artists interested in working on it can send samples, website links, & contact info to [email protected]

[magpieartistsensemble]

After a slight delay due to technical difficulties, the link to the official Discord server has been emailed to our subscribers! We can't wait to meet you.

If you haven't received the email, check your spam + add [email protected] to your contacts.