Regional incubators like WWU’s program bring students together with guest writers for collaborative development. By pairing undergraduates directly with professionals, these residencies foster talent.
The Bottom Line
- Collaborative Roots: The Summer Test Kitchen pairs WWU students with professional artists from Seattle and Los Angeles to workshop new plays and feature films.
- Diverse Slate: The 2025 lineup features Idris Goodwin’s stage adaptation of King of the Neuro Verse and the feature film project Hotshots by Jeremy Urann and Sherri Bylenga.
- Paid Development: Selected student actors and stage managers receive financial stipends ranging from $400 to $600.
Inside the 2025 Workshop Slate
The Western Washington University initiative focuses on two creative ventures for its 2025 iteration. The first project was an adaptation by Idris Goodwin of his novel King of the Neuro Verse, running from July 14 through July 17 in collaboration with the Seattle Children’s Theatre, as detailed by the WWU College of Fine Arts and Communications. The narrative centers on Pernell, a Black teenager navigating ADHD, first love, and freestyle rap battles during summer school.
Following the theatrical workshop, the program turned its attention to the screen. From July 21 through July 25, the Test Kitchen developed the fourth draft of the feature film screenplay Hotshots. Written by Western alum Jeremy Urann and his sister Sherri Bylenga, the comedy explores queer love stories and empowerment against the backdrop of bikini coffee stands. Principal photography for the feature is scheduled for Summer 2026, with student participants considered for casting.
The Economics of Regional Incubators
Programs like the Summer Test Kitchen offer an opportunity to work with professional artists from Seattle and LA and gain experience developing new works. By embedding students in six-hour daily development blocks—culminating in public, in-progress readings—participants gain experience.
| Project Title | Medium | Key Creators | Test Kitchen Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| King of the Neuro Verse | Stage Adaptation | Idris Goodwin (Writer), Evan Mueller (Director) | July 14 – July 17, 2025 |
| Hotshots | Feature Film Screenplay | Jeremy Urann & Sherri Bylenga (Writers) | July 21 – July 25, 2025 |
Compensation structures within educational workshops provide payment for student work. Student actors participating in the King of the Neuro Verse development received a $400 stipend, while the stage manager received $500. For the Hotshots feature film workshop, student actor stipends were $500, with the stage manager receiving $600.
Shaping the Next Wave of Talent
Initiatives grant access to directors, dramaturges—such as Christina Gutierrez-Dennehy and Kamarie Chapman—and working writers. Incubators anchored by institutions like WWU provide proving grounds.
What are your thoughts on regional university programs partnering with professional theaters to develop indie films and plays? Drop a comment below and join the conversation.
