A personal look at the Washington Center series
Originally published on The JOLT News on June 4, 2026
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to write a piece for OLY ARTS diving deep into four series offered at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts (read here).
For that piece, Washington Center Executive Director Jill Barnes and Marketing and Sales Director Tineke Raak offered me incredible personal insight into the center’s offerings — I could not fit everything they shared in one column alone.
I hope these insights warms your heart, inspire you to explore something new and expand your horizons, especially as we await the 2026-27 season announcement happening later this month. Click here to learn more.
The 2025-26 season may be over, but that does not mean the fun ends! Click here to read the article I wrote about the upcoming Masterworks Choral Ensemble “80’s Dance Party” concert happening at the center next week!
On the Silent Film series
Barnes: "With innumerable streaming services, watching movies has become a default activity for our culture. Silent films were the beginning of cinema, and they have an important place in the history of film. They are a uniquely American art form — born in the early 20th century — that has profoundly influenced the evolution of storytelling in the performing arts.
"You can watch a silent film online, but we know that everything is better live. Watching a silent film with live organ music is a more authentic experience and provides a sound that is closer to what audiences in the 1920s would have heard, and it helps to recreate the mood and atmosphere of the time. Silent films with live organ performances are rare, but are an important part of film history and culture, as they allow them to experience silent films as they were meant to be seen and heard.
"From film scoring and cinematic composition to physical comedy and visual storytelling, its creative DNA can be seen in today’s musicals, experimental theater, animation, music videos, and even video game design. Experiencing a silent film with a live organ gives us a deeper appreciation for the entertainment we enjoy today."
Raak: "I’ve really loved getting to see the iconic genius of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin on the big screen. They were truly exceptional artists, and their physical antics still make me gasp, laugh and wince. Sharing that collective reaction with a room full of people is part of what makes these shows so special.
"We hosted an indie rock band from Chicago called Quasar Wut-Wut that was commissioned by the Northwestern University’s Block Museum of Art to compose a new score for the ‘The General.’ It was funky and I loved it. After the event, the band wrote us a card telling us that playing on our mighty Wurlitzer organ was the highlight of their tour. I’ll never forget that."
On the Adventure Series
Barnes: "Watching the Adventure Series, your knowledge grows, your imagination fires up, and there’s always that moment when you realize you’re witnessing someone who was in exactly the right place at the right time because they prepared for it. It’s inspiring, its humbling, and it absolutely sparks your own curiosity about the world."
Raak: "The Adventure Series is entertaining and enriching, but I think the best thing about these events is how they genuinely have the power to change you. You walk out the door feeling a little more connected to the world, a little more curious, and inspired to engage with the people and places around you in meaningful ways. These stories expand your perspective, and that’s a rare gift."
On Black Box Jazz
Barnes: "One of my favorite memories at a Black Box Jazz happened when seeing an artist in our space whom I’d caught several times at other venues around the West. I already knew their music and performance style, so I expected to enjoy the show — and I did. Watching our audience experience them for the first time was very reaffirming.
"Music can feel really personal and when you are sharing it with others, you want them to be engaged and excited too. At this particular event, I could feel the room light up as people connected with the music in real time. Seeing that spark happen here, in our black box, was very satisfying to me."
On Comedy Underground
Raak: "I remember when one of our subscribers and supporters attended a comedy underground show a few years ago. His wife couldn’t join him that evening, but he knew many of the patrons from years of attending. One of the comedians zeroed in on him, and with jokes flying back and forth about being a single good looking man, he ended up being bestowed with a nickname that has stood the test of time. Other patrons continue to share the story with us!"
https://thejoltnews.com/stories/a-personal-look-at-the-washington-center-series,29362