Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center

02/12/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17VWtmmgoV/

02/12/2026

T.U.P.A.C.'s Sabor Flamenco Tacoma, performing at the: https://www.washingtoncenter.org/event/olympia-dance-festival-2026-02-28/

06/26/2025

It’s That Time of Year Again!
A Hilltop Holiday auditions are here, and we want YOU to be part of the festive fun! 🌟✨🎄

Whether you're a stage veteran or brand new to performing, we’re looking for joyful, passionate people ready to spread some holiday cheer. No experience needed—just bring your spirit!

📅 Auditions: Monday, June 30 | 7:00 PM
📍 Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center

Can’t make it Monday? No worries! Email [email protected] to coordinate another time.

🎁 Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd5_MelHtv9o4DqEpIdcUFXQjck4_OiOTvfaKBwNmyPKVb1Qg/viewform?usp=header

Come share the stage and the spirit—we can’t wait to see you shine! ❤️🎶

06/19/2025

Dear T.U.P.A.C. Families,

We are writing with heavy hearts to let you know that today’s performance has been canceled due to the unexpected and abrupt departure of a key staff member. While this news is disappointing, please know that our top priority is the well-being, safety, and emotional care of our students.

We understand how hard our young artists have worked and how much anticipation surrounded today’s event. This decision was not made lightly. However, given the sudden change in leadership and the lack of critical information left behind, we felt it was best to pause and prioritize a healthy environment for all involved.

We remain deeply committed to our students and to creating joyful, meaningful performance experiences in the near future. Thank you for your grace, patience, and continued support as we navigate this transition together.

06/10/2025

Join us THIS WEDNESDAY at Tacoma Art Museum for Threads of Freedom — a powerful Juneteenth celebration of Black culture, creativity, and community! 🖤❤️💚

Our talented TUPAC dancers will be performing, and we’d love to see you there showing your support!

✨ This event is FREE and open to everyone — bring your family and friends!

📍 Tacoma Art Museum
🗓 Thuraday, June 12
🕔 4-6PM

Enjoy an evening filled with live performances, fashion, art, and meaningful community connections.

Let’s honor freedom, resilience, and Black excellence together. ✨

05/29/2025

We’re thrilled to announce that TUPAC dancers will be performing in the 20th Anniversary of the Seattle International Dance Festival!

As part of the festival’s education programming and performance series, dance studios from across the region will share diverse creative styles that represent Seattle’s vibrant dance community. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to support our amazing performers as they take the stage in one of the city's most celebrated dance festivals. Our TUPAC dancers even made it onto the official festival flyer—come see them live on stage! 😉

Performance Date: Sunday, June 8
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, Capitol Hill

🎟️ Tickets: https://seattleidf.org/
📣 June 8th Matinee Facebook link: https://fb.me/e/2yoBk6gOm

Thank you for supporting the arts and celebrating the incredible talent in our community. See you at the show!

05/23/2025

Come see TUPAC at Kidz Kraze! 🎨🎭

📅 Saturday, June 7, 2025
🕙 10 AM – 2 PM
📍 Chambers Creek Regional Park

Join us for a fun-filled day at Kidz Kraze—a family-friendly event packed with games, bounce houses, arts & crafts, food trucks, and so much more!

TUPAC will be there with exciting activities and info on our upcoming programs—don’t miss the chance to connect with us and enjoy a beautiful day with your community!

Bring the whole family and stop by the TUPAC booth—we’d love to see you there! 💛

Click the link for more info: https://www.piercecountywa.gov/5770/Kidz-Kraze-Festival?fbclid=IwY2xjawKd3ltleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFybzBjZlBPYVFmUmJzamhKAR48wkJ60xTOmzN-CbXOSB9yUWfaSek-QzgH77zaPyK5hu4J6wuoXFWXXTDZ1A_aem_vM7jHIgvsgUCm3xVM3jbdg

05/21/2025

Hey Tacoma,

Tonights heels class with is cancelled. We will be back next week, ay 28th!

05/20/2025

Happy 100th Birthday to the legendary Bobby Barnett! 🎉 A former dancer with the New York City Ballet and longtime director of Atlanta Ballet, Bobby has dedicated his life to the art of dance and inspired generations of performers. His passion, grace, and wisdom continue to shine brightly.

Here's to a century of movement, mentorship, and magic. 💯❤️

Read more about his incredible journey:

The 100-year-old spent decades in the Atlanta Ballet — and still teaches students.

05/16/2025

A Powerful Local Production You’ll Want to See!

I recently attended a rehearsal of, for colored girls who have considered su***de / when the rainbow is enuf at Lakewood Playhouse. Directed by Michelle Matlock, this production features a rare and meaningful collaboration: a Black woman director leading a cast of seven Black women from different generations.

Ntozake Shange’s iconic work is brought to life through poetry, dance, and music in this thoughtful reimagining. It’s an important moment for Black storytelling in our region—and we encourage you to show your support.

Runs May 23 – June 8 | Tickets at https://www.lakewoodplayhouse.org/

~ Klair Ethridge, Executive Director, T.U.P.A.C.

Lakewood Playhouse, the cultural heart of our diverse community, creates engaging and entertaining theatre celebrating the human experience through the stories that we tell. - 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd. Lakewood, WA 98499 - 253.588.0042

05/14/2025

On April 25th, the federal office of AmeriCorps terminated its contract with Washington State, forcing all AmeriCorps programs—including Imagine Justice Project (IJP)—to shut down immediately.

This decision stemmed from a nationwide cancellation of nearly $400,000 in grants by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, as they determined the funding no longer aligned with their priorities. AmeriCorps supports over 200,000 members who provide crucial services like mentorship, disaster recovery, conservation, and more.

This sudden move had a direct impact on TUPAC. We had three incredible AmeriCorps volunteers from IJP supporting our youth programs. Now, their service has ended abruptly, and they've lost their stipends and support. Since AmeriCorps members aren’t eligible for unemployment, IJP staff will be officially let go by May 28th, unless this decision is reversed.

👉 How you can help:
Please consider donating to the GoFundMe campaign to ensure the Imagine Justice Project is able to continue its work cultivating collective action for youth in Pierce County :
🔗 https://www.gofundme.com/f/pierce-county-americorps-members-relief-fund?attribution_id=sl:54911c1a-a73b-41a3-a8a3-a9530336e088&lang=en_US&ts=1747173717&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_tip&utm_content=amp13_c-amp14_c-amp15_c&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&v=amp14_c

We believe in this work. We’ve seen the impact. Let’s work together to keep it alive. 💛

To read more about what happened, visit: https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article305860546.html

Federal cuts to AmeriCorps gut Imagine Justice Project's core program and have widespread impact across Pierce County