We are heading into the 3rd week of our newly structured weekly rehearsals after a great season launch with our “Opening Orientation Day” and I couldn’t be more happy! It’s such a joy to spend creative time with such talented and joyful young people!

We’re here!

I’m so excited for the official kick-off of our 5th Season! We are encouraging all new and returning families to attend our Opening Orientation Day tomorrow, September 13th, from 11AM to 1 PM at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church in the Fellowship Hall. It will be a chance to learn about how Lifted operates, to engage and catch up with other families, find opportunities to get involved and see what’s in store for this new season. If you have not yet RSVP’d, please do so here...

As we close out the summer of 2025, I want to take a moment to acknowledge all the amazing things that our Lifted! youth and alumni have been up to over the last few months! I’ve been so happy to see images and videos of our young people sharing their gifts so courageously with community!

I have finally returned from my four-month sabbatical and adventure with The Color

Purple: The Musical. What a ride it’s been! Thanks again to my Lifted Family for all the love you poured out on me during my time away! The cards, hugs, prayers, visits, gifts and support kept me encouraged throughout the run.

Hey Lifted! Fam -

It’s workshop weekend! What a gift it is to have the freedom to gather to lift voices to in a joyful act of resistance in these tense times. I am really looking forward to seeing your faces on Saturday as Joyya leads us in preparation for our Juneteenth celebration next week. Please do your best to attend the workshop so that you are comfortable with the new songs for the mini-concert.

Hey Lifted! Fam -

First off … I’ve missed you all so much! As I’m writing this, I am down to just seven more performances wearing my church lady hat in The Color Purple. This experience has been nothing short of LIFE-CHANGING and life-giving! Thank you to everyone that came out to support, prayed for me, and stepped in to cover things while I’ve been away. Your love and well-wishes have sustained me throughout this journey. (Special shout-out to Maya for making me try-out!) I hope I’ve made you all proud! 🥹

Hey Lifted! Fam -

This Thursday is setting up to be a fantastic day, as we get to celebrate the importance of black history in America as well as wrapping up our FOURTH successful season of Lifted! We are keeping the Juneteenth gathering very low key and easy so that we can focus on enjoying each other’s company, catching up with Crystal, and sitting in the importance of the day. The key details are listed here, but please make sure to read the ‘From Joyya’ section below as well.

Hey Lifted! Fam -



Brianna here with a reminder that we are getting together this coming

Hey Lifted! Fam -

Here with an update from Joyya as well as a reminder that we have a fun event coming up tomorrow! We will be meeting up at Lake B at 4:30 PM for our Sundaes With Crystal event where we will have delicious ice cream sundaes, hold a Q&A with Crystal about her experience rehearsing for The Color Purple, and generally hanging out and having a good time.

Hey Lifted! Fam -

It’s workshop weekend! I know I am not alone when I say that I am so excited to gather with everyone this coming Saturday and hear what Joyya has in store for us for our end of year Juneteenth performance. Please take a minute to review the Caregiver Action Items and read the update from Joyya below.

Hey Lifted! Fam -
Happy Friday! Brianna here with some important season updates. As you all know, Crystal is now out on sabbatical for the remainder of the season prepping and performing in The Color Purple with The Village Theater. The lovely Joyya Seamster, Crystal’s sister, will be stepping in as our director while Crystal is out, and I will be continuing in my role managing things on the back end. There have been some important decisions made regarding the rest of the season, and we wanted to get everyone on the same page.

Hey Lifted! Fam -

IT’S TIME!! All of our hard work is leading to a JOYOUS day tomorrow! As a reminder for those who are unable to attend, the concert will be professionally recorded and we will give families access the week following our show so that you can share with friends and family.

Hey Lifted! Fam -

A storm is predicted to fall around the time of our Lifted! Rehearsal tonight. Although rehearsal is listed as mandatory in our calendar, your safety is of utmost importance to me. PLEASE STAY SAFE and do what is in the best interest of your family.

Hey Lifted! Fam -

What a GREAT rehearsal yesterday! As we get closer to the concert, my heart is so encouraged! Our young people are sounding amazing. They are also improving on movement and performance energy as we’ve been talking about the importance of embodying the confidence of our message.

Hey Lifted! Fam -

It may be hard to tell with all the hail, rain and thunder today but… SPRING IS ALMOST HERE! Something in me comes alive when I see the shoots of daffodils breaking through the ground and things start to become a little more green after a long winter. I’m grateful for the reminders of new life and “beginning again”.

Hey Lifted! Fam -

I hope you’ve been enjoying the gift of SUNSHINE the last two days!! I feel encouraged just by the warmth of the rays … and the PURE joy of being with your young people!

Hey Lifted! Fam -

Happy Mid-Winter Break to many of you! I hope your week, whether relaxing or hectic, has been met with moments of grace as you navigate the season. Please know that you are thought of regularly and deeply valued.

Hey Lifted! Family -

I’m so happy to be back from a beautiful trip to Barranquilla, Colombia with the Seattle Presbytery. Although the focus of my trip was learning alongside our extended church family in Colombia, you’ll be happy to know you have fans there! Many people came to me with enthusiasm about all that Lifted! is doing. They even watched our latest concert! Your light is shining across continents and they are looking forward to an opportunity to host you there in the future.

Hey Lifted! Family -

Due to the potential for wintry weather and the circulation of illness in the community, we are cancelling the workshop today (2/1) as well as this Wednesday’s rehearsal (2/5).

REHEARSAL CANCELLED TODAY! After a full weekend for many of you and our MLK Jr Day performance, we encourage you to take this evening to enjoy some downtime and we’ll pick back up on rehearsals next week (1/29).