Partnership Event with Seattle Children’s Theater: Recap of the Circle of Love Workshop

By Communications Team | February 19, 2025

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Five people are in front of a projector screen holding colorful hula-hoops in the air together. One person, Gloria, is holding our community art project about the symbolism of a circle.

From right to left: Ranny Nguyen, (DNDA Engagement) Aiyana Mehta (SCT Engagement), Thelma Lynn Godin (Book author), Gloria Bond Clunie (Master playwright), and Phoenix Robbins (DNDA Development Director)

On February 16, we gathered at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center to honor Thelma Dewitty’s legacy and celebrate National Black History Month through storytelling, art, and the symbolism of a circle. In partnership with Seattle Children’s Theater (SCT), we welcomed families and community members for The Hula Hoopin’ Queen: Circle of Love Community Workshop.

We were honored to have master playwright Gloria Bond Clunie, and book author Thelma Lynn Godin join us to share the inspiring

The children's book cover of The Hula Hoopin' Queen. The background is of Harlem, New York with red brick buildings and storefronts. The forefront is the main character, a young Black girl named Kameka with Black textured hair, smiling in an orange shirt twirling effortlessly with a polka dot hula hoop.

The children’s book cover of The Hula Hoopin’ Queen. The background is of Harlem, New York with red brick buildings and storefronts. The forefront is the main character, a young Black girl named Kameka with Black textured hair, smiling in an orange shirt twirling effortlessly with a polka dot hula hoop.

journey of turning The Hula Hoopin’ Queen from a book into a play. They even discussed all the important jobs of illustrators, set designers, hula hoop choreographers, and more that were involved. Their storytelling brought to life the power of community, resilience, and joy. Kids engaged in a lively talk about the significance of circles, whether through hula hooping, storytelling, or the connections we build with one another.

As the afternoon unfolded, attendees created crowns to celebrate the people and places that make our neighborhoods special. The event concluded with sweet treats and hula hooping fun, filling the space with laughter and different kinds of body movement. Swiggle, swish, switch! We even got to see Gloria and Thelma strut their stuff with hula hoop tricks with their wrists and knees! The kids loved watching how animated our special guests were.

About the Author

Writing and sharing books with children has always been a passion for Thelma Lynn Godin, who is an award-winning author. Her first book, The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen, received several awards including a starred review from Kirkus, The Charlotte Zolotow Award, Best of the Best Books from Chicago Public Library, and Outstanding Achievement in Children’s Literature from the Wisconsin Library Association. Thelma also had the honor of having Hula-Hoopin’ Queen read by Oprah on Storyline Online. The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen was inspired by Thelma’s time living and working in an urban environment with children of diverse backgrounds and was informed by her degree and experience in social work as a school librarian. Thelma currently lives along the shores of Lake Superior with her husband Pat and her dog Pip where she writes, gardens, and dreams up new stories.

Additional books by Thelma include, How To Dress A Dragon, Hush A Bye Night: Goodnight Lake Superior, and the soon-to-be-released board book, Hush A Bye Night: Good Night Up North.

Two adults are speaking to each other as two young kids play with colorful hula hoops, trying to twirl them.About the Playwright

Gloria Bond Clunie is an award-winning playwright, educator, and director. She is a founding member of the Playwriting Ensemble at Chicago’s Regional Tony Award-winning Victory Gardens Theater where her plays North Star, Living Green, and Shoes premiered, and the founding Artistic Director of Evanston’s Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre. Other TYA works by this Northwestern University graduate (B.A. Theater, MFA-Directing) include Last Stop on Market Street, My Wonderful Birthday Suit, Giraffes Can’t Dance – The Musical, and Dream, Quickie! Dream! Currently, she is excited to be amid commissions for the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Nashville Children’s Theater, and the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Seattle Children’s Theater for their partnership in making this event possible. Aiyana Mehta, SCT’s Engagement Programs Manager, was a fantastic thought partner and jumped right into building this relationship surrounding our support for the theater arts. Their dedication to uplifting diverse stories and fostering creative spaces for all ages continues to inspire.

A photo of the Seattle Children's Theater stage set up for the opening night performance The Hula Hoopin' Queen. It is surrounded by colorful hula hoops, bright lights hit the stage where there a mock Harlem, New York neighborhood. Audience members with their children look on in excitement.

Our DNDA staff was invited to the opening night of The Hula Hoopin’ Queen at their beautiful theater in the Seattle Center. The performance was heart-warming and hilarious!

Interested in seeing a performance? SCT has generously offered a discount code for families to attend any of their incredible productions, including The Hula Hoopin’ Queen! (Running now until March 23, 2025.) We hope you’ll enjoy this amazing show celebrating our community of elders, the power of friendship, and the circle of love.

Thank you to all who joined us—your presence and participation made this gathering a true celebration of community. Until our next partnership event!

-Written by Ranny Nguyen, Community Resource Coordinator