Hugo House

Just got back from Write o Rama and my first visit. What an amazing place, filled chock full with opportunities. We need more places like this.

I love this place! I’ve taken two courses and thoroughly enjoyed both. I must admit, that the people really do make each class unique. It is a great way of meeting other fellow writers and deep dive into topics of interest.

I’ve never been, even though I live a block away… but my best friend got me tickets! I was honestly worried that it was going to be a little extreme but I was totally surprised!
I absolutely loved Alice’s anthem! It was so amazing! It was hilarious, strange, deep, intense, bizarre and erotic! I loved it! I

Hugo House offers a large variety of writing courses and workshops. Taught by many local authors, these classes provide enrichment in numerous aspects of writing. From brainstorming to publishing, Hugo House offers classes all across the spectrum. With a passionate staff and a resident dog, Hugo House is a unique business that benefits everyone who walks through the doors. Located in Capitol Hill, Hugo House is sometimes plagued by drumming from the neighboring park, but overall has a peaceful and educational ambiance.

Wow. I’ve heard of this place for years and only recently joined as a member and started a poetry class. The teacher is world class, inspiring, and delightful. I can’t wait to experience more writing classes here as well as some of the
Parking is paid/​street parking but not too difficult to find.
The buildilng is older, but reminds me of the feeling I had in college in our old administration building.

What a great venue! I’ve come here in the past for a poetry reading and was surprised that in all my years living just a few blocks away, I’d never heard of this place.

Really great venue. Their theatre space hosts a great variety of interesting stuff. Lots of smart well-​written stuff, and some intriguing local stuff, and some more amateur stuff done with lots of heart. Also host to some great literature readings and discussions. The bar area is pleasant and VERY well stocked. Great choice of beers and cocktails. And there’s always some fun art pieces and interactive installations around the space, too. Somehow I only make it here a few times a year. But each time I kick myself for not attending more frequently.
The only con is that parking in this area of capitol hill (Cal Anderson Park, etc) can be a bit of a challenge, but it’s worth it. Plus, the delicious Rancho Bravo is nearby, so you can have tacos before or after the show. Hooray!

Thank you Richard Hugo House for providing a place for many Asian American plays.
A little independent theater tucked in Capitol Hill. They provide a place for many plays I’ve seen over the past 10 years. They provide a home for plays and writers. There’s a cute little café you can visit during intermission.

Independent theater is a crucial part of the heartbeat of the arts community. Richard Hugo House offers far more in the way of performing arts than just theater; they have tons of readings and other performances in their auditorium, but we were here last night for a theatrical production.
You walk up and it looks a little weedy and run-​down from the south. You don’t get the sense that you’re coming up to a theater, really, but the homey-​looking frontage of the northern half of the structure sets the right tone. You’re right across 11^th from the bustle of Cal Anderson Park.
Inside, they’ve cobbled together a lobby with café; to the right crashbar doors pass you through to the 100-​seat auditorium. It’s a fully functional theater with professional lighting and audio, but they don’t waste a lot of money here on frills. You might end up on a folding chair, but that’s totally cool.
We caught Yellow Face, produced by React Theater. I can’t say enough good things about the casting and staging; they found a lot of the humor in Hwang’s text, and they rocked the pacing right from the curtain. The whole cast put in big performances that dovetailed beautifully. As the second half rolled along, they found more and more of the serious drama and many effortlessly convincing emotional moments. Moses Yim and Jeremy Behrens shared the most powerful scene in the play, circling each other like snarling panthers and quieting a chatty audience to stillness. They both shone throughout, even in a strong cast.
For years I’ve meant to visit RHH and I am so glad to finally have been here. I’ll definitely be back again and again.

Literature and whiskey. I’m all about it.

seattle has such a rich art community and this is the spot to come and support local artists. i’ve been able to stop by the Richard Hugo House for plays in their theater and for literary events.
The house is a multi-​purpose place. they have writers in-​residence. they have a café area — stocked with wine, nice beer selection, cocktails, tea and coffee — with small tables where you can relax before/​after a show or where they have reading events. the theater is small and cozy.
also being small and cozy and being a house is accepting it’s shortcomings such as not having a lot of restrooms. i do remember one unisex bathroom and am not sure if there are more in the space.
location: right in the heart of capitol hill although a little hidden next to Cal Anderson Park. so it’s convenient to walk to a nearby restaurant or bar. yet since it is in capitol hill, parking is an issue so give yourself ample time to find parking.

I love the cozy atmosphere! Came here last night with a few friends to watch Sex in Seattle Episode 18 and LOVED it! The show was awesome! Though show is also 5 stars but this rating is not for the show it’s for the Venue… there’s a nice bar area for people to hang out before and after the show. Very hospitable greeters and will call tickets was a breeze; every part of the experience was very warm.
Need more parking but luckily there’s spots surrounding the park across the street.
Lots of restaurants within vicinity (walking distance).

The Richard Hugo House is an awesome place to showcase local seattle theater talent in a very intimate setting. I have come here to watch Ching Chong Chinaman and Sex in Seattle Episode 18. Both times I have only been greeted with much hospitality and smiles of anticipation.
There is a full bar and a good size seating area to enjoy your drink before the show. The seats in the theater can vary on comfortability. The farther back the seats the more comfortable they are. Sound and lighting is good and the temperature in the theater is just right. The theater is clean and not too dark.
Only downside is that although there are 2 unisex bathrooms, there can be a wait in line.

A cozy community literary/​theater/​arts house, tucked away in Capitol Hill. Great venue for interesting events, often with local writers and performers.
Convenient location and free parking.
What else can you ask for?

I have been here twice for outstanding events. I apreciate the opportunities to have excellent art and culture in yet another venue.
Parking sucks, as always in Seattle.

I spent last evening attending a literary event titled A River and Sound Review (
) at Richard Hugo House. The show was an impressive mix of poetry, prose readings, and music.
The front room and café is a nice spacious area filled with tables and a small stage for open mic events. The walls are lined with literature and pictures from past events, as well as advertisements for courses offered here (from what I’m told, it’s around $ 150 for roughly six classes, which can be pretty pricey for us «starving artists». I can’t confirm these numbers from Hugo’s website, however). There is also a small bar that sells wine, beer, and «microbrew» sodas (do yourself a favor and grab Reed’s Ginger Brew and be prepared to get blown away). The staff at the front and bar were more than gracious and pleasant, offering to chat with you in a genuine manner. Their smiles twinkled, which is often a rarity, and it really puts you at ease.
The Richard Hugo House is a great benefit to Seattle writers, supporting and enriching them with a strong and varied selection of classes, open mics, readings, and other events. The fact that there is a place like this dedicated to writing (you’re often welcome to just show up and write) speaks volumes for the creative output of Seattle and Western Washington.
I plan on exploring more possibilities with Hugo House, maybe volunteering here and definitely looking at a few classes. I will update this review at that time. Until then, I already feel like Hugo House is a fantastic place. It’s vibrant, has a local soul, and is occupied by only the nicest of Seattlites.
Be sure to check out
for more information.

My time at the Richard Hugo House began a mere two weeks ago. Interested in volunteer opportunities I attended a volunteer orientation in hopes I would be able to help kids in teens express themselves in the written form. The next week I was meeting with Ed Skoog, a Hugo House writer-​in-​residence, to go over a few recent poems I’ve written. The next night I found myself at Cheap Wine & Poetry reading at the open mic making my literary debut. Whew.
The Richard Hugo House is a literary space for all those that love to write, read, or just appreciate those that do. They offer classes that are rather pricey which is unfortunate because I would love to take some. There is a library open to the public which contains an impressive amount of local writers of all forms. They have the biggest archive of ‘zines anywhere in the world apparently. They allow anyone and everyone to drop off their homemade ‘zine and catalog it amongst the mass.
Richard Hugo was a poet born and raised in White Center. I have yet to read any of his work but from what I’m told its prolific.
As previously stated my first event at the Hugo House was Cheap Wine & Poetry. There are about four featured poets then an open mic. $ 1 glasses of wine are offered as well as beer and mixed drinks. The crowd gets rowdy as the alcohol flows. Makes for a fun show but it does go on for a while. Show started at 7:00pm and when I was finally able to read it was 10:45pm or so. The crowd thinned exceptionally but I understand. You never know what your ears may be assulted with during an open mic and it was late.
I do have to give a shout-​out to my fellow open mic-​ers: FERN and his tribute to Excalibur, the foreign camera guy who was hoping his poem would get him laid, the Mexican comedian Mauricio who was the only other Mexican besides there my sister and I, and the lady who read before me who downed a bottle of rum to calm her nerves then stumbled on stage and prefaced her poem with admitting she’s shy and doesn’t think she’s attractive. I’m still not sure if that was the poem or she felt like getting that off her chest.

Oh Richard Hugo House.
I have spent many wonderful hours with you and hold many great memories of my time spent here.
I have both been in a show here (Rite of Luna, May 2005) and seen a show here (Rite of Venus, June-​July 2007).
The Hugo House is in a convenient location with lots of good places to grab lunch/​dinner before and/​or after, and you can also get some coffee, beer, and/​or wine inside. I wish I could remember more about the space itself, but… I just remember having a great experience both watching and being part of the cast.
And, well, extra points because apparently my friend (the one that put both of those shows together) obviously liked the Hugo House enough to return.

I cannot give Richard Hugo House a full five stars, only because I am poor and their classes are, well, not great for poor people. I wish I could take a ton more of them, but at over $ 150 a pop (for about six class periods)… I can’t justify it right now (and yes, I am cheap). I did take a poetry class which I highly enjoyed.
But I love that such a place even EXISTS, and although I haven’t attended any of their events yet, I plan on doing so eventually, as well as taking more classes.

For all those soon-​to-​be writers who have a book waiting to burst forth from chains of self-​doubt, this creative venue will give you wings and nudge you out of the nest. The classes alone are well worth the inexpensive membership fee and the addition of presentations by local and international authors will sweeten the deal.
C’mon…you know you want to write that best seller.