NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 25, 2025 MEDIA CONTACT: Derek Nguyen, Marketing and Communications Director, Washington State Historical Society, 253-317-1273 derek.nguyen@wshs.wa.gov<mailto:derek.nguyen@wshs.wa.gov> Shaping the Story: Designs for the Theatre by Carey Wong Opening at the Washington State History Museum [A poster for a theaterAI-generated content may be incorrect.]Tacoma, WA – A new exhibition at the Washington State History Museum<https://www.washingtonhistory.org/> (WSHM) invites guests behind the curtain and into the imagination of acclaimed set designer Carey Wong. The exhibition celebrates Wong’s artistry while showing how stories come to life on stage. Shaping the Story: Designs for the Theatre by Carey Wong<https://www.washingtonhistory.org/exhibit/shaping-the-story/> opens on October 4, 2025. Over a career spanning five decades, Wong has designed immersive sets and costumes for over 300 stage productions. This retrospective highlights his joyful creativity and his collaboration with companies in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. “What I want to do is to have people see things in a slightly different way, or see things from a perspective they may not have thought of,” said Wong. “And I think that’s what’s always the great joy in stage design.” From inception to curtain call, guests will see the intense creative process that transforms a story into a stage production. The exhibition showcases Wong’s 1/2” scale set models, costumes, set pieces, sketches, ephemera, and stories from Washington’s performing arts history, revealing Wong’s artistry and influence within theatre, opera, and ballet. Raised in Portland, Oregon, and now based in Gig Harbor, Washington, Wong has collaborated with leading companies, including the Seattle Repertory Theatre, ACT Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, and 5th Avenue Theatre. His work has been seen nationwide and internationally in Canada, Spain, and China. Wong has influenced the next generation of theatre professionals through teaching at the University of Puget Sound, Seattle University, and the University of Washington, earning numerous awards for his contributions. Washington State Historical Society members are invited to an exclusive opening reception, presentation, and guided tour with Wong on Sunday, October 5, 2025. The exhibition is included with general admission and will be on view at WSHM from October 4, 2025, to February 22, 2026. For more information about Shaping the Story and other exhibitions and programs, please visit washingtonhistory.org<https://washingtonhistory.org/>.<https://washingtonhistory.org/> ### About The Washington State Historical Society and History Museum The Washington State Historical Society works with our communities to explore how history connects us all. Its most prominent activity is the Washington State History Museum, located in Tacoma's Museum District on Pacific Avenue. The museum features interactive core exhibitions about Washington in the Great Hall, rotating special exhibitions, and various public events and programs that cover a wide range of historical topics. The WSHS provides curriculum resources, downloadable exhibitions, and educational support across the state, as well as consultation and resources for museums and heritage organizations. Address: 1911 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98402 Hours: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM Tuesday through Sunday. Admission: <http://www.washingtonhistory.org/support/membership/> FREE for members<http://www.washingtonhistory.org/support/membership/>;<http://www.washingtonhistory.org/support/membership/> $17 adults; $14 seniors (age 65+) and military (with ID); $11 students (age 6-17). Through the Museums for All<https://museums4all.org/> <https://museums4all.org/> program and licensed Washington Foster Parents can attend for $1 per person or $2 per family.