When we removed everything from the kitchen of Kitsap Cabin to replace the floor we realized it was a great opportunity to upgrade the kitchen to make it more sanitary and more leak-proof. The previous kitchen had water leaks from the old refrigerator, plumbing, sinks, drains and faucets. After finding an infestation of carpenter ants in the floor, we realized that after fixing the floor, we needed to make sure that water stayed where it was supposed to.

After much research, we found Dan McNeely, owner of Skilfab Sheetmetal Co., who agreed to fabricate a custom 10' sink island - welding custom sinks to the counter to make a seamless one-piece unit that contains 5 sinks and an undershelf - staying within our tight budget. His company also fabricated a custom stainless steel prep table to replace an old wooden one, and a stainless steel counter to replace an old unsanitary tile counter. He did excellent work and we are so thrilled to show off our new kitchen!

We also have a new commercial range hood fabricated by Great Sun Corporation. This installation required the removing of a window and re-siding that part of the cabin. Jeff Slater of JMS Roofing Services accomplished that along with doing the roof work for the hood and helping with carpentry as we put the kitchen back together. Greg Fairley of Spectrum Electric did the electrical work. 

Along with the professional work in the kitchen, this remodel took a village of volunteers to move and remove items, help install cabinets and doors, paint walls and trim, and clean and organize the cupboards and pantry. Steve Hamilton, our caretaker, installed the new lights for the kitchen.

A huge thank you to all of the Mountaineers Player volunteers for their countless hours of service - and to all of the professionals who did first class work to transform a leaky old kitchen to a brand new sparkling one. Our volunteer cooks - who cook meals for the many cast and crew who stay overnight while rehearsing and performing at the Kitsap Forest Theater - will be thanking you everytime they cook. And a special thank you to the Mountaineers Foundation who funded part of this remodel with a generous grant.

When you combine top-notch directing, choreography, music directing, costumes, special effects and sets (throwing in a lot of imagination) you create a magical show that is "practically perfect in every way"! Record audiences are loving this production of Mary Poppins and we have received many positive reviews from audience members. Here are several:

"We just had the greatest experience going to see Mary Poppins. The play was so well done, and the whole experience of the theatre was amazing! We definitely recommend this adventure!!!!" Alta M, facebook comment

"Just got home from seeing the Mary Poppins musical with my daughter and her family – their Mother's Day gift to me! I love live theater and knew nothing of this very special venue! Loved the production and the locale and will be back!" Evelyn C., facebook comment

"Mary Poppins was fun. I loved the way some of the "special effects" were staged. As for the venue, it will be perfect for Shrek. . . . I thought everything was very well organized, including the parking." T.J. B., first time audience member, to be actor in Shrek this summer!

We also received a review of the whole "forest experience" from a long-time audience member that is worth sharing:

"My husband and I and our son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter just attended a performance of Mary Poppins at the Kitsap Forest Theater. This was our 26th time at the theater and our 8 year old granddaughter's 11th time – we come to both plays each year. We discovered the Theater in 1994 when we moved here from Virginia and fell in love. The setting is beautiful and every performance that we have attended has been outstanding. We moved around the first few years to find the perfect seats and now we are at the trailhead with our picnic and gear at 12:30 pm so we can be the first ones down to ensure that we get our seats!"

"We have brought many friends and other family and they have all enjoyed themselves. The second time we brought our granddaughter (age 3) we brought one of her friends. Once we got settled and had started our picnic she explained to her friend that "first we eat lunch, then they come out and sing and dance, then we have dessert and they sing and dance some more. Then we all clap and we get to go down and meet the people, but don't step on the ferns".  We all were speechless that she remembered so much from her first visit the year before."

"When the Kitsap Forest Adventure Camp started she was in the first group and loved it so much that she asked at Christmas that year if we would be sending her again. She tells all of her friends what a great place it is. I am still amazed that more people don't know about the Kitsap Forest Theater when I tell them to come. They are missing out on a one-of-a-kind experience and a highlight of our summers."  Christina M.

The Kitsap Forest Theater is a beautiful place situated among a forest of many different variety of trees and wildlife with several creeks running through the property. Did you know that the theater property (owned by The Mountaineers) is surrounded by the Rhododendron Preserve (owned and operated by The Mountaineers Foundation - not affiliated with The Mountaineers)? There are over 460 acres of pristine forest being protected for new generations of outdoor lovers. The Rhododendron Preserve includes "Big Tree", one of the biggest old growth firs on the Olympic peninsula and is worth the short hike to view it.

Those of us who have been involved keep coming back because of the beauty and peacefulness of this special and magical place. Since "mother nature" has her way with this property, there is much work to do before each play season to prepare the grounds and buildings for the actors, production staff and audience. 

Last weekend Brian Lindvall, co Kitsap Cabin chair, spent all day washing all 44 mattresses from our bunk house (Cascade) in preparation for our first Kitsap Rehearsal weekend at the theater. Previous to that, several cast members (David Gordon & Purcelle Harris) helped Nancy Estill and Brian remove many screws that were sticking out of the 2" x 4"'s on the men's side of Cascade after the damaged wallboard was removed. The cabin is now ready for overnights for our cast and crew.

Some of the roofs on the buildings down at the theater are leaking and in need of repair. So far, we have had two work parties to deal with this huge job. Thanks to Scott Baker, Josh Brown, Craig McCoy and Gardner Hicks for taking the lead on this project. And thanks to Olivia Hickerson for helping (with her pickup) to take a bunch of trash and used roofing to the dump. Last weekend Scott and Josh cut out a large rotten part of the roof and replaced it with new plywood. We have scheduled a third roofing party on Saturday, April 21st, and could use more help.

Also, last weekend Gardner Hicks (Theater Chair) and David Jensen raked all of the audience seats in the theater. Gardner Hicks has been the super volunteer who  has cared for the theater and the theater trail for over 40 years. David Jensen has taken over the task of maintaining the Theater Trail and we thank him for "stepping up" and continuing the long standing tradition of volunteerism at the theater. And we thank Gardner for his continued contributions to the care of this majestic theater.

We also continue the work on our new yurt. We found used oak flooring for the yurt, and it took three days of work to load it, unload it, and grind off all of the nails and staples sticking out of the wood. Thanks to Craig McCoy, Josh Brown, Brian Lindvall and Trey Morgan for help with all of that grinding. And thanks to Gail Foster and Nancy Estill for help in cleaning and stacking the flooring.

We are always looking for help around the property and with building and painting sets. Please consider volunteering your time and energy in the coming months. During shows, we need volunteer ushers and parkers to help - and you get to see the show for free. It is a great way to be an important part of the team.

We are a community of outdoor and theater lovers and there are lots of opportunities to join us and help out in whatever area you are able. Contact us for more information and/or to volunteer. Thanks!