Kitsap Forest Theater & Cabin
Kitsap Forest Theater
The Mountaineers Players have been performing at the Kitsap Forest Theater since 1923.
Our Purpose
Building on a century of tradition, the Mountaineers Players provide exceptional outdoor theatrical productions and educational programs that enrich the community, foster a lifelong enjoyment of the performing arts, and nurture an appreciation for the unique beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Our Goal
To enrich the community by bringing stories to life in a magical outdoor setting that all ages can enjoy.
Our Values
- Celebrating the beauty of the out-of-doors
- Producing high quality community theater
- Bringing people of all ages together to work and play in community
- Teaching respect for the out-of-doors, each other and the craft of theater
- Supporting this unique venue and keeping the tradition alive for future generations
Our Theater
A treasured family tradition in the greater Seattle arts community since 1923, The Mountaineers Players continues to bring Puget Sound audiences quality outdoor theater under the conifer canopy of its Kitsap Forest Theater every spring and summer. One of the oldest nonprofit theater groups in the country, the Players troupe performs on the 460-acre Rhododendron Preserve near Bremerton. Giant fir trees surround terraced seating—carved from the side of a natural amphitheater— while verdant ferns serve as the “footlights” for the performance stage.
Kitsap Cabin
Kitsap Cabin, located on Mountaineers property above the Kitsap Forest Theater, is The Mountaineers Players “home base” during rehearsal and performance weekends at the theater. It was constructed in 1918 during World War I. The war effort had taken away most of the males, so women volunteers did the bulk of the construction work. The fireplace was designed with a niche above the mantle for a plaque honoring Mountaineers who died during the war. The niche remains empty to this day as none were killed.
The cabin is where Players congregate to eat, socialize, play games and work. Volunteer cooks prepare meals for the hungry cast and crew, and everyone takes part in the clean-up. The Kitsap Forest Theater, Kitsap Cabin and the entire 20 acres owned by The Mountaineers is listed on Washington State's Heritage Register as an historically significant site. A dedicated group of Mountaineers Players and volunteers work to operate, maintain, and preserve this property and its heritage. The Kitsap Branch of the Mountaineers also hold meetings at the cabin.
In 2001 the Mountaineers condemned Kitsap Cabin because of an unsafe foundation. The Mountaineers Players, knowing that the show must go on, worked with Jamie Gordon and the Mountaineers Foundation to raise the necessary money (and get Historical designation for the entire site) so that the foundation could be rebuilt and other improvements made. For two seasons, the Players produced shows without access to the cabin and even brought back the spring show in 2001 (The Music Man) for an encore fundraising performance in August of that year (with participation from the entire cast). Read Jamie Gordon's writing about this major Kitsap Restoration Project.
This major fundraising and restoration effort was completed between 2001 and 2008. The completed work included a new building foundation, rebuild of the historic stone fireplace and chimney, new electrical infrastructure, construction of a new caretakers residence, new porches and ADA ramp, new siding, reconditioned windows, and new roof. View pictures of this work.
Thanks to the generous support of the Mountaineers Foundation Altwein Grant, during the fall/winter of 2012/2013 the kitchen of the cabin was renovated. Projects included removing and replacing the kitchen floor, replacing counter tops, adding a new custom built stainless steel sink island, replacing all of the plumbing, installing a stove hood and adding heat to the cabin. Review the summary of work completed by December 31, 2012.
We are always looking for volunteers to help with these projects. Please contact us lend to us your talents and skills. The Kitsap Forest Theater and Kitsap Cabin depend on volunteers lending a hand!
