WSA Theatre’s new director emphasizes access and mentorship.

West Sound Academy launched a new era in its theater program under its new director Thalia Wolff. A Poulsbo native trained at Reed College holds a master’s in theatre education and applied theatre from Emerson College. Wolff returned to Kitsap County intent on creating more access into theater, emphasizing ensemble-based learning, mentorship across grades, and community-connected productions like the schoolwide How to Make a Sandwich in 20 Easy Steps When All You Have Is a Time Machine, which features students from all seven grades and will tour local elementary schools.

The production, a theater-for-young-audiences piece by Brendan Main, will tour several local elementary schools, including Suquamish, David Wolfle, Ordway Elementaries, and The Island School, giving students the experience of performing for younger audiences and strengthening community ties. 

Wolff designed a two-cast model so more students could participate without competition: each role is shared, guaranteeing equal performance opportunities and encouraging mentorship and camaraderie across grade levels. Rehearsals emphasize ensemble building through check-ins, team games and collaborative design challenges, shifting the focus from rivalry to creativity and cooperation.

Looking ahead, Wolff plans to make the program increasingly student-driven, with a festival of new short works written, directed and designed by students, plus site-specific and outdoor productions such as a spring staging of Radium Girls at the Port Gamble Theatre. Her broader goal is to build multiple entry points into theater so every student can find a place to create and grow. 

This is an adaptation of an article written by Britney Fletcher-West,  first published in the Kitsap Daily News on November 4, 2025. Read the full article here:

West Sound Academy students debut first play under new leader.