All aboard! Ghost Boat Theater prepares to launch on Vashon
Published 10:30 am Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Ghost Boat Theater, a new island performing arts organization, will soon set sail, beginning with a launch party from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at Open Space for Arts & Community.
Ghost Boat — captained by the all-local artistic team of director and actor Steven Sterne, playwright Jennifer Dice and singer/songwriter/theater-maker Kat Eggleston — will be home-based in Open Space’s intimate Black Box theater.
What makes this new theater company different from others on the island? According to its founders, it will exclusively present productions made richer by the inclusion of live music, focusing on new works and reimagined classics written by Vashon residents with music curated and/or composed by Vashon musicians.
Islanders can learn more about what founders have in mind at the launch party, which, in addition to having live music and refreshments, will include a short reading from the company’s inaugural production, “One Thing After Another,” a fast-paced and farcical take on Homer’s “The Odyssey,” written by Dice.
The production, currently in development and set to premiere in the spring, was inspired by the playwright’s short play with mythic themes, “I Can’t Go Home,” which premiered earlier this year in Drama Dock’s Short Play Festival.
The play — described by Dice as exploring “what it’s like to live inside a sad old song” — required a talented group of folk musicians who were also able to take on acting roles.
That tall order proved easier to fill than expected after Eggleston enthusiastically jumped in to lead the band and appear in a key role in the show. And what’s more, she loved the experience.
“The music and the folktale symbolism are right in my wheelhouse,” Eggleston said. “I’m excited to work on more shows that bring Vashon’s music and theater communities together like this.”
Sterne, an actor, director and theater educator who has hopscotched between roles in other Seattle and island theater groups, is also excited for Ghost Boat Theater to launch and said that Open Space would be the perfect home for the company.
“Our community partnership with Open Space is a wonderful opportunity,” he said. “The Black Box is my favorite venue on the island. It’s perfect for the intimate, experimental work we will present. Our partnership with Open Space also gives us access to their stellar design and production teams, as well as their marketing talent.”
There is plenty of room and energy in Vashon’s vibrant arts scene for a company such as Ghost Boat, Sterne said.
“We’re joining a thriving group of theater organizations on Vashon, including Drama Dock, Vashon Rep, UMO Ensemble, the high school theater program and 14/48 Vashon. Ghost Boat will bring something new and unique to the mix.”
Find out more at ghostboattheater.org and RSVP at openspacevashon.com to attend the free launch party on Nov. 21.
