Poulsbo’s Jewel Box Theatre Turns 25

A gem among North Kitsap’s array of performance venues is celebrating a milestone birthday this year.

To mark its 25th, Poulsbo’s Jewel Box Theatre is offering a season of thoughtfully curated musical, theatrical, and literary events, all of which will be held in the 96-seat main theater, where the phrase “not a bad seat in the house” is no idle boast. There will be a special edition of the organization’s annual gala honoring all the performers, volunteers, stage crew, donors, and community partners who have kept the action going on- and off-stage for decades.

Current Board President John Ackenhusen has been involved with the JBT since relocating to the Kitsap Peninsula from the Midwest in 2019. He’ll be the first to tell you that the role has become a significant part of his personal and creative life, wearing the hats of an administrator, operational lead, recruiter, writer, performer, ambassador, and overall cheerleader for the arts venue.

“I have tried to become familiar with just about every activity of the Jewel Box, from acting, play-writing, and music through ticket taking and house managing to financial management, publicity, and technology,” he said. “I can, and do, manage each of these in a pinch until someone becomes available.”

Ackenhusen especially revels in identifying and engaging with people with specialized skills he can learn from, and who add to the venue’s creative cadre of committed and passionate volunteers.

March through June will be busy months for the theater. The 25th Anniversary Gala is happening in the Suquamish Clearwater Casino ballroom on March 14 and will feature a special performance produced by the company’s new artistic director, Trina Williamson. Main stage shows include the emotional “The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later” in April; spotlight series live musical acts in both March and May; and “The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On,” a festive jukebox musical with familiar hits from the late 1950s and early ’60s in June. (The latter will wrap up the regular season.)

A 501c-3 arts organization, The Jewel Box Theatre relies on ticket sales and local donor support to continue producing and hosting some of the area’s most intriguing, entertaining, and accessible live performances, as it has done continuously for the last 25 years.

Ackenhusen continues to appreciate the intimacy of its main space.

“(It’s) small enough that you feel like the performance is in your living room,” he said, “where you can see actors’ expressions and hear them well from any seat.”