Event

The Other Country

"The Other Country" is a community-based, site specific event, placing the memorable Thea Foss story squarely in its original and authentic setting. The production will take place both inside and outside the dynamic and historic Foss Waterway Seaport on August 11, 12 and 13. This play celebrates our diverse backgrounds, the spirit of a strong female entrepreneur, and the enduring beauty and power of Puget Sound.

Nancy Bourne Haley's award-winning 2006 documentary film "Finding Thea" inspired Kristin
Lyhman in Skipvet, Norway to write and produce a moving treatment of this story with her theatre company, Nes Lenseteater. It sees natural and fitting that our region should produce her play "Det Andre Landet", translated into English by Janet Ruud and Kari Nellia Groven, here in Tacoma. Spanning from 1880 to 1927, "The Other Country" encompasses Thea's humble beginnings in a poverty-striken Norway, her marriage to Andrew Foss, her immigration to the United States, and the beginning of her small boat business in Tacoma. Due to Thea's tenacity and business acumen, and with the help of her husband and children, the business grew to become the now famous Foss Maritime Company, still the largest tug and towing concern on the West Coast.

Featuring a diverse company of twenty-one local actors and singers and two musicians, from age 8 to seniors, "The Other Country" is produced by area film-maker Nancy Bourne Haley, and co-directed by Marilyn Bennett and Suzy Willhoft, artistic directors of the independent theatre companies Toy Boat Theatre and Found Space Productions. Musical direction is by Debbie Birkey, costumes by Alex Lewington. This production features local actors Gretchen Boyt as Thea, and Wade Hicks as Andrew.