The Longshore Legacy began with a five-year-old girl watching The Sound of Music for the first time, captivated by the joy, unity, and purpose she saw on stage. That little girl—our mom, Kayt Larson—carried that vision into adulthood. As a mother of eight, she filled our home with music, teaching us to sing, perform, and work together. When our family moved to Yelm in the late 1990s, she brought her children to audition for a local production of The Sound of Music. They were cast, and from that moment on, community theater became a central part of our lives.

Through theater, we learned far more than performance. It became a place of growth, teaching us discipline, teamwork, courage, and resilience while giving our homeschooling family a deep sense of community. Opening nights revealed something powerful—individuals becoming one unified group, working together to bring joy to others. Inspired by the importance of belonging, our mom began writing original productions focused on kindness, inclusion, and courage, including a school touring show that reached over 30 schools and deeply impacted students and teachers alike.

These performances were never just about entertainment—they were about connection and service. Funded through sacrifice and creativity, they allowed us to give back while building meaningful relationships with audiences. Through every stage, one truth remained: theater changes people. It builds confidence, fosters teamwork, and creates belonging. This nonprofit was born from that belief—a legacy rooted in family, courage, and community—carrying forward a vision to create spaces where the next generation can discover their voice and dream.