An old zeppelin hangar that is converted into a stage for special events at Fort Worden Credit: THE STRANGER

An old zeppelin hangar that is converted into a stage for special events at Fort Worden

An old zeppelin hangar that is converted into a stage for special events at Fort Worden THE STRANGER

Of all the factors that determine whether a festival will flourish or fail, the setting is arguably the most important. A festival’s location helps define its individuality and can drive ticket buyers just as much as the performers. In the case of THING—a new multidisciplinary festival produced by Seattle Theatre Group (STG) and helmed by Adam Zacks, STG’s chief programming officer and the founder of Sasquatch! Music Festival—the festival was actually inspired by the setting: Fort Worden.

It’s a Puget Sound historical army base turned state park and recreation facility. Zacks had gone to Fort Worden as a kid, on field trips and such, but it was his return as an adult that sparked his excitement. “It was just too cool and unique not to try to come up with something to do up there.” That was nearly a decade ago, during Sasquatch’s prime, before he had any real time to act on his idea.

Leilani was the managing editor at The Stranger beginning in January of 2017. In addition to her boring administrative duties, she sometimes got to write stuff. She’s also a Phishhead, and doesn’t...