About Us
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
At the heart of Wayward Wonder is a commitment to storytelling as a force for transformation. We believe that art, when rooted in cultural knowledge and shaped through dialogue, has the power to heal, challenge, and reimagine the world we share. By weaving together academic insight, lived experience, and creative expression, we aim to spark conversations that transcend boundaries—whether cultural, generational, or ideological. Our work is grounded in the belief that revitalizing cultural traditions is not just about preservation, but about making space for evolving identities and new possibilities. We strive to be a platform where complexity is welcomed, where curiosity is encouraged, and where imagination becomes a shared tool for change
Our Story
We embrace dialogue, conflict, and collaboration as essential tools for connection—fostering collective imagination and deeper understanding. Our mission is to bridge people from diverse perspectives, creating spaces where different voices can be heard, respected, and explored. We are committed to curating events that challenge assumptions while nurturing a sense of belonging.
In addition to producing our own original programming, Wayward Wonder also operates as a creative agency. Our team includes an anthropologist, a linguist, and a historian—each specializing in cultural revitalization. Their expertise is available for consultation on artistic, educational, and community-based projects, offering thoughtful insight and guidance to support meaningful, culturally grounded work.
Meet the Team
Wayward Wonder is powered by a multidisciplinary team of creatives, scholars, and organizers who bring a shared passion for cultural revitalization, storytelling, and community connection
Founder and Anthropologist
Kirsten Larson
is an anthropologist and cultural worker passionate about storytelling, community connection, and cultural revitalization. As a founding member of Wayward Wonder, she brings together lived experience, academic training, and grassroots organizing to foster inclusive, transformative gatherings—from immersive theatre to community festivals. Her work is grounded in a commitment to dialogue, diversity, and collective imagination. Kirsten’s leadership journey began when she founded the North Vancouver chapter of the Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks, where she organized large-scale events and advocated for the rights of youth in care—work that earned her the North Shore Community Heart Award and the City of North Vancouver Kind Heart Award in 2017. Trained in ethnographic methods at the University of British Columbia, her research focuses on the intersection of ecological and human health. At Wayward Wonder, she collaborates with a team of specialists—including a linguist and a historian—to consult on artistic, educational, and community-based projects that honor cultural traditions while imagining liberated futures
Art Director and Historian
Benjamin Groberman
Benjamin Groberman is a historian, receiving his degree from the University of British Columbia as well as an Education degree from the same university and a diploma in theatre at Douglas College. He is a quietly brilliant force behind the scenes—organized, imaginative, and endlessly adaptable. With a background in History and a degree in Theatre, he has a gift for weaving structure and story into every project. As Artistic Coordinator, he brings an intuitive sense of timing and flow, helping abstract ideas take shape without losing their spirit. Whether managing creative logistics, guiding artistic collaborations, or translating big visions into doable plans, he approaches it all with calm focus and gentle clarity. He’s the person everyone turns to when things get complex—because he makes it all look easy, with just the right mix of care, curiosity, and creative spark.
Content Strategist And Linguistic
Emily Sorrenti
Recognizing that every idea is only as effective as its execution, Emily brings clarity, structure, and analytical depth to Wayward Wonder in her role as content strategist. She is invested in crafting content that is guided by a deep respect for words and their impact, content that holds its ground in even the most critical discourse.
Emily’s expertise in linguistics plays a key role in how she approaches the world, through the understanding that language is a social instrument that both shapes and is shaped by the context it is used in. Whether she’s presenting and publishing original research or just having a conversation about something she finds interesting, her academic discipline and personal passion consistently shine through.
Outside of the academic world, Emily has many years of experience teaching people of all ages in various capacities. Her work in debate, public speaking, and model UN has helped her cultivate her own critical thinking and public speaking skills, as well as learn how to build those skills in others.