Kitchen Theatre Company (KTC) was founded in 1991 by a group of visionary Ithaca College students, including Matt Tauber and Tim O’Brien, who sought to create an alternative space for bold theatrical expression. Their goal: to center new voices, ask urgent questions, and make space for stories that challenge the way we see the world. That founding spirit still defines the Kitchen today.

 

From 1994 to 1997, Artistic Director Norm Johnson, Jr. carried the company forward with a commitment to thought-provoking work and artistic rigor. His leadership helped establish KTC’s early identity as a place where powerful storytelling meets social relevance.

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A transformative era began when Rachel Lampert became Artistic Director in 1997. A playwright, director, and choreographer with an expansive creative background, Lampert championed new work, developed countless premieres, and nurtured the voices of underrepresented artists—particularly women. She also led the campaign that brought KTC to its permanent home at 417 W State St / W Martin Luther King Jr. St, making Kitchen Theatre Company the first theater in Ithaca to own its own space. That LEED-certified venue continues to anchor our work and welcome artists and audiences into a shared creative experience.

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Over the decades, KTC has produced more than 200 plays—including dozens of world premieres—and become a national platform for innovative voices. We have championed the work of playwrights such as Adam Bock, Tanya Barfield, Darian Dauchan, Brian Dykstra, Rachel Axler, Jason Odell Williams, Brian Parks, Wendy Dann and many others whose stories push boundaries and reflect the complexity of the human experience.

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Subsequent artistic leaders have helped shape the company’s evolving identity and impact. M. Bevin O’Gara expanded KTC’s reach and reputation while deepening its embrace of diverse storytelling. Rebecca Bradshaw brought fresh energy and community focus, building on the company’s legacy of inclusive, contemporary programming.

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Today, Kitchen Theatre Company is led by Producing Artistic Director Emily Jackson, supported by a dedicated team of artists, staff, and collaborators. KTC remains committed to producing bold, intimate, and engaging theater that reflects the world we live in. Our programming includes a mainstage season of new and contemporary plays, the Kitchen Sink Series featuring local and regional artists, and community-centered initiatives designed to foster dialogue and deepen connection.

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Whether you're seeing a world premiere, engaging in a Kitchen Table Talk, or attending an event hosted by a local partner, we invite you to experience the Kitchen as a space for creativity, conversation, and community.