In the Spotlight Spring Gala

Kitchen Theatre Company’s Spring Gala
Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 7 PM

A night of performances. A night of celebration. A night that keeps theater thriving. On March 29, community members take the stage to entertain and raise vital funds for Kitchen Theatre Company—while you enjoy the show, party, and do the same! Hosted by Joey Steinhagen with DJ Cynthia Henderson, the night features incredible performances, delightful drinks, delicious food, dazzling dancing, and plenty of ways to support bold, intimate, and engaging theater.

KTC's Spring Gala is generously supported by these partners

Host Joey & DJ Cynthia

Host

Joey Steinhagen

Joey Steinhagen is the founder and artistic director of Running to Places (R2P), the nonprofit youth community theatre. He received his BFA in Acting from Ithaca College in 1996 and has been teaching, acting in, and directing theatre for young people throughout Tompkins County since 1993. In addition to his 70+ shows for R2P, Joey has directed at area middle and high schools, including a life-changing production of Hairspray at Ithaca HS in 2018. Joey has taught acting at Ithaca College, Cornell, SUNY Cortland, Hangar Theatre’s Next Generation program, and the Ithaca Youth Bureau. As an actor, he has appeared in many productions with the Kitchen Theatre Company (and once or twice with R2P). He is grateful to be part of a community that has allowed him to create his dream job by supporting the work that he loves so dearly.

Cynthia Henderson

Cynthia Henderson is a Professor of Acting in Ithaca College's School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, in the Department of Theatre and Dance Performance. A professional actor, director, and the author of The Actor's Landscape, and Beyond the Studio: a Conversation about Acting. Cynthia's artistic and educational work has been experienced in the U.S., Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa. She has taught, presented, and facilitated workshops at institutions including The Juilliard School, Black Arts Institute, and The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She is the founder of Performing Arts for Social Change. Her work in the area of social justice has earned her the CSPA of New York State's award for "Outstanding Contribution to Social Justice." She was also cited at the NYS Women's Expo as one of the "20 Outstanding Women You Should Know" in Central NY. Cynthia is a member of Actors' Equity, the National Alliance of Acting Teachers, an IC Dana Fellow, and a Fulbright Scholar.

SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY PERFORMERS

Meet the incredible community members stepping into the spotlight to share their talents and raise vital funds for Kitchen Theatre Company! Read more about each performer below, and click the "Support" button to donate to their individual fundraising campaigns. Your gift helps them reach their goal and keeps bold, intimate, and engaging theater thriving in Ithaca.

G-Quan Booker & Global Creative Family GCF is a premier regional organization committed to elevating performing artists. We offer an array of services & performance opportunities designed to cultivate a dynamic community where artists are valued, validated, and fearless in presenting their craft. Instagram - Youtube - Tik Tok - Facebook @GlobalCreativeFamily

Support G-Quan

Lesley Greene was a KTC staff member from 2001 to 2020. She is the co-director of Story House Ithaca, and she co-founded and continues to be an organizer of Porchfest. Her play The Turnaway Play premiered at KTC and has had over two dozen readings and performances, with more scheduled for 2025.

Support Lesley

Emily Jackson Photo by Brian Mihok (1)_edited_edited.jpg

Emily Jackson was a Kitchen Theatre Company intern during the 2012-13 season, was on staff from 2014-16, and is now the theater's Producing Artistic Director. She is so happy to be sharing "important conversations" with the amazing Ithaca community and the wonderful artists whose work fills our stage.

Support Emily

Mary Kane is an avid arts enabler, as staff or board member and officer of CSMA, the Hangar Theatre, and others; and performing at First Street, Hangar and Firehouse. Mary founded and ran Concept Systems, leading social research for public good, for over 30 years while continuing to dance and sing whenever permitted.

Support Mary

Ilan Kaplan is a local actor, improviser, and teacher. At the Kitchen, he acted in Laughs in Spanish last September and brought his own show, Undressed: The Musical just last month. Ilan teaches improv comedy in Ithaca and performs every month in NYC.

Support Ilan

Cropped. Spring Gala.April 2022 copy.jpeg

Rachel Lampert served as Artistic Director for Kitchen Theatre Company for 20 years from 1997-2017 and made a “surprise” return for the 2023-24 season. She writes plays, musicals, and solo shows. She directed over 50 productions at KTC and was among the leaders of the campaign to build a permanent home for the theater in 2010. She is settling into her second retirement. Always happy to support the theater, she is happy to be part of this important fundraising event and thanks her husband, David, for joining her.

Support Rachel

Perri LoPinto has been an active member of the Ithaca arts community for over 35 years, having performed at The Hangar Theatre, First Street Playhouse, The Firehouse Theatre, and the Kitchen Theatre. She served on the board of directors for the Kitchen, including two years as Board President. She also is a ceramic artist showing her work regionally in galleries and juried festivals. In her spare time she is the Executive Director of the Legacy Foundation.

Support Perri

Stephen Nunley I moved to Ithaca to join Rachel as part of a small staff, and worked as the Managing Director at the Kitchen with Rachel and Lesley for many years. The Kitchen will always have a special place in my heart. Please join me in keeping KTC as a gem of theater joy and creativity in Ithaca.

Support Stephen

Torianna Payne Hi, I’m Torianna Payne. I currently work in retail but outside of work I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, singing, playing with my dog, painting, building Lego and more. I’m so excited and grateful to be part of the Spring Gala and I hope you enjoy my performance.

Support Tori

Tyler M Perry by Brian Mihok (1)_edited.jpg

Tyler M. Perry is an award-winning designer for theatre, television, and live events. He is also an educator and mentor, most recently serving as the Technical Theater Teacher at Riverdale Country School in NYC. For KTC, he has designed sets, lights, and/or projections for over 30 productions. He now serves at the theater's Director of Production.

Support Tyler

David Squires was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he enjoyed his hometown's great music and culinary history. He and Rachel met when she was performing on tour in Louisiana. He left the Big Easy to move to New York, working first as Budget Director of Dutchess County, and then to Ithaca, where he served for 23 years as the Director of Finance for Tompkins County. Occasionally, he has been recruited to step outside his comfort zone, get on stage, and support the Kitchen Theatre Company.

Support David

Robbert van Renesse is a banjo player, swing dancer, and professor of computer science. He is married to Lesley Greene.

Support Robbert

MORE ABOUT THE GALA

An Unforgettable Evening in Support of Bold Theater

Celebrate the creativity and passion that make Kitchen Theatre Company a cornerstone of Ithaca’s arts community! In the Spotlight: Kitchen Theatre Company’s Spring Gala is a dazzling evening of performances, delicious drinks and bites, and inspiring stories—all in support of bold, intimate, and engaging theater.

Our annual Spring Gala is a chance to come together with fellow patrons, enjoy the incredible talents of community performers, and raise vital funds to keep Kitchen Theatre Company thriving.

What to Expect
Spectacular Performances: Enjoy live performances by talented members of our community, showcasing singing, dancing, comedy, and more.
Celebration & Connection: Mingle with friends, enjoy libations, and dance the night away with a live DJ after the performances.
Fundraising for the Arts: Throughout the evening, cheer on performers and support their fundraising efforts. Track the excitement with our live leaderboard and help us hit our collective goal for Kitchen Theatre Company.

How to Attend
Get Your Tickets:
Tickets are $100 per person and include access to all performances, drinks, light bites, and the post-event celebration.

Can’t Attend? Support the Cause!
Even if you can’t join us in person, you can still support the performers and the Kitchen by donating directly to the campaign. Visit our GiveLively fundraising page to make your contribution.

Why Support Kitchen Theatre Company?
Your participation in In the Spotlight helps sustain bold, intimate, and engaging theater in Ithaca. From groundbreaking productions to meaningful conversations sparked by the arts, your generosity ensures that Kitchen Theatre Company continues to be a vibrant space for creativity and connection.

Together, we can make a lasting impact on the arts in our community.