The Contemporary Theater Company Explained

The Contemporary Theater Company (CTC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit theater company based in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. Founded by Artistic Director Christopher J. Simpson in 2005, the company presents a range of plays throughout South County with an emphasis on reaching first-time theatergoers. The company presents an annual holiday show at the historic waterfront Towers in Narragansett and produces an annual 24-Hour Play Festival at the South Kingstown High School. The company presents theater, classes and public events at a theater at 327 Main Street in historic downtown Wakefield that opened in July 2012.

History

The Contemporary Theater Company started as an unincorporated group in 2005 known as The Courthouse Summer Theater Company. Its first production was Rumors by Neil Simon in the summer of 2005. The company incorporated on May 30, 2006.[1] The company continued to present shows under the name The Courthouse Theater Company at the Courthouse Center for the Arts until the end of 2007, when the center established an in-house theater group.

In 2009, The Courthouse Theater Company renamed itself The Contemporary Theater Company. It has since produced shows including The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)[2] and The Gift of the Magi.[3]

In 2012, the company moved to its current location. It purchased an adjacent property to use as a rehearsal space and patio and in 2018 purchased its main theatre space. An additional renovation and expansion followed.[4]

In January 2021, associate artistic director Tammy Brown was promoted to artistic director, tasked with developing a five-year plan for the organization and an expanded mission and vision.[5] She resigned in July, 2024.[6]

Past Seasons

2015 season

2014 season

2013 season

2012 season

2011 season

2010 season

2009 season

2008 season

2007 season

2006 season

2005 season

Awards and nominations

"Rhode Island Monthly Editor's Pick"2012 Arts Revitalization Award

Providence Phoenix

The Best of RI 2011

Best Theater Company (won)[7]

MoreTeeth's Most Teeth Theater Awards May 2010 - May 2011

Best Play (Drama): Romeo and Juliet (nominated)

Waiting for Godot (nominated)

Best Director: Ryan Hartigan, Waiting for Godot (won)

Amy Lee Connell, Shawn Fennell, Nevan Michael Richard & Christopher J. Simpson, Romeo and Juliet (nominated)

Best Dramatic Performance (Female): Amy Lee Connell, Romeo and Juliet (nominated)

Best Dramatic Performance (Male): Stephen Strenio, Waiting for Godot (won)

Best Supporting Dramatic Performance (Female): Amy Lee Connell, Romeo and Juliet (nominated)

Best Supporting Dramatic Performance (Male): Maxwell Matthews, Waiting for Godot (nominated)[8]

2011 Motif Magazine Theatre Awards

Best Supporting Male: Christopher J. Simpson, Waiting for Godot (won)[9]

Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce's 2011 Chamber Impact Awards

Excellence in Innovation Award (won)[10]

Providence Phoenix: The Best of RI 2010

Best New & Yummy Theater Troupe (won)[11]

2009 Motif Magazine Theatre Awards

Best Supporting Female: Meghan Rose Donnelly, Noises Off (nominated)[9]

Organization

The CTC is led by an eleven-member board of directors and Artistic Director Christopher J. Simpson.[12] In 2009, Simpson won a fellowship from Princeton University to help grow the company.[13]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations - Public Browse and Search . 2010-01-24 . 2011-08-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110831182707/http://ucc.state.ri.us/CorpSearch/CorpSearchSummary.asp?ReadFromDB=True&UpdateAllowed=&FEIN=000156348 . dead .
  2. Web site: BILL RODRIGUEZ . Shakespeare for dummies - Theater . Thephoenix.com . 2009-08-04 . 2012-04-16.
  3. Web site: Bill rodriguez . The Carols of Christmas - Theater . Thephoenix.com . 2009-12-08 . 2012-04-16.
  4. News: Murray . Kaitlyn . Behind the Scenes at Contemporary Theater Company . 16 August 2024 . Rhode Island Monthly . July 9, 2019.
  5. News: Seymour . Bill . Change of Scenery: Tammy Brown looks to the future in new role as artistic director of CTC . 16 August 2024 . The Independent . January 9, 2021.
  6. News: Seymour . Bill . CTC’s Tammy Brown steps down as theater’s artistic director . 16 August 2024 . The Independent . July 25, 2024.
  7. Web site: Contemporary Theatre Company > Best Arts + Entertainment - Providence Best Readers Poll 2011 . Providence.thephoenix.com . 2012-04-16.
  8. Web site: The MostTeeth Awards! May 2010 - May 2011 . Facebook . 2012-04-16.
  9. http://www.motifmagazine.net/ Motif
  10. Web site: Annual Recognition Awards - South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce . Skchamber.com . 2012-04-16.
  11. Web site: CONTEMPORARY THEATER COMPANY > Best Arts + Entertainment - Providence Best Readers Poll 2010 . Providence.thephoenix.com . 2012-04-16.
  12. Web site: Directory of Nonprofits . Nonprofitdir.rifoundation.org . 2012-03-16 . 2012-04-16.
  13. Web site: Greenstein . Jennifer . Princeton University - At hometown theater, Dale winner will mount a season of accessible drama . Princeton.edu . 2009-05-14 . 2012-04-16.