Emily Jackson and Tyler M. Perry. (Photo provided by Brian Mihok)
Ithaca, New York: Kitchen Theater Company (KTC) has announced that Emily Jackson will become its next producing artistic director, effective July 1st. In her current position as Associate Producing Artistic Director, she has worked closely with Interim Producing Artistic Director Rachel Lampert to prepare for her transition. Lampert will return to the helm for the 2023-24 season and join the board of directors after serving as artistic director from 1997 to 2017.
“It's been a special year and a half for me,” Lampert said in a statement. “What kept me focused was the knowledge that Emily was being considered for the position. Thank you to all the patrons and supporters who came back and helped move things forward. I can't think of a better person to lead the theater and build its future than Emily Jackson.”
Jackson will be joined by her husband, Tyler M. Perry, who will serve as executive producer. The two met at The Kitchen in 2012, when Jackson was the director and Perry was the lighting designer. Claire de Lune's Frankie and Johnny. The couple married at the theater in 2018 and plans to return to Ithaca full time this July with their two young children, Luma and Rocco, and their two small dogs, Frankie and Stella.
“In early conversations with Rachel and the board, I said it is difficult to overstate what taking on this role means personally and professionally,” Jackson said in a statement. “Leading an organization with a 30-year history of producing great work with a diverse group of artists in a community that values ‘conversations that matter’ is one of the most amazing things. I am honored to do it in a place that has shaped me as a parent and artist, and who I am. We create bold, intimate, and engaging theater, and are part of Ithaca's thriving arts ecosystem. We look forward to working with them and ensuring Kitchen Theater Company has a sustainable future in the coming seasons.”
Emily Jackson was an artistic fellow at KTC early in her career and later served as an artistic fellow for two seasons. She Jackson has directed and performed on the main stage, managed front-of-house operations, and played a key role in marketing, development and season planning. She has extensive directorial credits and experience developing and producing new work. She most recently served as artistic director of the Sanguine Theater Company. Jackson also worked with Ithaca's Walking on Water Productions to help launch the first new musical festival.
Tyler M. Perry is an award-winning designer for theater, television, and live events. His recent projects include his designs for the national television broadcast, his BravoCON Live in Las Vegas, the new television network, his Sports Talk set on Amazon Prime, as well as his ring of flame Performances at the Florida Repertory Theater, Click, click, click…BOOM! Performed with Folger Theater Company. Perry has designed over 30 productions for her theater company Kitchen. This includes the set, lighting and projection design for this season's opening production. american movie monsters. His work has been seen in regional and community theaters across the country. Perry is also a teacher and mentor for middle school, high school, and undergraduate students.
The public will have the opportunity to meet Emily and Tyler at the Kitchen's Spring Gala “Recipes for the Future” on March 30th.
Kitchen Theater Company is an off-Broadway theater company located in central New York. KTC aims to create bold theater within an intimate space that engages the community and sparks important conversations. As of 2023, KTC's estimated budget was $748,000.
