New Century Theatre Appoints Kayti Barnett as Managing Director

The critically acclaimed New Century Theatre Company (NCTC) enters a new era as their Board of Directors announces their plan to hire employee #1; Kayti Barnett, as NCTC's managing director. She takes over this role from founding member Jamie Herlich who has served as acting managing director since 2011.

The organizational structure of NCTC is unique in the theatre world. It was founded in 2008 by a group of dedicated local theatre artists devoted to producing timely, vital stories. They are passionate individuals who want to re-connect Seattle audiences to the transcendent power of live performance. Over the past five seasons the 14 company members and affiliate artists have worked cooperatively, sharing responsibilities on a per-production basis, and stepping into different staff roles periodically for little or no pay. This structure has worked because the committed company members, who are also some of Seattle's busiest Working Theatre artists, have made sacrifices, juggled paying jobs at local theatres and devoted much of their free time to getting NCTC off the ground.

Jamie Herlich and Kayti Barnett collaborated for months on a seamless transition. Now, under the joint leadership of managing director Kayti Barnett and artistic director Darragh Kennan, NCTC is ready for the next step and is preparing for a long successful future. With their most recent successful run of THE TRIAL, which exceeded budget, received multiple rave reviews from critics, and had many sold out houses, NCTC is poised for a smooth transition. They are currently planning for the second production of their fifth season, The Walworth Farce by Enda Walsh. It will open October 4, 2013 at the New City Theater. This will be one of their last productions in a temporary space before moving into their new permanent home, 12th Avenue Arts on Capitol Hill. NCTC expects a move-in date late in 2014.

Since its inception, NCTC has produced shows at a variety of locations around Seattle including: ACT, The Lab@ INScape, and the Erickson Theatre. One of the primary initiatives for Barnett, Kennan, and the entire company, will be to set a solid internal structure. They have a supportive community, devoted fans, and hosted many successful donor events.

Kayti Barnett was the associate artistic director of Woman Seeking...a theatre company until 2010. She was the founding managing director of The Phoenix Theatre in Edmonds and has worked in operations and development at College Access Now, Edmonds Center for the Arts and Book-It Rep. She has her BA in Theater from Willamette University and will complete Seattle University's MFA in Arts Leadership in 2014.

NCTC was founded in 2008 and is comprised of local theatre artists whose work is regularly featured on Seattle's professional stages, as well as numerous regional theatres throughout the country. NCTC artists include: HansAltwies, Jamie Herlich, Paul Morgan Stetler, Ray Gonzalez, Makaela Pollock, Michael Patten, MJ Sieber, JenTaylor, Amy Thone, Darragh Kennan, Peter Dylan O'Connor, and Betsy Schwartz. NCTC also welcomes new members Brenda Joyner, Ruth Eitemiller, and affiliate artists Geof Korff, John Langs, Stephanie Timm and Rob Witmer.

Together they share a deep desire to help reinvigorate Seattle's national reputation as a vibrant force of cutting-edge, ambitious, relevant theater. They vow to provide Seattle a fearless ensemble of local artists whose vast experience and developed sense of chemistry provide a cohesive, dynamic, consistent theater-going experience they believe audiences long for.

NCTC is devoted to producing timely, vital stories that will help re-connect Seattle audiences to the transcendent power of live performance. NCTC believes that "story is king" and is committed to plays that are fearless, heightened, sincere, dangerous, crass, erotic, ugly, and full of hope. NCTC shows are bold and unapologetic; they are produced with a visceral simplicity that stirs the imagination to new heights. NCTC productions will NOT do your thinking for you.