Company
Our Mission
We build the culture of our local, global, and artistic communities as we want them to be: Inclusive, Supportive, Ambitious, Playful, and Kind. We do this when people of all backgrounds and experience levels create and share in artistic excellence in ways that cultivate connection, emphasize truthfulness, and inspire growth.
The Contemporary Theater Company is a 501(c)3 non-profit theater that produces shows year-round in Wakefield, Rhode Island. We produce a wide variety of scripted and improvised work as well as smaller shows, concerts, and community events.
Company History
The Contemporary Theater Company was founded in June 2005. It started as a collaborative project among young local artists interested in restoring the once vibrant live theater scene of southern Rhode Island. After one successful year, the vision matured and the company began to grow.
Since then, our company has prospered, producing more than 70 full-length productions and many smaller events. Our talent pool has expanded backed by generous community support, and thousands of audience members have found a new appreciation of the performing arts.
We currently produce more performances each year than any other theater in the state. In 2017, over 150 performances had ticket prices of $10 or less.
As our company has grown, so has our vision. Early in 2009, we christened ourselves the Contemporary Theater Company to better reflect our new direction. In 2012, we opened a 100-seat theater at 327 Main Street, bringing theater to the heart of our community.
In 2015, we purchased 321 Main Street, behind the theater at 327 Main Street, and began the construction of the Charles Errol Exley Jr. Performance Patio and renovations to the building to include rehearsal space, workshops, and an artist residence. The patio now hosts our summer Shakespeare on the Saugatucket season and community events throughout the year with the Wakefield Village Association like Endless Summer Concert, Oktoberfest, and Winter Wonderland!
In June 2018, we purchased the theater that we've called home since 2012! It's a huge milestone for us, and we couldn't have gotten here without the support of our wonderful audiences, donors, and artists! In 2019 we expanded our performance patio and lobby. In 2021 - 2022, we expanded our rehearsal studio adding a new rehearsal room, indoor bar for the patio, office space, and balconies over the patio.
All the while, we have retained a dedication to bringing theater and the arts to everyone. But don’t just take our word for it. In 2010, the Providence Phoenix called us the “Best New and Yummy Theater Troupe” and a year later called us “The Best Theater Company” in all of Rhode Island. In 2012, Rhode Island Monthly awarded us a coveted Best of Rhode Island for artistic revitalization. In 2015, Rhode Island Monthly awarded our Micetro Improv troupe the title of “Best Improv Competition” and our set design for Lysistrata won a Motif Award for "Best Set Design." In 2016, we received 10 Motif Theatre Awards for Sweeney Todd, Narragansett Valkyrie, and Planet Christmas. In 2016, The Newport Mercury named Slamming Doors: An Improvised Farce the Most Innovative Production of the year, and in 2017 gave the same distinction to An Iliad. In 2017, we received a Motif Award for "Most Bombastic Fight Choreography" for our production of Macbeth. In 2018, we received a Motif Award for "Best Set Design" Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead.
More Teeth online theater reviews says, “CTC has made it evident in past productions that they are here to play.” We encourage you to come play with us!
