Staff
Tammy Brown
(she/her)
Artistic Director
Tammy took over the role of Artistic Director in late 2020 after serving as Associate Artistic Director from 2019 - 2020. She has been an ensemble member of the CTC since 2012, performing in over 10 mainstage productions including the lead role in Hamlet, and directing both Shakespeare on the Saugatucket and indoor mainstage productions. She has worked at theaters across Rhode Island for over a decade.
Maggie Cady
(she/her)
General Manager
Maggie has been a CTC staff member since 2012, serving as Communication Director from 2012-2017 and General Manager starting in 2018. She started her life in the theater at 6 months old as Maggie the Magnificent Mini Magician and has been working ever since. At the CTC, she has worked as a director, lighting designer, stage manager, improviser, teacher, and general problem solver on over 60 productions.
Rebecca Magnotta
(she/her)
Director of Art and Design
Rebecca has been working full-time for the CTC as resident graphic designer and scenic painter since graduating from URI with a degree in Theatre in 2017. She has been a frequent actor with the CTC since first joining the ensemble in 2011, performing in over 20 mainstage productions, as well as a director.
Brendan (Father) Kelley
(he/him)
Facilities and Box Office Manager
Brendan Kelley (also known as Father Kelley) has been the Box Office Manager for the Contemporary Theater Company since 2013. If you are looking for him, follow the music... He's probably in the gardens... And he'll be happy to help...
Sophia Pearson
(she/her)
Assistant General Manager
Sophia has been an actor and improviser at the CTC since 2013, performing in over 20 productions. She graduated from Rhode Island College with a BA in Musical Theater, and (maybe not so) surprisingly spent the following years working as a Quality Support Associate for a large family medicine practice, a barista at Starbucks, and a Medicare Sales Associate at BCBS RI. Thankfully, she became a full-time staff member at the CTC in 2021, combining her love of theater and Excel spreadsheets, in the pursuit of making art that is meaningful and accessible for this community.
Paula Glen
(she/her)
Box Office Assistant
Paula first came to the CTC as an Improv 101 student in 2021 and never left, appearing both onstage and at the keyboards for scripted plays and improv shows. A graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC and a former Academy Rep member, she has appeared onstage or directed at over 20 theaters in five states.
Board of Directors
Ryan Sekac
President
Born and raised a Rhode Island native, Ryan has had the pleasure of serving on the board of the CTC for six years, with three of those years in his current capacity as President. Ryan has been a member of the CTC community for only a little longer, having first appeared on stage there in 2016. Ryan's career in the defense industry started in 2011, and since then he has led teams in design data assurance, software program acquisition and execution, and today works as a software systems integrator for Leidos, focusing on air force software systems. He continues to support the theater as President, as well as artistically, directing shows and appearing on stage.
Noel Simpson
Treasurer
Noel Simpson has been a board member and Treasurer for the Contemporary Theater Company for the past several years. He has worked at the Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA) for 31 years and is currently the Senior Director of Finance and Operations. Noel also served on the Board of the Education Finance Council based in Washington, DC. He is active in the local college financial aid community and is a Certified Public Accountant. In his spare time, he likes to travel around the US or the other side of the pond. Ask him about a place and he’ll talk about it all day. Most importantly he’s proud to see the growth of the CTC community and its performers and programs.
Paul Kassabian
Secretary
Paul Kassabian has been a member of the CTC board since January of 2023. He is a former Director of NCAA Compliance at the University of Rhode Island and a former track and field coach. He has performed in all aspects of theater (improv, scripted, mainstage, and springboard productions) at the Contemporary Theater since 2014. He is an ardent supporter of the arts and has even been instrumental in the actual building and financing of the theater’s expansions.
Peter Bucci
Director
Peter Bucci, a Rhode Island native turned Chicago transplant, brings over a decade of dedication to the Contemporary Theater Company, where he has served on the board for three years. He was recently appointed Finance Committee Chair in 2024. As a finance manager at CCC Intelligent Solutions, Peter specializes in scaling key growth initiatives and reporting. Alongside his professional endeavors, he is known for hosting the annual CTC Christmas Cocktail Cabaret, combining his passion for the arts with his commitment to community engagement.
Christopher J Simpson
Director
Christopher J Simpson, a South Kingstown native, was the founding Artistic Director of the CTC and served in that role for 16 seasons, before transitioning to Executive Director for two seasons before leaving the staff to join the board. Chris brings his extensive theatrical expertise to bear on the board, along with his acumen for small business development, and his passion for community engagement. He believes deeply in the value of building confidence and skill through experiences in the arts, and in the ripples of community conversation that multiply with each new person reached. Theater will change a person, and each person can change the world.
Terry Simpson
Director
Terry Simpson has served on the Board of Directors since CTC’s inception and serves as its legal adviser. He is an attorney whose practice focuses on estate planning, probate and elder care. He also prosecutes misdemeanors in state court for the town of South Kingstown. Terry is an actor and has performed in over 40 shows at CTC and other local theaters. In his spare time he likes to hike and work on jigsaw puzzles.
Marissa Dufault
Director
Marissa Dufault has been working with the Contemporary Theater Company for more than a decade as a member of the staff, a member of the ensemble, and now a member of the board. In her day to day life, she is an event planner, professional plant lady, and small business owner of Whimsy and Fluff, a handmade clothing company. On the CTC board she serves as the chair of the Events Committee and is thrilled to be here!
Ron Cowie
Director
Ron Cowie has served in various capacities at the CTC, and currently leads the board Development team. He is a professional photographer and videographer at Oyster Farm Productions. Ron is a fine arts photographer with images in the permanent collection of the Newport Art Museum and Boston Public Library. Ron lives in South Kingstown with his wildly talented and delightful wife, Eden Casteel, and the mercurial cat Jack “The Hater” Kennedy, Senator from Massachusetts.
John Gebretatose
Director
John Gebretatose has been performing stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy in Minnesota's Twin Cities for over 15 years. He is the Co-Executive Director & Director of Diversity and Inclusion at HUGE Theater in Minneapolis, MN. John has taught countless improv workshops in theaters, hospitals, corporate workspaces, K-12 schools, and colleges worldwide. He has led and facilitated diversity and inclusion programming for improv theaters worldwide in service to his mission to uplift all voices. John trained and worked at the Brave New Workshop and is a founding member of Blackout Improv, Late Nights Minneapolis (a sketch comedy show), and co-founder of the Black and Funny Improv Festival.