“[KCPublic] is a professional theater company that has already made its mark through its mission of deploying “Radical Hospitality” to provide theater to every person: presenting all shows free of charge in a variety of accessible locations, performing plays both classic and contemporary that are topical and full of diverse actors and stories, hiring area playwrights for the Theatre Lab series of staged readings and small productions, and further building community through audience conversations and local partnerships”
– Missouri Arts Council
Staff
Elizabeth Bettendorf Bowman – Executive Artistic Director
Elizabeth Bettendorf Bowman (she/her) is a theatre artist dedicated to making the arts truly accessible. Since graduating from Northwest Missouri State University in 2012, she has made Kansas City her home and has worked at several area not-for-profit companies. She received her Master of Arts in Theatre from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and is a faculty member at Benedictine College where she teaches theatre courses. She has also taught for Kansas City Kansas Community College at the Fort Leavenworth correctional facilities.
As a director and administrator, Elizabeth has worked at such companies as the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Coterie Theatre, Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, Act ONE Theatre Academy, Corbin Theatre, and KC Fringe. Through her work in theatre education and outreach, Elizabeth was inspired to create a theatre which reaches all corners of the diverse Kansas City community. By producing free theatre, Elizabeth hopes to foster the creativity of our citizens and explore the truly global nature of the Kansas City region.
Nathan Bowman, Ph.D. – Producing Artistic Director
Nathan Bowman (he/him) is a theatre artist, musician, and educator from Kansas City, MO. Embracing an interdisciplinary approach to theatre, Nathan holds a Master of Arts in Religious Studies and his PhD in Theatre from the University of Kansas.
Prior to founding KCPublic, Nathan worked at a number of Kansas City area theatre companies includes eight seasons at KCRep. Nathan has trained at both the New York based SITI Company and at Second City in Chicago. Nathan has worked internationally in Montreal and works in Greece as an actor and director, most recently directing Antigone at the Ancient Theaters of Oiniades and Messene. Currently, he is Vice-President of Mid-America Theatre Conference where he previously served as Co-Chair of Playwriting. He is the Book Review Editor for the journal Theatre Topics. His essays and acting workshops have been featured in a number of publications and festivals both nationally and abroad. By producing free theatre, Nathan hopes to create an open space for intercultural exchange and imaginative new ways of telling stories.
Micah Thompson – Resident Lighting Designer
Micah Thompson is a lighting designer based in Kansas City, MO. Micah earned his BA in Theatre at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He has worked and designed with local theatre companies around the Kansas City such as the Fishtank Theatre and Kansas City Public Theatre. KCPublic credits include: The Head of Medusa, The Real Barbee: Unmasked, Tipton, Faustus, The Holy Trinity, and Mirrors.
In addition to lighting design, Micah is a photographer and SPED educator in the Kansas City area who desires to enrich and inspire other through the arts in the community.
Terraye Watson – Artistic Associate
Terraye Watson is a Kansas City native who has been working professionally as a stage manager, dramaturg, and actor since 2015. He received his BA in Theatre Arts from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Ray has appeared in numerous productions around Kansas City, including Flood (KCRep); The Color Purple the Musical (MET); The Inheritance Parts 1 & 2 (Unicorn Theatre); Dot (Kansas City Actors Theatre); Stick Fly (KC Black Rep); Oedipus the King and Mirrors (KCPublic); Stealing Kandinsky, FunnyHouse of a Negro (KC Melting Pot).
Board of Directors
Emmy Panzica-Piontek – President
Mark Exline –Vice-President
Dawn Youngs –Treasurer
Ryan Bernsten–Secretary
Victoria Barbee
Kathy Breeden
Stephen Howard
Kris Kirkwood
Gary Mosby
Interested in joining our Board of Directors?
Board members are a vital part of our organization’s success and they are our greatest champions in the community. They fundraise, help in season selection, introduce us to new patrons and artists, and assist in partnerships. Our board even goes the extra mile to practice “Radical Hospitality” by engaging audiences and artists at KCPublic events!
Kansas City Public Theatre 