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kitchen_front120The Kitchen Theatre Company announced last Friday that Rachel Burttram has joined the full-time staff as Director of Audience Services and Community Programs and mentor for the Next Steps Job Creation Program.  This new position is part of a pilot project receiving funding from the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency.

In addition to assisting subscribers and ticket buyers and nightly front of house duties, Ms. Burttram will also mentor three paid trainees working 22 to 30 hours a week. This job creation project offers 18-24 year-olds entry-level positions working at the Kitchen Theatre. Their primary focus will be working as front of house staff, but they will also have opportunities to experience working in other areas of the theater.

Rachel Lampert, Kitchen Theatre Company Artistic Director, initiated the planning for the project.

"I saw a program like at a NYC theater," she says. "When we moved to the new space, we were all interested in building strong relationships in our new neighborhood. Creating job opportunities is a wonderful way to engage the community."

Managing Director Stephen Nunley adds, "We are very grateful to the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency for their support of this project. We are looking forward to this important new Kitchen initiative. Training young people to work at the theater will help us and also prepare them for future employment opportunities."

Burttram has hit the ground running.  "I have been getting to know Ithaca as fast as I can," she says. "My first responsibility was to get the word out about the program, meet with agencies that assist youth, and encourage young people to apply for these positions."

Burttram brings years of experience with her. Most recently she worked at Florida Repertory Theatre where she was the mentor for their intern program, created community programs and worked both on and off-stage.

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