Meet Kappy Kilburn of The Human Race Theatre Company

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kappy Kilburn.

Hi Kappy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story is a winding one. Since being introduced to ballet and theatre at a very young age, I have done it all – stage manager, carpenter, electrician, producer, director, crew, scenic designer. I learned everything I could about how it all gets made and realized early that I am a terrible actress and prefer to make stories come alive from behind the scenes. Thus I am an Executive Director. I have lived in Los Angeles and NYC but since my father grew up in Middletown Ohio, “returning” to Dayton to lead The Human Race Theatre Company has always felt like coming home.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been more winding than tough. I love this artform so the tough makes it worth it. I think the most profound challenges have been about finding my voice: What matters to me in the storytelling? Who’s story do I help tell? How do we run this business in innovative and sustainable ways? I have learned to trust my gut and the experts at my side and have faith in trying something new.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
As Dayton’s professional regional theatre company, Human Race Theatre Company advances the human race through theatre made by and for the Miami Valley—exploring the human experience while promoting enlightenment, inclusion, and understanding. Founded in 1986 and based at the 212-seat, fully accessible Loft Theatre (Metropolitan Arts Center), we are a vital cultural anchor for communities across Montgomery, Greene, and Clark counties, with audiences also traveling from the greater Cincinnati and Columbus areas.

In 2024–25, HRTC served 14,593 individuals through artistic programming and reached approximately 3,000 people through education and engagement, including 477 middle and high school students. We also provide meaningful local employment: 80% of the 121 artists we employed last season were based in the Miami Valley region.

New work is central to our identity. Across our history, audiences have experienced 19 world premieres at HRTC, and in recent years we have produced five world premieres while building a pipeline for Ohio-based writers through commissions, workshops, and productions.

We are also focused on access and sustainability. Ticket pricing and bundling help ensure affordability, and 17% of our audience participated through access initiatives. Operationally, we have taken concrete steps to reduce deficits, including shortening mainstage runs to lower costs while increasing attendance, and strengthening fundraising capacity through targeted institutional support. We are using our 40th Anniversary celebrations to raise dedicated funds to bolster operating and reserve strength.

Finally, we are honored to be a finalist for the 2024 and 2025 Torch Award for Ethics from the Better Business Bureau of Dayton and the Miami Valley. This recognition reflects our commitment to integrity, transparency, and trust alongside artistic excellence. As one judge said: “The Human Race Theatre Company demonstrates a long-standing, meaningful commitment to the Dayton community through diverse programming, partnerships, and accessible initiatives. The depth, longevity, and intentionality of these efforts, supported by robust documentation, position this organization as a model for community impact. The Human Race Theatre makes me proud to be a transplanted Daytonian.”

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Full time staff ranges from 6-8 along with 2 part time, 2 fellows and 2 contractors. Throughout the year, though, we contract between 125-200 artists and craftspeople for our production and arts education work.
Our supporters run in the hundreds – between subscribers, board members, and donors/sponsors.

Pricing:

• $10 Rush Ticket to every performance
• $20 Side section seats
• Subscription packages range from $150-$275
• $14.99/month Memberships
• Half off Military and Student tickets

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.humanracetheatre.org
• Instagram: humanracetheatre
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/humanracetheatre
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thehumanracetheatrecompany9564