Who We Are

our mission

We aim to nurture our audience's understanding of the connection between theatre and relevant social issues through the presentation of contemporary works in nontraditional settings.

As Kent's only source of theatre operating outside of an educational institution, Theatre Battery tasks local artists to create socially testing and unapologetic work that ignites the community.

In collaboration with audiences, artists, and fellow businesses alike, we envision providing our region with a vital outlet for artistic reflection and invigoration, one that champions the tremendous diversity of Kent and Western Washington.

We envision serving an audience with access to new material otherwise kept exclusive to urban centers, while growing as a professional home for emerging and established artists from around the sound.

Radical Hospitality

Radical Hospitality (a term coined for use in theatre by the Mixed Blood Theatre Company in Minneapolis) applies to all material created by Theatre Battery. By removing the ticket price entirely, Theatre Battery aims to reduce barriers to arts participation within the community of South King County.

After a full season of no-cost admission during 2016, the staff found that eliminating ticket costs allows new theatre-goers to more readily take a chance on (and spread the word about) something they have never experienced. Such increased accessibility has been prioritized so that Theatre Battery can more accurately reflect the diverse demographics of Kent within its audience.

Theatre Battery’s finances are drawn entirely from grants and individual donors, most of which give anonymously following performances. Theatre Battery is supported by grants from The Seattle Foundation, 4Culture, The Kent Arts Commission, The Washington State Arts Commission, and others. Shunpike is Theatre Battery’s 501(c)3 Fiscal Sponsor.

Kent Station Collaboration

The 2019 Summer Season marks the seventh year of collaboration between the Kent Station® shopping center and the emerging artists of Theatre Battery. In an effort to invigorate Kent’s Downtown district with new art, Kent Station® has opened the doors of its available retail space each summer for the construction of our pop-up style theatre.

Located on 18 acres in the heart of downtown Kent, Kent Station® is an urban shopping village developed by Tarragon, a developer with offices in Seattle and Sumner, WA. The 470,000 sq. ft., mixed-use development features locally-owned and national retail stores, professional office space, and dining and entertainment, including a 14-screen AMC Theatres Cineplex and a branch campus of Green River College. For more information about Kent Station®, visit www.kentstation.com or contact Cynthia Boyd at 253-856-2301.