Gee is a self-taught visual artist who returned to his childhood passion for photorealistic drawing after a business career that was sidelined by COVID-19. Gee’s art reflects the world around him as seen through the eyes of his niece and nephew. Learn what drives the passion behind his art and how the Weston Art Gallery launched his career as a professional artist. CLICK FOR VIDEO
Every great work of art tells a story. Whether through a sweeping symphony at Music Hall, a breathtaking performance at the Aronoff Center, or bold new works in the Weston Art Gallery, the arts have the power to connect, inspire, and transform. In this report, we reflect on our collective impact in the Cincinnati community through stories shaped by the passion of creative individuals who have been uniquely affected by the work the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) does every day.
Our successful 2023–24 season marked our 29th year of the combined operation of the Aronoff Center and Music Hall. We are proud of our stewardship of these venues and of our roles as arts promoter, presenter, and educator. We are truly grateful for the commitment and support of our visionary Board of Trustees; tireless staff; helpful volunteers; generous donors, sponsors, and members; talented artists; and loyal audiences, who enable us to share experiences on our stages and in our galleries that resonate with a variety of audiences.
This year, we are especially thankful for the work and dedication of our friend, Senator Stanley J. Aronoff, who passed away on January 31, 2024. One of the highlights of the season was a Celebration of Life honoring Stan, hosted by his family with the support
of CAA. The memorable event included many heartfelt and humorous stories from friends and family about Stan—a testament to a remarkable man without whom there would be no Aronoff Center in Cincinnati.
In this report, you will not only learn about our 2023–24 season, but also meet some of the remarkable people who make our work possible—CAA staff and board members, visual and teaching artists, the president of one of our founding resident companies, a fundraising champion, and the recently retired Director of the Weston Art Gallery for nearly three decades. Through video links, you will discover their stories of engagement and hear how CAA’s influence extends far beyond our physical spaces. We hope you will come to know and understand the many reasons the arts are important to our community.
As we approach the 150th anniversary of Music Hall and the 30th anniversary of the Aronoff Center, there is much to remember and celebrate. We hope this report will remind you of your own stories of involvement. What made you smile, hum an unforgettable tune, become lost in the music, or think differently about the arts or the human condition?
Photographer and author Peter Forbes once wrote: “Stories create community, enable us to see through the eyes of other people, and open us to the claims of others.”
May you continue to create community by telling our stories and your own, for the transformative power of the arts and human stories are an inspiration to us all!
With gratitude,
Stephen A. Loftin
Dudley S. Taft President Chairman, Board of Trustees
2023–24 season
Whether it was nostalgia, laughter, suspense, music, or sheer joy, CAA Presents delivered an eclectic mix of entertainment that brought our diverse community together for many memorable experiences. These shows complemented another extraordinary arts season in Greater Cincinnati.
September 19–21 (4 performances) Aronoff Center—Procter & Gamble Hall
As this Emmy ® Award-winning TV show came to life on stage, young fans and their families were beaming with delight, especially when they joined in a game of Keepy-Uppy in the audience after the curtain call.
September 22 • Aronoff Center— Procter & Gamble Hall
After long weeks in the classroom, an enthusiastic audience of educators (and other comedy fans) were ready to unwind with some of the funniest teachercomedians in the nation who shared hilarious, real-life stories.
October 29 • Music Hall — Springer Auditorium
Just in time for Halloween, Lore creator Aaron Mahnke and composer Chad Lawson brought their award-winning podcast to Cincinnati, sharing true life scary stories in the hauntingly beautiful setting of Music Hall.
The Old Friends Acoustic Tour Starring Ben Rector with his old friend Jordy Searcy
November 3 • Aronoff Center— Procter & Gamble Hall
Critically acclaimed singersongwriter Ben Rector was joined by The Voice alum Jordy Searcy for an intimate evening of music, including Rector’s chart-topping hit “Brand New” and a brandnew song they created in the moment from audience ideas.
Price is Right Live™
March 5 • Aronoff Center— Procter & Gamble Hall
Fans of this popular TV show had the chance to “Come On Down!” and play classic games like Plinko™, Cliffhangers™, The Big Wheel™, and the fabulous Showcase for a chance to win cash prizes, appliances, vacations, and maybe even a brand-new car!
Christmas with C.S. Lewis, starring David Payne
December 20–23 (5 performances) Aronoff Center —Jarson-Kaplan Theater
Acclaimed British actor and playwright David Payne brought the legendary C.S. Lewis to life in this moving holiday performance that lovingly revealed how an encounter with his great friend J.R.R. Tolkien changed his beliefs about Christmas.
RAIN: A Tribute to The Beatles— Magical Mystery Tour
April 20 • Aronoff Center—Procter & Gamble Hall
For a record-breaking 10th engagement, CAA once again welcomed this mesmerizing Beatles tribute band in a theatrical concert that transported fans back to the iconic eras of Sgt. Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour.
Men Are From Mars – Women Are From Venus LIVE!
April 5 –7 (4 performances) Aronoff Center—Jarson-Kaplan Theater
Inspired by The New York Times #1 best-selling book, the 10th anniversary of this uproarious one-man show—part theater and part stand up—had couples nudging each other all night as they recognized their own relationships.
Marvel’s passion for the arts is infectious, whether she is talking about her life-long love of dance, her growing career in marketing, or her time as a member of CAA’s Board of Trustees. Learn why the arts have been a driving force in her life, and why she believes CAA’s diversity of programming is vitally important to her, our young people, and our entire community.
alice f. and harris k.
The Weston Art Gallery’s twentyninth exhibition season was a comprehensive exploration of the diverse and culturally rich worlds of artists who offered their own insightful interpretations of our increasingly complex society. From indigenous heritage to racial and sexual identity, consumerism, mass consumption, climate change, our fraught relationship with nature, and the ongoing refugee crisis, this season’s exhibitions sparked meaningful conversations.
Throughout the 2023–24 season, we showcased eleven exhibitions featuring thirty-three local and regional artists who brought their unique vision and creative ingenuity to the Weston. Our educational offerings included Gallery Talks, public tours, Families Create! workshops, and the Docentitos youth docent program, all of which created enhanced opportunities for introspection and interaction with this season’s ambitious exhibitions.
The ever-popular Canstruction® display delighted audiences while supporting the Freestore Foodbank, and our ongoing concert series with Southbank Quartet filled the galleries with music, inviting new audiences to enjoy the Weston.
Fresh opportunities to engage a wider audience included the second annual presentation of Weston Works, a community-engagement upcycling event that challenges artists to transform recycled Weston printed materials into new works of art. In addition, touch tours for visually impaired patrons were initiated in partnership with Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired to expand accessibility at the Weston.
A special highlight of the season was our Pride Parade/Festival workshop held outside on the Aronoff Center’s North Plaza on June 21 that creatively engaged a diverse audience on their way to the parade.
As we explore new opportunities to feature talented regional artists in our galleries, we remain committed to providing an artistic environment that nurtures creativity, engagement, and dialogue.
September 15–November 12
Rebecca Nava Soto’s (Cincinnati, OH) installation in the Weston’s street-level space explored themes of ritual, language, and landscape through her use of mixed-media sculptural painting and ephemeral installations..
September 15–November 12
Tobi Ewing (Dayton, OH) presented paintings in an immersive environment designed to activate stories, space, and time and to elevate the Black African Indigenous design perspective and the world-building capabilities of Black creative expression.
September 15–November 12
Lane (Cleveland, OH) combined photography, text, and sound to engage with ideas of parallel process, spatiality, land, and its relationship to bodily autonomy, interconnectivity, geographies of confinement, whiteness, freedom, and the teachings inherent in the natural world.
November 18–January 7
To celebrate one of the most coveted and enduring arts grants in the region, the Weston Art Gallery presented twelve Cincinnati-area artists who received Summerfair Aid to Individual Artists Awards from 2019–21. Participating artists included Susan Byrnes, Ana England, Maureen France, Devan Horton, John Humphries, Cynthia Lockhart, Jan Nickum, Lisa MeridaPaytes, Stephen Wheeler, Jan Wiesner, Mark Wiesner, and Alice Pixley Young.
Brianna Gluszak: Late Bloomer
January 19–March 3
Brianna Gluszak (Columbus, OH) employed various playful motifs, gendered forms, materials, and captivating color through glassmaking, textiles, and installation to blur the distinctions created between feminine and masculine ideals.
January 19–March 3
Aaron Peters’ (Columbus, OH) site-specific installation incorporated hand-bent glass tubes that emanated light and color onto the walls, corners, and people in their vicinity forming their own atmospheres and permeable fields, dissolving the boundaries between space, surfaces, objects, and the viewer.
March 5–24
Organized by the Cincinnati chapters of the American Institute of Architects and the Society for Design Administration, Canstruction® is an international design/ build competition of the architecture and engineering industry that benefits the Freestore Foodbank and its efforts to overcome hunger in our community. Five architecture and design teams built structures at the Weston this year with additional structures located throughout downtown Cincinnati. Since its first competition in 1998, Cincinnati Canstruction® has contributed 817,000 pounds of food to the Freestore Foodbank, enough to provide more than 681,000 meals to needy families and individuals in the Tri-state area.
January 19–March 3
Molly Jo Burke and Nathan Gorgen’s (Cincinnati, OH) collaborative artwork focused on the use of excess materials from their daily lives, artistic practices, and surrounding natural and built environments to create “semi-functional” artwork that recalls domestic objects such as tableware, furniture, or references to the architectural spaces that we inhabit.
March 9–24
The second annual Weston Works Art Challenge was a community outreach project designed as an upcycling event. Participants created artworks from past Weston marketing materials. There were over 80 participants, including professional artists, students from Mercy McAuley High School and the Art Academy, and Visionaries + Voices artists.
June 21–August 18
In this new body of installation-based work incorporating fiber and sculpture, Kelly Kroener (Cincinnati, OH) investigated the natural environment and our fraught relationship with it.
Sharareh Khosravani: Windy Land
June 21–August 18
Sharareh Khosravani’s (Cincinnati, OH) ambitious project featured a site-specific installation and documentation of public events in response to the refugee crisis, addressing the urgent need for survival in a refugee situation.
June 21–August 18
Josie Love Roebuck’s (Newport, KY) embellished textile portraits addressed the contemporary complexity of identifying as biracial through symbolizing pain and triumph, exclusion and acceptance.
Find out how Rebecca, a Latinx Chicanx multidisciplinary artist, uses Mesoamerican art history to create art. Her indigenous heritage informs her work and sparks her imagination. See what’s possible for marginalized artists by viewing her story of empowerment, and learn why she calls the Weston Art Gallery a guiding light for her in terms of feeding what’s possible.
The 2023–24 season was another outstanding year for the Cincinnati Arts Association, showcasing our leadership in advancing the arts across the Greater Cincinnati region. We remained dedicated to fostering lifelong engagement with the arts, recognizing its essential role in enhancing wellbeing and strengthening communities. Through a range of programs and partnerships, we promoted inclusivity, belonging, and access, reaching thousands of participants, educators, and organizations. The season was marked by growth, impact, and deeper community connection, as we championed the arts in various sectors, from empowering youth through school programs to providing healing arts in healthcare settings.
SchoolTime Bringing students and educators to our venues for national touring arts education events, SchoolTime provided rich arts learning experiences for students. Offerings grew to seventeen performances at the Aronoff Center that reached more than 9,300 attendees, with 67% of the youth served coming from low-income households. A collaboration with the Honolulu Theatre for Youth enriched the program, giving the students a unique opportunity to explore Native Hawaiian culture through workshops and performances.
on
Connecting local teaching artists to area schools and cultural centers, Artists on Tour expanded this year to include new artists such as Band in a Bus and Cincinnati Opera. A partnership with the Brighton Center in Newport, KY, further supported our arts programming for families striving toward selfsufficiency. While school bookings decreased slightly, overall attendance increased by 5%, underscoring the program’s deep impact on the community.
In its second year, Afterschool Expand flourished, serving eleven schools and providing trauma-informed training for teaching artists through a workshop hosted by the Bartol Foundation. This training helped artists create more supportive, inclusive classrooms. By emphasizing trauma-informed care and social-emotional learning, the program ensured meaningful and supportive arts experiences for students. The initiative also expanded its roster of artists, broadening its reach in the community.
The region’s largest solo artist competition for high school students, the Overture Awards was once again a major highlight of the season. While the number of competitors dipped slightly, audience attendance rose. The semi-finals competition was held in-person for the first time since the pandemic. This year’s finalists displayed impressive talents, including a standout performance of Indian Classical Carnatic Music. Instrumental Music winner Christy Kim received significant media attention, which raised the program’s visibility. In total, $38,000 in scholarships were awarded, adding to the nearly $1 million awarded over the program’s twenty-seven years.
CAA remained committed to making the arts accessible to underserved communities. The SchoolTime Ticket & Transportation Subsidy program distributed $53,846 in subsidies to low-income schools, allowing more than 13,400 students and teachers to experience live performances. Additionally, the Artists on Tour Subsidy provided support to low-income schools, impacting a total of 15,732 students and educators and allowing twenty-nine schools to experience CAA arts programming for the first time.
We deepened our commitment to community engagement through a diverse collection of special projects and impactful partnerships. A strategic initiative was launched to make CAA a more welcoming, inclusive, and equitable organization.
Our Arts in Healing program was a cornerstone of this mission, reaching more than 11,800 people through collaborations with healthcare institutions such as the VA Medical Center, Hospice of Cincinnati, UC Health, and TriHealth Day Treatment Center. The program offered non-clinical artistic interventions that improved the well-being of patients, families, and healthcare providers. Of note is the creation of a mural at the VA Medical Center’s TRAC Unit, marking the first mural completed on a federal building in Cincinnati.
Other special projects, such as the Underground Jazz Festival and the area-wide Little Amal puppet event, showcased our dedication to cultural inclusion and community connection. Our Broadway Partnership provided discounted tickets for underserved students who might not ever attend a Broadway show to experience MJ The Musical and Disney’s Aladdin.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to fostering discovery, creativity, and artistic connection throughout the Cincinnati region— enhancing well-being, sharing unique stories, and enriching our vibrant community.
“Every
child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to see your thoughts in color? That’s how See experiences the world. He helps children understand and express their emotions through art, a transformative process that he deeply believes in. From sidewalk chalk and finger paints to his role as a teaching artist with CAA, See knows that creativity is a powerful tool for growth at any age, sparking “breakthrough” moments.
September 5–17 • Aronoff Center—Procter & Gamble Hall
Broadway in Cincinnati began its season with a thrilling two-week engagement of the global phenomenon that celebrates Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry and centers around the making of Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour. The Tony ®-winning musical went beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Jackson into legendary status.
September 22–24 • Music Hall—Springer Auditorium
Grammy®- and Oscar®-winning composer and musical icon
Stephen Schwartz joined conductor John Morris Russell and the Cincinnati Pops for breathtaking performances of his exquisite songs in an unforgettable evening of musical theatre from Godspell to Wicked and beyond.
September 8–16 • Aronoff Center—Fifth Third Bank Theater
Cincinnati Music Theatre’s sold-out run continued its Studio Series’ track record of delivering crowd-pleasing shows with music that audiences know and love. This trip down memory lane to the 1970s delivered a variety of music styles from the decade and showcased the diverse talent that CMT brings to the Aronoff’s stages.
From Spirit Eagles Land, Hōkioi me the vwōhali
November 17–18 • Aronoff Cen ter—Jarson-Kaplan Theater
This work connects two nations, two cultures, two eagles, two worlds, two landscapes, and two waters. Exhale Dance Tribe (Cincinnati) and Ōkareka Dance Company (New Zealand) came together to celebrate and honor the legacy of two illustrious eagles: Referencing the whakapapa (genealogy) between the Hōkioi (Haast Eagle—Māori, New Zealand, ext. 1400) and the Vwōhali (Golden Eagle, Cherokee, North Carolina).
Thomas’ Hamlet
November 17 & 19
Music Hall—Springer Auditorium
Louis Langrée brought Ambroise Thomas’ grand opera Hamlet to Cincinnati in partnership with Opéra-Comique. Louis Langrée led the CSO and May Festival Chorus in this new touring production—a musical setting of Shakespeare’s story of the melancholic Prince Hamlet, his murderous uncle, ghostly father, and lover driven to madness.
David Choate’s Hot Chocolate
December 1–9 Aronoff Center— Jarson-Kaplan Theater
Revolution Dance Theatre—Cincinnati’s professional Black ballet company— returned for its third annual performance of the region’s largest African American Nutcracker experience. The beloved holiday production included original music, David Choate’s choreography, and impressive staging.
Don Quixote
February 16–25 • Music Hall—Springer Auditorium
For the first time in more than a decade, Cincinnati audiences enjoyed this full-length story ballet based on Miguel de Cervantes’ classic novel. With castanets, fiery flamenco, and (of course!) a sword battle with a windmill, Cincinnati Ballet’s engaging production was pure fun for the whole family.
February 17 • Music Hall Ballroom
CAA established a partnership and sponsorship with Lush Life Brand for the return of this popular event, which sold out two sessions. Showcasing more than thirty renowned wine brands from across the country, the Wine Fest celebrated the rich diversity, artistry, and innovation of Black winemakers. This event also allowed CAA to expand the selection of wines available for purchase at the venue’s performances by partnering with two new vendors from this Festival: Revel Urban Winery, a winery in Over-the-Rhine, and Love Corkscrew, one of the nation’s few female, minority-owned winemakers.
April 5–7
• Aronoff Center—Procter & Gamble Hall
The Cincinnati Ballet presented four cutting-edge contemporary works including a world premiere from choreographer Rena Butler, with costumes from Cincinnati fashion designer Asha Ama Bias-Daniels. The dance event was part of FLOW—ArtsWave’s African American Arts Experience series.
April 7 • Music Hall—Springer Auditorium
The audience was on its feet dancing at this fun music event which combined the raw energy and passion of hip-hop with the beautiful sounds of live orchestra accompaniment. Also featuring a party-rocking DJ, a soul-stirring female vocalist, and a fire-breathing MC, the Illharmonic is just the third hip-hop group to headline its own performance at NYC’s Carnegie Hall.
April 23–May 5 • Aronoff Center— Procter & Gamble Hall
Presented by Broadway in Cincinnati, this electrifying, Tony ® Awardwinning musical phenomenon rocked the Aronoff. The original new musical takes the six wives of Henry VIII from Tudor Queens to pop icons. The women of SIX remixed five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a celebration of 21st century girl power, making for a show that has been a hit with audiences all over the world.
April 12–14 • Music Hall—Springer Auditorium Conductor John Morris Russell and the Pops presented Peter Boyer’s poignant Ellis Island: The Dream of America, celebrating the historic American immigrant experience and the American dream. The program opened by showcasing the vibrancy of Cincinnati’s international communities and presented cultural dance traditions and music from around the world, including performers from Cincinnati Baila! Dance Academy.
April 16 • Aronoff Center—Fifth Third Bank Theater Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative presented eight local playwrights’ short plays that were focused on environmental issues in celebration of Earth Day. Proceeds from the sold-out event supported the Miami Group Sierra Club. The playwrights were provided written audience feedback to help them further develop their scripts.
Louis’ Grand Finale
May 10–12 • Music Hall—Springer Auditorium
In his final program as Music Director, Louis Langrée and the CSO shared the stage one more time for a performance that paid tribute to highlights of their time together over the past eleven years. Grammy ® Award-winning soprano Latonia Moore joined the CSO for the world premiere of a new orchestral song cycle by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Anthony Davis.
May 25 • Music Hall—Springer Auditorium
Julia Wolfe’s Her Story invoked the words of historical figures and the spirit of pivotal moments in history to pay tribute to the centuries of ongoing struggle for equal rights and representation for women in America. This final concert of the 2024 May Festival concluded with Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem conducted by François López-Ferrer, former associate conductor of the CSO and the May Festival.
May 23 • Music Hall—Springer Auditorium
The 2024 May Festival was the inaugural season of its new artistic model and was curated by Festival Director Julia Wolfe. Voices of the Earth included the performance of Michael Gordon’s Natural History, a collaboration between the composer and the Steiger Butte Singers that was written and commissioned to mark the centennial of the National Park System.
May 31–June 1 • Aronoff Center—Jarson-Kaplan Theater
Mutual Dance Theatre, Cincinnati’s resident modern dance company, brought audiences a tantalizing platter of daring new pieces of modern dance from both local and national choreographers. This collection of womxn-led works explored the themes of sacrifice, creation, and the connection between mind and body.
featuring Don Giovanni
June 15 • Music Hall— Springer Auditorium
Cincinnati Opera partnered with CABVI and Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired to host Access Night, featuring the company’s production of Don Giovanni. The event shone a spotlight on the amenities available at the Opera—including large-print and braille programs, assistive listening devices, audio description, and more—to ensure that audiences with diverse accessibility needs had an excellent performance-going experience.
June 22 • Aronoff Center—Procter & Gamble Hall
The family of Stanley J. Aronoff, with the support of CAA, hosted a moving and memorable Celebration of Life for the beloved Senator who passed away on January 31, 2024. The memorial event included guest speakers, performances by local arts groups, and an honorary street renaming of Seventh Street between Walnut and Main to “Stanley J. Aronoff Way.”
July 16–18 • Aronoff Center
This culture-driven experience celebrating innovation and diversity in technology expanded from Music Hall to the Aronoff Center this year. Supported by strong community and corporate collaboration, Black Tech Week brought together investors, entrepreneurs, tech professionals, and creatives to experience growthfocused content, dynamic workshops, inspiring keynote conversations, and impactful networking opportunities. It was a must-attend event for those shaping the future of the innovation economy.
July 29–September 12 • Music Hall
Friends of Music Hall hired an expert stone restoration company to restore Music Hall’s original 1878 red slate and white marble checkerboard lobby floor, bordered in black stone in the Edyth B. Lindner Grand Foyer and adjoining corridors. Many layers of modern acrylic coating and poorly color-matched fillers were removed, and the latest preservation technology has repaired and strengthened damaged tiles.
McCartney’s
July 18, 20, 21, 25 & 27 • Music Hall—Springer Auditorium Cincinnati Opera concluded its 2024 season with the world stage premiere of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio. An audio greeting from Sir Paul himself welcomed audiences to this inventive production of his classical work, inspired by his memories of growing up in Liverpool. The production featured an outstanding cast of singers, the Cincinnati Opera Chorus, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Boychoir, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
How does a small-town girl from Iowa find herself lighting up the stage in Cincinnati’s community theater and ultimately become a driving force behind one of the Aronoff Center’s founding resident theater companies?
For Kathy, it’s been a journey fueled by an intense love for the performing arts, creativity, and a deep passion. Her story is one of inspiration and a talent for uplifting fellow artists.
The 2023–24 season brought exciting opportunities for our operations staff at Music Hall and the Aronoff Center to welcome guests from around the world to be uplifted, inspired, and entertained at our beautiful venues. Our team is proud to be a vital part of Cincinnati’s vibrant arts scene and works tirelessly to create unforgettable experiences.
At Music Hall, Louis Langrée completed his eleventh and final season as the Music Director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. His legacy will certainly live on, honored by his portrait that was unveiled on the Music Hall lobby south wall. Following an extensive search, the CSO named Cristian Măcelaru as Music Director Designate. He is recognized globally by many as the conductor of Orchestre National de France during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The Music Hall Ballroom was the venue of choice for two engaging local events. The community gathered to celebrate legendary Reds’ sportscaster Marty Brennaman at a Roast and Toast benefitting Madi’s House. The Cincinnati Open’s 125th Anniversary Gala celebrated our region’s storied tennis legacy and honored two very special guests— the 2004 Cincinnati Open champions and tennis legends, Andre Agassi and Lindsay Davenport.
Springer Auditorium’s iconic crystal chandelier received some shining and sparkling attention. The 1,500-pound chandelier—measuring 21 feet in diameter and adorned with 7,464 crystals and 96 electric candles— was lowered in August for each individual crystal and
candle to be meticulously cleaned and restored by hand. Another successful Broadway in Cincinnati season presented the latest hit shows that attracted new and diverse audiences. The sold out run of Six—a 90-minute pop musical (April 23–May 5)—brought down the house
“The arts bring people together in ways greater than where they are experienced. They provide shared views, emotions, and stories. They structure our culture. In Cincinnati, the Aronoff Center and Music Hall provide all who enter the opportunity to feel one with the greater community.”
– Sue B., CAA Volunteer
each night and set a record for the highest merchandise sales of the year. In January, the cult-classic, screen-tostage musical Beetlejuice played to sold-out audiences
Learn how Hope turned her high school obsession as a theater kid into “pinch me moments” as the Volunteer Manager for the Cincinnati Arts Association. Starting as an usher at the young age of sixteen, Hope literally grew into adulthood at Music Hall and the Aronoff Center. What clicked for Hope in building personal relationships and finding a place where she belongs?
their favorite dark and mischievous ghost. It’s themed drink— Sip, Sip, Sip Senora—set the record for the highest-selling show cocktail in our history.
In an industry that is increasingly more competitive, the Aronoff Center rentals and presenting teams explored growth opportunities and nurtured relationships with comedy promoters. In return, we experienced great success this year with tours such as 85 South, Taylor Tomlinson, and Chris Tucker.
The Aronoff Center operations team continued to create opportunities for new business by challenging our previous thoughts about how our venues are utilized. This has allowed us to schedule and host more and larger meetings for local businesses and organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Myeloid Conference, and Black Tech Week.
Each season, we are grateful for our remarkable corps of volunteers, who serve CAA as ushers, arts ambassadors, and administrative assistants at our two venues. During the 2023–24 season, nearly 700 dedicated volunteers contributed an astounding 58,000+ hours of service, and we welcomed nearly 100 new volunteers to our family. Our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Party celebrated their dedication with “Bingo in the Ballroom,” at which five-hundred guests enjoyed an evening of fun, including Singo, a showtunes spin on the classic Bingo game.
Cincinnati is home to some of the finest arts organizations in the nation, many of which perform at the Aronoff Center and Music Hall. Each season, we are proud to support the work of these exceptional resident companies, as they reveal the best of the human spirit to audiences through music, dance, and theater.
Aronoff Center and Music Hall
During the 2023–24 season, we were continually inspired by the dedication and willingness of our stakeholders to help us achieve our mission to make a broad range of exceptional performing and visual arts accessible to countless individuals in Greater Cincinnati, to develop diverse audiences, and to foster an appreciation for the arts. The ongoing support of our generous partners, sponsors, members, and donors allowed us to reach more than 560,000 children, patients, veterans, and audience members during the season. We are deeply grateful for your patronage and belief in us as we continue to increase the impact of the arts in Cincinnati.
April 20 • Music Hall Ballroom
More than 450 guests attended the sixteenth season of one of Cincinnati’s most entertaining fundraisers— Dancing for the Stars, sponsored by TriHealth. Combined with proceeds from our Backstage Treasures Auction, more than $110,000 was raised to support the Cincinnati Arts Association’s Overture Awards and arts education programming thanks to the efforts of this season’s celebrity dancers:
• Scott Allgyer (Owner, Studio 990)
• Alex Johns (Real Estate Agent, Coldwell Banker)
• Dr. Hali Jungers (Veterinarian, Newport Aquarium)
• Dr. Magdalena Kerschner (Board Certified Anesthesiologist and Aesthetic Medicine Physician and Founder of Victory Wellness and Medspa – Cincinnati, OH and Naples, FL)
• Deb Schubert (Health Care Professional Marketing, Procter & Gamble)
• Zack Thornton (Director, Advisory Services, Fidelity Investments).
This year’s Broadway-themed event did not disappoint. Performances by our celebrity and professional dancers to songs from Hairspray, Rent, Aladdin, Damn Yankees, and more kept the audience cheering, and light bites from our generous meal sponsors delighted the tastebuds of attendees.
Deb Schubert and dance pro James Branham were crowned Dance Champion, and Scott Allgyer secured the fundraising trophy, bringing in more than $18,000.
Sponsors: TriHealth (Title Sponsor), Accent on Cincinnati, Arthur Murray – Cincinnati, Arthur Murray – West Chester, Doreen Beatrice, James Branham, Bonita Brockert, Maura Garuccio, Jeremy Mainous, Punky’s Pixels, Josh Tilford, Melissa Vaughn
Since the opening of the Aronoff Center in 1995, the beloved Procter & Gamble Hall stage has supported hundreds of shows and stars from Hamilton, Disney’s The Lion King, and The Phantom of the Opera to Patti LaBelle, Carol Burnett, Tony Bennett, and many more. Launched in Fall 2023, our TAKE THE STAGE campaign offers supporters a chance to own a piece of Aronoff Center history—a section of the Procter & Gamble Hall’s original stage floor, which was replaced that summer after nearly thirty years of use.
Shadowboxes with a commemorative piece of the stage floor were sold, with fewer than two hundred sections still available. This successful campaign raised more than $17,000 to help us sustain our education and community engagement programs that promote transformative, life-long participation in the arts.
For Scott, CAA’s Overture Awards aren’t just a passion—they’re personal. His nephew won a 2008 Overture Award in visual arts, which showed Scott how these opportunities build confidence, creativity, and critical thinking in young artists. Learn how Scott chose to pay it forward by dancing his way to victory as the Fundraising Champion of Dancing for the Stars 2024— all in support of the next generation of Overture Award competitors.
The Cincinnati Arts Association recognizes and thanks the following individuals, corporations, and foundations for their generous support.
Individual Donors and Members
Gifts of $5,000 and above
Amy Dunlea and Lois Mannon
Charles and Mary Harris
Drs. Matt and Maggie Hummel
Craig and Anne Maier
Maribeth and Martin Rahe
Dudley and Tina Taft
Gifts of $2,500–$4,999
Ms. Carol M. Beyersdorfer
Candace Carson and Jennifer Dickey
Dr. Allison Ferree-Chavez and Mr. Rob Chavez
Christine Herche
Phil and Christy Ochs
Eric and Sharon Vetter
Claudia F. Vollmer
Gifts of $1,000–$2,499
Keith and Leah Carlson
Drs. Jean M. Elwing and Madhukar Gupta
H. Wayne Ferguson† and Pamela D. Wiedeman
Lori and Bob Fregolle
Brent and Mary Hardesty
Becky and Paul Hogya
The Hollaender Family
Marje and Rich Kiley
Michael and Wanda Kinzie
Ginger and Steve Loftin
Whitney and Phillip Long
Timothy Marsh
Bradley Martin
Steve and Karen Miller
Dr. Robert Rhoad and Kitsa Tassian Rhoad
Rebecca A. Scullin
Linda L. Siekmann
Susan and James Troutt
Anonymous
Gifts of $500–$999
Karen Acuff and Elizabeth Acuff
Mr. and Mrs. Alec Ardito
Sam and Alley Badran
Tommy Barlow
James Beering and Lisa Keller
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Berliant
John Blevins
Marty and Amanda Brennaman
Virginia Brezinski
Jacklyn and Gary Bryson
The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation
John and Stephanie Busam
Kathern and Patrick Calla
Laura Carr
MaryAnn Chappelear
Barbara Culver
Chris and Daniele Cusentino
Jim and Karen Cusentino
Joseph and Kimberly Rippe
Barbara Sanders
Elaine and Terry Schroeder
Sanjay Shewakramani
Clay Slusher and Erika Slusher
Timothy L. and Janet E. St. Clair
Tim and Barbara Stefl
Christopher and Meghan Stevens
Patrick and Jenni
Strausbaugh
Dr. Steve and Rev.
Dr. Kristie Stricker
James and Melissa Summers
David and Barbara Wagner
Michael and Carlisa Waldman
Camilla Warren
Andrea Waugh
Sharon and Richard Werner
Ted and Teresa Werner
Michael and Katie Wright
The Zelina Family
Anne and Terry Zimmerman
Rochelle Zimmerman
Anonymous
Gifts of $250–$499
Steve and Denise Davis
Dr. Alex Della Bella and Family
Vince DeStefano
Emilie and David Dressler
Dr. and Mrs. Douglas Einstein
Jason and Heidi Fancett
The Gerding Family
Catherine and Daniel Gilreath
Jon and Lisa Hall
Drs. Kenneth and Rachel Heberling
Paulette Homer and Rick Buller
Don and Kathy King
Doug Kisker and Lori Powers
Dave and Sharon Kitzmiller
Mr. and Mrs.
Stephen Lazarus
Sean and Tonya Lightfoot
Fred and Johna Lucas
Ken and Melissa Mailender
Jenea and Matt Malarik
Anita and Ed Marks
William C. and Lynne M. Mense
Lynn J. Meyers
Dave and Diane Moccia
Ed Mowl and Angela Harris
Ryan and Michelle Murphy
Michael Powers and Kathy Muldowney
Ronnie and Donna Riddle
Robert and Karen Ripp
Shelley Epperson
Joanne and Robin Estes
Thomas Fischer
James K. and Susan A. Fitton
Billy and Gail Gillman
Michelle Hastings Natalia Herald
Whayne Herriford and Troy Simmons
William Hesch, Esq., CPA
Daniel Holden
Rod and Stacie Holloway
Mick and Lou-Ann Holtzleiter
James Hoover
Kim and Gary Horning
Phil Huculak
Melanie and Doug Hynden
Timothy and Michelle Janszen
Ron and Judy Johnson
Laurie F. Johnston
Jay and Shirley Joyce
Julie and Rick Kantor
Msgr. Kurt H. Kemo
Suzanne and Andy Kemp
Edna and Woodrow Keown, Jr.
Julie Klein-D’Alonzo and Raphael D’Alonzo
Dale L. Koeneman
AKS
Karen and Paul Allen
Lester and Sherri Allen
Roger and Debbie Benjamin
Kim and Gregory Benz
Marianna Bettman
Lisa and Olivia Beutel
Judith and Tom Bolenbaugh
Jan Borcherding and Chris Heck
Ann Brownfield Meara
Leanne Budde
Mr. and Mrs. Rich and Janet Burr
Kevin Burton and Charlie Greer
Gale Bush
Dawn Butler
Marti and Brian Butler
Sheila Chandran and Brian Murphy
Scott and Angela Coburn
Honi and Neil Cohen
Jody Corbett and Bill Rellar
Judy L. Cunningham
Leslie and Leo Dahring
Bryan and Renee Davis
Kathy and Mike Davis
Sandy and Tom Deters
Mr. and Mrs. John Doellman
Barbara Doviak
Michael and Clare Duane
Tim and Judy Duffie
Brent A. Kohlhepp
Scott and Lauren Kooken
Mr. Barry Kuhn
Magda Kuhn
Elizabeth Lawrence
Amy and Scott Litwin
Michael F. Lykins
Ellen and Ward Maresca
David Martin
Mary Beth Martin and Ken Oswald
Suzanne Masterson
Diane and David McClain
Tom and Claudia McKee Rhonda Mefford
Roger L. Meredith
Scott and Paula Mueller
Alan Naylor
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Neal
Lisa and Brad Nogar
Mrs. Jana Ogilvie
Onederings Lavender Farm
OneVue Capital of Ohio
Dr. Sanford Osher
Sylvia Osterday
Judge Mark and Sue Ann Painter
Pajk Family
Mr. Daniel J. Pieschel
The Pietrandrea Family
Ronald Plybon
Julia and Dan Poston
The Reilly-Shoup Family
Brian and Mary Rhame
Jennifer and John Ridge
Geoff Rohdes
Nelson Rosario
Bob Ruskaup
Saini Eye Care
Sheila M. Shafer
Joey Shelton
David and Diane Sherrard
Mark and Elizabeth Sippel
Tera Stadtmiller
Susan and Joseph E. Stevens
Stephen and Nicole Stone
Dr. and Mrs. Jim Swanson
Alyssa Taylor
William and Nadya Taylor
Barbara Teisl
Kristine Tierney
Nancy L. Wade
Mackenzie Webster
Jim Wells
Sean Whalen
Mike and Mary Jo Whelan
Barbara Wildenhaus
Patty and Steve Wilken
Carol and Rich Wilson
Shelly Woodward
Anonymous (5)
Cincinnati Arts Association Sponsors
Ameritas Life Insurance
Corporation –
Founding Sponsor
ArtsWave
Fifth Third Bank
Local 12 WKRC-TV
Procter & Gamble
TriHealth
Education and Community Engagement
Eleanora C. U. Alms Trust, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee
ArtsWave
Bahl & Gaynor
The Otto M. Budig
Family Foundation
Charles H. Dater
Foundation, Inc.
Fort Washington
Investment Advisors, Inc.
Graphic Village
The Hearst Foundations
The H.B., E.W. and F.R.
Luther Charitable Trust –
Narley L. Haley and Fifth Third Bank, Co-Trustees
National Endowment for the Arts
Ohio Arts Council
P&G Fund*
Pepsi Summerfair Cincinnati
The Louise Taft Semple
Foundation
TriHealth
WOW Windowboxes
Overture Awards
Accent on Cincinnati
Arthur Murray – Cincinnati
Arthur Murray –West Chester
The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation
Fort Washington
Investment Advisors, Inc.
Punky’s Pixels
Summerfair Cincinnati
TriHealth
Scott Allgyer
Douglas Beal
Doreen Beatrice
James Branham
Bonita Brockert
Sebastian Castillo
Janeen Coyle
Maura Garuccio
JD Hughes
Alex Johns
Hali Junger
Magdalena Kerschner
Jeremy Mainous
Chris O’Brien
Bret Schneider
Deb Schubert
Britton Spitler
Zack Thornton
Josh Tilford
Melissa Vaughn
CAA Presenting
21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati altafiber
Philip Bortz Jewelers
The Cincinnati Herald
CityBeat
Fairfield by Marriott Cincinnati Uptown
Heidelberg Distributing Company
Kinley Cincinnati
Maple Knoll Village
The Party Source
Pepsi
Prime Cincinnati –Box Office Sponsor
Jeff Ruby’s Culinary Entertainment
Street City Pub –
Membership
Program Sponsor
TriHealth
WOW Windowboxes
Weston Art Gallery
Alice F. and Harris K. Weston Endowment
The Alpaugh Foundation
Jan and Roger Ames
Gale and David Beckett
CityBeat
Covent Garden
Creative Ohio
John Deatrick FotoFocus
Carolyn Gutjahr
Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation
Helen and Brian Heekin
Joyce and Roger Howe
Patricia and Jim King
A. M. Kinney, III
Kolar Design
Toni LaBoiteaux
Director’s Fund
Susan and John Lame
Whitney and Phillip Long
Barbara and Gates Moss
Pamela and Lennell
Myricks, Jr.
National Endowment for the Arts
Betsy and Peter Niehoff
Ohio Arts Council
Sue Ann and Judge
Mark Painter
Kathy Sackett
Liz and Steve Scheurer
Thomas R. Schiff
Foundation
Marilyn Scripps
Rebecca Seeman
Mu Sinclaire and the Sinclaire Family Foundation
Liz Solway
Dee and Tom Stegman
Elizabeth Stone
Summerfair Cincinnati
Jeff Thomas Catering
Sara M. and Michelle Vance Waddell
Vanessa and Rick Wayne
CAA Preferred Partners
Harlan Graphics
Punky’s Pixels
Jeff Thomas Catering
WOW Windowboxes
Corporate Members
Corporate Founder
Gifts of $5,000 and above
DAV (Disabled American Veterans)
Corporate Patron
Gifts of $2,500–$4,999
Blank Rome LLP
Imbus Roofing Company, Inc.
Rare World Metals Mint
Corporate Benefactor
Gifts of $1,500–$2,499
Analytics Medical Staffing
Jeff Caywood and Rob Neel
Prologis
Corporate Friend
Gifts of $1,000–$1,499
AlphaMark Advisors
Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Huhn
North American Properties
Our thanks also to our Associate Level Members.
Stephen A. Loftin President
Brenda A. Jones
Brenda A. Carter, SPHR Vice President,
Courtney A. Craig Human Resources Assistant
Fannin
Benjamin T. Reece, CPA
Madison G. Smith
Sylbester
Benjamin E. Vetter
Kendra R. Best
DeLisa J. Bracy
Marketing
Teresa M. Myers
Micaela S. Evangelista
Hannah
Melissa
Megan E. Ulrich Client Relations Specialist
Jacob D. Beckelhimer
Laurel
Jordan J. Stinson
As the Director of the Weston Art Gallery for nearly thirty years, Dennis believed in pushing the envelope of the Weston’s artistic programming. He appreciates the ability to support the vision of regional artists, launch new works, and engage the community in conversations by providing unique ways to manipulate spaces to showcase visual art. Find out why Dennis feels the Weston is a sanctuary for artists and art enthusiasts.
For Dudley, the arts are not just a passion, they are a lifelong family legacy. His roots in Cincinnati’s arts community run deep. His legal and business expertise has been seamlessly woven into his role as Chairman of the Cincinnati Arts Association Board, shaping a vision that ensures diverse programming for future generations. Discover how his connection to the stage was established early in his life and watch him perform!
Bridget R. Benton
Chief Operating Officer
Odayues D. Leonard
Director of Safety & Security
Aronoff Center
Maddie Regan
General Manager
Jennifer M. Picone
Senior Event Manager
Emma C. Garry
Event Manager
Scott Slucher
Event Manager
Ranebow H. Maul
Rentals Manager
Grace A. Miller
House Manager
Charles E. Lock
Concessions & Hospitality Manager
Mykayla E. Kroeger
Volunteer Manager
MaLeah L. Mitchell
Operations Administrative Coordinator
Elam J. Mechley
Technical Director
Jonathan D. Chevalier
Head Carpenter
Michael K. Meuche
Audio Engineer
Steven J. Schofield
House Electrician
Bleu B. Pellman
Production Technician
Bryan C. Fisher
Chief Engineer
Joseph E. Miller
Maintenance Technician
Cory C. Baldwin
Safety & Security Coordinator
Karessa K. Helton
Security Associate
Gary D. Jenkins
Security Associate
Michael S. Montegna
Security Associate
Joseph D.R. Parsley
Security Associate
Brenda G. Kelsor
Custodial Services Manager
Parish J. Denham
Lead Custodian
Tyrone Robinson
Lead Custodian
Stuart Manaki
Custodian
Carolyn McClure
Custodian
Paula A. Young
Custodian
Music Hall
Molly McGraw
General Manager
Terri Kidney
Senior Event Manager
Richard V. Endres
Event Manager
Angela G. Sandmann
Event Manager
Bethany Troendly
Rentals Manager
Sabreena L. Cherrington
House Manager
Christopher R. Jackson
Concessions &
Hospitality Manager
Hope R. Holman
Volunteer Manager
Alynn T. Rousselle
Operations Administrative Coordinator
Gary Kidney
Technical Director
Kevin W. Eviston
House Electrician
Paul D. Stafford
Head Carpenter
Jeffrey R. Enderle
Chief Engineer
Nathan D. Gibbs
Facility Technician
Andrew S. Wolf
Safety & Security Coordinator
Angela M. Felts
Security Associate
Lorraine M. McAfee
Security Associate
Brandon D. Serles
Security Associate
Joan M. Tenhundfeld
Security Associate
Tony Dees
Custodial Services Manager
Terra N. Ruff
Lead Custodian
Airel Seeback
Lead Custodian
Shawn A. Booker
Custodian
Winifred B. Freeman
Custodian
Judith H. Martin
Custodian
Kevin C. Ruwe
Custodian
Dudley S. Taft
Chairman
Maribeth S. Rahe Vice Chair
Otto M. Budig, Jr.
Treasurer
Carol M. Beyersdorfer
Secretary
Richard L. Kiley
Special Vice President
Jeanette M. Altenau
Special Vice President, Community Relations
Stephen A. Loftin
President
Benjamin T. Reece, CPA
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Bridget R. Benton
Chief Operating Officer
Laura A. Carr
Robert S. Chavez
J. Stephen Dobbins
Matthew J. Geerlings
Marvel Gentry Harmon
Toilynn O’Neal Turner
Emeritus
Edward G. Marks
Ex Officio
Mayor Aftab Pureval
— Philip Pullman, author
