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D. Lynn Meyers, Producing Artistic Director
FOURTEEN FUNERALS by ERIC PFEFFINGER
Directed by TORIE WIGGINS
March 21 – April 12, 2026
Scenic & Lighting Designer BRIAN c . MEHRING
Costume Designer CAT SCHMEAL-SWOPE
Sound Designer TREY TATUM
Properties Curator & Set Design Associate SHANNON RAE LUTZ
Technical Director JACOB DOWELL
Production Stage Manager LEXI MULLER*
Assistant Stage Manager MADDI O'CONNELL*
THE VIDEOTAPING OR MAKING OF ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION IS A VIOLATION OF UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAW AND AN ACTIONABLE FEDERAL OFFENSE.
FOURTEEN FUNERALS is presented by arrangement with Eric Pfeffinger. FOURTEEN FUNERALS was first produced by Butterfly Effect Theatre of Colorado and was developed with support from Butterfly Effect Theatre of Colorado and the HBMG Foundation. Eric Pfeffinger was awarded an Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award for FY 2026.
*Member belongs to Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers. This theatre operates under an agreement between Actors’ Equity Association, Professional Actors, and Stage Managers in the United States. Understudies never substitute for listed players unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the performance.
PREMIERE SPONSOR John Goering
DESIGN SPONSOR Linda R. Holthaus
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Your passion shines brilliantly. The arts make us think, make us feel, and make us wonder. PNC is proud to support Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. Thank you for helping to make our community more brilliant.
pnc.com
©2024 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC CON PDF 1221-018-1951005
more growth. more connection. more community. The arts bring us together and make Cincy stand out. For nearly a century, support through ArtsWave has kept them within reach for everyone. Today, 22,000 community gifts to ArtsWave support 150+ projects, artists and organizations like Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati.
Make your gift to the annual ArtsWave Campaign today.
This is our Cincy. Let’s
discover more artswave.org
together.
6 |
Jonathan Gibson Photography
Where You Stay, Meet & Gather Less than 10 miles from downtown Cincinnati, The Summit Hotel offers elevated stays designed for comfort, creativity, and connection. Experience thoughtfully curated spaces, modern amenities, and inspired dining—now proudly part of Marriott Bonvoy®. 5345 MEDPACE WAY, CINCINNATI, OH 45227 | THESUMMITHOTEL.COM
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DIRECTOR'S NOTES Sometimes grief or being close to grief can stir up any and every feeling you’re capable of feeling. Our mortality, although ever present, can be a thing that takes us outside of ourselves. And what do we do when that happens? We seek joy, even if we have to microdose it. Bringing humor to tough situations is not new to the human condition. Not that we ever need permission, but what I love about this play is that it allows us to laugh at a really tough situation. For nearly two hours, we are get to experience empathy in all its facets, and honestly, what more can you ask for from a night at the theatre? I hope you laugh, smile, touch your hand to your heart, and leave fully satiated. I hope you find joy in remembering your favorite parts on the way home, having found a little unexpected light in the most unlikely of places. —Torie Wiggins
WOW
Mom 513-402-2137
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Director's Notes
Servicing Commercial & Residential Properties info@wowwindowboxes.com
2025–2026 SPONSORS
SEASON PRESENTING SPONSOR
SEASON FUNDER
OPERATING SUPPORT
FAIRY GODMOTHER SPONSORS
SEASON TICKET SPONSOR
EDUCATION, ENGAGEMENT, & INCLUSION SPONSORS
The Family of Dr. Peter Reuhlman
SEASON SUPPORT Greater Cincinnati Foundation Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation Mitchell S. and Jacqueline P. Meyers Foundation The Shubert Foundation
IN-KIND SUPPORT Cincinnati State Technical & Community College, Interpreter Training Program Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
EDUCATION, ENGAGEMENT, & INCLUSION SUPPORT Anonymous (3) Eleanora C. U. Alms Trust, Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Trustee Arts Midwest William P. Anderson Foundation Donald C. and Laura M. Harrison Family Foundation Hamilton County Mr. & Mrs. David E. Moccia The Daniel & Susan Pfau Foundation Charles Scott Riley III Foundation The John A. Schroth Family Charitable Trust, PNC Bank, Trustee Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation The Thaman Family Fund Jennifer Verkamp
2025–2026 Sponsors
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CAST & CREW CAST Sienna...............................................................................................................................SHONITA JOSHI* Millie........................................................................................................................MAGGIE LOU RADER*
RUNNING CREW 2nd Assistant Stage Manager...........................................................................GRACE CACCAVARI Assistant House Manager....................................................................................... TROIAN BUTLER Light Board Operator............................................................................................... JAKE TILLMANN Sound Board Operator......................................................................................... MAXIMUS WINSKI Spot Light Operator & Millie u/s............................................................. ALLYSON van HAAREN Wardrobe Crew & Sienna u/s.............................................................................KRISHANGI ALLIN
PRODUCTION TEAM Associate Production Manager & Associate Technical Director................. JACK MURPHY Associate Production Manager & Master Electrician................................... CHRIS LIPSTREU Scenic Charge Artist & Production Associate...............................................RAE MACK KUHN Costume Shop Manager.........................................................................HANNAH DRINGENBURG Wardrobe Supervisor......................................................................................... SARAH MALARNEY Sound & Lighting Supervisor................................................................................ JAKE TILLMANN Intimacy Choreographer...........................................................................................................E. CARR Shop Carpenter........................................................................................... JEREMIAH PLESSINGER Carpenter & Load-In Tech...................................................................................... NATHAN NEORR
SETTING The lobby of a funeral home in Blissfield, Indiana.
This production will be performed with one intermission. Approximate running time is 2 hours.
PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES. NO TEXTING.
*Member belongs to Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers. Understudies never substitute for listed players unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the performance.
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cast & crew
2026-27 SEASON ON SALE NOW! cincinnatisymphony.org
APRIL 21 - MAY 3 • ARONOFF CENTER CincinnatiArts.org • Groups of 10+: Peggy.Hughes@BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com
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ABOUT US OUR MISSION Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) is a professional theatre dedicated to producing world and regional premieres of works that often explore compelling social issues. We fulfill our mission through our stage productions and educational outreach programs that enlighten, enliven, enrich, and inspire our audiences. OUR HISTORY From its founding in 1986, ETC has focused on providing an artistic home for local theatre professionals, including serving as a training ground for young artists. Each season, ETC produces a lineup devoted to the newest in contemporary theatre that attracts a diverse audience of 30,000 to more than 220 performances. Our work also includes education and engagement programs centered on introducing the performing arts to students from underresourced schools and children with disabilities. Combined, our productions and educational programs strive to fulfill ETC’s vision of creating an urban arts district that is accessible to all.
(513) 421–3555 1127 Vine Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 www.ensemblecincinnati.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Linda Holthaus, Chair Mark Haggard, President Kathy Burklow, Vice President Kali Hacias Boecher, Vice President Holly Brians Ragusa, Secretary DIRECTORS Amy Bixel Erica Bock Otto M. Budig, Jr. Kwesi Calliste Zina Camblin Tom Carothers Brock Dalton Denise Esteves-Hicks Charles H. Gerhardt, III Tim Giglio Beverly A. Grant Stephen M. King Andrew Maloney Anthony McNamara D. Lynn Meyers, ex officio Shekhar Mitra Chris Ramos Maura Schilling Jeffrey Schloemer Alex Schutte Meghan Simonson Ashlee Young DIRECTORS EMERITI Skip Hickenlooper Edward G. Marks FOUNDERS' CIRCLE Ruth D. & John Sawyer Ken & Mary "Murph" Mahler Dr. Charles O. Carothers Mitchell S. Meyers
This Theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre. INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING?
Accredited member of the Better Business Bureau.
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Contact our team at Cincinnati Magazine for information: advertise@CincinnatiMagazine.com
ABOUT ETC
OUR STAFF LEADERSHIP
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
ARTISTIC
OPERATIONS
D. Lynn Meyers, The Ruth Dennis Sawyer/Mary Taft Mahler Producing Artistic Director & Chief Executive Officer Michael R. Zimmer, CPA, CGMA, Chief Financial & Operations Officer
Brian c. Mehring, Resident Scenic & Lighting Designer Shannon Rae Lutz, Properties Curator, Set Design Associate, & Director of Apprentice Programming Rae Mack Kuhn, Scenic Charge Artist & Production Associate Torie Wiggins, Artistic Associate
Jocelyn Meyer, Director of Marketing & Communications Amy J. Barbian, Associate Director of Marketing & Communications Annie Jennings, Digital Marketing Manager Becca Schall, Creative Media Producer
Jared D. Doren, Programming & Events Manager Nick Ligon, Head of Security Michael Carr, Business Services Coordinator
PATRON SERVICES
Amy Weinstock, Box Office Manager
Professional Apprentices: Krishangi Allin • Troian Butler Grace Caccavari • Allyson van Haaren Maximus Winski
Box Office Associates/House Managers: Anson Battoclette • Beasley • Jasimine Bouldin Abigail Dirr • Elliet Malatesta • KG Rucker Becca Schall • Belle Scholles
STAGE MANAGEMENT
PRODUCTION
Margot Whitney, Production Stage Manager Lexi Muller, Assistant Stage Manager Maddi O'Connell, 2nd Assistant Stage Manager
EDUCATION
Emily Mathews, Director of Education Emmy Rice, Accessibility & Education Programs Coordinator Deondra Kamau Means, Education Associate
Jacob Dowell, Technical Director Jack Murphy, Associate Production Manager & Associate Technical Director Chris Lipstreu, Associate Production Manager & Master Electrician Hannah Dringenburg, Costume Shop Manager Jake Tillmann, Lighting & Sound Supervisor Jeremiah Plessinger, Shop Carpenter Nathan Neorr, Carpenter & Load-In Tech
DEVELOPMENT
Liz Carman, Development Coordinator
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati acknowledges that we gather on the unceded and stolen territories of the Hopewell, Adena, Myaamia (Miami), Shawandasse Tula (Shawanwaki/Shawnee), and Wazhazhe Ma'zha' (Osage) peoples. We honor with gratitude the land itself and the people who have stewarded it since time immemorial.
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CAST SHONITA JOSHI (Sienna) (she/her) is thrilled to be back at Ensemble Theatre! She was born in Pune, India, and now lives in Brooklyn, New York. She's an actor and organizer and is passionate about the environment, recycling, and politics. She graduated from Stella Adler School of Acting and has degrees in banking, finance, and journalism. Some of her recent credits include productions at Veterans Repertory Theatre and Chenango River Theatre in NY; Purple Rose Theatre in Michigan; The Human Race Theatre Company, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, and Ensemble Theatre in Ohio; Peterborough Players in New Hampshire; and more. She recently made her television debut in season 27 of Law & Order: SVU. She also works as a reader for New York Theatre Workshop. Instagram: @Shonitajoshi
MAGGIE LOU RADER (Millie) (she/her) is thrilled to be back at Ensemble Theatre where she last played Amelia in I Need That and Lizzie in Maytag Virgin. She attended William Jewell College, Oxford University, and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. She has performed with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Human Race Theatre Company, Florida Studio Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, The Kitchen Theatre, Know Theatre of Cincinnati, and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Some of her favorite memories on stage have been playing The Pilot in Grounded, Maggie “the cat” in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Marie Antoinette in The Revolutionists. She’s also a national award-winning playwright and resident artist at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. She sends love to her folks, Lynn, Torie, Justin, and the fur babies.
CAST & CREW
FOR THE JOY OF DISCOVERY Books inspired by Fourteen Funerals courtesy of The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library.
I See You've Called in Dead by John Kenney
Now Departing:
Talking to My Father's Ghost:
by Victor M. Sweeney
An Almost True Story
by Alex Krokus
The Last Resort by Erin Entrada Kelly Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite
A Small-town Mortician on Death, Life, and the Moments in Between
Psychopomp & Circumstance by Oyinkan Braithwaite Make Me a Monster by Kalynn Bayron
Borrow these and other show-inspired materials online or at your nearest library.
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Cast
CREATIVE TEAM ERIC PEFFINGER (Playwright) is a playwright in Ohio who grew up in Indiana and likes to work in Chicago. He enjoys a robust Midwestern humility. Eric’s work has been produced by Actors Theatre of Louisville’s Humana Festival of New American Plays, Denver Theatre Center, Geva Theater Center, Phoenix Theatre, and the Bloomington Playwrights Project. His plays include Accidental Rapture, Hunting High, Some Other Kind of Person, Barrenness, Assholes and Aureoles, Malignance, and the plays for young audiences Lost and Foundling and The Day John Henry Came to School. He’s written new plays on commissions from the InterAct, Imagination Stage, and the Signature and developed scripts through workshops and readings at PlayPenn, the Lark, Page 73 Productions, the Colorado New Play Summit, the Rattlestick, the New Jersey Rep, and Available Light Theatre. He collaborated on pieces with the Internationalists and the New York Neo-Futurists. His plays have been published by Dramatic Publishing and Dramatics Magazine, and he has written articles for American Theatre Magazine. He is the co-author of the novel The High-Impact Infidelity Diet, available on finer remainder tables everywhere.
TORIE WIGGINS (Director) is a multi-hyphenate artist with over fifteen years of experience. Her Cincinnati theatre credits include Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and Harry and the Thief, Know Theatre of Cincinnati; Mame, Crowns, and The Revolutionists, Human Race Theatre Company; To Kill a Mockingbird, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; Little Women, Romeo and Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew, Fences, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and The Amen Corner, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company; and The Mountaintop, Violet, Alice in Wonderland (2012), Around the World in 80 Days, Cinderella, Cinderella: After Ever After, His Eye is on the Sparrow, and Your Negro Tour Guide, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. Her directing credits include Dreamgirls and Proof, The Carnegie Theater; Trouble in Mind, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company; and I Shall Not Be Moved, How I Learned What I Learned, and Jaja's African Hair Braiding, Ensemble Theatre. D. LYNN MEYERS (Producing Artistic Director) (she/her) welcomes you to Ensemble Theatre's 40th and her 30th season, where she has directed more than a hundred world and regional premieres, including Hands on a Hardbody, Fun Home, Morning Sun, The Wolves, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, I Am My Own Wife, Tiny Beautiful Things, and the world premiere of The Dancing Princesses. She began her career as the associate artistic director at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, has directed off-Broadway at the York Theatre, and has directed extensively throughout the US and Canada. As a member of the Casting Society of America, Lynn's recent feature credits include The Bikeriders, Shirley, and Dark Waters, in addition to serving as the location casting director for The Shawshank Redemption. She was named a finalist for the Zelda Fichandler National Award in 2011, is a past recipient of the YWCA Career Woman of Achievement Award, and received the 2019 Rosa F. and Samuel B. Sachs Fund Prize for regional arts impact and leadership.
Creative Team
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I I t c A
Act I of the Pillars Campaign raised an incredible $3 million! Now the intermission has ended and Act II has begun, bringing us one step closer to closing the curtain when we reach our remaining goal of $7 million.
Your support of this campaign will . . .
*
Sustain ETC’s operations to rebuild our patrons and donor base from the 18-month shutdown
* * *
Increase programming for local professionals to perform, produce, and create the theatre of tomorrow
*
Maintain our historic, beautifully renovated buildings as the gateway to OTR
Maintain our essential education programs, currently serving 17 area schools every week Invest in seeding an endowment so ETC will stand as a beacon for the next 40 years
Lead Investors Harry & Linda Fath
Our Impact • 40 years of productions that enlighten, energize, and inspire • 276 regional and world premieres produced • 4,128 actors employed • 40% of our apprentices remain in the Greater Cincinnati region • 97% subscription renewal rate • Nearly 2,000 student attendees of Fairy Godmother performances annually • 11,000 students served each year by our education and engagement initiatives
Invest in our milestone campaign to ensure ETC can thrive for generations to come!
WAYS TO GIVE $
One-time donations
Tribute gifts
Stock gifts
Multiyear pledges
Legacy gifts
Give through your Donor-Advised Fund
If you are over 70 ½, you can make a tax-free Qualified Charitable Distribution from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to ETC. Please direct your administrator to make the gift for Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati (Tax ID: 31-1220252)
Scan now to support the Pillars Campaign!
@ EnsembleCincy For more information, contact us at (513) 421-3555 x4 or development@ensemblecincinnati.org.
ETC SUMMEr camps 2026 Inclusive Improv Summer Camp June 8–12, 2025 | Ages 14–19
UT!
SOLD O
Junior Summer Intensive June 15–26, 2025 | Ages 8–13
Design & Build Technical Theatre Summer Intensive June 15–19, 2025 | Ages 15–19
Backstage Technical Theatre Summer Intensive June 22–26, 2025 | Ages 15–19
High School Summer Intensive July 6–17, 2025 | Ages 14–19
REGISTER: ensemblecincinnati.org or (513) 421-3555
PLAY IN PROGRESS Shonita Joshi & Maggie Lou Rader
Maggie Lou Rader & Shonita Joshi
Maggie Lou Rader
Shonita Joshi
Play In Progress
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PRODUCTION TEAM BRIAN c. MEHRING (Scenic & Lighting Designer) (he/him) is incredibly thankful to have served as the resident scenic and lighting designer at Ensemble Theatre for over two decades. Some of his favorite productions include Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Your Negro Tour Guide, Next to Normal, An Iliad, Sweat, and Fun Home. His regional favorites for set design include The Last 5 Years and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; Henry IV, Part 1, The Georgia Shakespeare Festival; and I Am My Own Wife, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Peterborough Players, and Florida Studio Theatre. Brian would like to thank D. Lynn Meyers for her endless support and dedication to ETC.
CAT SCHMEAL-SWOPE (Costume Designer) is a costume designer, draper, and educator based in the Greater Cincinnati area. Some of her recent regional design credits include Alice in Wonderland and Hands on a Hardbody, Ensemble Theatre; A Distinct Society, The Human Race Theatre Company; Grease and Beautiful: The Carole King, The Carnegie; and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. Beyond designing, Cat has served as a cutter/draper for numerous companies, including Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. She is currently the visiting assistant professor of costume technology at University of Cincinnati’s CollegeConservatory of Music and holds an MFA in theatre design from The Ohio State University.
TREY TATUM (Sound Designer) (he/him) is a playwright and composer who makes silly things about serious stuff. His previous sound designs at Ensemble Theatre include The Garbologists and The Sound Inside. Some ongoing projects include the audio dramas ZOiNKS! and Have Monster, Will Travel, available wherever you get your podcasts. Trey lives in Cincinnati and makes theater and mischief with his wife, director Bridget Leak. treytatum.com
SHANNON RAE LUTZ (Properties Curator & Set Design Associate) (she/her) earned her master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music in 1996 and became the properties curator at Ensemble Theatre. Trained as a performer, she first appeared on ETC’s stage during the 1988-1989 New Works Festival. In 1991, she was granted an ETC internship. Now the director of apprentice programming, she is honored to co-manage ETC’s Professional Apprentice Company with Torie Wiggins. Shannon would like to thank D. Lynn Meyers, Ruth Sawyer, and the Cincinnati theatre community and patrons for their generous, supportive, and tenacious spirit.
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Production Team
PRODUCTION TEAM JACOB DOWELL (Technical Director) (he/him) is thrilled to be in his fourth season at Ensemble. He received a BA in theatre from Morehead State University. Some previous technical direction credits include The Match Game, Fiona: The Musical, Hands on a Hardbody, Kinky Boots, The Who’s Tommy, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Jacob would like to thank his family, friends, his wife, Colleen, and cats, Ronnie and Stan, for their continued support.
LEXI MULLER (Production Stage Manager) (she/her) is thrilled to return for her seventh season with Ensemble Theatre. Some of her ETC credits include The Wolves, Fun Home, Pipeline, Sweat, Morning Sun, and Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. Regional work includes Fiddler on the Roof, Sweeney Todd, and The Full Monty at The Human Race Theatre Company. A proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and a Wright State University BFA graduate. Lexi lives by spike tape, snacks, and Sharpies. She is especially thankful to her family for always supporting her love of theatre.
MADDI O’CONNELL (Assistant Stage Manager) (they/he), is a native of Cincinnati and a summa cum laude graduate from Baldwin Wallace University where they received a BFA in acting and minor in music. They are also a proud alumnus of Ensemble Theatre’s Professional Apprentice Program for acting and stage management. Some of their favorite ETC credits include the world premiere of The Last Will & Testament of Madison Giles as the production stage manager; Jaja’s African Hair Braiding and The Garbologists as the 2nd assistant stage manager; the world premiere of It’s Fritz! as Fiona; the world premiere of Fiona: The Musical as Cal and Bibi/Red Oxpecker u/s; and Hands on a Hardbody as the Heather u/s and assistant fight captain. As always, much love to Kim, Dan, the entire ETC staff, and the besties for the never-ending support and fun. ily! maddioconnell.com
LET’S THEATRE TOGETHER @ EnsembleCincy Production Team
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WAYS HEADER A TO GIVE From playwrights to apprentices and every role in between, your tax-deductible gift enables us to enliven, enrich, and inspire audiences, as well as create a thriving urban arts community accessible to all through our world and regional premiere productions and award-winning education, engagement, and inclusion programs.
ONLINE
Make your gift online at ensemblecincinnati.org/support
IN PERSON
Make a gift at our box office via cash, check, or credit card.
BY PHONE
Please call (513) 421–3555, option 4.
BY MAIL
Send a check payable to Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati to: Attn: Development 1127 Vine Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
THROUGH YOUR IRA
Are you over 70 ½? You can make a tax-free Qualified Charitable Distribution from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Direct your administrator to make the gift for Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati (Tax ID: 31-1220252), including “of,” as that is our legal name.
STOCK
For stock transfers instructions, email development@ensemblecincinnati.org
HONOR & MEMORIAL GIFTS
Giving a gift in honor or memory of someone is a wonderful way to pay tribute to their life.
THE 1986 CLUB
ETC’s Monthly Giving Program The 1986 Club celebrates the legacy of Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati’s founding year and provides an opportunity for you to make an ongoing impact on the future of our arts community. By becoming a monthly donor, you directly contribute to the growth and sustainability of our programming, productions, and outreach efforts. Each gift makes an immediate impact on ETC’s productions and educational programs. Why Give Monthly? Your monthly investment allows us to build a sustainable future and continue creating the high-quality theatre experiences our community loves. Monthly donors provide ETC with consistent, reliable support, and each gift makes a lasting difference. Join The 1986 Club today and help us shape the future! Visit www.ensemblecincinnati.org/support
GIVE WHILE YOU SHOP
Designate ETC as your nonprofit beneficiary through the Kroger Community Rewards program, and Kroger donates a portion of your purchase amount directly to ETC. Register your Kroger Plus Card and select ETC–organization BM374.
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WAYS TO GIVE
THE PREMIERE SOCIETY The Premiere Society recognizes the extraordinary individuals, families, and organizations whose generosity makes it possible for ETC to present world-class new works and award-winning education, engagement, and inclusion programming for our community. The following list includes donors whose gifts were received between March 2, 2025 and March 1, 2026.
PLAYWRIGHTS ($20,000+) Anonymous (2) ArtsWave Gale & Dave Beckett Daniel Brown & Mark Haggard The Charles H. Dater Foundation, Inc. Annette & Tom Carothers Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation Lynne Friedlander Jane & Chip Gerhardt L. Timothy Giglio LKC Foundation The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank & Narley L. Haley, Co-Trustees Linda Holthaus & Richard Zinicola William & Mary Jane James Kenneth T. & Molly M. Mahler In Memory of James & Noretta Markley Eliot Meyers Anu & Shekhar Mitra Diane & Dave Moccia Ohio Arts Council The Shubert Foundation, Inc. Damon & Holly Ragusa The Family of Dr. Peter G. Ruehlman Josephine S Russell Charitable Trust, through the PNC Charitable Trusts Grant Review Committee P&G Fund* PNC Foundation Lauren Hannan Shafer Thaman Fund* Dale & Joyce Uetrecht Family Fund Ginger Warner
PRODUCERS ($10,000-$19,999) Lisa Borland The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation Denise & Martin Chambers, The Don and Alice Ulmer Legacy Giving Fund Fifth Third Bank Foundation Robert Keith & Kathleen Thornton Keith Meghan & Dan Simonson Dudley S. Taft Foundation Carol Talbot Fund*
DIRECTORS ($5,000-$9,999) The Elaine & Bob Blatt Fund Kali Boecher Jeff & Gay Bullock Michael Gerard Carr Cincinnati Bengals Susan Cohen & Robert Schmuelling Corky & Rick Family Foundation
Sandi Gans Jane & Chip Gerhardt Alana & Shelly Gerson Home City Ice Betty Huck The Andrew Jergens Foundation Limestone Fund* Carolyn Morin Ann and Chris Ramos Barbara & Dave Reaman Steve & Carol Reubel Blake Robison & Connan Morrissey Norma Skoog Mary Stagaman & Ron Kull Summerfair Foundation, Inc. Scott & Sally Tieke Tamara White Jo Ann Wieghaus
DESIGNERS ($2,500-$4,999) Anonymous (3) Gordon Allen & Linda Baas Americana Arts Foundation William P. Anderson Foundation Athena Avgousti-Bauer & Mark Bauer Dawn & Doug Bruestle Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies Matching Gifts Program Kwesi Calliste Shirlee Cassidy Elizabeth Clark Philip Clayton Marjorie Davies Ehrsam Family Fund* Fencl Family Fund* PJ and Greg Fischesser Bob & Mary Fitzpatrick Edward Freeman Gilman Family Fund* Dr. & Mrs. Richard Glaser Beverly A. Grant Fund* Johnson Charitable Gift Fund Johnson Investment Counsel David & Susan Goering Hill Family Legacy Fund Carol Leslie Jackie Mack & Ted Silberstein Louise and Grauman Marks Memorial Fund* Jill & Bruce Mitchell PLAY/write: The Jackie Demaline Regional Collegiate Playwriting Competition* Dick & Chris Russell Jane Ruwet Hopson & Larry Pytlinski Iris Sageser Rosemary & Mark Schlachter Marcia Banker & Jeff Schloemer Alex & Kim Schutte
Please bring any errors or omissions to our attention by contacting us at development@ensemblecincinnati.org or (513) 421-3555 x4.
* A Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
the premiere society
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DESIGNERS CONT. Marvin & Betsy Schwartz Fund* The Sittenfeld Family Susan & David Lee Smith Sprout Insight LLC Dr. Joseph & Mrs. Nancy Stratman UBS Matching Gifts Program
STAGE MANAGERS ($1,000-$2,499) Anonymous (5) Lucy Allen Jimmy Antia Signet Love Inspires Foundation Erica Bock Chris Bolling & Stephen Peterson Chris Lewis & Alicia Bond-Lewis The Greater Cincinnati Foundation Kathy Burklow & John Berlier Sharon Butler Stephen Carothers Barbara Carr & Bren Blaine Fran Christensen Burton Closson Margaret & Joseph Conway Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber Mark Dauner Mary & Scott Donaldson Rick & Allison Edwards John Ellmore Lydia Fitzpatrick Jodi Geiser Ms. Deanna Hengge Emily M. Hodges & Charles H. Spencer Daniel Hurley Amy Katz & Robert Cohen LaMacchia Family Foundation Warren Leight Andrew Maloney Sophia McAllister Carol Miller Meibers Alice Perlman Adam Porter Hera G. Reines Ed & Carol Rigaud Ken & Kathy Skau Walter S. & Patricia Mann Smitson Jim & Tammy Stephens Family Charitable Fund Glenda Suttman Bob & Sue Trusty Elizabeth Warner and Laurent Huguenin Pann & Terry Webb Mary Ann & Edwin T. Weiss, Jr. Susan Wilke Carol and Rich Wilson
CAST ($500-$999) Anonymous (3) Sarah Aitken David Askew & Ric Sweeney Laura Atkinson David A. Brashear Courtney Campbell-Saxton Carol C. Cole Philip K. & Anne Lilly Cone Fund* David Crotty & Joan von Handorf Dennis Dunwoodie Arthur Fink
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THE PREMIERE SOCIETY
Joanne Fiorini Rachel & Bernard Foster Rita & Dennis Geiger Robert Gerding Joseph Huber James & Robin Huizenga Amit Gupta & Tana Kirkbride Anne & Gary Klasmeier Minda Matthews-Smith Anthony & Emily McNamara Drs. Jacqueline & Steven Miller Family Bill & Ruth Morley Patti Myers & Alan Flaherty Neda & Bruce Nutley Timothy & Joanne Oppelt Danielle & Kenneth Revelson Stephen & Helen Rindsberg Ellen Rittgers Richard Roebuck Robert Roesbery J.R. Rulon Diane Rumpke Susan & Clint Schertzer Bob & Maura Schilling Gordon & Mary-Anne Thompson Thomas Thompson Tom & Torey Torre Sheryl Vice Maureen & Larry Vignola Ann & Victor Warner Karen & Barry Webb Mark D. Manley & Annette J. Wick West Shore Home LLC Kathryn Wright Ashlee Young Dr. David & Cynthia Zink Nora Zorich & Thomas Filardo Family Fund*
RUNNING CREW ($250-$499) Anonymous Joe and Trish Baker Janice Bauer Mary Ann Bender Bill & Janet Berger David & Elaine Billmire Richard Block Neil Bortz Peg & John Bruggeman John Bruggerman Michele & Kevin Cain Rebecca Campbell Robert Clary Brian & Elizabeth Coley Barbara Cummins Brock Dalton Kelly M. Dehan & Rick Staudigel Christine Dye Earthward Bound Foundation Denise Esteves-Hicks Barbara Feldmann Larry Freeman Natalie Galbato Jo Anne M. Gibbons & John R. Getz Linda Goldenhar & Chris Cain William Groneman & Maureen Flanagan Charitable Fund The Gumbleton Family Bob & Judy Heaton Jordan Heser Daniel Hoffheimer Doug Ignatius & Bruce Preston
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR DONORS! To join our family of contributors with a donation of any size, please contact us at (513) 421-3555 x4
Farrah Jackson Barbara A. Jennings Mr. & Mrs. Richard Kovarsky Kroger Community Rewards Program Ginny & Rick Kuertz Mary LaBolt Linda Erpelding Richard & Barbara Males Charles & Jennifer Margolis David L. Martin The McCready-Shore Family Diane Muller Barbara Myers Kim, Dan, & Maddi O'Connell Brett Offenberger & Douglas Duckett Phil Paradis & Marjorie Hull David M. Piatt Fund* Pledgeling Foundation Holly Riffe & Sue Roth Al Roane Ross Royce Mark Silbersack & Ruth Schwallie Siegrist Family Fund William L. Slutz & Linda A. Roomann Jacqueline & Richard Snyder Kathleen Stringfield Linda Tache Barry Thomas Marty C. Tomb Rosalie P. van Nuis Priscilla S. Walford Buzz Ward Neal Watzman Robert & Jean Willis Jeff Wysel & Caren Theuring
APPRENTICES ($125-$249) Anonymous (9) Robert Arlinghaus Mark Berliant Allen Bernard Rhoda & John Brooks Sarah & Brenda Burton-Price Clifton Town Meeting Art Committee Virginia Cheeseman Charles & Lois Deitschel Kathy DeLaura Michael Dimaggio Emilie & David Dressler Fund* Igor & Jane Dumbadze Julie Fay, Imperial Theatre- Mohawk Project Melinda Gilbert Mrs. Madeleine H. Gordon Deborah R. Grayson Ann Hicks Anne Holzschuh Marilyn Hurrell Richard & Lisa Kagan Judith Kenniston Madelyn Levy John & Deborah Moffatt
Laura Proto & Tommy Johnston Lyle & Jean Ritze Connie & Don Roesch Barbara Seiver Janice K. Smith Tim Smith & Penny Poirier Christine Socwell Kate Spencer Robert P. Streicher Dan & Lynn Ticotsky Martha Tierney U.S. Bancorp Foundation- Employee Matching Gift Program Howard M. & Nancy S. Weinberg Amy Weinstock Jane Whalen Anne Warrington Wilson
TRIBUTE GIFTS In memory of Charles Carothers, MD In honor of Sara Clark and Patricia Ryan In honor of Linda Erpelding In memory of Susan Freelander In memory of Winston K. Harvey In memory of Nancy Helwig In honor of Linda Holthaus In memory of Audrey Mae Meyers (6) In honor of D. Lynn Meyers In support of Mary Taft Mahler In honor of Meghan Simonson In memory of Robert L. & Mary C. Weisenberger Ensemble Theatre acknowledges the following Partner Companies, Foundations, and their employees who generously participate in the Annual ArtsWave Community Campaign at the $100,000+ level. Your support helps make our community vibrant and connects people all across our region through the arts. Thank you! P&G Fifth Third Bank and the Fifth Third Foundation GE Aviation Cincinnati Bell Western & Southern Financial Group Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center The Cincinnati Insurance Companies City of Cincinnati Enquirer Media Great American Insurance Group Ohio National Financial Services U.S. Bank The H.B., E.W., and F. R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank and Narley L. Haley, Co-Trustees Macy's Cincinnati Business Courier The Kroger Co. PNC The E.W. Scripps Company and Scripps Howard Foundation Duke Energy HORAN Cincinnati Reds
* A Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
THE PREMIERE SOCIETY
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PATRON INFORMATION ETC BOX OFFICE HOURS Monday through Friday 10 am to 5 pm, and 2 hours prior to curtain. Weekend hours vary. CAMERAS & RECORDING DEVICES Actors’ Equity Association strictly prohibits the use of cameras or recording devices (including camera phones) in the theatre. ACCESSIBILITY OPTIONS ETC offers audio-described performances, ASL-interpreted performances, wheelchair accessible seating, large-print programs, Braille programs, assistive listening devices, and sensory sensitivity items such as noisecanceling headphones and fidgets. RELAXED PERFORMANCES Select performances offered for those with sensory sensitivities and developmental disabilities and their families to enjoy the production with lighting and sound adjustments and other accommodations. SALE POLICY Single-ticket purchases are final sale with no refund. If a patron is a no-show for their reserved performance, ETC is under no obligation to reschedule their tickets. LATECOMERS & ADMITTANCE Latecomers are seated at the House Manager’s discretion and may be denied admission depending upon the demands or structure of a particular production. Should you need to leave the theatre during a performance, readmittance is not guaranteed. ETC reserves the right to deny admission and/ or remove any disruptive patrons from the theatre at any time. PARKING Patrons may park at the Gateway Garage (accessible via 12th Street) or at the surface lot, both conveniently located at the corner of Vine and 12th Streets. Parking is also available at Washington Park Garage and Mercer Commons Garage.
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patron information
1127 Vine Street circa 1927 Image courtesy of Fifth Third Bank archives.
CHILDREN Children under the age of 4 will not be admitted to productions unless otherwise advertised. Parents with disruptive children will be asked to leave the theatre. GROUPS & DISCOUNTS Groups of 8 or more can save on single-ticket prices. Student rates, rush discounts, Public Radio Perks Card, AAA, ArtsWave Pass, and educator and military member discounts are available for select shows (please consult your appropriate membership(s) for details and exclusions).
INVEST ENGAGE INNOVATE LEAD
Investing state and federal dollars, the Ohio Arts Council funds and supports quality arts experiences for all Ohioans to strengthen communities culturally, educationally, and economically. Learn more about our grant programs and resources, find your next arts experience, or connect: OAC.OHIO.GOV.
Grantee Spotlight: TOLEDO ALLIANCE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Two Toledo Ballet dancers performing in their April 2023 production of Prokofiev’s Cinderella, accompanied by the Toledo Symphony conducted by Jonathan McPhee. Image Credit: Robert Cummerow