Fritz illustration courtesy of Loren Long.
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D. Lynn Meyers, Producing Artistic Director
IT'S FRITZ!
A SEQUEL TO FIONA: THE MUSICAL Book by ZINA CAMBLIN | Music & Lyrics by DAVID KISOR Directed by D. LYNN MEYERS†
December 3 – 31, 2025 Scenic & Lighting Designer BRIAN c . MEHRING
Music Director STEVE GOERS
Choreographer DEE ANNE BRYLL
Sound Designer JAKE TILLMANN
Projections Designer BECCA SCHALL
Costume Designer MARIA FERNANDA ORTIZ LOPEZ
Properties Curator/Design Assistant SHANNON RAE LUTZ
Technical Director JACOB DOWELL
Production Stage Manager MARGOT WHITNEY*
Assistant Stage Manager LEXI MULLER*
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.
IT'S FRITZ! A SEQUEL TO FIONA: THE MUSICAL has been commissioned by Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. All rights are retained by Zina Camblin, David Kisor, and Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati.
*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 SPONSORS The Markley Family DESIGN SPONSOR
OPENING NIGHT SPONSOR
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DIRECTOR'S NOTES Why Fritz? Fritz is a gift to our zoo and to the world: a happy, healthy hippo brother to the world-famous, beloved Fiona. While his arrival didn’t make the same dramatic headlines as Fiona’s miraculous story, his presence has brought just as much joy. Even without the fanfare, nearly 90,000 people wrote in to help choose his name—a testament to the love and excitement he inspires. Throughout my career, I’ve always been drawn to stories of the undercelebrated, the ones that shine light on quiet resilience and everyday courage. Sweat, Good People, Hands on a Hardbody, Morning Sun, and Sideman are just a few that capture that spirit. In many ways, I think Ensemble Theatre shares that story. We may not always have the flashiest profile, but this has always been a place where meaningful work thrives—work created with care, integrity, and heart, right here in the neighborhood we’re proud to call home and have grown alongside the last 40 years. That sense of dedication and community is what makes ETC so special to me. Our production of Fiona: The Musical became the highest-selling show in our history and was written with a sequel in mind. We knew there was more to tell, and now Fritz gets his own chance to shine! Fiona’s journey was extraordinary: she beat impossible odds with the remarkable care of the Cincinnati Zoo team, reminding us of what’s possible when hope and tenacity meet. Her presence on stage is a powerful reminder of the hope and determination she represents. It’s Fritz!, a world premiere created for ETC by the same writers who brought Fiona: The Musical to life, invites us to celebrate another side of that legacy. Our audience deserves our very best, and you’ll be the first in the world to experience this brand-new story. As a theatre devoted to bringing new work to our region, there’s no better gift to unwrap this holiday season than a bright, joyful, brand-new musical. I would like to personally dedicate this show to honor Thane Maynard who has guided, enriched, inspired, and played a key role in making the Cincinnati Zoo the wonderful place it is today. Both he and the zoo are treasures to this city and to each of us. Wishing you a holiday season filled with joy and a bright, shining new year full of possibilities!
—D. Lynn Meyers
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Director's Notes
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 City of Cincinnati Susan Friedlander 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 Dudley/Kudu...................................................................................................................... CHAR ADAMS Baby Kudu/Zoo Goer............................................................................................KRISHANGI ALLIN Hugh............................................................................................................................. MICHAEL G. BATH* Fritz................................................................................................................................. TROIAN BUTLER Baby Cheetah/Zoo Goer...................................................................................GRACE CACCAVARI Baby Cheetah/Zoo Goer...............................................................................................ABIGAIL DIRR Raffe/Dr. Cornelius........................................................................MONTEZ JENKINS COPELAND* Bearcat........................................................................................................TaSHAUNA AJOI JENKINS Zoe......................................................................................................................... BRANDI La'SHERRILL Bibi........................................................................................................................................ SARA MACKIE* Baby Cheetah/Zoo Goer...................................................................................ELLIET MALATESTA Pelican/Zander....................................................................................................ANDREW MALONEY*^ Fiona......................................................................................................................... MADDI O'CONNELL Audrey/Reporter.................................................................................................................. KG RUCKER Tucker....................................................................................................................... R. DeANDRÉ SMITH Colobus Monkey/Diana............................................................................................BROOKE STEELE* Baby Sloth/Zoo Goer.................................................................................. ALLYSON van HAAREN
RUNNING CREW 2nd Assistant Stage Manager................................................................... KELLY JEAN EDWARDS A1/Sound Mixer...............................................................................................................JAKE TILLMAN Light Board Operator......................................................................................................MARY STONE Spot Light Operator.............................................................................................. MAXIMUS WINSKI Automation Operator................................................................................ JEREMIAH PLESSINGER Wardrobe Crew...................................................................................................................CODI RASOR Deck Crew............................................................................................................... SARAH MALARNEY
SETTING The Cincinnati Zoo.
*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. ^Dance Captain
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cast & crew
CAST & CREW PRODUCTION TEAM Assistant Director................................................................................................... MAXIMUS WINSKI Associate Technical Director..................................................................................... JACK MURPHY Associate Production Manager & Master Electrician................................... CHRIS LIPSTREU Scenic Charge Artist, Production Associate, & A2......................................RAE MACK KUHN Costume Shop Manager.........................................................................HANNAH DRINGENBURG Assistant Costume Shop Manager..........................................................CAT SCHMEAL-SWOPE Wardrobe Supervisor...............................................................................................ISABELLE ROWE Wig Artisan....................................................................................................................MISSY J. WHITE Intimacy Choreographer.......................................................................................... TORIE WIGGINS Shop Carpenter........................................................................................... JEREMIAH PLESSINGER Carpenter & Load-In Tech...................................................................................... NATHAN NEORR
MUSICIANS Piano, Keyboards, Bells & Whistles............................................................................ DAVID KISOR Tenor Saxophone.................................................................................................................JOSH KLINE Drums & Hand Percussion........................................................................................BRIAN MALONE Trumpet.......................................................................................................MICHEAL MAVRIDOGLOU Trombone........................................................................................................................SPENCER MERK Recording Engineer...................................................................................................... JEFF MONROE Bass, Banjo, & Guitar........................................................................................................BRAD MYERS Tuba.......................................................................................................................................JOSH OMAITS Flue, Oboe, Clarinet, & Bassoon.................................................................JAMES WIEDERHOLD
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Michelle A. Kay
Loren Long
Kate Wilford
Elexis Selmon
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Group Effort Sound Studio
This production will be performed with one intermission. Approximate running time is 1 hour, 45 minutes.
PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES. NO TEXTING.
cast & crew
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SONG LIST ACT ONE "Life Is a Zoo"............................................................................................................................. Ensemble "Roll Out the Red Carpet"...................................................................................... Alice & Ensemble "Jazz Is Life"........................................................................................................................ Tucker & Fritz "Second Child"......................................................................................................................................Fritz "Stick with Me, Kid".............................................................................................................Hugh & Fritz "Just Plain Cute"..................................................................................................................... Zoo Babies "Hang With Your Own Thang"................... Raffe, Pelican, Kudu, Bearcat, Colobus Monkey "New Baby, Zoo Baby"......................................................................................................... Zoo Babies "What the Animals Say to Me".................................................................................... Audrey & Zoe "Only We Know".................................................................................................................. Fiona & Fritz "Treasure Chest"...............................................................................................................Audrey & Fritz "Someone to Dance"..................................... Raffe, Pelican, Kudu, Bearcat, Colobus Monkey
ACT TWO "Darling, Welcome Home"..................................................................................................... Ensemble "Aura 1".....................................................................................................................................Hugh & Fritz "Being Brave".........................................................................................................................Fiona & Zoe "A Little Lie".......................................................................................................Pelican, Hugh, & Diana "The True You".....................................................................................................................Bibi & Tucker "Open My Heart"................................................................................................................... Zoe & Raffe "Treasure Chest (Reprise)".............................................................................................. Fiona & Fritz "Aura 2"................................................................................................................................Fritz & Audrey "Here All Along"..........................................................................................................Fritz & Ensemble "Get on Up"................................................................................................................................. Ensemble
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Song List
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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 Athena Avgousti-Bauer, Treasurer 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?
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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, Design Assistant, & Director of Apprentice Programming Rae Mack Kuhn, Scenic Charge Artist & Production Associate Torie Wiggins, Artistic Associate Professional Apprentices: Krishangi Allin • Troian Butler Grace Caccavari • Allyson van Haaren Maximus Winski
STAGE MANAGEMENT
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
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 Belle Scholles, Lead House Manager Box Office Associates/House Managers: Anson Battoclette • Beasley • Jasimine Bouldin Abigail Dirr • TaShauna Ajoi Jenkins • Hayden LaVelle KG Rucker • Becca Schall • Jacob Schall
PRODUCTION
Jacob Dowell, Technical Director Jack Murphy, 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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ETC SUMMEr camps 2026 Inclusive Improv Summer Camp June 8–12, 2025 | Ages 14–19
Junior Summer Intensive June 15–26, 2025 | Ages 8–13
Build & Design 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
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Open House: Saturday, February 7 10am-1pm www.cincinnatiwaldorfschool.org 513.541.0220
Are you seeking a school that considers education a journey, not a race? Parent & Child Preschool | Kindergarten Grade School | High School Email to schedule a personal tour today! enrollment@cincinnatiwaldorfschool.org
COMING SOON! A secretIt’s shared. A community a clutter-ful life! tested.
JAN 31 – FEB 22
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FOR THE JOY OF DISCOVERY Materials inspired by It's Fritz! courtesy of The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library.
BOOKS
MOVIES
The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park by Michiko Aoyama
Hippos: Africa's River Giants
Pygmy Hippo
MUSIC
by Dr. Fiona Sach
Where Will the Animals Sleep? by William Shatner
A First Field Guide to Moo Deng and Friends
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Island Creatures by Margarita Engle
Borrow these and other show-inspired materials online or at your nearest library branch.
GIVE THE GIFT THAT ROARS!
JUNE 10 – JULY 6 ARONOFF CENTER CincinnatiArts.org
©Disney
Fiona, Love at the Zoo by Richard Cowdrey
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This campaign will . . .
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Produce premiere award-winning productions by the best playwrights of our time Support the retention and development of theatre professionals Expand our patron and donor base with fresh insights and strategic endeavors Sustain our future by seeding an endowment And more!
. . . with a combined $10 million investment by March 2026.
Lead Investors Harry & Linda Fath
Our Impact • 39 years of productions that enlighten, energize, & 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!
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@ EnsembleCincy For more information, contact us at (513) 421-3555 x4 or development@ensemblecincinnati.org.
CAST CHAR ADAMS (Dudley/Kudu) (they/them) was born and raised in Versailles, Kentucky. They hold a BFA in acting from Northern Kentucky University. Char graduated from The Governor’s School for the Arts in 2017 and Playhouse in the Park’s Teaching Artist Training Fellowship in the Summer of 2024, as well as Ensemble Theatre’s Professional Apprentice Program last season. They work as a teaching artist at Cincinnati Actor’s Studio and Academy (CASA), American Legacy Theatre, Ensemble Theatre (ETC), and independently as a dialect coach and improv teaching artist. Their recent acting credits include Trinculo in The Tempest, Southbank Shakespeare; Guildenstern in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, CASA, and Van in The Last Will & Testament of Madison Giles, ETC.
KRISHANGI ALLIN (Baby Kudu/Zoo Goer) is so grateful to be a part of Ensemble Theatre. She graduated from the University of Florida with a BFA in theatre performance. Some of her past credits include Blood at the Root, The Wolves, and Meghan Brown’s The Pliant Girls. Krishangi is dedicated to using theatre as a way of creating connection and understanding. She is excited to challenge traditional casting norms and expand how a woman of color can be cast. She would like to thank her parents for their unconditional love and support. She would also like to thank her partner Max for moving across the country with her in pursuit of her dreams.
MICHAEL G. BATH (Hugh) returns for his 30th holiday show with Ensemble Theatre, where he was last seen in Alice in Wonderland, Hands on a Hardbody, and Fiona: The Musical, as well as The Dancing Princesses, Tiny Beautiful Things, Fly By Night, The Legend of Georgia McBride, and others. Michael is a graduate of Wilmington College and is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association. Much love to his wife Tricia and dog Misha.
TROIAN BUTLER (Fritz) (he/him) is overjoyed to be a part of this wild and wonderful world premiere! Troian graduated from Baldwin Wallace University in May of 2024 with a BA in Theatre: Acting & Directing, and is current member of ETC’s Professional Apprentice Program. Some of his credits include Moises Kauffman/Doc O'Connor in The Laramie Project; Benvolio in Romeo & Juliet; Featured Vocalist in TVC: Manhattan Cabaret; Leonard Irving in In The Next Room; Antonio in The Tempest: Abridged; and Henry u/s for ETC’s Next to Normal. He would like to thank the cast, crew, and production team for their warm welcome, Zina, David, and Lynn for their creativity and support, and his wonderful family and friends, for everything. Instagram: @troianbutler
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Cast
CAST GRACE CACCAVARI (Baby Cheetah/Zoo Goer) is beyond grateful to Ensemble Theatre for being cast in this delightful show! As a current acting apprentice at ETC, Grace understudied Natalie in Next to Normal and read for Christy/Sarah in the play reading of Be Patient, My Little Grasshopper. Some of her theatre credits include Dora Bailey/Miss Dinsmore in Singin’ in the Rain, Cincinnati Landmark Productions; Grace in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged, Revised), SouthBank Shakespeare; and Lady Merrill in Once Upon a Mattress, The Story Collective of Cincinnati. Grace has also worked in stage management with companies including Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Kincaid Regional Theatre, and American Legacy Theatre. She would like to thank her Mom, Dad, Jack, and her beloved friends and family for their constant love and support.
ABIGAIL DIRR (Baby Cheetah/Zoo Goer) is excited to perform in her first main stage production at Ensemble Theatre since her apprenticeship last year. She is incredibly thankful to be able to continue being a part of the ETC family in this family-friendly musical. Abigail is a graduate of Xavier University where she received degrees in theatre performance and psychology. She would like to thank her friends and family for supporting her dreams of being a performer.
MONTEZ JENKINS COPELAND (Raffe/Dr. Cornelius) (they/them) is happy to make their Ensemble Theatre debut with such a fun show! Some of their favorite local credits include Light Chasers, A Case for the Existence of God, and Girlfriend: The Musical, The Know Theatre; Kinky Boots, The Carnegie; Enemy of the People, The Play That Goes Wrong, and Mrs. Dalloway, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Love and gratitude to the Junkyard community and my good ole HP!
TaSHAUNA AJOI JENKINS (Bearcat) (she/her) is a performer, writer, and creative born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. She is a senior at the University of Alabama at Birmingham earning her BA in general theatre. Blaze on, baby! Her most recent credits include Kate in 1 Gay Wedding and Absolutely No Funerals for the Cincinnati Fringe Festival, as well as Tweedledee in Alice in Wonderland, Poppy in Where the Lost Children Play, and Bearcat/Wanda in Fiona: The Musical at the lovely Ensemble Theatre. She also performed as Narrator in The Calling: The Story of Judge U.W. Clemon and Sarah in Pink Clouds at Red Mountain Theater Company. TaShauna would like to thank her loving family, friends, and everyone who has poured into her career and life!
Cast
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CAST BRANDI La'SHERRILL (Zoe) is an award-winning playwright, actress, vocalist, and teaching artist based in Cincinnati. She is the founder of Artifacts Storytelling Experiences (ASÈ), where she creates and performs dynamic one-woman shows that blend history, music, and truth—“where art meets facts.” Her original works include Harriet Tubman: Straight Up Outta the Underground, Unbossed and Unbought: The Shirley Chisholm Story, and Fannie Lou Hamer: This Little Light of Mine. A long-time teaching artist and mentor, Brandi is passionate about empowering young voices through performance. brandilasherrill.com.
SARA MACKIE (Bibi) (she/her) is thrilled to be back at Ensemble Theatre for the best time of the year! Some of her credits include Fun Home, Hands on a Hardbody, all three Wonderettes iterations as Betty Jean, Mauritius, and Fiona: The Musical, as well as many other holiday shows at Ensemble Theatre; Dvorah u/s in Rutka: A New Musical, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; This is Tom Jones!, An Act of God, and Family Ties, Human Race Theatre Company; Hello, Dolly!, Always…Patsy Cline, and Pump Boys and Dinettes, The Carnegie; Wrecking Ball, Macbeth, The Taming of the Shrew, and Pride and Prejudice, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company; and Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune, New Edgecliff Theatre. Her film credits include The Bikeriders, The Public, and Dark Waters. Thank you for continuing to support your local professional theatres!
ELLIET MALATESTA (Baby Cheetah/Zoo Goer) (she/they) graduated from Northern Kentucky University with a BFA in musical theater. Some of her credits include The Last Will & Testament of Madison Giles, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati; Hamlet, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company; Much Ado about Mean Girls, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado about Nothing, Cabaret, and Spring Awakening, CASA; Cyrano on the Moon and Far Away from Home, Cincy Fringe; Henny Penny's Adventure and Narnia: The Musical, Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati; The Merry Wives of Windsor, Southbank Shakespeare; and The (Not So Great) Kidnapping of Sir Francis Drake Stunt Show, Ohio Renaissance Festival. She would like to thank her family, friends, and mentors for their constant love and support. She would also like to thank you for continuing to support live theatre! Instagram: @ellie_malatesta
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Cast
CAST ANDREW MALONEY (Pelican/Zander) is thrilled to be returning to the zoo in It’s Fritz! after originating these roles in Fiona: The Musical. Other Ensemble Theatre credits include Greg in Hands on a Hardbody, Radio Singer/Earl in Violet, Man #2/Reggie in First Date, and multiple holiday shows. Internationally, Andrew appeared as Action in the Ecuadorian premiere of West Side Story at the Teatro Nacional Sucre in Quito, Ecuador. He would like to thank Lynn, Zina, David, and the entire ETC family for giving him this opportunity, the cast for making this experience so incredibly fun, and his family and friends for their continued love and support! When not on stage, Andrew is a Realtor®, helping clients buy, sell, and build real estate! He has a BFA in musical theatre from Northern Kentucky University and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Instagram: @maloneya1
MADDI O’CONNELL (Fiona) (they/he), a Cincinnati native, is honored to bring this little hippo to life! Outside of the zoo, they serve as the 2nd assistant stage manager at Ensemble Theatre, where their credits include Cal & Bibi/Red Oxpecker u/s in Fiona: The Musical, Heather u/s & assistant fight captain for Hands on a Hardbody, and production stage manager for The Last Will & Testament of Madison Giles. Other credits include Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Heather Chandler in Heathers, and Hawkins in Men on Boats. They are 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 ETC’s Professional Apprentice Program in both acting and stage management. Much love to Kim, Dan, the entire ETC staff, and the besties for their never-ending support and fun. maddioconnell.com
KG RUCKER (Audrey) (they/them) is so excited to return to the Ensemble Theatre stage, where they were last seen as the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland and Chrys in Where the Lost Children Play. KG is a Muhlenberg College graduate with a BA in theatre and dance. Some of their favorite Muhlenberg credits include The Bacchae, A List, and Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind. They also studied physical theatre and commedia dell’arte at the Accademia dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy. In their free time, KG loves to photograph birds. KG is so grateful to their friends and family for all their support!
Cast
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CAST R. DeANDRÉ SMITH (Tucker) is thrilled to return to the Ensemble Theatre stage, where he was last seen in Fiona: The Musical. He has performed locally, nationally, and internationally with companies based in Indiana, Montana, Ohio, and Virginia. Some of his favorite credits include I Have a Dream: The Life and Times of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Once on This Island, A Wrinkle in Time, Bat Boy: The Musical, All-One! The Dr. Bronner Play, and Jerry Springer: The Opera. DeAndré believes that stories surround us everywhere and, as an ambassador of theatrical art, his mission is to bring resonant stories to life. He recently produced his first original work for young audiences, Forging Legends, a play about climate change and finding the hero within yourself to make a difference. He thanks everyone for their support.
BROOKE STEELE (Colobus Monkey/Diana) (she/her) is thrilled to spend the holidays with you at Ensemble Theatre! Some of her previous holiday shows at ETC include Alice in Wonderland as the Cheshire Cat, The Frog Princess as Vasilisa, and Cinderella as Cinderella, as well as other favorites including The Marvelous Wonderettes as Suzy, Violet as Violet, and Fly By Night as Miriam. When she's not performing, Brooke teaches acting and music with Community Arts Initiatives and with The Kaleidoscope Project. She lives with her family in Kennedy Heights.
ALLYSON VAN HAAREN (Baby Sloth/Zoo Goer) is thrilled to be working with Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati! She is a recent graduate of Northern Kentucky University, where she received a BFA in musical theatre performance. Allyson recently completed a tour with Missoula Children’s Theatre as a tour actor/director. Other credits include Anything Goes and Jesus Christ Superstar at Northern Kentucky University and Sister Act at The Covedale Center for the Performing Arts. She has worked as a choreographer and educator collaborating on Little Women: The Musical at Northern Kentucky University’s Student Theatre, The Little Mermaid Jr. at the Maysville Playhouse, and teaching for camps and studios across Kentucky. Offstage, Allyson is an active alumna of her sorority (Alpha Omicron Pi) and loves to cook and bake whenever she can!
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Cast
JAN 3 & 4 | Music Hall cincinnatipops.org
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CREATIVE TEAM ZINA CAMBLIN (Playwright) (she/they) is a playwright and television writer and producer. Her most recent TV writing credits include WuTang: An American Saga (Hulu), Almost Family (FOX), The Right Stuff (Disney+), Big Sky (ABC), and Dear Edward (AppleTV). She has developed original work for HBO Max and I’ll Have Another Productions, founded by Gabrielle Union. She is currently developing a feature film with Seth Rogen’s Point Grey Pictures. Her mission as a queer writer of color is to make sure underrepresented stories are showcased and authentically told through the characters she advocates for and creates. Her play And Her Hair Went with Her, a comedy about black women and hair, has been produced by theaters around the country, including The Horizon Theater in Atlanta and the Fountain Theater in Los Angeles. In 2023, she debuted two major theatrical works: Fiona: The Musical, a world premiere inspired by Fiona, the famous hippo from the Cincinnati Zoo, commissioned and produced by Ensemble Theatre, and Wrecking Ball, a dark comedy set in a television writers’ room, commissioned and produced by the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.
DAVID KISOR (Composer & Lyricist) is a songwriter, performer, and producer who splits his time between Cincinnati, Ohio, and Spokane, Washington. He has a master’s degree in composition from the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music but is a songwriter at heart. He has written extensively for musical theater since 1990, including works for Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati and The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. His children’s songs, written and recorded for the non-profit music publisher Growing Sound, promote positive socialemotional development in young children. He is proud, humbled, and blessed to be a part of the ETC family.
D. LYNN MEYERS (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. Lynn recently directed the world premiere of Fierce for the Cincinnati Opera. 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.
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Creative Team
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.
STEVE GOERS (Music Director) is thrilled to return as music director at Ensemble Theatre, where some of his credits include Hands on a Hardbody, Fun Home, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, and Grey Gardens as conductor and keyboardist. He is a member of the musical theatre faculty at the University of Cincinnati's CollegeConservatory of Music and has worked locally with theatres throughout the region, including Playhouse in the Park, The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati, The Carnegie, Cincinnati Landmark Productions, and NKU. Steve has composed numerous works for a variety of media including ten feature film scores and twenty internationally produced musicals for young audiences. He has toured the U.S. and Africa with productions of Barnum, Jersey Boys, and Bubbling Brown Sugar and was featured as pianist and session producer on the album Ella Jenkins and a Union of Friends Pulling Together, which received a Grammy nomination for Best Children’s Album. When not doing shows, Steve is a keyboardist and vocalist in several local bands including the Clyde Brown Band, the Ultrasonics, Aja: A Tribute to Steely Dan, and Just Strange Brothers. He is a graduate of the DePaul University School of Music and UC-CCM.
DEE ANNE BRYLL (Choreographer) (she/her) is very pleased to return to Ensemble Theatre, where her credits include Fiona: The Musical, The Dancing Princesses, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella: After Ever After, and Cinderella, among others. Additional theatre credits include work as a director and choreographer for Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Landmark Productions, Northern Kentucky University, The Carnegie, Commonwealth Theatre Company, and Kings Island Entertainment. Dee Anne has had a long career working in educational theatre. She currently is director of NKU Prep’s Mainstage Musical Theatre Company and is a mentor for The Children’s Theatre Cincinnati’s JumpStart Theatre Program, which brings theatre to underserved middle schools in the tri-state area. She is currently serving on the faculty of Northern Kentucky’s School of the Arts Department of Theatre & Dance.
Production Team
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PRODUCTION TEAM MARIA FERNANDA ORTIZ LOPEZ (Costume Designer) (she/her) returns to Ensemble Theatre, having designed costumes for The Sound Inside, The Match Game, and Fiona: The Musical. A native of Mexico City, she studied fashion design in Mexico and earned her MFA in costume design and technology at the University of Cincinnati. Maria worked as a production assistant on Apple TV’s The Afterparty and won best wardrobe at the Tombstone film festival for the short film On Earth as It Is in Heaven, an 1800s western short film. Her latest design jobs include The Color Purple, The Witch, and tick, tick… BOOM!, The Carnegie; Alice by Heart, Sinclair College; The Latinx Vote, The Studio Theater; and Legally Blonde the Musical, Short North Stage. Instagram: @costume_designs_by_maria
JAKE TILLMANN (Sound Designer & Mixer) is a percussionist, sound designer, audio engineer, and technician from the Cincinnati area. He has performed in and designed many productions over his twelve-year career including Godspell, The Producers, Next to Normal, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, tick, tick... BOOM!, Ride the Cyclone, and more. Jake found theater during his studies at Valparaiso University, where he obtained a degree in music industry. He has consulted and designed for many theatres, venues, studios, and other organizations across the country. Outside of music and theater, Jake can often be found traveling with his wife, Ashley, and Goldendoodle, Charlie.
BECCA SCHALL (Projection Designer) is always excited to be part of the Ensemble Theatre team! She is a freelance videographer and editor in the Cincinnati area and also works with ETC’s marketing team as the creative media producer. Alongside the incomparable D. Lynn Meyers, she is an associate casting director for the various movies that film in Cincinnati and surrounding regions. Becca’s favorite ETC projection design credits include I Shall Not Be Moved, Your Negro Tour Guide, and August Wilson's How I Learned What I Learned.
SHANNON RAE LUTZ (Properties Curator/Design Assistant) (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 third 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.
MARGOT WHITNEY (Production Stage Manager) (she/her) is thrilled to be back at Ensemble Theatre! Her previous credits include Sweat on Broadway and the first national tours of Clue, Mean Girls, Come From Away, Bright Star, The King & I, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and War Horse. She has worked with The Public Theatre, Signature Theatre Company, New York Stage and Film, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, La Jolla Playhouse, Virginia Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati during the 2012-2013 Season, and Cincinnati Ballet. Margot received her BFA from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. She would like to send love and thanks to family and friends!
LEXI MULLER (Assistant 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.
For more content about this production, including behindthe-scenes photos, videos, interviews, and more, visit www.ensemblecincinnati.org
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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 November 10, 2024 and November 10, 2025.
PLAYWRIGHTS ($20,000+) Anonymous ArtsWave Gale & Dave Beckett Daniel Brown & Mark Haggard Annette & Tom Carothers The Charles H. Dater Foundation, Inc. Harry & Linda Fath Lynne Friedlander Friedlander Family Fund The Greater Cincinnati Foundation Hamilton County, Ohio Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation The Donald C. and Laura M. Harrison Family Foundation* Karlee Hilliard Linda Holthaus & Richard Zinicola William & Mary Jane James LKC Foundation The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank & Narley L. Haley, Co-Trustees Kenneth T. & Molly M. Mahler The Markley Family Anu & Shekhar Mitra Diane & Dave Moccia David & Judith Morgan Fund* Ohio Arts Council PNC Foundation Richard Postler & Manuel Hernandez Damon & Holly Ragusa Josephine S. Russell Charitable Trust, through the PNC Charitable Trusts Grant Review Committee Robert & Adele Schiff Family Foundation The Shubert Foundation, Inc. Thaman Fund* Robert Keith & Kathleen Thornton Keith Dale & Joyce Uetrecht Family Fund van der Horst Family Fund* Ginger Warner
PRODUCERS ($10,000-$19,999) Anonymous The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation Denise & Martin Chambers, The Don and Alice Ulmer Legacy Giving Fund Geiger Family L. Timothy Giglio Fifth Third Bank Foundation Home City Ice Stephen King & Lynne Miller Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation Mary Stagaman & Ron Kull Dudley S. Taft Foundation Tamara White
DIRECTORS ($5,000-$9,999) Anonymous Marcia Banker & Jeff Schloemer Athena Avgousti-Bauer & Mark Bauer Cincinnati Bengals Corky & Rick Family Foundation
The Elaine & Bob Blatt Fund Mary & William Bonansinga Charitable Family Fund* Michael Gerard Carr Kelly M. Dehan & Rick Staudigel Jane & Chip Gerhardt Alana & Shelly Gerson Lauren Hannan Shafer Betty Huck Andrew Jergens Foundation Limestone Fund* Carolyn Morin Palmer/Graber Family Fund Paylocity Barbara & Dave Reaman Steve & Carol Reubel Blake Robison & Connan Morrissey Jane Ruwet Hopson & Larry Pytlinski Alex & Kim Schutte Jackie Mack & Ted Silberstein Meghan & Dan Simonson The Sittenfeld Family Norma Skoog Summerfair Foundation, Inc. Carol Talbot Fund* Scott & Sally Tieke Jo Ann Wieghaus
DESIGNERS ($2,500-$4,999) Anonymous (2) William P. Anderson Foundation Kali Boecher Kathy Burklow & John Berlier Elizabeth Clark Kathy DeLaura Ehrsam Family Fund* Dr. & Mrs. Richard Glaser Beverly A. Grant Fund* William Groneman & Maureen Flanagan Charitable Fund Chris Heiert Johnson Charitable Gift Fund Johnson Investment Counsel Arleene Keller Louise and Grauman Marks Memorial Fund* Moe & Jack Rouse Dick & Chris Russell Rosemary & Mark Schlachter Elizabeth Sawyer Selnick Fund* Sprout Insight LLC Charles Scott Riley III Foundation Charlotte Williams Trust UBS Matching Gifts Program
STAGE MANAGERS ($1,000-$2,499) Anonymous (4) Gordon Allen & Linda Baas Americana Arts Foundation The Art Links Fund* Laura Atkinson Judith & Louis Belli Chris Bolling & Stephen Peterson Dawn & Doug Bruestle
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 † Sustaining Donor
the premiere society
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STAGE MANAGERS CONT. Bryson Family Charitable Fund Stephen Carothers Barbara Carr & Bren Blaine Candace Carson Fran Christensen Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber Philip Clayton Burton Closson Brian & Elizabeth Coley Margaret & Joseph Conway Meredythe G. & Clayton C. Daley, Jr. Family Fund* Mark Dauner Amy Diamond & Eddie Wolf Rick & Allison Edwards John Ellmore Fencl Family Fund* Patti and Greg Fischesser Robert Fitzpatrick Sandi Gans Jodi Geiser David & Susan Goering Hill Family Legacy Fund Mrs. Madeleine H. Gordon Kurt & Joanne Grossman Judith Hauser Emily M. Hodges & Charles H. Spencer Erin Houlihan & John Bostick Patti & Keith James Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies Matching Gifts Program LaMacchia Family Foundation Warren Leight Carol Leslie Chris Lewis & Alicia Bond-Lewis Sophia McAllister Carol Miller Meibers Allen R. Middleton Jill & Bruce Mitchell Patti Myers & Alan Flaherty Bill and Karen Neyer Molly North Paypal Giving Fund Chris Philpotts and Pam Schall Ann and Chris Ramos Red Shell Management Hera G. Reines Mr. & Mrs. Gates T. Richards Ed & Carol Rigaud Robert Roesbery Iris Sageser Marvin & Betsy Schwartz Fund* Robert & Eleanor Shott Philanthropic Fund Signet Love Inspires Foundation Ken & Kathy Skau Susan & David Lee Smith Dr. Joseph & Mrs. Nancy Stratman Richard & Kathleen Strenk Glenda Suttman Gordon & Mary-Anne Thompson Bob & Sue Trusty Elizabeth Warner and Laurent Huguenin Susan Wilke Carol and Rich Wilson
CAST ($500-$999) Anonymous (2) Sarah Aitken David Askew & Ric Sweeney Joe and Trish Baker Janice Bauer Bill & Janet Berger Malcolm & Glenda Bernstein Fund* Erica Bock Neil Bortz Charlotte Brooks Jeff & Gay Bullock Courtney Campbell-Saxton Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra The Cincinnati Woman's Club
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THE PREMIERE SOCIETY
Robert Clary Carol C. Cole David Crotty & Joan von Handorf Marjorie Davies Rick & Tracy Diehl Harry Dornheggen & Ora Forusz Dennis Dunwoodie Arthur Fink LP Tracy Finn Joanne Fiorini Rachel & Bernard Foster Rita & Dennis Geiger Robert Gerding Sue Harris & Meredith Green David Logan & Dale Hodges Joseph Huber James & Robin Huizenga Daniel Hurley Anne & Gary Klasmeier Andrew Maloney Mark D. Manley & Annette J. Wick Minda Matthews-Smith Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Maurath Bill & Ruth Morley Roy & Cheryl Newman Neda & Bruce Nutley Ms. Kathleen O'Connell & Dr. H. Kenneth Peterson Brett Offenberger & Douglas Duckett Timothy & Joanne Oppelt Whitney Owens & David Eslinger Family Fund Alice Perlman Adam Porter Irene & Daniel Randolph Donor Advised Fund of the Cambridge Charitable Foundation Danielle & Kenneth Revelson Stephen & Helen Rindsberg Diane Rumpke Bob & Maura Schilling Schimberg Family Foundation Fund* Jim & Tammy Stephens Family Charitable Fund Tom & Torey Torre Nancye & Thomas Van Brunt Jennifer Verkamp Maureen & Larry Vignola Karen & Barry Webb Pann & Terry Webb West Shore Home LLC Michael & Susan Whitehead Ronna & Dr. James Willis Kathryn Wright Nora Zorich & Thomas Filardo Family Fund*
RUNNING CREW ($250-$499) Anonymous Mary Ann Bender David & Elaine Billmire The Bloch Family Fund Richard Block Peg & John Bruggeman John Bruggerman Anne E. Charles Virginia Cheeseman Margaret Clarke Barbara Cummins Susan Deye Michael Dimaggio Christine Dye Linda Erpelding Keith Faber Barbara Feldmann Larry Freeman Vanessa Freytag Natalie Galbato Len & Jakki Haussler Bob & Judy Heaton Daniel Hoffheimer Lyle & Jennifer Horvath Doug Ignatius & Bruce Preston Farrah Jackson
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
Barbara A. Jennings Sandra Kohn Mr. & Mrs. Richard Kovarsky Kroger Community Rewards Program Ginny & Rick Kuertz Mary LaBolt Charles & Jennifer Margolis David L. Martin Dr. Ralph R. Meyer Drs. Jacqueline & Steven Miller Family Diane Muller Barbara Myers Kim, Dan, & Maddi O'Connell David M. Piatt Fund* Pledgeling Foundation Laura Proto & Tommy Johnston Holly Riffe & Sue Roth Al Roane Kira Rucker J.R. Rulon Beth Schwartz & Gene Smiley Mary Lee & Louie Sirkin Kathleen Stringfield Linda Tache Sue & Tom Terwilliger Barry Thomas Meggan Thompson Marty C. Tomb Anita Trotta Rosalie P. van Nuis Sheryl Vice Priscilla S. Walford Buzz Ward Ann & Victor Warner Robert & Jean Willis Ashlee Young Dr. David & Cynthia Zink
APPRENTICES ($125-$249) Anonymous (11) Raye Needham Allen Anne Arenstein & Rick Sarason Jane & Larry Bennett Sarah & Brenda Burton-Price Michele & Kevin Cain Rebecca Campbell Clifton Town Meeting Art Committee Charles & Lois Deitschel Raymond Diedrichs Emilie & David Dressler Fund* Igor & Jane Dumbadze George Fee Donna Felts Bob & Mary Fitzpatrick Diane Geiser Jo Anne M. Gibbons & John R. Getz Melinda Gilbert Donn Goebel & Cathy McLeod Linda Goldenhar & Chris Cain Patricia A. Hemmer Rick & Kathleen Hibbard Ann Hicks Marilyn Hurrell Lisa Kagan Lorrence T. & Barbara W. Kellar Fund* Judith Kenniston Sharon Kerns
Tim & Grace Kerr Pinky & Sam Kocoshis Sherry & Steve McCamley Mary Ann Meyer John & Deborah Moffatt Patricia & James Neidhard Kathy & John Newsom Overbeck Charitable Fund Phil Paradis & Marjorie Hull Lucy Putnam Janet Reynolds Cheryl & David Risher Lyle & Jean Ritze Connie & Don Roesch David Roth R. Sapona Becca Schall Karen Schilling Barbara Seiver Grace Sferra Eli E. Shupe, Jr. & Toby Ruben Janice K. Smith Tim Smith & Penny Poirier Jacqueline & Richard Snyder Kate Spencer Jean Stead Fred & Anne Straus Charitable Fund Robert P. Streicher Larry Weber Howard M. & Nancy S. Weinberg Amy Weinstock Jane Whalen Jay & Kate Wilford Pat Zerbe
TRIBUTE GIFTS In honor of Annette & Tom Carothers In memory of Richard Charles & Rebecca Parker In memory of Susan Freelander In honor of Linda Holthaus In memory of James & Noretta Markley In memory of Audrey Meyers (5) In honor of D. Lynn Meyers In honor of Meghan Simonson In honor of Mary Stagaman and her work at ETC In memory of Carol Thaman 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 * A Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation HORAN † Sustaining Donor Cincinnati Reds
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
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