DANCING PRINCESSES THE
book by Joseph McDonough music & lyrics by David Kisor
The arts reveal what matters most.
PNC is proud to support Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. The arts make us think, make us feel, and make us wonder. Thank you for helping to make our community a beautiful place.
©2021 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC CON PDF 0618-0106
D. Lynn Meyers, Producing Artistic Director
THE DANCING PRINCESSES Book by JOSEPH McDONOUGH | Music & Lyrics by DAVID KISOR Directed by D. LYNN MEYERS†
November 30 – December 30, 2022 Scenic & Lighting Designer BRIAN c . MEHRING
Music Director STEVE GOERS
Wig & Makeup Designer KELLY YURKO Choreographer DEE ANNE BRYLL
Choreographer PATTI JAMES
Production Stage Manager MARGOT WHITNEY*
Costume Designer REBA SENSKE
Sound Designer MATT CALLAHAN
Properties Curator/Design Assistant SHANNON RAE LUTZ Choreographer LEA LACHEY
Technical Director JACK MURPHY
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.
THE DANCING PRINCESSES is presented by special arrangement with Joseph McDonough and David Kisor.
*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
OPENING NIGHT SPONSORS
| 3
2022–2023 SPONSORS
Photo by Ryan Kurtz
SEASON PRESENTING SPONSOR
C
M
Y
CM
MY
SEASON FUNDER
OPERATING SUPPORT
SEASON TICKET SPONSOR
CY
CMY
K
FAIRY GODMOTHER SPONSORS
SEASON SUPPORT City of Cincinnati Susan Friedlander Hamilton County 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 Suder’s Art Store
4 |
2022–2023 sponsors
EDUCATION, ENGAGEMENT, & INCLUSION SPONSOR
EDUCATION, ENGAGEMENT, & INCLUSION SUPPORT Anonymous (2) Arts Midwest William P. Anderson Foundation Donald C. and Laura M. Harrison Family Foundation Emily Hodges & Charles Spencer Betty Huck Mr. & Mrs. David E. Moccia The Daniel & Susan Pfau Foundation Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation The Thaman Family Fund Jennifer Verkamp The Dennis B. & Patricia L. Worthen Fund
Your gift to ArtsWave supports 150+ arts organizations each year that make thousands of concerts, shows, exhibitions, public art and experiences like BLINK® happen!
GIVE TODAY artswave.org
2022–2023 sponsors
| 5
CAST & CREW LIST CAST Joziam......................................................................................................................... MICHAEL G. BATH* Dario/Dream Dancer............................................................................................ANDREA BEASLEY Jack/Dream Dancer............................................................................................... TIMOTHY BELTON Aldrin, Jack, Joziam, Mack, & Pharron Standby....................DARNELL PIERRE BENJAMIN* Pharron........................................................................................................................... ANTONIO CRUZ Aldrin..............................................................................................................................KENNETH EARLY* Nritya................................................................................................................................SHONITA JOSHI* Woman................................................................................................................................ SARA MACKIE* Mack/Dream Dancer..........................................................................................ANDREW MALONEY*^ Woman u/s.............................................................................................................CAROLINE MARINO Tusu.................................................................................................................................MALYSSA QUINN Natayla/Young Asa.............................................................................................................. EMMY RICE Gidela...............................................................................................................................ELEXIS SELMON Tiva/Young Zilda........................................................................................................BROOKE STEELE* Zilda.................................................................................................................................. KATE WILFORD*
RUNNING CREW Assistant Stage Manager............................................................................................... LEXI MULLER* 2nd Assistant Stage Manager & Wardrobe Apprentice.......................................EMILY MISALI 2nd Assistant Stage Manager......................................................................... ANNIE FITZPATRICK* Sound Mixer..............................................................................................................................RAE KUHN Sound Board Operator......................................................................................CAROLINE MARINO Light Board Operators..................................................... JARED EARLAND, BECCA HOWELL, KATIE MITCHELL, RYAN SHEPARD Running Crew.................................................................................................................... CHAR ADAMS Wardrobe Crew..............................................................ANDREA BEASLEY, TIMOTHY BELTON, EMMY RICE, ELEXIS SELMON
*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
6 |
cast & crew list
CAST & CREW LIST PRODUCTION TEAM Associate Technical Director................................................................................. JACOB DOWELL Intimacy Choreographer.................................................................................................... ERIN CARR Scenic Charge Artist/Production Assistant.................................................................RAE KUHN Costume Supervisor.............................................................................................. BROOKE ARTHUR Lighting & Sound Supervisor..................................................................................RYAN SHEPARD Production Master Electrician............................................................................... CHRIS LIPSTREU Sound Technician.......................................................................................................... NICK KOEHLKE DEIA Consultant........................................................................................... NICHOLAS TSANGARIS
MUSICIANS Keyboards/Sequences.................................................................................................... DAVID KISOR Percussion/Steel Drum..............................................................................................BRIAN MALONE Guitar/Bass Guitar............................................................................................................BRAD MYERS Banjo/Mandolin/Viola/Violin.............................................................................. PAUL PATTERSON Saxophones/Clarinet....................................................................................... BEN WALKENHAUER Flutes..................................................................................................................................... JOHN RUZSA Cello.............................................................................................................................AMY GILLINGHAM Trumpets.....................................................................................................MICHEAL MAVRIDOGLOU Accordion............................................................................................................................. JOHN KEENE Voices............. DOROTHY JOLLY, DAVID KISOR, KATIE MITCHELL, NATASIA REINHARDT
SETTING
A castle and the road outside the castle.
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
This production will be performed with one intermission. Approximate running time is 1 hours, 45 minutes.
PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES. NO TEXTING.
cast & crew list
| 7
SONG LIST ACT ONE "Five Times Round the World".................................................................................................Woman "Fixing Shoes"....................................................................................................................... Mack & Jack "The Mystery of the Worn-Out Shoes"........................... Aldrin, Zilda, Joziam, Mack, & Jack "The King's Mystery"............................................................................................................Aldrin, Zilda "Introducing the Princesses"................................................................................Zilda & Princesses "Four Times Find a New Direction"........................................................................................Woman "Hot Chocolate #1".................................................................................................................. Princesses "In a World of My Own"......................................................................................................... Princesses "Incantation #1"........................................................................................................................ Princesses "Dream Dance #1"................................................................................Princesses & Dream Dancers "Three Times Waltz the Willow Wisp"...................................................................................Woman "Princess Roll Call #1"........................................................................................................................ Zilda "The Power of Perception"............................................................................... Pharron & Ensemble "What Do I Say? What Do I Do? #1"..........................................................Pharron, Mack, & Jack "Zilda's Misfortune"............................................................................................................. Mack & Jack "Hot Chocolate #2"................................................................................................................. Princesses "Incantation #2"....................................................................................................................... Princesses "Dream Dance #2"...............................................................................Princesses & Dream Dancers
ACT TWO "Two Times Ride the Rising Tide"...........................................................................................Woman "Princess Roll Call #2"....................................................................................................................... Zilda "The Dance Lesson"........................................................................................................Tiva & Pharron "What Do I Say? What Do I Do? #2"...........................................Mack, Jack, Nritya, & Natayla "Without Good Bye".........................................................................................................Aldrin & Zilda "I Wanna Be a Jester"...........................................................................................Joziam & Ensemble "Cayden's Story"........................................................................................................................... Pharron "One Time Round the Castle"...................................................................................................Woman "Incantation #3"....................................................................................................................... Princesses "Dream Dance #3"...............................................................................Princesses & Dream Dancers "One Year Tomorrow".................................................................................................. Woman & Zilda "Princess Roll Call #3"....................................................................................................................... Zilda "Zilda's Incantation"........................................................................................................................... Zilda "Lay the Magic Down".........................................................................Woman, Zilda, & Princesses "Love Still Finds Its Way—Finale"....................................................................................... Ensemble
8 |
Song List
Building better lives for our customers, communities and each other. Building better lives for our customers, Building better lives foreach our customers, communities and other. communities and each other.
Messer is proud to support the
Messer to support support the Messeris is proud proud to the Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati performances of performances of performances of
The Dancing Princesses TheDancing Dancing Princesses The Princesses
@messerwearebldg
@messerwearebldg messer.com @messerwearebldg messer.com messer.com
JOHNSONINV.COM
10 |
Gabbi Poirier
Proudly Preferred
CURATED EVENTS & ELEVATED DINING DESIGNED TO ENGAGE, ENLIGHTEN, AND INSPIRE, THE SUMMIT PROMISES A TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNEY FROM EVERYDAY TO EXTRAORDINARY. WWW.THESUMMITHOTEL.COM
T (513) 527-9900
| 11
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 under-resourced 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 Kathy DeLaura, Chair Jeffrey Schloemer, President Kathy Burklow, Vice President Linda Holthaus, Vice President Mike Schueler, Treasurer Meggan Thompson, Secretary DIRECTORS Erica Bock Holly Brians Ragusa Otto M. Budig, Jr. Tom Carothers Charles H. Gerhardt, III Stephen M. King Anthony McNamara D. Lynn Meyers, ex officio Shekhar Mitra Nilesh Patel Darryl A. Peal Richard L. Postler Leah Quortrup Maura Schilling Alex Schutte Mary Stagaman Torie Wiggins Ashlee Young Erica Zaretsky 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? Contact our team at Cincinnati
Accredited member of the Better Business Bureau.
12 |
Magazine for information: advertise@CincinnatiMagazine.com
ABOUT ETC
OUR STAFF LEADERSHIP
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 Josh Neumeyer, Managing Director
ARTISTIC
Brian c. Mehring, Resident Scenic & Lighting Designer Shannon Rae Lutz, Properties Curator & Design Assistant Rae Kuhn, Scenic Charge Artist & Production Assistant Professional Apprentice Program Shannon Rae Lutz, Director of Apprentice Programming Torie Wiggins, Apprentice Program Associate Professional Apprentices: Andrea Beasley • Timothy Belton Caroline Marino • Emily Misali Emmy Rice • Elexis Selmon
DEVELOPMENT
Jennifer Joplin, Director of Development
EDUCATION
Victoria Aslanides, Director of Education Emily Bush, Education Associate Daniela Nenova, Education Associate Teaching Artists: Becca Howell • Julie Locker
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Jocelyn Meyer, Director of Marketing & Communications Amy J. Barbian, Associate Director of Marketing & Communications Rachel Kazee, Digital Marketing Coordinator Becca Schall, Creative Media Producer
OPERATIONS
Jared D. Doren, Programming & Events Manager Nick Ligon, Head of Security Anna Sheridan, Administrative Coordinator
PATRON SERVICES
Amy Weinstock, Box Office Manager Box Office Associates/House Managers: Melody Lindner • Sean Miller-Jones Sharisse Santos • Becca Schall Bartenders: Carter Bratton • Burgess Byrd • Jacob Dowell Lori Hiltenbeitel • Wyn Jones • John Simpson
PRODUCTION
Jack Murphy, Technical Director Jacob Dowell, Associate Technical Director Brooke Arthur, Costume Supervisor Ryan Shepard, Lighting & Sound Supervisor
STAGE MANAGEMENT
Margot Whitney, Production Stage Manager Lexi Muller, Assistant Stage Manager
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.
| 13
DIRECTOR'S NOTES I'm thrilled to welcome you to this production! You may wonder why I chose to do this play at this time. With the aftermath of what has happened and the concern for what may come, why The Dancing Princesses? Choosing what we have on our stage is a responsibility I take very seriously, and it is a never-ending process. There is constant attention being paid to what is next, how do we go forward, and the shows are the key to who we are and what we believe as an organization. The Dancing Princesses looks at the life of Aldrin and Asa and their love of the world, their passion for all that the wonder of the world brought to life, five daughters from around the world. It also shows us the life of Zilda whose pain and fear has kept her from the world. When Aldrin’s fear overcomes his passion for life, the walls go up. His daughters are sheltered from any possible harm, and from any possible joy. This is a loving attempt to keep the world at bay by keeping them physically constrained. But no one can stop curiosity and wonder. As they celebrate and explore the world through dance, the princesses bring us along with them. As Pharron brings his perception and honesty to the castle, a key of hope come with him, along with the faith that we can thrive without war and survive any tragedy if we find a way to love. Hope is the reason for this production. Acknowledging this is a difficult and sometimes dangerous world is necessary to make it better. We have been locked away from each other physically and emotionally, and now it’s time to dance, to love, to believe in all the wonder the world holds. To find a way to thrive, not just survive. Redemption and forgiveness dance away fear and hate in this production. May it do so in our lives. As we begin 2023, remember that through any trauma, love still finds its way. Wishing love to you and all you hold dear. —D. Lynn Meyers
For more content about this production, including behindthe-scenes photos, videos, interviews and more, visit www.ensemblecincinnati.org
14 |
Director's Notes
FOR DREAMS OF ALL KINDS Materials inspired by The Dancing Princesses, courtesy of The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library.
Visit CinLib.org/Dancing-Princesses for more! BOOKS Grilled Cheese and Dragons
In the Shadow of a Queen Based on a True Story
by Nancy E. Krulik
by Heather B. Moore
I Am Mighty! A Picture Book
The People's Princess by Flora Harding
by Kelly Greenawalt
Agent Josephine Amrican Beauty, French Hero, British Spy
Sisters of the Snake by Sarena Nanua
by Damien Lewis
Other Ever Afters New Queer Fairy Tales A Graphic Novel
Borrow these materials online or at your nearest library branch.
by Melanie Gillman
THE BEST
eam The Opera Cr ct as The Final A
Bakery ◊ Café ◊ Tearoom BONBONERIE.COM 513.321.3399 ◊ 2030 MADISON RD
Bon Fall Ensemble FINAL 2022.indd 1
9/12/22 3:36 PM
| 15
PLAY IN PROGRESS Andrew Maloney and Malyssa Quinn during dance rehearsal.
Dee Anne Bryll reviewing her choreography.
Antonio Cruz reading the script.
Andrea Beasley, Brooke Steele, Shonita Joshi, & Elexis Selmon rehearse a group dance number.
16 |
Play in Progress
PLAY IN PROGRESS
Emmy Rice & Timothy Belton in rehearsal.
Brooke Steele finding her character.
Shoninta Joshi practicing choreography.
Shonita Joshi & Elexis Selmon during rehearsal.
Play in Progress
| 17
SAVE $25 HEADER A
ON ALL REGISTRATIONS
BEFORE MARCH 31
REGISTER: www.ensemblecincinnati.org or (513) 421-3555
ETC SUMMEr camps 2023 Junior Summer Camp JULY 10–21, 2023 | Ages 7–13
Technical Theatre Intensive JULY 17–21, 2023| Ages 13–19
High School Intensive JULY 24–28, 2023 | Ages 13–19
18 |
Play in Progress
MAKES A GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT!
etc essentials A FREE conversation series with local scholars and community members that explores the themes and context of our productions.
Grand Horizons JANUARY 29, 2023 @ 1:00 PM
Do you trust the old adages “never go to bed angry" or “love means never having to say you’re sorry"? Hear from marriage and family counselors as they parse the good relationship advice from the bad and all the funny anecdotes in between.
Morning Sun MARCH 12, 2023 @ 1:00 PM
Art has the mysterious power to transport us across worlds and generate nostalgia and empathy. Why have some paintings, such as Edward Hopper’s Morning Sun, resonated with generation after generation? Join visual artists to discuss how art can be used to reflect the universal human experience in a raw and beautiful way.
Who All Over There? APRIL 23, 2023 @ 1:00 PM
Relationships can be complicated, even on stage. As our society progresses, new roles are being established in the theatre community to address cultural nuances and physical and emotional safety on stage. Learn from local intimacy coaches and cultural consultants about their role in the theatre and why it is so vital.
Maytag Virgin JUNE 11, 2023 @ 1:00 PM
With the rise of social media, dating apps, and online communication, we have begun to lose the power of the love letter. Learn from local writers and love experts about the art of the written “woo-rd” and how to compose perfect love letters for the special people in your life.
Admission is FREE but reservations are required! Reserve online or through the ETC Box Office.
DANCE AROUND
THE WORLD 1. Hoop dance is a storytelling solo dance performed in many North American Indigenous communities wherein the dancer swings anywhere from 4-30 hoops on and around their body to create a variety of shapes. Originally practiced as a healing dance, its most popular origin story is that of an Anishanaabe spirit showing humans what animals had to teach them. The modern hoop dance seen today with multiple hoops was created in the 1930s by Tony White Cloud in New Mexico, and popular hoop dance competitions are held regularly. The hoops represent the never-ending cycle of life and tell stories of how all life is connected. 2. Merengue is the national dance of the Dominican Republic, and became popular in the 1820-40s during Haitian occupation when Dominicans differentiated the dance from the similar Haitian méringue. Although the origin is still unclear, the dance started in the late 1700s as a blend of African dance and the French minuet. Originally frowned upon by elites, it was especially popular among rural populations. Merengue uses sideto-side motion and a “dragged leg” move, and its emphasis on partnership and the mood of the music makes it highly improvisational and fun. 3. Tap The first American art form, tap’s origins go back to the 1600s, combining the jigs of Irish indentured servants with step-dancing of West African slaves, but it was truly cultivated in the melting pot of New York City’s Five Points District in the mid-1800s. Its popularity spread through minstrel shows then Vaudeville variety acts, creating noise from wooden shoes with pennies attached at the heel and toe. Broadway musicals, films of the 1930s and 40s, and the evolution of jazz music all further popularized tap dance, and it became known for its syncopated rhythm and improvised steps. 4. Tango The tango evolved in the 1880s in the lower-class areas and dance halls of Buenos Aires in Argentina and Montevideo in Uruguay following an influx of immigrants. It combined the influences and cultures of former slaves from Africa, European immigrants, and native Argentinians and was originally referred to as “music of the immigrants.” Tango is a highly improvised and passionate partner dance revolving around the idea of a leader and a follower. 5. Moribayassa The Moribayassa is a very old and joyous dance originated by the Malinke people of Guinea after an especially long season of hunger. The dance, performed by a woman, symbolizes and celebrates her victory over a hardship and emphasizes lower body movement. The dancer wears old, tattered clothing and leads other women around the village before changing into a new outfit and burying the ragged clothes.
6. Waltz First danced by peasants in modern day Germany and Austria, the modern waltz evolved from Bavarian and Austrian folk dances in the 1700s. It was then introduced as a court dance and its fluid, rolling movement contrasted with the contemporary rigid court dances. The closeness of partners made the dance controversial for its first 200 years before completely changing dance form across Europe. The waltz includes a rising and falling action, and its original form was the quick-tempo Viennese Waltz. 7. Semba The semba is an energetic, playful dance created in the 1600s by Bantu people in modern day Angola as a celebratory dance. A partnered dance, it developed to blend traditional African dance with colonial Portuguese influence, and it was popularized in the 1940s with the rise of Semba music. Its name comes from “Massemba” which means “touch of the bellies,” a recognizable move as partners hold each other closely. The dance and music played a key role in Angola’s fight for independence in the 1960s and ‘70s, and it led to the creation of the kazimbo dance in the 1980s, a slowed down, more romantic version of the semba. 8. Hora A celebratory circle dance, the hora is a traditional Romanian folk dance most well-known for being performed at Jewish weddings. It stems from Ancient Greek circle dances used in religious celebrations and played an important role in rural Romanian entertainment. Jews moving to Eastern Europe in the Middle Ages adopted it, and they spread it when they started to leave the area in the late 1800s for modernday Israel, Palestine, and the U.S. It became especially popular in Israel in the 1920s. The hora is popular across several Balkan countries, and it varies in dance moves from country to country. 9. Bollywood Bollywood dancing originated in the early 20th century with the creation of Bollywood films in Bombay (current day Mumbai). It combines the classic and folk dances of India with more modern styles like hip-hop, jazz, and disco. Classical Indian dances, like Bharatanatyam and Kathak, enact Hindu stories, and each region of India has their own forms of folk dancing. Bollywood draws influence from each of these styles along with Western dances to tell stories through dance. 10. 'Ōte'a The ‘ōte‘a is a traditional Tahitian dance and one of a few that survived colonialism. Performed to fast-paced drumming, this group dance tells a story about daily life and is known for its quick hip rotations while the torso remains still. Originally danced by men who performed with their knees rather than hips, it’s also characterized by colorful costumes including plant fiber skirts. European missionaries banned traditional Tahitian dance in the late 1700s followed by an official law in 1819, and it wasn’t until the 1960s that the dance regained popularity. By the 1980s, ‘ōte‘a was fully rediscovered and allowed Tahitians to reconnect to nature and their heritage.
THE FAIRY GODMOTHER PROGRAM "HELLO, GINNY!" We begin each Fairy Godmother performance with this enthusiastic greeting to honor Ginny Hoffman, ETC's very own Fairy Godmother. The Fairy Godmother Program was founded in the memory and celebration of Ginny, an actress and theatre educator who shined on our stage from 1987 until her death in 1993. Ginny’s lasting legacy comes from her work with and dedication to children. Like the fairy godmothers she portrayed in many of our holiday productions, Ginny had a special place in her heart for sharing theatre with kids, which is why The Fairy Godmother Program not only gives the magic of theatre to children in our community, but also provides them with transportation to and from the show, a healthy snack, and take-home and classroom enrichment activities. Join the celebration as we mark this program's 29th Anniversary by donating today. Gifts from YOU, our present-day fairy godparents, enable nearly 2,000 children throughout our community to attend the holiday show each year, many of whom are experiencing live theatre for the first time. To contribute today, cash or checks will be accepted in the lobby or you can visit the box office to give via credit card. You can also donate online at www.ensemblecincinnati.org/support or by calling (513) 421-3555, option 4. Thank you for honoring Ginny's life and work by supporting this cherished program.
Claire Slemmer, Ginny Hoffman, & Ophelia Kelly Azariah in The Sleeping Beauty, 1990. Photo by Sandy Underwood.
CAST BIOS MICHAEL G. BATH (Joziam) returns for his 26th holiday show with Ensemble Theatre, where he was last seen in Tiny Beautiful Things, as well as Crabble in Fly By Night, Eddie in The Legend of Georgia McBride, Ian Smithton in The Other Place, and Adam in Next Fall. Most recently he played Duke Salinus and Dr. Pinch in The Comedy of Errors at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. 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.
ANDREA BEASLEY (Dario/Dream Dancer) (they/them) is a multihyphenate theatre artist from Friendswood, Texas. They graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BFA in Drama, where some of their credits include #25 in The Wolves, Esther in Intimate Apparel, Lee in The Gap, and Angel in Marisol, as well as Starveling/Moon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at OK Shakespeare in the Park. They are a current member of ETC’s Professional Acting Apprentice Program, and they are excited to be making their Cincinnati debut on the ETC stage.
TIMOTHY BELTON (Jack/Dream Dancer) (he/him) recently graduated from Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts with a BFA in Musical Theatre. He was born and raised in Northern Kentucky by his parents Sean and Julie. He loves Ohio State Football and Milwaukee Bucks Basketball with a passion and is a member of ETC’s Professional Acting Apprentice Program.
DARNELL PIERRE BENJAMIN (Aldrin, Jack, Joziam, Mack, & Pharron Standby) (he/him) is dancing his way into another opportunity to work with the good folks at Ensemble Theatre, where he recently directed the successful productions of Sweat and Stupid F**king Bird. He was last seen onstage in The Living Dead and Pride and Prejudice with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and Cinderella with ETC. In addition to his performance work, he works in the community on the boards for Caracole, Treehouse Cincinnati, Stop the Stigma Productions, and Pones. Darnell is very much looking forward to being a part of someone’s first theatrical experience, thanks to ETC’s Fairy Godmother Program.
Cast Bios
| 23
CAST BIOS ANTONIO CRUZ (Pharron) (he/they) is a Mexican American operatic baritone from Tucson, Arizona. Some of his roles include Silvio in Pagliacci with El Paso Opera, L'horloge Comtoise in L'enfant et les Sortilèges with Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and as Jim/Troll #2 in the world premiere of Fierce with Cincinnati Opera. Tony has been an apprentice artist with Kentucky Opera, The Glimmerglass Festival (virtual due to the pandemic), and Des Moines Metro Opera respectively. He holds an Artist Diploma in Opera and a Master's of Music from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, as well as a Bachelor's of Music from the University of Arizona. He is also a guitarist, drummer, and singer/songwriter, performing locally and uploading original music as Tony Cruz.
KENNETH EARLY (Aldrin) is always happy to return to his home theatre, where he was last seen as the Xavier in Pipeline. Some of his other Ensemble Theatre credits include Alice in Wonderland, The Dancing Princesses (2017), Red Velvet, The Whipping Man, Grey Gardens, Snow White, and The Frog Princess (2007). Other regional credits include Once on This Island, Misery, August Wilson's Jitney, and To Kill a Mockingbird, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, Macbeth, Of Mice and Men, and To Kill a Mockingbird, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company; On Golden Pond, The Human Race Theatre; Once on This Island, Actors Theatre of Louisville; Pluto and Harry and the Thief, Know Theatre Cincinnati; and Awaited at the Aronoff Center.
SHONITA JOSHI (Nritya) (she/her) is a south Asian actor, born and brought up in Pune, India. Prior to moving to the US, she worked for three years in the Indian film industry (lovingly called Bollywood) and two years at Google before realizing that her love for theatre is more than just a hobby—it’s a necessity. Shonita graduated in 2019 from Stella Adler School of Acting in New York. Some of her recent credits include Queen, Ensemble Theatre; Antony & Cleopatra, Pericles, Much Ado About Nothing, and Twelfth Night, Hip to Hip Theater Company NYC; and A Christmas Carol, Stuart Little, and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. She’s very excited to be back this year!
LET’S THEATRE TOGETHER
24 |
Cast bios
CAST BIOS SARA MACKIE (Woman) (she/her) is thrilled to return to Ensemble Theatre because her holidays are just not the same without this spot in her season! Some of her ETC credits include Fun Home, Hands on a Hardbody, all three Wonderette iterations, Rabbit Hole, Mauritius, and numerous holiday offerings with immense joy and gratitude. Sara's other regional credits include An Act of God, Family Ties, and Twelfth Night, Human Race Theatre; Pride and Prejudice, Romeo and Juliet, and Hamlet, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company; Pump Boys and Dinettes, The Carnegie; and Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune, New Edgecliff Theatre. She can be seen briefly in some of the great feature films shot here in Cincinnati. Love to Michael and the girls and a huge balloon of gratitude to Lynn and Audrey—and for this role, especially, to Scot Woolley. www.saramackie.com
ANDREW MALONEY (Mack/Dream Dancer) (he/him) is thrilled to be returning to Ensemble Theatre, where he was last seen in Alice in Wonderland and previously in Violet, First Date, Around the World in 80 Days, and many other holiday shows! Internationally, Andrew appeared as Action in the Ecuadorian premiere of West Side Story at the Teatro Nacional Sucre in Quito, Ecuador. His other credits include Rent, Assassins, The Little Mermaid, and A Chorus Line. He has a BFA from Northern Kentucky University and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Andrew would like to give thanks to Lynn and the entire ETC family for giving him this unbelievable opportunity to be back on stage after a four-year hiatus, to the cast for making this experience one for the books, and to his family and friends for their continued love and support! Instagram: @Maloneya1
CAROLINE MARINO (Woman u/s) (she/her) recently graduated from Xavier University, where she earned a BA in Musical Theatre. She is a member of Ensemble Theatre’s Professional Acting Apprentice Program and is extremely grateful and excited for the opportunity to perform for the first time on this beautiful stage!
MALYSSA QUINN (Tusu) (she/her) is super excited to be a part of The Dancing Princesses! She received a BA in Theatre and Dance at the University of Texas in Austin. A year ago, Quinn migrated to Cincinnati to join ETC’s Professional Acting Apprentice Program, where she was seen as Nina in Stupid F**king Bird. Other credits include Kayla in Letters from Camp Shrewd with Shrewd Productions and Gila in La Pastorela with Teatro Vivo. Most recently, you could find Quinn at Kings Island as Kid Clever, along with the rest of the Costume Council, searching for the best dressed in the park. She’s very happy to be back at ETC and hopes you enjoy the show!
Cast Bios
| 25
CAST BIOS EMMY RICE (Natayla/Young Asa) (she/her) is excited to be making her Ensemble Theatre debut with this show! She graduated from Xavier University with a BA in both Theatre Performance and English and is a proud member of ETC’s Professional Acting Apprentice Program this year. She sends love to her family, friends, and Luke for continually showing love and support for what she does.
ELEXIS SELMON (Gidela) is a recent graduate of Loyola University in New Orleans where she majored in Theatre Arts and Psychology. She was most recently seen as Maude Lynn in Le Petit’s The House That Will Not Stand and Mercy in The NOLA Project’s School Girls; Or The African Mean Girls Play. Elexis is very excited and blessed to be making her professional debut at Ensemble Theatre where she is a member of ETC’s Professional Acting Apprentice Program. She would like to thank God, her family, friends, teachers, and mentors for all of their love and support.
Journey to the past.
January 3 – 15, 2023
February 7 – 12, 2023
Aronoff Center
CincinnatiArts.org • 513.621.ARTS
26 |
Cast Bios
CAST BIOS BROOKE STEELE (Tiva/Young Zilda) (she/her) is so happy to be spending the holiday season with Ensemble Theatre! Some of her favorite ETC credits include Cinderella in Cinderella, Vasilisa in The Frog Princess, Miriam in Fly By Night, Violet in Violet, and Suzy Simpson in The Marvelous Wonderettes. Brooke lives in Kennedy Heights with her husband, two daughters, two fish, one bunny, and a little black dog.
KATE WILFORD (Zilda) (she/her) has been an Ensemble Theatre regular since 1996 and is so happy to be back with this wonderful group of artists. She was last seen in Cinderella at ETC, where some of her favorite credits include Women of Lockerbie, Becky's New Car, and Hands on a Hardbody. She has been seen at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Know Theatre of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children’s Theatre, Cincinnati Symphony, and many more. Kate has taught acting in the region for over 28 years and been married for over 36 years—she is looking forward to many more of all of it! Many thanks to Lynn and her very talented company.
NEW YEAR’S EVE: BILLIE HOLIDAY SONGBOOK SAT DEC 31 | 8 PM Damon Gupton conductor Quiana Lynell vocalist
John Morris Russell conducts
HOLIDAY POPS FRI DEC 9 11:00 am & 7:30 pm SAT DEC 10 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm SUN DEC 11 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Concert Sponsor: Graeter’s Ice Cream Digital Access Partner: CVG Airport Authority
cincinnatipops.org • 513.381.3300
Cast Bios
| 27
CREATIVE TEAM JOSEPH McDONOUGH (Playwright) (he/him) has collaborated with David Kisor on ETC’s holiday musicals for over twenty seasons. Several of these shows are published by Playscripts and Theatrical Rights Worldwide. His plays have also been produced by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, and The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, as well as other theaters around the country. His play Ordinary Americans received its world premiere just before the pandemic in a co-production by Palm Beach Dramaworks and GableStage in Miami. His new musical (with collaborators Mark Friedman and Janet Vogt Yates) about infamous Cincinnati bootlegger George Remus was produced at the Carnegie Theater this summer. Joe teaches playwriting at Miami University and is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild.
DAVID KISOR (Composer & Lyricist) has participated as a composer, lyricist, and music director in thirty seasons of Ensemble Theatre’s history. He has been part of the creative team for Adrift, The Frog Princess, Sleeping Beauty, Around the World in 80 Days, and Cinderella: After Ever After, as well as his quasi-autobiographical Cars, Dogs, Money and the Moon, and many more. He is the Creative Director of Growing Sound, a non-profit music publisher, and the Music Director at the New Thought Unity Center. When he is not working on a new play or giving concerts and workshops, David can usually be found on the floor, singing with preschoolers somewhere in greater Cincinnati.
D. LYNN MEYERS (Producing Artistic Director) (she/her) has been with Ensemble Theatre for over twenty-five years, having directed more than a hundred world and regional premieres, including Fun Home, The Wolves, Ripcord, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The Legend of Georgia McBride, Hands on a Hardbody, I Am My Own Wife, Next to Normal, 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 Carol, The Old Man & the Gun, and The Public 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 2018 Rosa F. and Samuel B. Sachs Fund Prize for her regional arts impact and leadership.
28 |
Creative Team
PRODUCTION TEAM BRIAN c. MEHRING (Scenic & Lighting Designer) (he/him) has designed more than one hundred productions at Ensemble Theatre. His favorite productions include Thom Pain (based on nothing), Next to Normal, 33 Variations, Freud's Last Session, and I Am My Own Wife. Mr. Mehring’s 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.
STEVE GOERS (Music Director) is thrilled to return as music director at Ensemble Theatre. He has worked on previous Ensemble productions of Fun Home, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, and Grey Gardens as conductor and keyboardist. He is an Adjunct Professor on the CCM Musical Theatre faculty and has worked with theatres throughout the region, including Playhouse in the Park and Children's Theatre of Cincinnati, as well as national and international tours. Steve has composed and orchestrated numerous works for theater and film including world premiere adaptations of Where the Wild Things Are, Peter Pan and Wendy, and the award-winning feature film Over-the-Rhine. He is a graduate of the DePaul University School of Music and the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music.
REBA SENSKE (Costume Designer) (she/her) is the Associate Costume Designer at the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music. She has designed costumes for Ensemble Theatre's Becky's New Car, 33 Variations, Mauritius, Grey Gardens, The Seafarer, Rabbit Hole, Souvenir, String of Pearls, I Am My Own Wife, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001), among countless others. Some of her CCM credits include Hot Summer Nights, Violet, We Tell the Story, Singin' in the Rain, The Boys from Syracuse, Oklahoma!, Big River, and Guys and Dolls. She designed Noah's Flood for the May Festival and is Cincinnati Opera's Costume Manager. She designed Song from the Uproar, Ainadamar, Cosi Fan Tutti, and Calisto for the Cincinnati Opera.
MATT CALLAHAN (Sound Designer) (he/him) was the Resident Sound Designer for Actors Theatre of Louisville for seven seasons. Some of his recent designs for Ensemble Theatre include Queen, Cinderella, and Pipeline. He was also a co-creator/designer of Rock n’ Roll: The Reunion Tour. He spent two seasons as the Resident Sound Designer at The Eugene O’Neil Center for their National Playwrights Conference. He was formerly the sound engineer for Steppenwolf Theatre, the Assistant Engineer for Blue Man Chicago, and a member of the disbanded Defiant Theatre. He received a Jeff Citation for Red Dragon, a nomination for Fortinbras, and a Kevin Kline nomination for Sherlock Holmes.
Production Team
| 29
PRODUCTION TEAM KELLY YURKO (Wig & Makeup Designer) has been the head of the Wig and Makeup Design program at the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music since 2001, where her designs have been seen in several productions including The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Xanadu, and The Marriage of Figaro. She has worked on several productions at Ensemble Theatre, including Violet, (all of) The Marvelous Wonderettes, The Whipping Man, Mrs. Mannerly, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and many more. Her work has been seen at Phoenix Theatre, The Wolf Trap Opera, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Wright State University, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Denver Theatre Center, and Ford’s Theatre.
DEE ANNE BRYLL (Choreographer) (she/her) is very pleased to return to Ensemble Theatre, where her credits include Cinderella, The Frog Princess, Sleeping Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella: After Ever After, and Syncopation, among others. Additional credits include work at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Xavier University Theatre, The Carnegie, Cincinnati Landmark Theatre, and Commonwealth Theatre Company. Dee Anne has been a director and choreographer for shows including Carousel, Sister Act: The Musical, Life Could Be a Dream, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, Parade, Big River, Singin’ in the Rain, Ragtime, and Some Enchanted Evening. She won a 2006 CEA for her performance as Maggie Jones in 42nd Street. She and her husband, Edward Cohen, were awarded the 2010 Acclaim Trailblazer Award for contributions to Cincinnati theatre She was awarded the 2015 Freddie G. Broadway Junior Spirit Award presented and sponsored by Freddie Gershon (CEO of Music Theatre International) and his wife Myrna. Dee Anne holds faculty positions at Northern Kentucky University and Xavier University and is the Artistic Project Mentor for the JumpStart Theatre Program at Children's Theatre of Cincinnati.
PATTI JAMES (Choreographer) has choreographed countless times for Ensemble Theatre, where some of her credits include Fun Home, Fly By Night, Violet, Next to Normal, The Marvelous Wonderettes, and Grey Gardens, as well as playing the role of Lottie in Mack and Mabel. For almost 20 years, she was an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music, teaching tap and jazz, as well as choreographing productions of Candide, The Full Monty, Wonderful Town, Little Women, Good News, Anything Goes, Evita, Into The Woods, The Merry Widow, Big River, Lysistrata Jones, and Mack and Mabel. For her involvement in Cincinnati theatre, Patti received the 2009-2010 Acclaim MVP Award. For eight years, she directed and choreographed Home for the Holidays, featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. For the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, she choreographed the 2004 Today’s Tonys, and the 2007 Red, White, and Boom at Riverbend. She also choreographed the production of Mariel for the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, and has worked on a number of productions with The Carnegie in Covington, Kentucky. Patti lives with Keith, her husband of over 40 years, and they have two grown daughters, Alexis (husband Emmett and children Emmett, Auggie, Darcy, and Reggie) and Chloe (husband Eric and son Fletcher).
30 |
Production Team
PRODUCTION TEAM LEA LACHEY (Choreographer) (she/her) is a director and choreographer and is excited to be joining Ensemble Theatre! Lea’s career began at 18 with the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes as a dancer and later as assistant choreographer. Some of her credits include the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, MTV, VH1, Miss Teen USA, NBA All-Star Game, NFL Pro Bowl, My2K Tour & Package tour with Boyz ll Men, New Kids On The Block, and 98 Degrees. Lea worked as choreographer and dance consultant on multiple films such as Carol, Miles Ahead, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, and with Mariah Carey on A Christmas Melody. Lea is the Co-Artistic Director of Lachey Arts, a nonprofit that creates new works and helps inspire the next generation of artists. Their show “label•less” will tour in the spring of 2023.
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 Properties Master 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 guide ETC’s Professional Acting Apprentice Company. Shannon would like to thank D. Lynn Meyers, Ruth Sawyer, and the Cincinnati theatre community and patrons for their generous, supportive, and tenacious spirit.
JACK MURPHY (Technical Director) (he/him) is excited to be part of another season at Ensemble Theatre! He grew up in the Cincinnati area and studied technical theatre at Hanover College. While there, he spent his summers at several different summer stock theatres as a carpenter. After graduation, he moved to Bellport, NY, to work for The Gateway Playhouse as a carpenter and rigger and went on to work for Norwegian Cruise Line. After another summer at the Janiec Opera Company as the Assistant Technical Director, he came full circle and returned home to Cincinnati. In 2013, Jack joined the team at ETC, where his favorite productions include An Iliad, Grounded, and Fun Home. He is eager to continue to do the cutting edge work for which ETC is known.
GRAND HORIZONS
COMING SOON | JAN. 14 – FEB. 5
by Bess Wohl
Family hijinks and hysteria abound in this hilarious Tony-nominted romp!
Production Team
| 31
PRODUCTION TEAM MARGOT WHITNEY (Production Stage Manager) (she/her) is thrilled to be back at Ensemble Theatre this season! Her previous credits include Sweat on Broadway and the first national tours of Mean Girls, Come From Away, Bright Star, The King & I, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and War Horse. She has worked with The Public Theater, 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 her love and thanks to family and friends! LEXI MULLER (Assistant Stage Manager) (she/her) is delighted to be back at Ensemble Theatre, where some of her credits include Fun Home, The Wolves, Skeleton Crew, and Fly By Night. Other regional credits include Sex with Strangers, The House, and 26 Pebbles with The Human Race Theatre Company. She is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and a graduate of Wright State University, where she received her BFA in Stage Management. Lexi would like to thank her friends, family, and her extraordinary mother for supporting her every step of the way. RAE KUHN (Scenic Charge Artist/Production Assistant) (any/all) is in their sixth season at Ensemble Theatre. Rae graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Multidisciplinary degree focusing on fine arts, creative writing, and neuropsychology; however, technical theatre has been a hobby since high school. Rae is a former scenic artist for 3DX and has worked in stage management, sound engineering, and special effects makeup for organizations including New Edgecliff Theatre, Falcon Theatre, and Cincinnati Landmark Productions. Rae began painting backdrops for ETC's Education Department, which led to their current position at ETC, where their favorite credits are Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Bloomsday, and When We Were Young and Unafraid.
THEATRE IS MEANT TO BE SHARED Groups of 8+ save on single ticket prices. Contact the ETC box office for more info or to book your next group! 32 |
Production Team
in OTR |
Central Parkway YMCA 1105 Elm Street
Learn how we’re more than a gym Join today at MyY.org/join
4 floors of fitness near Washington Park
Fitness classes, large free weight room
Lap swim, steam, sauna | 33
WAYS HEADER A TO GIVE From playwrights to apprentices, and every role in between, your tax-deductible gift to ETC enables us to enlighten, 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. Become a member of our Ensemble today!
DONATE TODAY
DONATE BY PHONE
The box office will be happy to accept your gift via cash, check, or credit card during intermission or after the show.
Please call (513) 421–3555 and select option 4 to speak with Josh.
DONATE ONLINE
Send a check made out to Ensemble Theatre with "donation" in the memo line to:
To make your gift online, visit www.ensemblecincinnati.org/ support.
DONATE WITH STOCK
For instructions on stock transfers, email development@ensemblecincinnati.org.
DONATE BY MAIL
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati Attn: Development 1127 Vine Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
BECOME AN ENSEMBLE SUSTAINING DONOR Join an essential group of donors who contribute on a recurring basis throughout the year, providing a steady and predictable stream of income to support programming and operations. Most choose monthly amounts charged to a credit card, but options can be customized to meet your giving goals and needs. Email development@ensemblecincinnati.org to become a Sustaining Donor today.
GIVE WHILE YOU SHOP Before you fill your shopping cart, whether in person or online, designate ETC as your nonprofit beneficiary through the Kroger Community Rewards and AmazonSmile programs. It's easy: you shop, Kroger and Amazon donate a portion of your purchase amount directly to ETC, and that's it!
Register your Kroger Plus Card at www.kroger.com and select ETC–organization BM374.
Visit smile.amazon.com/ch/31-1220252 and use your normal Amazon login each time you shop.
34 |
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 awardwinning education, engagement, and inclusion programming for our community. The following list includes donors whose gifts were received between October 21, 2021 and October 20, 2022.
PLAYWRIGHTS ($20,000+) Anonymous ArtsWave Gale & Dave Beckett Daniel Brown & Mark Haggard The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation Denise & Martin Chambers The City of Cincinnati Burton & Susan Closson The Charles H. Dater Foundation, Inc. Friedlander Family Fund Greater Cincinnati Foundation The Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation Hamilton County, Ohio The Donald C. & Laura M. Harrison Family Foundation* LKC Foundation The Mitchell S. & Jacqueline P. Meyers Foundation Ohio Arts Council P&G Fund* Palmer/Graber Family Fund The Schueler Group The Sittenfeld Family The Shubert Foundation, Inc. Louise Taft Semple Foundation US Small Business Administration
PRODUCERS ($10,000-$19,999) Anonymous Arts Midwest Dinsmore & Shohl LLP John & Gloria Goering Family Gift Fund Betty Huck Diane & Dave Moccia PNC Foundation Dudley S. Taft Foundation Dale Uetrecht
DIRECTORS ($5,000-$9,999) Marcia Banker & Jeff Schloemer† William J. Baude - Maurice E. Oshry Fund* Tom & Annette Carothers Dan Collopy Corky & Rick Family Foundation Crosset Family Fund* Johnson Investment Counsel Arleene Keller Kenneth T. & Molly M. Mahler
Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation In Memory of James A. Markley, Jr. Barbara W. Robb Sprout Insight LLC Thaman Family Fund*
DESIGNERS ($2,500-$4,999) Anonymous (2) Gordon Allen & Linda Baas Nicholas Apanius Bank of America Charitable Foundation Susan Cohen & Robert Schmuelling PJ Fischesser Jane & Chip Gerhardt Marilyn P. & Joseph W. Hirschhorn Fund* Linda Holthaus & Richard Zinicola Messer Construction Anu & Shekhar Mitra David & Judith Morgan Fund* Leah Quortrup Damon & Holly Ragusa Caroline Richards Jane Ruwet Hopson & Larry Pytlinski Digi & Mike Schueler Vinkolet Winery Jo Ann Wieghaus
STAGE MANAGERS ($1,000-$2,499) Anonymous Americana Arts Foundation William P. Anderson Foundation Bank Of America Employee Giving Campaign Judith & Louis Belli Malcolm A. & Glenda Bernstein* Michael Berry & Melanie Garner Bryson Family Charitable Fund Jeff & Gay Bullock Barbara Carr & Bren Blaine Cissell Family Fund* Philip Clayton Kathy Collins & Joseph Giglia Meredythe G. & Clayton C. Daley, Jr. Family Fund* Philip K. & Anne Lilly Cone Fund* Rick & Allison Edwards Ehrsam Family Fund* Fencl Family Fund* Bob & Mary Fitzpatrick In Memory of Kathy Fuller Rita & Dennis Geiger
Please bring any errors or omissions to our attention by contacting Josh Neumeyer: jneumeyer@ensemblecincinnati.org or (513) 421-3555 x2103.
* A Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation † Sustaining Donor
the premiere society
| 35
STAGE MANAGERS CONT. Gilman Family Fund* Karen Grass Linda Greenberg Fund* Dr. Robert & Suzanne Hasl Fund Robert Keith & Kathleen Thornton Keith Ginny & Rick Kuertz Andrea Levenson Young Charitable Fund, a Donor Advised Fund of Renaissance Charitable Foundation Chris Lewis & Alicia Bond-Lewis Sophia McAllister Jill & Bruce Mitchell Molly North Pepper Family Fund* Steven & Carol Reubel Joyce Rich Mr. & Mrs. Gates T. Richards Charles Scott Riley III Foundation Blake Robison & Connan Morrissey Jessica Ruebusch Alex & Kim Schutte Marvin & Betsy Schwartz Fund* Robert & Eleanor Shott Philanthropic Fund Norma Skoog Richard & Kathleen Strenk Glenda Suttman Meggan Thompson Bob & Sue Trusty Woodward Family Charitable Foundation The Dennis B. & Patricia L. Worthen Fund
CAST ($500-$999) Christine Adams Todd & Ann Bailey Wilma & Herbert Beigel Walter Blair The Blatt Family Fund Brian & Elizabeth Coley Margaret & Joseph Conway Jennifer Cook David Crotty & Joan von Handorf Mark Dauner† Kelly M. Dehan Kathy DeLaura & Ron Steinhoff† Jan Denton Rachel & Bernard Foster Sandi Gans† Bob Gerding Daniel Hurley Keith & Patti James Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies Matching Gifts Program Amy Katz & Robert Cohen Dick & Mona Kerstine Beverly Kinney & Edward Cloughessy Sandra Kohn Kroger Community Rewards Program Warren Leight Jackie Mack & Ted Silberstein Aymie Majerski Carol Miller Meibers John & Deborah Moffatt Bill & Ruth Morley Patti Myers & Alan Flaherty
36 |
the premiere society
Catherine Northcutt Stratman Charitable Foundation Overbeck Charitable Fund Whitney Owens & David Eslinger Family Fund Adam Parrish Neal Patel & Dr. Avani Modi Alice Perlman Presidential Plaza Associates, LTD Irene & Daniel Randolph Donor Advised Fund of the Cambridge Charitable Foundation Hera G. Reines Becky & Ted Richards Stephen & Helen Rindsberg Alis Rule Robinson Martha & Lee Schimberg Kenneth & Kathleen Skau Susan & David Smith Kate Spencer & Doug Morriss Elizabeth Stites & Kevin Randall Jennifer Verkamp Charitable Fund Sonia Wagener Karen & Barry Webb Wuerdeman Family Fund* Dr. David & Cynthia Zink
RUNNING CREW ($250-$499) AmazonSmile Foundation Mary Ann Bender David & Elaine Billmire Richard Block Jane Bogart Sellers† Mark Bowen† Cassandra Brissette Dawn & Doug Bruestle† Ann & Lee Bulger Denny & Mindy Burger† Nancy Cisneros Barbara Cummins Steve & Daina Dennis Paul & Bev Diamond† Emilie & David Dressler Fund* Dennis & Catherine Dunwoodie† Barbara Feldmann Mary Friel Melinda Gilbert Donn Goebel & Cathy McLeod† The Gumbleton Family Judy & Alan Guttman Richard & Lauren Hess Pinky & Sam Kocoshis Carmen & Rich Kovarsky Carol Leslie† Limestone Fund* John & Kathy Lorenz Richard & Barbara Males Charles & Jennifer Margolis David L. Martin Anil Menon Dr. Ralph R. Meyer Danute Miskinis Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Neda & Bruce Nutley Darryl Peal Nancy L. Phelan Thomas & Marianne Phillips
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR DONORS! To join our family of contributors with a donation of any size, please contact Josh Neumeyer: (513) 421-3555 x2103 David M. Piatt Fund* Holly Riffe & Sue Roth† Al Roane† Jerri Roberts & Jim Thomas Marianne R. Rowe J.R. Rulon† Alfred & Stephanie Sassler P. Robert Schwetschenau Arnie & Ina Shayne Eli E. Shupe, Jr. & Toby Ruben† Michael Siegrist Mark Silbersack & Ruth Schwallie William Slutz Marty C. Tomb Ellen & Ray van der Horst Rosalie P. van Nuis Priscilla S. Walford Scott & Vicki Walker Buzz Ward Ann & Victor Warner Pann & Terry Webb† Jay & Kate Wilford Kathryn Wright Nora Zorich & Thomas Filardo Family Fund*
APPRENTICES ($125-$249) Anonymous (10) Anne Arenstein & Rick Sarason Robert & Janet Banks Henrietta Barlag Barbara & Wayne Beimesch Bill & Janet Berger Dee Anne Bryll & Ed Cohen Daniel Burr Michele & Kevin Cain† Patricia & Robert Clary Ann Cochran Strasser Carol C. Cole College Hill Coffee Co & Casual Gourmet John & Cynthia Cozad Jean Crocker-Lakness Charles & Lois Deitschel Marianne Doll Elaine Drakos Linda Erpelding Leah Felton & David Uetrecht Bill & Carol Fisher Rose & Daniel Gahl Joanne Glaser Karlee Hilliard Lyle & Jennifer Horvath James & Robin Huizenga Barbara A. Jennings Janice Kagermeier Carl Kalota
Doug & Marguerite Katchen Judith Kenniston Russell Lascelles & Janet Schultz David Logan & Dale Hodges Anne McAdams Sherry & Steve McCamley The Honorable Norbert & Linnea Nadel Shawn & Marilyn Nolan Ms. Kathleen O'Connell & Dr. H. Kenneth Peterson Paul & Mary Ann Odegard Lucy Putnam Ross Royce Maria Saldivar Ronald & Ruth Schmiedeker Barbara Seiver Lois Shannon Mary Lee & Louie Sirkin Tim Smith & Penny Poirier John & Martha Spiess Fred & Anne Straus Charitable Fund Robert P. Streicher Thomas Thompson U.S. Bank Employee Matching Program Alan & Margie Ullman Mary Ann Weiss Joseph Wessling Michael Wheatley Karen Wittenberg†
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 † Sustaining Donor
the premiere society
| 37
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. TAX CREDITS If you cannot attend your performance and cannot reschedule for another date, tickets released prior to performances by calling the ETC box office are fully deductible as a charitable contribution.
38 |
patron information
1127 Vine Street circa 1927 Image courtesy of Fifth Third Bank archives.
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. 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).
@OHIOARTSCOUNCIL | #ARTSOHIO | OAC.OHIO.GOV
State and federal dollars through the Ohio Arts Council supported your arts experience today.
WHERE WILL THE ARTS TAKE YOU NEXT ? VISIT ARTSINOHIO.COM