The Sound Inside

Your passion shines brilliantly.

The arts make us think, make us feel, and make us wonder. PNC is proud to support Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. Thank you for helping to make our community more brilliant.

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©2024 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC CON PDF 1221-018-1951005

D. Lynn Meyers, Producing Artistic Director

THE SOUND INSIDE

by ADAM RAPP

Directed by BRIAN ISAAC PHILLIPS†

April 5 – 27, 2025 Scenic & Lighting Designer BRIAN c . MEHRING

Costume Designer MARIA FERNANDA ORTIZ LOPEZ

Sound Designer TREY TATUM

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.

THE SOUND INSIDE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com Original Broadway Production Produced by Jeffrey Richards, Lincoln Center Theater, Rebecca Gold, Evamere Entertainment, Eric Falkenstein, Salman Vienn Al-Rashid, Spencer Ross, FilmNation Entertainment/Faliro House, Jane Bergère, Caiola Productions, Mark S. Golub and David S. Golub, Ken Greiner, Gemini Theatrical Investors, Scott ff. Mauro, Jayne Baron Sherman, Czekaj Productions, Wendy Morgan-Hunter, Kristin Foster, Jacob Soroken Porten, and Williamstown Theatre Festival, Mandy Greenfield, Artistic Director. The World Premiere of THE SOUND INSIDE was produced by Williamstown Theatre Festival in July 2018.

THE SOUND INSIDE was originally commissioned by Lincoln Center Theater.

*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.

†

DESIGN SPONSORS The Geiger Family | Shekhar & Anu Mitra ARTIST SPONSORS Chip & Jane Gerhardt

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2024–2025 SPONSORS

SEASON PRESENTING SPONSOR

SEASON FUNDER

OPERATING SUPPORT

FAIRY GODMOTHER SPONSOR

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

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2024–2025 sponsors

SEASON TICKET SPONSOR

EDUCATION, ENGAGEMENT, & INCLUSION SPONSORS

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

e v o c s e i d eth g to stronge arts for ar stronge r region

together Since 1927, ArtsWave has been the primary way to fund Cincy’s arts. Gifts from ArtsWave Members are invested in nearly every neighborhood and town across the Cincinnati region, supporting arts organizations like the Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati that create a vibrant economy and a connected community.

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Become a member today and discover what we can do, together.

2024–2025 sponsors

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DIRECTOR'S NOTES "One of the last great realizations is that life will not be what you desired." –Light Years by James Salter I didn’t know James Salter's novel until I started working on this play, but I was very familiar with Adam Rapp's work. I had been introduced to Mr. Rapp about 25 years ago through Nocturne, a play about a young man who accidentally causes his little sister's death and whose father almost kills him in vengeance. Eventually, the story takes its hero to New York City to become a writer, where he builds his life with books.

Hundreds of novels are used to build the life raft that saves him from the tragedies of his youth and sail him into the future. Who knows if he will live happily ever after, but there seems to be hope.

Hope.

In The Sound Inside, hope also seems to be in short supply. We are introduced to our narrator Bella, who almost immediately tells us about her personal and professional tragedies. Bella's new student, Christopher, also seems to be wrestling with all the things that we encounter when we are on the verge of adulthood and trying to figure out who we are. Both our heroes are struggling, perhaps because their lives are not what they dreamed they would be. Can we relate? How many of us thought that our lives would be very different than what they currently are? Our careers? Our personal lives? Our health? Our political climate? Even our playwright is quoted in a Vanity Fair interview that he had given up on his Broadway dreams until this play happened.

And yet.

And yet, miraculously, hope happens. Just when it seems darkest, there is hope in the connection our two characters make, hope in the gifts we give each other, hope in the story we are here to see tonight.

Because stories are a gift.

Stories remind us that we are not alone, that other people have felt and thought like us before, that being human is a struggle with hardship and joy and surprises and disappointments and comedy and tragedy and . . . hope. Stories give us hope even when things can seem as bleak as they do in our play. And maybe, just maybe, James Salter's quote about life not being what you dreamed isn’t necessarily a bad or melancholy thing. Maybe Mr. Salter’s quote also means life can end up being so much more than what we dreamed. ­—Brian Isaac Phillips

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Director's notes

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833-628-4467 This project is supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $2.71 million with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor anendorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government

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CAST & CREW CAST Bella......................................................................................................................... ANNIE FITZPATRICK* Christopher................................................................................................................... RUPERT SPRAUL*

RUNNING CREW 2nd Assistant Stage Manager........................................................................... MADDI O'CONNELL Light Board Operator..................................................................................................... CHAR ADAMS Sound Board Operator......................................................................................ELLIET MALATESTA Costume Crew & Christopher u/s.................................................................. LEONARDO CLARK Spot Light Operator & Bella u/s.................................................................................ABIGAIL DIRR Spot Light Operator.......................................................................................... AMIRA F. JACKSON

PRODUCTION TEAM Projections Designer.................................................................................................. BECCA SCHALL Associate Technical Director..................................................................................... JACK MURPHY Associate Production Manager & Master Electrician................................... CHRIS LIPSTREU Scenic Charge Artist & Production Associate........................................... MELISSA BENNETT Costume Shop Manager.........................................................................HANNAH DRINGENBURG Wardrobe Supervisor......................................................................................................EMILY MISALI Sound Technician.......................................................................................................... NICK KOEHLKE Intimacy Director.........................................................................................................................E. CARR Shop Carpenter........................................................................................... JEREMIAH PLESSINGER Carpenter & Load-In Tech...................................................................................... NATHAN NEORR

SETTING Autumn in New Haven, Connecticut.

This production will be performed in one act with NO intermission.

Approximate running time is 1 hour, 30 minutes.

PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES. NO TEXTING.

*Member belongs to Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers. Understudies never substitute for listed players unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the performance.

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cast & crew

FOR STORIES OF ALL KINDS Materials inspired by The Sound Inside courtesy of The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library.

BOOKS I Have Some Questions for You

by Rebecca Makkai

The Teachers

A Year Inside America's Most Vulnerable, Important Profession

This Book Will Bury Me

by Ashley Winstead

by Alexandra Robbins

The Plot

by Jean Hanff Korelitz

The True Story of How Houston's Deadliest Murderer Turned A Kid Into A Killing Machine

The Serial Killer's Apprentice

by Alexandra Robbins

Woodworking

by Emily St. James Silent Sister

by Megan Davidhizar

Borrow these and other show-inspired materials online or at your nearest library branch.

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Visit ensemblecincinnati.org for more content about this production, including behind-the-scenes photos, videos, interviews, and more!

A SEASON THAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF

25/26 SEASON

SEP 9 – 21, 2025

OCT 14 – 26, 2025

MAKE IT AN 8-SHOW PACKAGE

DEC 16, 2025 – JAN 4, 2026

JAN 13 – 25, 2026

FEB 10 – 22, 2026

SEASON OPTION

MAR 3 – 15, 2026

MAR 24 – 29, 2026

APR 21 – MAY 3, 2026

SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT

MAY 12 – 17, 2026

JUN 10 – JUL 5, 2026

©Disney

SEASON OPTION

BroadwayinCincinnati.com | 800.294.1816 | Aronoff Center 10 |

CINCINNATI OPERA at MUSIC HALL

Rigoletto June 12 & 14

Studio Sessions June 17, July 10 & 17

Tosca

June 26 & 28 NEW PRODUCTION!

Fiddler on the Roof

July 23, 25, 26 & 27

TICKETS START AT $36

SUMMER FESTIVAL

2025

cincinnatiopera.org Illustration: Fiddler on the Roof: Aimee Sposito Martini

Season Funders: Patricia A. Corbett Estate and Trust

Harry T. Wilks Family Foundation

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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 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 Jeffrey Schloemer, Chair Linda Holthaus, President Kathy Burklow, Vice President Alex Schutte, Vice President Mark Haggard, Treasurer Holly Brians Ragusa, Secretary DIRECTORS Athena Avgousti-Bauer Erica Bock Otto M. Budig, Jr. Kwesi Calliste Zina Camblin Tom Carothers Kathy DeLaura Charles H. Gerhardt, III Tim Giglio Beverly A. Grant Kali Hacias Boecher Stephen M. King Andrew Maloney Anthony McNamara D. Lynn Meyers, ex officio Shekhar Mitra Erica Osborn Maura Schilling Meghan Simonson Mary Stagaman 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.

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Accredited member of the Better Business Bureau.

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About us

Contact our team at Cincinnati 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

ARTISTIC

Brian c. Mehring, Resident Scenic & Lighting Designer Shannon Rae Lutz, Properties Curator, Design Assistant, & Director of Apprentice Programming Melissa Bennett, Scenic Charge Artist & Production Associate Torie Wiggins, Artistic Associate

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Jocelyn Meyer, Director of Marketing & Communications Amy J. Barbian, Associate Director of Marketing & Communications 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 Patrick Bayne, Lead House Manager

Professional Apprentices: Char Adams • Leonardo Clark Abigial Dirr • Amira F. Jackson Elliet Malatesta • Maddi O'Connell

Box Office Associates/House Managers: Gabby Casto • Gwyn Lee • KG Rucker • Becca Schall Jacob Schall • Scott Thatcher • Malyssa Quinn

DEVELOPMENT

Jacob Dowell, Technical Director Jack Murphy, Associate Technical Director Chris Lipstreu, Associate Production Manager & Master Electrician Hannah Dringenburg, Costume Shop Manager Emily Misali, Wardrobe Supervisor Jeremiah Plessinger, Shop Carpenter Nathan Neorr, Carpenter & Load-In Tech

Amanda M. McDonald, Director of Philanthropy

EDUCATION

Emily Bush, Director of Education Emmy Rice, Accessibility & Education Programs Coordinator Deondra Kamau Means, Education Associate

PRODUCTION

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.

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PLAY IN PROGRESS Annie Fitzpatrick

Brian Isaac Phillips

Rupert Spraul & Annie Fitzpatrick

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Play in progress

Set model by Brian c. Mehring

PLAY IN PROGRESS Annie Fitzpatrick & Rupert Spraul

Annie Fitzpatrick

Brian Isaac Phillips

Rupert Spraul

Play in Progress

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This campaign will . . .

* * * * *

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, engergize, & inspire • 276 regional and world premieres produced • 4,128 actors employed • 40% of our apprentices remain in the Greater Cincinnati region • 97% subscription renewal rate • Nearly 2,000 student attendees of Fairy Godmother performances annually • 11,000 students served each year by our education and engagement initiatives

Invest in our milestone campaign to ensure ETC can thrive for generations to come!

WAYS TO GIVE $

One-time donations

Tribute gifts

Stock gifts

Multiyear pledges

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Give through your Donor-Advised Fund

If you are over 70 ½, you can make a tax-free Qualified Charitable Distribution from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to ETC. Please direct your administrator to make the gift for Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati (Tax ID: 31-1220252)

Scan now to support the Pillars Campaign!

@ EnsembleCincy For more information, contact us at (513) 421-3555 x4 or development@ensemblecincinnati.org.

CAST ANNIE FITZPATRICK (Bella) last appeared at Ensemble Theatre in Hands on a Hardbody, where some of her favorite credits include Morning Sun, The Wolves, Luna Gale, Next Fall, Rabbit Hole, and String of Pearls. Locally, she's appeared at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Know Theatre of Cincinnati, and the Cincinnati Pops. She has worked with various regional theatres including Indiana Repertory Theatre, American Stage, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Geva Theatre, Florida Stage, Florida Studio. Her TV and film credits include Chicago P.D., Those Who Kill, Army Wives, White Noise, Dark Waters, Mr. Manhattan, Hauntology, The Old Man and the Gun, Fun Size, Milk Money, and the upcoming films Liz Here Now and Mastermind.

RUPERT SPRAUL (Christopher) is excited to make his debut at Ensemble Theatre. His previous work includes Hamlet, Richmond Shakespeare Festival; Romeo and Juliet, Classic Theatre of Maryland; “Master Harold” . . . and the Boys, Falcon Theatre; As You Like It, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company; Macbeth, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks; Small Engine Repair, Clifton Performance Theatre; A Case for the Existence of God, Know Theatre; and various film work including Netflix’s Shirley. Rupert co-founded One Off Productions, where he directed Romeo and Juliet: A Fool’s Paradise and Happy Birthday, Wanda June. He would like to thank his family for their enduring love and support. www.rupertspraul.com

COMING SOON!

MAY 31 – JUN 22 Learn more!

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Cast

Get tressed to impress!

CREATIVE TEAM ADAM RAPP (Playwright) is an award-winning playwright and director. He is the author of numerous plays, which include Nocturne (American Repertory Theatre, New York Theatre Workshop); Finer Noble Gases (26th Humana Festival); Stone Cold Dead Serious (A.R.T.); Blackbird (The Bush, London); Essential Self-Defense (Playwrights Horizons/Edge Theatre); Kindness (Playwrights Horizons); The Metal Children (The Vineyard), The Hallway Trilogy and Through the Yellow Hour (Rattlestick); The Edge of Our Bodies (36th Humana Festival); Dreams of Flying Dreams of Falling and The Purple Lights of Joppa Illinois (The Atlantic); Wolf in the River (The Flea), and Red Light Winter (Steppenwolf, Barrow Street Theatre), for which he won Chicago’s Jeff Award for Best New Work, an Obie, and was named a finalist for the 2006 Pulitzer Prize. He made his Broadway debut with The Sound Inside (Studio 54), which received a 2020 Outer Critics Circle Honor for Outstanding New Broadway Play and went on to be nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Play. The Sound Inside was commissioned by Lincoln Center and received its world premiere at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. He also wrote the book for the Broadway musical The Outsiders. His playwriting honors include Boston’s Elliot Norton Award, The Helen Merrill Prize, The 2006 Princess Grace Statue, a Lucille Lortel Playwright’s Fellowship, the PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation Award, and The Benjamin H. Danks Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

BRIAN ISAAC PHILLIPS (Director) (he/him) is thrilled to be returning to Ensemble Theatre, where he last directed Red Velvet and was seen onstage in Outside Mullingar. Brian’s recent credits include Twelfth Night, Prague Shakespeare Company; Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Merrimack Repertory Theatre; Let the Right One In, University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music; and The Play That Goes Wrong, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Mr. Phillips proudly serves as Producing Artistic Director & CEO at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Brian would like to thank Corinne, Holden, and Annabel for their constant love and support.

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 Hands on a Hardbody, Fun Home, Morning Sun, The Wolves, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, 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 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 2018 Rosa F. and Samuel B. Sachs Fund Prize for regional arts impact and leadership.

Creative Team

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PRODUCTION TEAM BRIAN c. MEHRING (Scenic & Lighting Designer) (he/him) is incredibly thankful to have served as the resident scenic and lighting designer at Ensemble Theatre for over two decades. Some of his favorite productions include Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Your Negro Tour Guide, Next to Normal, An Iliad, Sweat, and Fun Home. His regional favorites for set design include The Last 5 Years and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; Henry IV, Part 1, The Georgia Shakespeare Festival; and I Am My Own Wife, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Peterborough Players, and Florida Studio Theatre. Brian would like to thank D. Lynn Meyers for her endless support and dedication to ETC.

MARIA FERNANDA ORTIZ LOPEZ (Costume Designer) (she/her) returns to Ensemble Theatre, having designed costumes for Fiona: The Musical and The Match Game. 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 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

TREY TATUM (Sound Designer) (he/him) is a playwright and composer who makes silly things about serious stuff. He is the resident composer for the Off the Hill Touring Series at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Trey is one-half of Queen City Flash, a theater company currently in residence at Playhouse in the Park. Ongoing projects include the audio dramas ZOiNKS! and Have Monster, Will Travel, available wherever you get your podcasts. Upcoming projects include two new Choose Your Own Adventure–style plays at Playhouse and Xavier University. Trey lives in Cincinnati and makes theater and mischief with his wife, director Bridget Leak. www.treytatum.com

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, 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 CollegeConservatory of Music. She would like to send 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 I Need That, The Garbologists, Fun Home, and The Wolves. 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.

LET’S THEATRE TOGETHER @ EnsembleCincy

Production Team

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WAYS HEADER A TO GIVE From playwrights to apprentices and every role in between, your tax-deductible gift enables us to enliven, enrich, and inspire audiences, as well as create a thriving urban arts community accessible to all through our world and regional premiere productions and award-winning education, engagement, and inclusion programs.

ONLINE

Make your gift online at ensemblecincinnati.org/support

IN PERSON

Make a gift at our box office via cash, check, or credit card.

BY PHONE

Please call (513) 421–3555, option 4.

BY MAIL

Send a check payable to Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati to: Attn: Development 1127 Vine Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

THROUGH YOUR IRA

Are you over 70 ½? You can make a tax-free Qualified Charitable Distribution from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Direct your administrator to make the gift for Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati (Tax ID: 31-1220252), including “of,” as that is our legal name.

STOCK

For stock transfers instructions, email development@ensemblecincinnati.org

HONOR & MEMORIAL GIFTS

Giving a gift in honor or memory of someone is a wonderful way to pay tribute to their life.

THE 1986 CLUB

ETC’s Monthly Giving Program The 1986 Club celebrates the legacy of Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati’s founding year and provides an opportunity for you to make an ongoing impact on the future of our arts community. By becoming a monthly donor, you directly contribute to the growth and sustainability of our programming, productions, and outreach efforts. Each gift makes an immediate impact on ETC’s productions and educational programs.

Why Give Monthly?

Your monthly investment allows us to build a sustainable future and continue creating the high-quality theatre experiences our community loves. Monthly donors provide ETC with consistent, reliable support, and each gift makes a lasting difference. Join The 1986 Club today and help us shape the future!

Visit www.ensemblecincinnati.org/support

GIVE WHILE YOU SHOP

Designate ETC as your nonprofit beneficiary through the Kroger Community Rewards program, and Kroger donates a portion of your purchase amount directly to ETC. Register your Kroger Plus Card and select ETC–organization BM374.

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ways to give

THE PREMIERE SOCIETY The Premiere Society recognizes the extraordinary individuals, families, and organizations whose generosity makes it possible for ETC to present world-class new works and awardwinning education, engagement, and inclusion programming for our community. The following list includes donors whose gifts were received between March 18, 2024 and March 18, 2025.

PLAYWRIGHTS ($20,000+) Anonymous ArtsWave Gale & Dave Beckett Daniel Brown & Mark Haggard The Charles H. Dater Foundation, Inc. The Greater Cincinnati Foundation Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation The Donald C. and Laura M. Harrison Family Foundation* Harry & Linda Fath Friedlander Family Fund Karlee Hilliard William & Mary Jane James Kenneth T. & Molly M. Mahler The Markley Family Diane & Dave Moccia David & Judith Morgan Fund* Ohio Arts Council P&G Fund* PNC Foundation Richard Postler & Manuel Hernandez Robert & Adele Schiff Family Foundation The Shubert Foundation, Inc. Louise Taft Semple Foundation Dale & Joyce Uetrecht Family Fund PRODUCERS ($10,000-$19,999) Eleanora C. U. Alms Trust, Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Trustee Annette & Tom Carothers Geiger Family Linda Holthaus & Richard Zinicola Anu & Shekhar Mitra Damon & Holly Ragusa Dudley S. Taft Foundation van der Horst Family Fund* Tamara White DIRECTORS ($5,000-$9,999) Anonymous Athena Avgousti-Bauer Marcia Banker & Jeff Schloemer Mary & William Bonansinga Charitable Family Fund* The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation Denise & Martin Chambers, The Don and Alice Ulmer Legacy Giving Fund Susan Cohen & Robert Schmuelling Corky & Rick Family Foundation Kelly M. Dehan & Rick Staudigel Jane & Chip Gerhardt Beverly A. Grant Fund* Betty Huck Robert Keith & Kathleen Thornton Keith Warren Leight Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation

Messer Construction Palmer/Graber Family Fund Paylocity Barbara & Dave Reaman Moe & Jack Rouse Rumpke Jane Ruwet Hopson & Larry Pytlinski Meghan & Dan Simonson Norma Skoog Mary Stagaman & Ron Kull Carol Talbot Fund* Jo Ann Wieghaus

DESIGNERS ($2,500-$4,999) Anonymous William P. Anderson Foundation Nicholas Apanius Kali Boecher Kathy Burklow & John Berlier Michael Gerard Carr Kathy DeLaura & Ron Steinhoff Earthward Bound Foundation Ehrsam Family Fund* John Ellmore L. Timothy Giglio Chris & Chris Heiert Marilyn P. & Joseph W. Hirschhorn Fund* Johnson Investment Counsel Arleene Keller Stephen King & Lynne Miller Jackie Mack & Ted Silberstein Louise and Grauman Marks Memorial Fund* Elizabeth Sawyer Selnick Fund* Susan & David Lee Smith Linda Vaccariello Charles Scott Riley III Foundation Towne Properties Charlotte Williams Trust STAGE MANAGERS ($1,000-$2,499) Anonymous Gordon Allen & Linda Baas Americana Arts Foundation The Art Links Fund* Judith & Louis Belli Dawn & Doug Bruestle Bryson Family Charitable Fund Jeff & Gay Bullock Stephen Carothers Barbara Carr & Bren Blaine Candace Carson Fran Christensen Elizabeth Clark Philip Clayton Margaret & Joseph Conway Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber Meredythe G. & Clayton C. Daley, Jr. Family Fund*

Please bring any errors or omissions to our attention by contacting us at development@ensemblecincinnati.org or (513) 421-3555 x4.

* A Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

the premiere society

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STAGE MANAGERS CONT. Mark Dauner Fencl Family Fund* Robert Fitzpatrick Alana & Shelly Gerson Gilman Family Fund* Dr. & Mrs. Richard Glaser Mrs. Madeleine H. Gordon Linda Greenberg Fund* Kurt & Joanne Grossman Judith Hauser David & Susan Goering Hill Family Legacy Fund Emily M. Hodges & Charles H. Spencer Erin Houlihan & John Bostick Patti & Keith James Sophia McAllister Allen R. Middleton Jill & Bruce Mitchell Bill & Ruth Morley Bill and Karen Neyer Molly North Erica M. L. Osborn Chris Philpotts and Pam Schall Hera G. Reines Steven & Carol Reubel Mr. & Mrs. Gates T. Richards Dick & Chris Russell Alex & Kim Schutte Marvin & Betsy Schwartz Fund* Robert & Eleanor Shott Philanthropic Fund Signet Love Inspires Foundation The Sittenfeld Family Ken & Kathy Skau Paula Steiner Dr. Joseph & Mrs. Nancy Stratman Richard & Kathleen Strenk Bob & Sue Trusty Jeffrey VanSluys Susan Wilke Carol and Rich Wilson Andi Levenson Young & Scott Young CAST ($500-$999) Anonymous (4) Laura Atkinson Joe and Trish Baker Malcolm & Glenda Bernstein Fund* The Elaine & Robert Blatt Fund Erica Bock David A. Brashear Charlotte Brooks Kwesi Calliste Brian & Elizabeth Coley Philip K. & Anne Lilly Cone Fund* David Crotty & Joan von Handorf Rick & Tracy Diehl LP Tracy Finn Joanne Fiorini Bob & Mary Fitzpatrick Rachel & Bernard Foster Rita & Dennis Geiger Sue Harris & Meredith Green Joseph Huber Daniel Hurley Amy Katz & Robert Cohen Sandra Kohn Limestone Fund* Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Maurath Donn Goebel & Cathy McLeod Anthony & Emily McNamara Carol Miller Meibers Patti Myers & Alan Flaherty Roy & Cheryl Newman Ms. Kathleen O'Connell & Dr. H. Kenneth Peterson Whitney Owens & David Eslinger Family Fund

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THE PREMIERE SOCIETY

Alice Perlman Red Shell Mgmt Stephen & Helen Rindsberg Robert Roesbery Maura Schilling Schimberg Family Foundation Fund* Susan & David Smith Jim & Tammy Stephens Family Charitable Fund Gordon & Mary-Anne Thompson Valerie Trentman Nancye & Thomas Van Brunt Jennifer Verkamp Maureen & Larry Vignola Pann & Terry Webb Karen & Barry Webb Mary Ann & Edwin T. Weiss, Jr. Ronna & James Willis Wuerdeman Family Fund* Nora Zorich & Thomas Filardo Family Fund* RUNNING CREW ($250-$499) Anonymous (2) Bill & Janet Berger Neil Bortz Mark Bowen Peg & John Bruggeman John Bruggerman Jo-Ann Casuto Margaret Clarke David Clary Carol C. Cole Barbara Cummins Susan Deye Michael Dimaggio Harry Dornheggen & Ora Forusz Dennis & Catherine Dunwoodie Keith Faber Barbara Feldmann Vanessa Freytag Sandi Gans Drusilla Garms William Groneman & Maureen Flanagan Charitable Fund The Gumbleton Family Bob & Judy Heaton David Logan & Dale Hodges Lyle & Jennifer Horvath James & Robin Huizenga Farrah Jackson Kimberly Kennedy Mr. & Mrs. Richard Kovarsky Kroger Community Rewards Program Ginny & Rick Kuertz Charles & Jennifer Margolis The McCready-Shore Family Dr. Ralph R. Meyer Drs. Jacqueline & Steven Miller Family Norah & Joe Mock Paul & Mary Ann Odegard Brett Offenberger & Douglas Duckett Nancy L. Phelan Patrick & Julia Phillips David M. Piatt Fund* Holly Riffe & Sue Roth Al Roane Marianne R. Rowe J. R. Rulon Arnie Shayne & Ina P. Schwartz Beth Schwartz & Gene Smiley Eli E. Shupe, Jr. & Toby Ruben Tim Smith & Penny Poirier Linda Tache Jeff Wysel & Caren Theuring Meggan Thompson Marty C. Tomb

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

Tom & Torey Torre Anita Trotta Rosalie P. van Nuis Priscilla S. Walford Buzz Ward The Dennis B. & Patricia L. Worthen Fund Ashlee Young APPRENTICES ($125-$249) Anonymous (7) Raye Needham Allen Michele & Kevin Cain Anne E. Charles Virginia Cheeseman Charles & Lois Deitschel Paul & Bev Diamond Emilie & David Dressler Fund* Igor & Jane Dumbadze Larry Freeman Diane Geiser Jo Anne M. Gibbons & John R. Getz Melinda Gilbert Linda Goldenhar & Chris Cain Ann Hicks Daniel Hoffheimer Marilyn Hurrell Sharon Kerns Mary LaBolt Linda Erpelding Sherry & Steve McCamley John & Deborah Moffatt Patricia & James Neidhard Kathy & John Newsom Neda & Bruce Nutley Adam Porter Laura Proto & Tommy Johnston Lucy Putnam David Roth Kira Rucker Anne Arenstein & Rick Sarason Becca Schall Barbara Seiver Mary Lee & Louie Sirkin William L. Slutz & Linda A. Roomann Fred & Anne Straus Charitable Fund Robert P. Streicher Sue & Tom Terwilliger Larry Weber Howard M. & Nancy S. Weinberg Jay & Kate Wilford Karen Wittenberg David Steven Ziegler TRIBUTE GIFTS In honor of Renee Alper In honor of Thomas Carothers MD In honor of Tom & Annette Carothers In honor of Jared Doren In honor of Jared Doren, Shannon Rae Lutz, and Brian c. Mehring In honor of Linda B. Finch In honor of Arfie K. Harvey

In honor of Suazanne Hasl In honor of Linda Holthaus In honor of D. Lynn Meyers In honor of Allen Middleton In honor of Jim Nelson In honor of Amy Weinstock In memory of Mary Bonansinga In memory of Richard Charles & Rebecca Parker In memory of John Goering In memory of Susan Friedlander In memory of Mary T. Mahler In memory of James & Noretta Markley In memory of Rich Postler In memory of Fred & Sondra Ross In memory of Paul Sittenfeld In memory of Robert L. & Mary C. Weisenberger In memory of Charlotte Williams Ensemble Theatre acknowledges the following Partner Companies, Foundations, and their employees who generously participate in the Annual ArtsWave Community Campaign at the $100,000+ level. Your support helps make our community vibrant and connects people all across our region through the arts. Thank you!

P&G Fifth Third Bank and the Fifth Third Foundation GE Aviation Cincinnati Bell Western & Southern Financial Group Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center The Cincinnati Insurance Companies City of Cincinnati Enquirer Media Great American Insurance Group Ohio National Financial Services U.S. Bank The H.B., E.W., and F. R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank and Narley L. Haley, Co-Trustees Macy's Cincinnati Business Courier The Kroger Co. PNC The E.W. Scripps Company and Scripps Howard Foundation Duke Energy HORAN Cincinnati Reds

* A Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

THE PREMIERE SOCIETY

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PATRON INFORMATION ETC BOX OFFICE HOURS Monday through Friday 10 am to 5 pm, and 2 hours prior to curtain.

Weekend hours vary.

CAMERAS & RECORDING DEVICES Actors’ Equity Association strictly prohibits the use of cameras or recording devices (including camera phones) in the theatre.

ACCESSIBILITY OPTIONS ETC offers audio-described performances, ASL-interpreted performances, wheelchair accessible seating, large-print programs, Braille programs, assistive listening devices, and sensory sensitivity items such as noisecanceling headphones and fidgets.

RELAXED PERFORMANCES Select performances offered for those with sensory sensitivities and developmental disabilities and their families to enjoy the production with lighting and sound adjustments and other accommodations.

SALE POLICY Single-ticket purchases are final sale with no refund. If a patron is a no-show for their reserved performance, ETC is under no obligation to reschedule their tickets.

LATECOMERS & ADMITTANCE Latecomers are seated at the House Manager’s discretion and may be denied admission depending upon the demands or structure of a particular production. Should you need to leave the theatre during a performance, readmittance is not guaranteed.

ETC reserves the right to deny admission and/ or remove any disruptive patrons from the theatre at any time.

PARKING Patrons may park at the Gateway Garage (accessible via 12th Street) or at the surface lot, both conveniently located at the corner of Vine and 12th Streets. Parking is also available at Washington Park Garage and Mercer Commons Garage.

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patron information

1127 Vine Street circa 1927 Image courtesy of Fifth Third Bank archives.

CHILDREN Children under the age of 4 will not be admitted to productions unless otherwise advertised. Parents with disruptive children will be asked to leave the theatre.

GROUPS & DISCOUNTS Groups of 8 or more can save on single-ticket prices. Student rates, rush discounts, Public Radio Perks Card, AAA, ArtsWave Pass, and educator and military member discounts are available for select shows (please consult your appropriate membership(s) for details and exclusions).

INVEST ENGAGE INNOVATE LEAD

Investing state and federal dollars, the Ohio Arts Council funds and supports quality arts experiences for all Ohioans to strengthen communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

Learn more about our grant programs and resources, find your next arts experience, or connect: OAC.OHIO.GOV.

Grantee Spotlight: TOLEDO ALLIANCE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Two Toledo Ballet dancers performing in their April 2023 production of Prokofiev’s Cinderella, accompanied by the Toledo Symphony conducted by Jonathan McPhee. Image Credit: Robert Cummerow