Grand Horizons Playbill

GRAND HORIZONS

by Bess Wohl

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

GRAND HORIZONS

by BESS WOHL

Directed by BRIAN ROBERTSON

January

Costume Designer NIKI HERNANDEZ-ADAMS Sound Designer MATT CALLAHAN

Properties Curator/Design Assistant SHANNON RAE LUTZ Technical Director JACK MURPHY

Production Stage Manager MARGOT WHITNEY* Rehearsal Stage Manager G. ROGER ABELL*

Rehearsal Stage Manager ANDREA SHELL*

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.

GRAND HORIZONS is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.

Co-commissioned by and the world premiere produced in July 2019 by The Williamstown Theatre Festival (Mandy Greenfield, Artistic Director).

Co-commissioned by and the Broadway premiere produced in December 2019 by Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Casey Reitz, Executive Director).

*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.

SEASON PRESENTING SPONSOR

EDUCATION,

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

EDUCATION,

Arts Midwest

William P. Anderson Foundation

Donald C. and Laura M. Harrison Family Foundation

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

FAIRY GODMOTHER SPONSORS

Photo by Ryan Kurtz

SEASON TICKET SPONSOR

CREAT ED TO GROW

STRONGER ARTS FOR A STRONGER REGION

The growth of Cincinnati and its arts is inseparable. Creating a thriving region starts with each of us giving what we can to the arts. Help set the stage for the future of the region we all love. Give today at artswave.org.

STRONGER ARTS FOR STRONGER REGION

CAST (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE)

RUNNING CREW

UNDERSTUDIES

EMMY RICE Nancy ELEXIS SELMON

SETTING

Grand Horizons, an independent living community. Present day.

This production will be performed with one intermission. Approximate running time is 2 hours.

PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES. NO TEXTING.

BOOKS

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.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

www.ensemblecincinnati.org

This Theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre.

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

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

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

STAGE MANAGEMENT

Margot Whitney, Production Stage Manager

Lexi Muller, Assistant Stage Manager

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.

PLAY IN PROGRESS

Actors Dale Hodges & Joneal Joplin discuss a scene with Director Brian Robertson.

Shonita Joshi reciting her lines.

Joneal Joplin rehearsing opposite his son Jared Joplin.

Nick Cearley during rehearsal.

PLAY IN PROGRESS

Nick Cearley, Jared Joplin, Deb G. Girdler, & Shonita Joshi in rehearsal. Deb G. Girdler & Dale Hodges waiting for their scene to begin.

Joneal Joplin having a laugh.

Jared Joplin getting into character.

Grand Horizons

JANUARY 29,

etc essentials

A FREE conversation series with local scholars and community members that explores the themes and context of our productions.

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.

A Family Affair: Father & Son Duo Take the Stage

It’s a family business for Joneal “Jop” Joplin and his son Jared, who play father and son Bill and Ben in Grand Horizons. Learn more about them and about what it’s like working with family. Note that this interview has been edited for length and clarity. Visit www.ensemblecincinnati.com to see a video of this interview and other behindthe-scenes content.

Jop: It’s amazing, isn’t it?

Jared: I’d feel worse if I couldn’t get cast as my father’s son. That’s when you’ve got to worry about your career choices. We actually figured out that this is our fifth show together.

Jop: I think this is the third show as father and son.

Jop: I personally feel that Jared and me are closer than Bill and Ben.

Jared: Yep, yeah.

Jop: There’s been a closeness for us since the beginning, and it has stayed. I don’t think there has ever been a question in our lives of any kind of separation.

Q: We’re obviously intrigued that you’re related and that you’re playing father and son.

Q: Do you find any strong similarities or differences between your reallife relationship and the relationship between your characters?

Jared: Very much so! But I would never want to say that that was the only reason I got into it. It was inspiring, and it was so incredibly wonderful to watch Dad doing that as a kid, but the entire world of theatre just drew me in. I got to be around so many amazing actors, and they were backstage, they were hanging out with dad, sometimes they came over to our house. I felt like I was always in that world, and so because of that, it was just a no-brainer. It immediately drew me to it.

*Jen Joplin, Jop’s daughter and Jared’s sister, also takes part in the family business of acting.

Jop: It’s quite a few things because you appreciate the fact that you’re watching two actors who are better than you are. I’m dead serious! I can sit here and say “Damn, these two are really good. They do things that I wish I could’ve done when I was a young actor.” And it’s beautiful to be able to watch that and to be a part of that. They’ve never done anything onstage to disappoint me. They’ve often done things to surprise me and always in the best sense. So I couldn’t say anything except it’s a joy. A total joy for me.

Jared: [Laughing] Yes, I think you can tell by the intake of breath that I feel that there is pressure. I think that it’s all pressure you put upon yourself. Because I have admired Dad for so long, because I love Dad’s work, I put that pressure on there. I’ve never felt that from Dad. But by the same token, I want to be at his level. I want to be as much of a partner on stage as I see him for so many other actors.

Jop: Well, I remember one instance—it wasn’t with Jared, it was with Jen— Jared: I was hoping you’d tell this story.

Jop: We were doing Proof, playing father and daughter, and at one point in the show, I just went absolutely blank as far as my lines were concerned. I had no idea where I was. And I looked at her, and she could see that something was up. And she saved the moment. I thought, “Boy, I’d better take a look at that script to make sure I don’t blow that one again.” And the very next show, I came to the same spot, and I went blank. And I sat there trying to figure out what it was, and I knew after a while that it was because I was so wrapped up in her work. I was so into watching my child kick ass onstage, and I just totally lost where I was.

Q: Jared, did your father’s career have an impact on you going into acting?

Q: Jop, since you have these two wonderful children who have taken a liking to theatre*, what does that mean for you to see them onstage?

Q: Do you feel like there’s any extra pressure working together?

DALE HODGES (Nancy) is delighted to return to Ensemble Theatre, having last appeared in Sex and Education and Ripcord. She has performed on and off-Broadway and was recently seen in the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park production of Murder on the Orient Express. She is delighted to be working again with her old acting pal Joneal Joplin, having played his stage wife three times before in Copenhagen at ETC, On Golden Pond at The Human Race Theatre Company, and Long Day’s Journey into Night at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. She has been Jop’s dying patient in Wit, his wise Fool in King Lear, his ghostly conscience in A Christmas Carol, and climbed out of a trunk with him in The Fantasticks. Dale thanks her own lovely husband David and Jop’s lovely wife Janie for indulging these theatrical dalliances. She is especially grateful to Lynn, who has always believed that theatre is family and season after season continues to produce and nurture it.

JONEAL JOPLIN (Bill), like so many of his theatre mates, has been facing "Covidus Interruptus." He was last seen onstage in All the Way in February of 2020 at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Jop was last seen at Ensemble Theatre in Outside Mullingar with his daughter, Jennifer, and Dale Hodges, so it is only fitting that he should be appearing now with his son, Jared, and Dale Hodges. He has performed in over 300 productions in his 55 year career with 30 plus of them in the Cincinnati area, most memorably as Ebenezer Scrooge for eight years at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Jop and Dale are appearing together again for the 13th time. He and his sainted wife, Janie, outdid Bill and Nancy in this play by celebrating their 60th anniversary this past September.

NICK CEARLEY (Brian) (he/him) is absolutely thrilled to return to Ensemble Theatre after last appearing in Buyer & Cellar, as well as The Great American Trailer Park Musical, 25 The Musical, and Next to Normal. He is the co-creator of the critically acclaimed “Undie-Rock” duo The Skivvies (www.theskivviesnyc.com). He appeared in Broadway’s first national tour of All Shook Up and Off-Broadway in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Pageant: The Musical (Drama Desk Nominated Off-Broadway Original Revival Cast/Cast Album on Jay Records), Sex Tips for Straight Women From a Gay Man, and Cupid and Psyche. Select credits include An Act of God, B Street Theatre; Twelfth Night, Bay Street Theatre; The Rocky Horror Show (directed by Hunter Foster), Bucks County Playhouse; Little Shop of Horrors, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Portland Center Stage, and Saugatuck Center for the Arts; and nine regional premiere productions all across America of the one-person play Buyer & Cellar. Nick also co-conceived and starred in the new revival of the actormusician version of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, which premiered at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Follow him on Instagram: @clearlycearley and @theskivviesnyc. www.nickcearley.com

JARED JOPLIN (Ben) (he/him) is ecstatic to be returning to the Ensemble Theatre stage after last appearing in Red Velvet. He is honored to be working with an amazing director, crew, and cast… especially his father, Joneal. Some of his favorite roles include Player #2 in Shipwrecked (opposite his father and sister Jennifer), Insight Theatre Company; Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music (directed by Brian Robertson), The Carnegie; Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company; and Mr. Gilmer in To Kill a Mockingbird, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Dad, I love you more than I could ever express. This one is for Erin, Janie, and Jen—I love the whole person that each of you are and I thank you for everything!

SHONITA JOSHI (Jess) (she/her) is excited to be back with her Ensemble Theatre family after performing in The Dancing Princesses and Queen. She has a degree in Banking, Finance, & Journalism and graduated in 2019 from Stella Adler School of Acting in New York. Some of her credits include Antony & Cleopatra, Pericles, Much Ado About Nothing, and Twelfth Night with Hip to Hip Theater's “Shakespeare in the Park” in NYC and A Christmas Carol, Stuart Little, and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Drop her a hello at www.shonitajoshi.com.

DAN DAVIDSON (Tommy) (he/she/they) is so very honored to appear with this hysterical cast! He was last seen at Ensemble Theatre as Roscoe (and Others) in Elegies for Angels, Punks, and Raging Queens. Other regional credits include Sir Isaac Newton in Calculus: The Musical, Gaines in Bro’kin River, Tim in Noises Off, Freddy in Picasso at the Lapin Agile, and Hanna in La Cage aux Folles, among others. Dan plays Sparkle in "StoryTime with Sparkle" for TreeHouse Cincinnati, Inc., a combined LGBTQ+ and ally resource office he co-founded. Check out www.treehousecinci.org for more information. Protect Trans youth and thank you for supporting live theatre!

DEB G. GIRDLER (Carla) began her career on the Showboat Majestic, attended the University of Cincinnati's College–Conservatory of Music, and has worked Off-Broadway, in regional theatre, and in summer stock for over forty years. Some of her favorite productions at Ensemble Theatre include Good People, Three Viewings, Three Tall Women, and The Last Session; her favorite roles also include playing the villainess in many ETC holiday productions. Deb is listed in the official scripts of several shows as a cast member of the premiere productions, including the stage version of Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Hoodwinked!  The Musical, and It Runs in the Family. She can be seen in the films Carol with Cate Blanchett and First Kill with Bruce Willis.

CREATIVE TEAM

BESS WOHL'S (Playwright) plays include Grand Horizons (Tony Nominations for Best Play and Best Featured Actress, Broadway, Outer Critics Circle Honor, Drama League Award nomination), Make Believe (The New York Times Critic Pick, Best of 2019, Outer Critics Circle Honor), Continuity, Small Mouth Sounds (John Gassner Outer Critics Circle Award, top ten lists in The New York Times, The New York Post, The Guardian, and others), American Hero, Barcelona, Touched, In, Cats Talk Back, and the musical Pretty Filthy with composer/lyricist Michael Friedman and The Civilians (Lucille Lortel and Drama Desk nominations for Outstanding Musical). Her plays have been produced or developed at theaters in New York and around the country, including Second Stage, Manhattan Theater Club, Ars Nova, the Williamstown Theatre Festival, Goodman Theater, the Geffen Playhouse, People’s Light, the Contemporary American Theater Festival, Vineyard Arts Project, the Pioneer Theatre, the Pittsburgh Public Theater, the Northlight Theater, TheaterWorks New Works Festival, Ojai Playwright's Conference, the Cape Cod Theatre Project, PlayPenn, and the New York International Fringe Festival (Award for Best Overall Production). In 2015, Bess won the Sam Norkin special Drama Desk Award for “establishing herself as an important voice in New York theater, and having a breakthrough year.” Other awards and honors include the Athena Award for her screenplay, Virginia, a MacDowell Fellowship, and inclusion on Hollywood’s Black List of Best Screenplays. She is an associate artist with The Civilians, an alumna of Ars Nova’s Play Group, and the recipient of new play commissions from Manhattan Theatre Club, Hartford Stage, and Lincoln Center. She also writes screenplays and has developed multiple original television projects for HBO, ABC, USA, FOX, Disney, Paramount, and others. In her previous life as an actress, she appeared onstage in New York and regionally, and in numerous films and TV shows where she has given birth, solved crimes, committed crimes, been wrongly accused, and come back from the dead. She is a graduate of Harvard and the Yale School of Drama.

BRIAN ROBERTSON (Director) (he/him) came to Cincinnati from Los Angeles and has spent the past 30 years working in film and television in the areas of cinematography, fight choreography, directing, and stage management in theatre and opera. Brian is a faculty member for Norther Kentucky University’s School of the Arts for Theatre and Dance where he oversees the playwriting, directing, and stage management programs. He also works as a guest director and instructor at University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. He has worked for Opera Southwest, Reduced Shakespeare Company, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Know Theatre of Cincinnati, Sarasota Opera, Bay View Music Festival, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Pones Laboratory of Movement, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, University of Kentucky, Carnegie Arts Center, Opera Project Columbus, Opera North, and Des Moines Metro Opera, among others.

CREATIVE TEAM

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.

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.

NIKI HERNANDEZ-ADAMS (Costume Designer) (she/her) is a costume designer for theatre and dance. Her recent theatre designs include Queen, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati; The House on Mango Street, Bless Me Ultima, and Blood Wedding, Cara Mía Theatre Company; WET: A DACAmented Journey, Cara Mía Theatre & Ignite/Arts Dallas; Deferred Action, Dallas Theatre Center/Cara Mía Theatre; Elliot: A Soldier’s Fugue, Water Tower Theatre; Seven Spots on the Sun, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; Rosmersholm, Pearl Theatre Company; The Glass Menagerie and Mere Mortals, Two River Theatre. Her past assisting credits include The Little Mermaid on Broadway, Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular, and Jack Goes Boating at The Public Theatre. Her dance design credits include several years of collaborative work with Peter Kyle Dance, as well as projects with Theatre Lila.

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

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 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 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

PRODUCTION TEAM

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.

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

WAYS TO GIVE

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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

The box office will be happy to accept your gift via cash, check, or credit card during intermission or after the show.

DONATE ONLINE

To make your gift online, visit www.ensemblecincinnati.org/ support.

DONATE WITH STOCK

For instructions on stock transfers, email development@ensemblecincinnati.org

DONATE BY PHONE

Please call (513) 421–3555 and select option 4 to speak with Josh.

DONATE BY MAIL

Send a check made out to Ensemble Theatre with "donation" in the memo line to:

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.

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 January 1–December 31, 2022.

PLAYWRIGHTS

($20,000+)

ArtsWave

Gale & Dave Beckett

Daniel Brown & Mark Haggard

The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation

The City of Cincinnati

Burton & Susan Closson

The Charles H. Dater Foundation, Inc.

Friedlander Family Fund

The Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr./US Bank Foundation

Hamilton County, Ohio

The Donald C. & Laura M. Harrison Family Foundation*

LKC Foundation

The Mitchell S. & Jacqueline P. Meyers Foundation

Ohio Arts Council

State of Ohio through the Cultural Facilities Commission

Palmer/Graber Family Fund

PNC Foundation

The John A. Schroth Family Charitable Trust, PNC Bank, Trustee

The Schueler Group

The Shubert Foundation, Inc.

Louise Taft Semple Foundation US Small Business Administration

PRODUCERS

($10,000-$19,999)

Denise & Martin Chambers

John & Gloria Goering Family Gift Fund

Betty Huck

Diane & Dave Moccia

Robert & Adele Schiff Family Foundation

Dudley S. Taft Foundation Dale Uetrecht

DIRECTORS

($5,000-$9,999)

William J. Baude - Maurice E. Oshry Fund*

Marcia Banker & Jeff Schloemer†

Tom & Annette Carothers

Dan Collopy

Corky & Rick Family Foundation

Crosset Family Fund*

William & Mary Jane James

Johnson Investment Counsel Sprout Insight LLC Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation

In Memory of James A. Markley, Jr. Barbara W. Robb

The Sittenfeld Family Mary Stagaman & Ron Kull Thaman Family Fund*

DESIGNERS

($2,500-$4,999)

Anonymous (2)

Gordon Allen & Linda Baas

Michael Cioffi & Rachael Rowe Family Foundation

Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Susan Cohen & Robert Schmuelling

Ehrsam Family Fund*

Rita & Dennis Geiger

Jane & Chip Gerhardt

Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Marilyn P. & Joseph W. Hirschhorn Fund*

Linda Holthaus & Richard Zinicola Arleene Keller

Anu & Shekhar Mitra Damon & Holly Ragusa Vinkolet Winery Jo Ann Wieghaus

STAGE MANAGERS

($1,000-$2,499)

Anonymous (3)

Americana Arts Foundation

William P. Anderson Foundation

Nicholas Apanius

Bank of America Charitable Foundation

Bank Of America Employee Giving Campaign

Judith & Louis Belli

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*

Rick & Allison Edwards

Fencl Family Fund* Bob & Mary Fitzpatrick

In Memory of Kathy Fuller Gilman Family Fund*

Dr. & Mrs. Richard Glaser Karen Grass Dr. Robert & Suzanne Hasl Fund Amy Katz & Robert Cohen

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

STAGE MANAGERS CONT.

Robert Keith & Kathleen Thornton Keith

Ginny & Rick Kuertz

Chris Lewis & Alicia Bond-Lewis

Sophia McAllister

Messer Construction

Jill & Bruce Mitchell

Molly North

Marilyn & Jack Osborn

Neal Patel & Dr. Avani Modi

Pepper Family Fund*

Joyce Rich

Mr. & Mrs. Gates T. Richards

Charles Scott Riley III Foundation

Blake Robison & Connan Morrissey

Jessica Ruebusch

Jane Ruwet Hopson & Larry Pytlinski

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

Laura Atkinson

Wilma & Herbert Beigel

Malcolm A. & Glenda Bernstein*

Walter Blair

The Blatt Family Fund

Richard M. Block Family Foundation

Mark Bowen†

David Brashear

Dawn & Doug Bruestle

Brian & Elizabeth Coley

Philip K. & Anne Lilly Cone Fund*

Craft Family Fund

David Crotty & Joan von Handorf

Mark Dauner†

Kelly M. Dehan

Kathy DeLaura & Ron Steinhoff†

Jan Denton

Sandi Gans†

Bob Gerding

Daniel Hurley

Keith & Patti James

Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies Matching

Gifts Program

Anita & Ed Marks

Joseph & Lori McDonough

Carol Miller Meibers

John & Deborah Moffatt

Bill & Ruth Morley

Patti Myers & Alan Flaherty

Overbeck Charitable Fund

Whitney Owens & David Eslinger Family Fund

Alice Perlman

Presidential Plaza Associates, LTD

Irene & Daniel Randolph Donor Advised Fund of the Cambridge Charitable Foundation

Hera G. Reines

Steven & Carol Reubel

Becky & Ted Richards

Peggy Robinson

Alis Rule Robinson

Kenneth & Kathleen Skau

Susan & David Smith

Kate Spencer & Doug Morriss

Dr. Joseph & Mrs. Nancy Stratman

Jennifer Verkamp Charitable Fund

Maureen & Larry Vignola

Sonia Wagener

Karen & Barry Webb

Wuerdeman Family Fund* Dr. David & Cynthia Zink

RUNNING CREW

($250-$499)

Anonymous (2)

Tricia & Michael G. Bath

Mary Ann Bender

David & Elaine Billmire

Cassandra Brissette

Peg & John Bruggeman Ann & Lee Bulger

Denny & Mindy Burger†

Nancy Cisneros

Carol C. Cole

Paul & Bev Diamond†

Dennis & Catherine Dunwoodie† Keith Faber Barbara Feldmann

Mary Friel

Judy & Alan Guttman

Bob & Judy Heaton

Richard & Lauren Hess James & Robin Huizenga

Pinky & Sam Kocoshis

Carmen & Rich Kovarsky

Warren Leight

Carol Leslie†

Limestone Fund*

John & Kathy Lorenz

Jackie Mack & Ted Silberstein

Richard & Barbara Males

Charles & Jennifer Margolis David L. Martin

The McCready-Shore Family

Anil Menon

Dr. Ralph R. Meyer

Steven & Jacqueline Miller Family Foundation

Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

Neda & Bruce Nutley

Paul & Mary Ann Odegard

Brett Offenberger & Douglas Duckett

Timothy & Joanne Oppelt

Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce

Darryl Peal

Nancy L. Phelan

David M. Piatt Fund*

Caroline Richards

Holly Riffe & Sue Roth†

Al Roane†

Jerri Roberts & Jim Thomas

Marianne R. Rowe

J.R. Rulon†

Dick & Chris Russell Maria Saldivar

Alfred & Stephanie Sassler

Maura Schilling

Martha & Lee Schimberg

Jane Bogart Sellers†

Arnie & Ina Shayne

Eli E. Shupe, Jr. & Toby Ruben†

Michael Siegrist

Linda Tache

Marty C. Tomb

Anita Trotta

U.S. Bank Employee Matching Program

Ellen & Ray van der Horst

Rosalie P. van Nuis

Priscilla S. Walford

Scott & Vicki Walker

Buzz Ward

Ann & Victor Warner

Pann & Terry Webb†

Ronna & James Willis

Kathryn Wright

Nora Zorich & Thomas Filardo Family Fund*

APPRENTICES

($125-$249)

Anonymous (11)

Henrietta Barlag

Bill & Janet Berger

Rosemary Bloom Gifting Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Erica Bock

Daniel Burr

Michele & Kevin Cain†

College Hill Coffee Co. & Casual Gourmet

John & Cynthia Cozad

Jean Crocker-Lakness

Barbara Cummins

Charles & Lois Deitschel

Rick & Tracy Diehl

Marianne Doll

Elaine Drakos

Linda Erpelding

Carl Fiora

Bill & Carol Fisher

Rose & Daniel Gahl

Melinda Gilbert

Joanne Glaser

Donn Goebel & Cathy McLeod†

Dr. Irene Hamrick

Ann Hicks

Karlee Hilliard

Lyle & Jennifer Horvath

Barbara A. Jennings

Shonita Joshi

Carl Kalota

Judith Kenniston

David Logan & Dale Hodges

Audrey Luna & Dan Nelson

Anne McAdams

Danute Miskinis

The Honorable Norbert & Linnea Nadel

Ms. Kathleen O'Connell & Dr. H. Kenneth Peterson

David & Deborah Pittinger

Ross Royce

Ronald & Ruth Schmiedeker

Barbara Seiver

Lois Shannon

Mark Silbersack & Ruth Schwallie

Mary Lee & Louie Sirkin

Tim Smith & Penny Poirier

John & Martha Spiess

Fred & Anne Straus Charitable Fund

Robert P. Streicher

Thomas Thompson

Lee M. Walsh

Larry Weber

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

Sustaining Donor

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.

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).