Long-lasting Partnership with The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati

By Kimberly Perros

The Junior League of Cincinnati and The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) have shared a strong partnership since its beginnings. Kim Kern, Managing Director and CEO of the Children’s Theatre, provided the JLC with an interview about the upcoming renovation of the Emery Theater, the future (and past), home of the TCT.

The legacy of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati began with JLC Member, Helen Schuster-Martin, and the SchusterMartin School of Drama in 1919, and continued with the Junior League Players in 1924. For nearly 30 years, JLC members managed, acted in, and produced entertainment under the name, “Junior League Players.’’ Helen used her expertise, with the help of the Junior League, to launch the renowned children’s theater many of us have come to love. In 1947, the Junior League of Cincinnati provided a $12,600 grant to incorporate The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati as a separate entity. The two partnerships have worked together over the past 100 years to share the love of theater and the children in Cincinnati. The TCT 90th Anniversary Gala honored JLC with the first-ever Enchanted Award, an award given to individuals and organizations that have had a significant impact on TCT. JLC was originally considered for the award, said Kern, due to the long history of their partnership. Kern continued to share the positive impact of the JLC with TCT due to the on-going volunteers of the League with the performances such as ushers and other aids with specific TCT events.

TCT is the oldest professional theater for young audiences in the country, one of the top four children theaters in the nation, and the largest in terms of youth attendance. TCT MainStage productions see over 100,000 families with children and students annually and is often a child’s first exposure to live theater. TCT on Tour takes the magic of live theater directly to children in their schools, and sees an additional 50,000 students annually. TCT Academy offers performing arts instruction to children ages 18 months to 18 years with many of their students having gone on to successful Broadway careers. Lastly, Kern explained that, even though it costs TCT $25 to put a child in a seat, no school ever pays more than $10 a ticket, and schools with 50% or more of their students eligible for free/reduced lunch programs only pay $5 per ticket.

The next chapter for TCT is the upcoming reimagination of the Emery Theater, taking the TCT back to its original home from 100 years ago. The auditorium was built by the famous architecture firm Samuel Hannaford & Sons and was hailed for its near perfect acoustics and unobstructed sight lines. TCT performed at the Emery Auditorium from 1949 until

1969, before moving to the Taft Theater. In a few short years, TCT will be reopening its doors for live performances at the Emery, says Kern. Renovations of the theater are slated to begin in November of 2023 with plans for completion in early 2025. Kern addressed how the Emery Theater will be an anchor venue in OTR offering expanded programming, new and original works, performances for the very young and middle schoolers specifically, as well as international children’s performances never before seen in Cincinnati. She mentioned the current works of organizations such as Doodle Pop from South Korea and Paper Boats from Australia as potential partners in presenting these international performances.

The historical union of JLC and TCT continues to have an important role in the renovated Emery Theater. Kern shared how the new theater will benefit with more JLC members to volunteer due to the growing number of shows TCT plans to produce and present. The final stages of the campaign for the reconstruction of the Emery Theater will help contribute to the historic preservation, while installing technology that will make the Emery a state-of-the-art venue unlike anything in the region including a 20’x20’ turntable stage lift, projection mapping, an automated fly system, and a 40’x60’ video wall. The total budget and costs for the renovations for the Emery Theater is $48 million. Kern said about those that have toured the Emery to date, “People are awestruck and excited.” Kern would be happy to provide JLC members with tours of the space during which, using design architect GBBN’s augmented reality software, individuals are able to literally see the space transform before their eyes. Please check the QR Code for a YouTube link that showcases the design plans for Emery Theater.

The partnership with TCT has made lasting change to our youth and overall community. The new theater will continue the work of TCT for another 100+ years to come. The League can continue their partnership through volunteership and by contributing to the campaign. We as members can join the call to action with our talents and time investment in this organization that has positively impacted our community for the last 103 years. During the 2022-2023 League year, CandO organized six volunteer events to support TCT at the Taft Theater. We look forward to continuing this partnership for many years to come.