Community The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati to Renovate Storied Emery Theater

Information provided by Krista Katona Pille

TCT Sales & Marketing Director

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) is reimagining and renovating the storied Emery Theater in downtown Cincinnati.

Imagined by philanthropist and Mariemont namesake Mary Emery and designed by the famed architectural firm of Samuel Hannaford & Sons, the Emery Auditorium opened in January 1912 with an inaugural concert by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. The acoustically exceptional 2,200seat theater in Over-the-Rhine was once considered one of the top concert halls in the country. Sergei Rachmaninoff, John Philip Sousa, George Gershwin, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bette Davis, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. all stood on the Emery stage at various points in its history.

The Emery was also the performance home of TCT until 1969, when the University of Cincinnati took ownership of the property and ran it as the College of Applied Sciences until 1989. The theater was used for films, lectures, and meetings for the next decade. While the building’s upper floors were developed as apartments in 2001, the theater has fallen into disrepair since that time. TCT is the Emery Theater’s best hope to be restored to its former glory and to regain its place as a memorable and iconic arts venue.

As the oldest professional children’s theatre in the United States, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati has inspired, entertained, and educated young audiences for 105 years this season. TCT brings art to life through three divisions: TCT MainStage productions, TCT on Tour/WorkShops, and TCT Academy.

With The Emery as its home, TCT will unlock its potential to inspire diverse audiences with original works and even more innovative programming. TCT will also expand programming for younger children (theatre for the very young) and teenagers, with work considered a revenue risk in its current rented space.

What TCT imagines is not simply a restoration but a reinvention of the theater into a modern and memorable venue equipped with the latest technology that both inspires and teaches. TCT’s plans to incorporate the most modern technology, a turntable stage lift, an automated fly system, a 40’x 60’ video wall, and projection mapping will provide an immersive audience experience and overcome backstage and wing space limitations.

Check out this link to a design video for the renovated Emery Theater: https:// shorturl.at/TMIew.

In addition, TCT has made it a priority to ensure comfort in the new seats. Their creative partners at GBBN went above and beyond, crafting a full-scale plywood mockup to confirm seat comfort and spaciousness, and plenty of legroom in the new design.

To that end, TCT is offering a unique opportunity to be a part of history. For a $500 gift, you can dedicate a seat in the newly renovated Emery Theater, creating a lasting tribute for a loved one or marking a special milestone. A personalized signature of your choice, along with your family name, will be carefully placed on a seat at the Emery Theater. And your gift includes an invitation to a private Seat Dedication Day in Fall 2025, along with a permanent legacy for generations.

Visit https://tinyurl.com/Emery-Seats to purchase your seat now. For flexible payment plans, please contact Anne Venters at ann.venters@tctcincinnati.com

Community

After the completion of fundraising and construction, The Children’s Theatre will open the Emery in Fall 2025, as planned, with its 2025-2026 MainStage season. For more information about The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati and the Emery Theater, visit the TCT website at https://thechildrenstheatre. com/the-emery/