Monthly Archives: January 2015

January 9, 2015 · 1:00 pm

Third National Tour is the Charm for Cincinnati Native Lauren Sprague

MISC_Lauren Sprague.At Tuesday’s opening night performance of CINDERELLA, Cincinnati native Lauren Sprague sat in the audience to take in the whole production. She wasn’t attending as a theater fan, but as the National Tour’s newest ensemble member (and understudy for the Fairy Godmother).

The first time I saw Lauren on stage was also at the Aronoff Center, right next door in the Jarson-Kaplan Theatre, Then 17 years old, Sprague astounded as triple-threat Peggy Sawyer in Cincinnati Music Theatre’s production of 42ND STREET.

Lauren Sprague as Sylvia in CCM's TWO GENTELMEN OF VERONA. Photo by Mark Lyons.

Lauren Sprague as Silvia in CCM’s TWO GENTELMEN OF VERONA. Photo by Mark Lyons.

After graduating from Lakota West High School, Sprague attended the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music’s renown Musical Theatre program, graduating in 2010. While attending CCM, her roles included Hope Harcourt in ANYTHING GOES, Silvia in TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, Hedy LaRue in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING and Estelle in THE FULL MONTY.

CINDERELLA is Sprague’s third national tour and she is so excited to finally have one stop in Cincinnati. Previous tours included LA CAGE AUX FOLLES and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE WIZARD OF OZ. Lauren’s first performance is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 16th.

For more information on her career, you can check out her official website at http://laurensprague.com.

Break legs!!

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January 9, 2015 · 11:31 am

Playhouse Director of Education Job Posting

PIP_logoCincinnati Playhouse in the Park, a Tony Award winning LORT B theatre producing 11 mainstage and three touring productions per season on an $11 million budget, seeks a Director of Education to lead all educational activities for the organization. Playhouse educational programs serve more than 50,000 students per year in the Tristate area (Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky) with student matinee performances, three “young audiences” touring productions, summer camps, in-school workshops and after-school programs. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of leading educational activities at a regional, not-for-profit theatre and will join the Playhouse as a member of its senior staff.

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Lead, supervise and implement all programs of the Education Department on time, on budget and with maximum creativity and inspiration
  • Serve as producer of the three school and community touring productions (with the possibility of directing one each season)
  • Supervise and work with Education Associates and Community Outreach Coordinator to schedule residences, after-school programs and touring performances
  • Foster relationships with school systems and community arts centers to host and benefit from Playhouse programs
  • Plan and oversee summer camps, including hiring of part-time teachers
  • Audition/recruit young artists for the Playhouse’s acting intern program and manage program throughout the season
  • Create, track and maintain departmental budget
  • Empower and mentor education staff by articulating our educational philosophy in all aspects of the department’s business
  • Work effectively with Artistic Director, Managing Director and senior staff to plan strategically for the department and for the organization as a whole.

Position is exempt, full-time, full-year with salary and full benefits package commensurate with experience. Position is anticipated to begin June 1, 2015, with orientation visits prior to that date.

Please email a cover letter, resume and three references by Jan. 30 to: Blake Robison, artistic director, at blake.robison@cincyplay.com. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

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January 9, 2015 · 11:11 am

VIDEO: Bob Herzog Learns to Waltz from CINDERELLA Cast

Paige Faure & Andy Jones in the National Tour of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA. Photo © Carol Rosegg.

Paige Faure & Andy Jones in the National Tour of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA. Photo
© Carol Rosegg.

Local12’s Bob Herzog puts his ballroom dancing skills to the test with the dance captains of CINDERELLA.

Presented by Broadway in Cincinnati, performances continue through Sun, Jan. 18

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January 9, 2015 · 10:56 am

COVER TO COVER Improv Auditions

A4O_logoArtists for Others Co-Producing Artistic Directors, and former Toolbox directors Brandon Robert Martin and Will Shaggy Clemens are starting a professional long form improv troupe called Cover to Cover Improv (C2C). You needn’t prepare anything for auditions, please just come wearing clothes you are comfortable moving in.

More information is available on this Facebook event.

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January 9, 2015 · 10:38 am

CSC Presents Regional Premiere of New Adaptation of LITTLE WOMEN

Cincinnati Shakespeare Presents the Regional Premiere of a New Adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s LITTLE WOMEN!

Louisa May Alcott’s treasured classic, LITTLE WOMEN will enchant audiences, young and old, in this new adaptation for the stage by Emma Reeves.

Clockwise from top left: Maggie Lou Rader as Jo, Kelly Mengelkoch as Meg, Courtney Lucien as Amy, Annie Fitzpatrick as Marmee and Caitlin McWethy as Beth. PHoto by Cal Harris.

Clockwise from top left: Maggie Lou Rader as Jo, Kelly Mengelkoch as Meg, Courtney Lucien as Amy, Annie Fitzpatrick
as Marmee and Caitlin McWethy as Beth. PHoto by Cal Harris.

CINCINNATI, Dec 19, 2014— Cincinnati Shakespeare Company continues its season with the much anticipated regional premiere of Louisa May Alcott’s LITTLE WOMEN adapted for the stage by Emma Reeves.  This production is directed by Cincinnati Shakespeare’s Artistic Associate, Sara Clark and features Cincinnati Shakespeare’s Resident Ensemble members Maggie Lou Rader, Annie Fitzpatrick, Kelly Mengelkoch, Caitlin McWethy and Courtney Lucien.  The production is generously sponsored by LPK and the design is sponsored by Macy’s, and Matson & Cuprill.

LITTLE WOMEN tells the enduring story of the March family – a lively, American household living in refined poverty.  With her husband away in the American Civil War, Marmee (Annie Fitzpatrick) is left alone to bring up their four girls; romantic Meg (Kelly Mengelkoch), shy Beth (Caitlin McWethy), willful Amy (Courtney Lucien) and of course, fiery and independent Jo (Maggie Lou Rader).  Through the intertwining lives of the sisters audiences will see the familiar frustrations, contradictions, and duties that constitute family life and love. Share in the hardships and heartbreak and humor and humility of these passionate and unique young women.  Based on Louisa May Alcott’s own family experiences in her celebrated novel, LITTLE WOMEN promises to enchant audiences all over again in this Regional Premiere of a new adaptation for the stage by Emma Reeves.

LITTLE WOMEN is appropriate for audiences of all ages!  Performances of LITTLE WOMEN are scheduled from February 20- March 21, 2015 on Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm with an additional Saturday matinee on Mar. 21.  Preview performances are on Wednesday Feb. 18 and Thursday Feb. 19 at 7:30pm and tickets are $21.  The theater is located at 719 Race Street, downtown Cincinnati, two blocks west of the Aronoff Center.  Single ticket prices range from $22-$32 on Thursdays and Sundays and from $26-$36 on Fridays and Saturdays.  This show is a part of the 2014-2015 subscription season.  If available, $14 student rush tickets may be purchased 30 minutes before a show with a valid student ID.  Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted.  Ticketing fees may apply.  Discounts are available for students, seniors and groups as well as AAA members.  To purchase tickets or for more information, call the CSC Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273) ext. 1, or go online at www.cincyshakes.com.

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About Cincinnati Shakespeare Company:
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is a professional theatre company dedicated to bringing Shakespeare and the classics to life for audiences of all ages.  Located in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, CSC produces a dozen mainstage productions each season.  The repertoire is made up of the works of William Shakespeare, literary adaptations and contemporary classics. CSC performs on a Small Professional Theatre contract with Actors’ Equity Association. Cincinnati Shakespeare is a member of the Theater Communications Group and the Shakespeare Theater Association.  Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Education and Outreach Programs reached nearly 30,000 young people and underserved community members last season by taking Shakespeare into schools, parks, community centers and by hosting educational matinees of mainstage productions at its home on Race Street.  Last season, CSC was proud to become one of the first five theaters in the United States to “Complete the Canon” by producing all 38 plays by William Shakespeare. CSC is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.  Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to be Cincinnati’s stage for the classics!

About the 2014-2015 Season:
This season is generously sponsored by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation.  Cincinnati Shakespeare Company receives operating support from The Ohio Arts Council, the Shubert Foundation and is supported, in part, by the generosity of thousands of individuals and businesses that give annually to ArtsWave.  Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s production of “Henry V” is part of Shakespeare in American Communities, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.  The season design sponsor is Mark & Sue Ann Painter.  The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program/organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Production dates and information on the season are available online at www.cincyshakes.com.

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