Monthly Archives: March 2018

BLUES IN THE NIGHT Runs March 16-24

MLT_Blues in the Night logoBLUES IN THE NIGHT
Middletown Lyric Theatre
March 16-24
[Middletown]

Directed by Charley Shafor
Music directed by Jay Mills

Cast: Gina Davidson, Tracie Mills & Dawn Stone

The soul of the blues wails out full and strong in Blues in the Night, a scorching, Tony-nominated musical! These hot and torchy numbers  tell of the sweet, sexy and sorrowful experiences of love and loss. With little spoken text, these glorious songs that cover the range of this indigenous American art form, from Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, Alberta Hunter, Jimmy Cox, Ida Cox and more, telling of the pain and misery of life and love… and also of the dogged determination to get through it all… that is the essence of the blues. Alternately wistful, tender and raunchy, Blues in the Night is a modest production with a larger-than-life score and vocal arrangements designed to bring down the house.

  • Fri-Sat, March 16-17 at 8pm
  • Fri, March 23 at 8pm
  • Sat, March 24 at 3pm & 8pm

Official page |

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CAA 2018 Overture Award Winners Announced

CAA_Overture Awards logo

$45,500 Awarded for Excellence in the Arts
Arts Educator Award Winner Also Announced    

CINCINNATI, OH – The Cincinnati Arts Association is pleased to announce the winners of its Overture Awards Competition, held on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater, and the winner of its Arts Educator Award for Excellence in Arts Instruction. The competition awarded $4,000 to six area students for education and training, with 18 runners-up each winning $1,000, while the Arts Educator Award winner received $2,500 and two finalists were awarded $500 each.

The Overture Awards recognizes, encourages and rewards excellence in the arts among Tri-state students in grades 9-12 and is the area’s largest solo arts competition. Students are nominated by their schools and/or private studios to compete in one of six disciplines: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Theater, Visual Art, and Vocal Music. There are three levels of competition: Regional, Semi-Final, and Final.

The Arts Educator Award promotes and rewards excellence in arts instruction throughout Greater Cincinnati. An educator who teaches any of the following arts disciplines may be nominated: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Theater, Visual Art, and Vocal Music. They can be a high school arts specialist, teaching artist working with high school students, or an arts professional or educator providing private lessons or instruction. Nominations for the award must come from students between the ages of 14-19 who are currently enrolled in high school. The Arts Educator Award finalists and winner are selected by a panel of judges who are arts professionals.

2018 OVERTURE AWARDS WINNERS

CREATIVE WRITING:  Frances Timberlake – grade 12, School for Creative & Performing Arts
HOMETOWN: Clifton, OH – Frances studies Creative Writing at SCPA, where writing became an outgrowth of her love for theater and storytelling. Most recently, Frances was named a National YoungArts Finalist and nominated as a U.S. Presidential Scholar of the Arts, in addition to earning recognition through the National Scholastic Writing Awards.

DANCE:  Drake Phouasavanh – grade 12, Conner High School
HOMETOWN: Florence, KY – Drake is a competitive dancer with the Expressions Dance Theatre Sundancer team and a past Overture Awards Finalist. He trains in all dance genres, attended the 2017 Cincinnati Ballet Summer Intensive on a scholarship, and has performed in multiple musical theatre productions.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC:  Kash Sewell – grade 12, Beechwood High School
HOMETOWN: Fort Mitchell, KY – Kash has participated in the Cincinnati Youth Wind Ensemble, Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts, and Kentucky All-State Bands. He is a well-rounded young man with diverse interests. He practices his saxophone devotedly, not from any sense of obligation, but because of the sheer joy he derives from playing and performing.

THEATER:  Ellie O’Hara – grade 11, Notre Dame Academy High School/Marilyn Zelcer Studio
HOMETOWN: Park Hills, KY  – Since third grade, Ellie has kept true to her dream of becoming a Broadway actress. She studies with both Marilyn Zelcer at Musical Arts Center and Moss Dance Academy. She has played many roles throughout her career, her favorite being Belle in Beauty and the Beast this past summer. Her ambitions are to pursue musical theatre in college and head to the bright lights of New York.

VISUAL ART:  Anne Knellinger – grade 12, Walnut Hills High School
HOMETOWN: Pleasant Ridge, OH – Anne began pursuing her artistic interests at a very young age, and started taking AP Art courses in tenth grade. She has won Gold Keys in the National Scholastic competition. She enjoys volunteering, running cross country, and playing ultimate frisbee with her friends. She plans to pursue a career in design.

VOCAL MUSIC:  Natalie Choo – grade 12, Seven Hills School/Karl Resnik Studio
HOMETOWN: Montgomery, OH – Natalie studies voice with Karl Resnik at the Musical Arts Center and participates in the Young Artists Preparatory Program, directed by Lincoln Chapman. She has attended summer programs at the Curtis Institute of Music and CCM. She was a Finalist at the Schmidt Vocal Competition, Finalist for the 2018 YoungArts National Arts Competition, and recently named a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts.

2018 ARTS EDUCATOR AWARD WINNER

Ka-Ron Lehman, University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music
Discipline: Dance
Nominated by Ndaya Hoskins


 

The Overture Awards Regional Competitions were held on January 20 at the Northern Kentucky School of Music at Immanuel UMC, Northern Kentucky University, and Mount Saint Joseph University. The top 20percent of competitors in each discipline advanced to the Semi-Finals, which were held at the Aronoff Center on February 2- 3.

Now in its twenty-second year, The Overture Awards was launched in 1996 by the Cinergy Foundation (now Duke Energy) and Leadership Cincinnati (a program of the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce). The Overture Awards is funded and administered by the Cincinnati Arts Association, which operates and manages the Aronoff Center and Music Hall. The Overture Awards also relies on hundreds of volunteers from the community who help raise funds, adjudicate and manage the competitions, and nurture the program.

THE OVERTURE AWARDS ARE ENDOWED BY THE OTTO M. BUDIG FAMILY FOUNDATION.

Overture Awards Presenting Sponsors:  TriHealth; The Eleanora C.U. Alms Trust, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee; Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc.; Otto M. Budig Family Foundation; Summerfair Cincinnati

Scholarship Sponsors:  Arthur Murray – Cincinnati, Doreen Beatrice, Douglas Beal, Bonita Brockert, Cincinnati Ballroom Company, Jozsef Parragh, Pebble Creek Group, Phoenix Rising Ballroom, Summerfair Cincinnati, Josh Tilford, Western & Southern Financial Fund, The William O. Purdy, Jr. Foundation

Competition Sponsors:  Northern Kentucky School of Music at Immanuel UMC, Northern Kentucky University, Mount Saint Joseph University

Printing Sponsor:  Graphic Village 

THE 2018 OVERTURE AWARDS FINALISTS
Winners listed in bold.

CREATIVE WRITING

  • Jenna Bao – grade 12, Sycamore High School
  • Hope Neyer – grade 11, Mount Notre Dame High School
  • Frances Timberlake – grade 12, School for Creative & Performing Arts
  • Lauren Timmins – grade 12, Loveland High School

DANCE

  • Regan Lawler – grade 12, Erickson Academy of Irish Dance / Summit Country Day School
  • Drake Phouasavanh – grade 12, Conner High School
  • Ava Sine – grade 10, School for Creative & Performing Arts / Just Off Broadway
  • Ryan Sohmer – grade 10, The Studio for Dance / School for Creative & Performing Arts

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

  • Ione Sally – grade 12, School for Creative & Performing Arts
  • Kash Sewell – grade 12, Beechwood High School
  • Madeline Wolfe – grade 9, Leung Studio / Ursuline Academy
  • Andrew Yang – grade 9, Seven Hills School / University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music

THEATER

  • Margot Grom-Mansencal – grade 12, McCready Voice Studio / Wyoming High School
  • Maxwell Metsch – grade 11, Lincoln Chapman Studio / School for Creative & Performing Arts
  • Ellie O’Hara – grade 11, Marilyn Zelcer Studio / Notre Dame Academy High School
  • Kat Sweeney – grade 10, St. Ursula Academy / Karl Resnik Studio

VISUAL ART

  • Geneva Huffman – grade 11, School for Creative & Performing Arts
  • Anne Knellinger – grade 12, Walnut Hills High School
  • Dominic Pham – grade 11, St. Xavier High School
  • Cynthia Zhang – grade 12, Indian Hill High School

VOCAL MUSIC

  • Natalie Choo – grade 12, Karl Resnik Studio / Seven Hills School
  • Reed Gnepper – grade 11, School for Creative & Performing Arts/ University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music Preparatory
  • Lauren Maynus – grade 11, Alison Acord / Ursuline Academy
  • Sarah Moser – grade 12, Keen Voice Studio / Campbell County High School

2018 ARTS EDUCATOR AWARD FINALISTS
Winner listed in bold.

Susan Herrick, Voice of Indiana
Discipline: Vocal/Choral Performance
Nominated by Connie Walker

Ka-Ron Lehman, University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music
Discipline: Dance
Nominated by Ndaya Hoskins 

Kathy Louder, Mount Notre Dame High School
Discipline: Creative Writing
Nominated by Cara Wagner

2018 Arts Educator Award Honorable Mentions

Lara Koogler, Calvary Christian School
Discipline: Piano
Nominated by Mitchell Ward

Karl Resnik, The Musical Arts Center
Discipline: Vocal Music
Nominated by Natalie Choo

Bing Yang, Liao Ning Professional Performing Arts School
Discipline: Dance
Nominated by Judi Hu 

Founded in 1992, the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management of two of the Tri-state’s finest performing arts venues – the Aronoff Center for the Arts and Music Hall – and is dedicated to supporting performing and visual arts. Each year, CAA presents a diverse schedule of events; serves upwards of 700,000 people in its venues; features the work of talented local, regional, and national artists in the Weston Art Gallery (located in the Aronoff Center); and supports the work of more than one dozen resident companies. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached more than 1.5 million students. 

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The Human Race Theatre Company’s ERMA BOMBECK: AT WIT’S END Truly Proves “Humorists Can Never Start to Take Themselves Seriously”

HRTC_Erma-Bombeck-Publicity-2

Jennifer Joplin as Erma Bombeck. Photo courtesy of Immobulus Photography.

Jennifer Joplin stars as Daytonian favorite in The Human Race’s one-woman show, April 19 – May 13, 2018 at The Caryl D. Philips Creativity Center

 (Dayton, OH) — This spring, The Human Race Theatre Company (HRTC) honors one of the Gem City’s best loved icons when it presents Allison Engel and Margaret Engel’s Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End in the 54-seat performance space at its Caryl D. Philips Creativity Center. Dayton’s own Erma Bombeck takes center stage in this touching one-woman comedy titled after her long-running newspaper column. Human Race Resident Artist Jennifer Joplin stars as the literary legend whose candid commentary on life as a woman, spouse and mother made her the champion of suburban housewives everywhere and her newspaper columns a mainstay on kitchen refrigerators for over thirty years. Full of personal anecdotes and sprinkled with plenty of Bombeck’s famous one-liners, it’s a charming biography that proves “if you can’t make it better, you can laugh at it.” The Human Race’s Heather N. Powell (Steel MagnoliasChange and A Dickens of Time) directs. The preview performances of Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End are Thursday, April 19 through Sunday, April 22 and Thursday, April 26. Opening night is Friday, April 27. The play runs approximately 60 minutes with no intermission.

Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End was written by twin sisters Allison and Margaret Engel, who found success with their previous one-woman play, Red Hot Patriot, about another brassy newspaper columnist and best-selling author, Molly Ivins. Since its 2015 premiere as part of the Women’s Theatre Festival in Washington, DC, Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End has become one of the hottest productions in the nation, having already been produced by dozens of theatre companies.

“I’m thrilled this funny and poignant play is coming to Dayton, Erma’s hometown,” said Teri Rizvi, founder and director of the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop at the University of Dayton. “Her wit and wisdom have stood the test of time — and remind us that the foibles of family life will always make us laugh.”

Actress Jennifer Joplin is honored to share not just the humor but the courage and heart of this Dayton hero. “I grew up with clippings of Erma’s column on the refrigerator. She was funny, goofy – but she also made what seemed crazy in our house, normal,” says Joplin. “Working on this show, I’ve come to realize how really revolutionary she was. What she did in her writing and her activism, was remarkable and still inspiring. She’s a true hero of mine!”

Local audiences may remember Ms. Joplin from the World Premier of 26 Pebbles, as Chelsea in On Golden Pond, Amanda Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie, Brooke in Other Desert Cities, Annette in God of Carnage, also Proof, Angels in America, Band Geeks!, Doubt, Crimes of the Heart or any of the other productions she’s been fortunate enough to be a part of at The Human Race Theatre for over 25 years! Some of her other favorite roles include Aimee in The Humans, Rosemary in Outside Mullingar and Gwen in Rapture, Blister, Burn at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati as well as Lady Macbeth and Cleopatra at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. A long-standing Human Race Resident Artist and proud graduate of Wright State University’s professional actor training program, she’s worked nationally as an actor, corporate trainer, voiceover artist and teacher, recently adding two film credits to her resume – Old Man and the Gun and Donnybrook. Founder and lead coaching artist for Spotlight Training, and president of the League of Cincinnati Theatres, she is the wearer of many hats and coined the phrase “responsi-juggling.”

Biographies on the cast and creative team can be found on The Human Race Theatre Company’s website.

The Human Race Theatre Company’s production of Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End is sponsored by India and John Clarke and The Theda and Tamblin Clark-Smith Family Foundation, Martha Moody Jacobs, and Doug and Sharon Scholz.

Performance and Special Event Information
Tickets for the April 19 exclusive Erma Bombeck Writer’s Workshop preview performance are $50 (and includes a post-show reception with Ms. Joplin) and can be purchased by calling Ticket Center Stage and using code ERMA18.

Tickets for the April 20 – 22 preview performances of Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End are $30, which includes a $5 donation to the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop.

Tickets for the April 26 – May 13 performances are $25.

All performances are in The Human Race’s Caryl D. Philips Creativity Center, located at 116 North Jefferson Street, 2nd floor, in downtown Dayton, Ohio. Show times for Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End are 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoons. Seating is general admission.

Tickets and performance information for Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End are available at http://www.humanracetheatre.org or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630, and at the Schuster Center box office. 

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2017-2018 marks the 31st season for The Human Race Theatre Company, “Dayton’s Official Professional Theatre Company.” Founded in 1986, The Human Race moved into the Metropolitan Arts Center in 1991, taking up residence in its current home, the 212-seat Loft Theatre. In addition to the Eichelberger Loft Season, The Human Race produces new works development and special event programming. Under the direction of President and Artistic Director Kevin Moore, the company also maintains education and outreach programs for children, teens and adults, as well as artist residencies in area schools and a summer youth program. Human Race organizational support is provided by the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District, Culture Works, the Shubert Foundation, the Erma R. Catterton Trust Fund, the Jesse & Caryl Philips Foundation, the Virginia W. Kettering Foundation and the Ohio Arts Council, which helped fund this organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The 2017-2018 Sustainability Sponsors are the ELM Foundation, Anne F. Johnson, Steve and Lou Mason, and Morris Home. The 2017-2018 Loft season sponsor is the Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation of the Dayton Foundation, with additional support from Premier Health.

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Education Associate Sought by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

PIP_logoEDUCATION ASSOCIATE
Job Posting

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park is an equal opportunity employer and encourages inquiries about this position from a broad spectrum of candidates reflecting the diversity of the community we serve.

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park seeks to hire a full-time Education Associate. The Education Associate is responsible for the administration, management and teaching of assigned education and community engagement programs for Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.

  • Manage the administration of assigned programs
  • Oversee registration and scheduling for programs
  • Manage the implementation of program budget and expenses
  • Teach classes, camps, residencies, and workshops
  • Develop curriculum and teacher guides
  • Orient and train staff on curriculum, classroom management and partner communication methods

Start Date: May 14, 2018
Full-time, exempt position with benefits. Salary commensurate with experience.

Nights and weekends are required for classes and community events. Start times do vary based on scheduled classes and workshops. The schedule is subject to change based on needs of programs.

COMPETENCIES:

  • B.A. in theater or education with a theater concentration or commensurate experience
  • Confident teaching Acting and Improvisation to a wide range of ages
  • Three years teaching experience
  • Experience teaching drama in schools is preferred
  • Administrative experience
  • Experience planning and executing events preferred
  • Experienced user of Microsoft office programs
  • Demonstrated ability to design curriculum

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

  • The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
  • The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds
  • This position is partially sedentary.
  • The employee is required to regularly talk and hear.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

To apply, email cover letter, administrative and theater resumes, three references and a sample lesson plan to Daunielle Rasmussen, Director of Education and Community Engagement at daunielle.rasmussen@cincyplay.com. If invited into the next round of consideration, a video teaching sample or in person teaching observation will be requested.
Deadline to apply is March 23, 2018. No Calls please.

FULL JOB DETAIL:

ASSIGNED PROGRAMS TO MANAGE:
Acting and Adult Enrichment Classes
Enrichment Workshops
Experiential Workshops
Corporate Training
Backstage Tours
College Programs

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT:

  • Manage programs and various projects as assigned
  • Create contracts and invoice partners
  • Manage scheduling with schools and instructors
  • Create first draft of marketing communications as requested
  • Manage Communications: Provide updated information for website, collateral and Tessitura
  • Maintain partnerships with existing partners at schools and in communities
  • Create end of season program assessment reports
  • Maintain communications with other departments for program events
  • Ensure the highest quality customer service to all families and partners
  • Maintain expense tracker for program expenses
  • Input demographic statistics monthly to stats tracker
  • Ensure that evaluation & documentation materials have been distributed, received and processed
  • Prepare materials for classes and workshops
  • Observe, assess and provide feedback to Teaching Artists

TEACH:

  • Acting, Movement and Improvisation for classes and camps
  • Specialty subjects certified and qualified to teach
  • Drama Integration School Residencies and workshops
  • Pre-Show workshops
  • Week-long workshops around specific books/subjects
  • Enrichment day workshops
  • Adult and senior adult classes
  • Must be comfortable teaching acting, movement and improvisation in both a creative drama and conservatory setting

CURRICULUM DEVLEOPMENT & TRAINING:

  • Update and adapt core curriculum templates
  • Develop new workshops, classes and residency curriculum
  • Distribute curricula and train staff for each class/workshop
  • Train new teaching artists
  • Pilot new material and partnerships
  • Sub for classes and workshops as needed

ACTING & ADULT ENRICHMENT CLASSES:

  • Create curriculum for all youth classes
  • Schedule and train adjunct Teaching Artists in collaboration with Director of Education and Community Engagement
  • Ensure that all needed supplies are purchased and prepared for classes
  • Oversee outreach and publicity for enrollment in collaboration with Marketing
  • Write course descriptions for marketing and parent information for the Education Coordinator
  • Create report summaries for enrollment and outcomes
  • Track and implement budget and expenses
  • Ensure that evaluations are distributed, completed and input at the end of each session
  • Working with The Director of Education and Community Engagement, create course offerings and possible partnerships
  • Recruit Instructors for Adult Workshops
  • Coordinate all logistics and communications for classes and adult workshops

SCHOOL ENRICHMENT & EXPERIENTIAL WORKSHOPS:

  • Solicit and book new workshops
  • Process requests that are received
  • Generate contracts and process payments
  • Coordinate final details and schedules with booked schools
  • Train teaching staff on each workshop
  • Prepare and transport materials and supplies
  • Create, distribute and input evaluations for every workshop
  • Fine tune and create curriculum as needed
  • Share dates of workshop final day presentations with development and coordinate funder visits

CORPORATE TRAINING:

  • Process requests, payments and schedule workshops
  • Create curriculum for trainings
  • Teach or schedule teachers
  • Solicit and book new partners

COLLEGE PROGRAMS:

  • Working with the Director of Education and Community Engagement, create and implement new programming to support local universities and integrate college students into the programs at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.

COMMUNITY EVENTS:
As a member of the Education and Community Engagement Department, the Education Associate is required to take shifts working booths at festivals and lead playmaking and activity booths at events.

  • Schedule and process payments for Backstage Tours
  • Give and train staff to give tours to outside groups
  • Teach workshops at community Events
  • Support the Off the Hill Tour by being the designated staff Host for one tour and sub as needed for additional tours
  • Moderate audience Q&A’s as needed

ALL STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Attend all CPIP required events
  • Attend all Staff and department staff meetings
  • Oversee Pre-show engagement and seating support for student matinees
  • Perform other duties as assigned

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Summer Camp Counselor Sought by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

PIP_logoSUMMER CAMP COUNSELOR
Job Listing

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park is an equal opportunity employer and encourages inquiries about this position from a broad spectrum of candidates reflecting the diversity of the community we serve.

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park seeks camp counselors for our Summer Theatre Day Camp. Counselors help facilitate all aspects of camp, including serving as role models who assist and motivate campers. Throughout the day counselors facilitate their group’s activities including check-in and check-out, proctor student breaks, and support Teaching Artists as teaching assistants during classes. Ideal candidates have completed or are working towards a college degree, have experience working with children and are enthusiastic about teaching theatre to youth. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Group Leader for one group each week or floater as needed
  • Lead morning warm-up and afternoon group activities
  • Escort students to each class & assist Teaching Artists during classes
  • Proctor all student breaks and lunch
  • Provide assistance with room and administrative prep
  • Coach students one-on-one

Orientation/Prep Week: May 29 – June 1, 11:00am-5:00pm Camp dates: June 4 – July 27 (off the week of July2-6)
Hours:

  • Shift 1: 8:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday
  • Shift 2: 8:15am-5:15pm, Monday-Friday
  • Shift 3: 8:45am-5:45pm, Monday-Friday
  • Pay Rate: $10/hour

COMPETENCIES

  • Experience working with children, working in a large group setting preferred
  • Experience with administrative processes preferred
  • Currently attending college, graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree, or commensurate experience.
  • Good email communication skills
  • Experience with customer service
  • Organized and able to solve problems quickly and positively

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
  • The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds
  • This position is partially sedentary and the employee is required to regularly talk and hear.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

For more information, go to cincyplay.com and click on the Employment tab.

To apply:
Please send a resume and three references to Daunielle Rasmussen, Director of Education and Community Engagement at daunielle.rasmussen@cincyplay.com.
No calls please.
Application Deadline: March 22, 2018

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