Monthly Archives: October 2019

42ND STREET Quick Review

42ND STREET presented UC College-Conservatory of Music ran Oct. 24-27. I attended the Saturday matinee performance. 

CCM_42nd St1

“Forty-Second Street.” Photo by Mark Lyons.

I do enjoy a good tap show. And University of Cincinnati’s 42ND STREET was not a good tap show. It was a great tap show.

One advantage CCM has over a touring Broadway show is the ability to go big. In this case, with an ensemble comprised of more than two dozen performers. The production numbers nearly filled the stage from wing to wing with rows of dancers. The choreography was top notch and well-handled by all.

CCM_42nd St3

Bailee Endebrock as Peggy Sawyer. Photo by Mark Lyons.

I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the wonderful work by costume designer Reba Senseke and crew. Also well-done were the wigs designed by Samantha Kittle.

The show flowed well from scene to scene and the pacing was strong throughout. I’m not sure if the downplaying of the May-December romance between Peggy Sawyer and Julian Marsh was a director’s decision or a script change from the revival, but I thought that as presented it made for a great dynamic between the two.

Bailee Endebrock was very enjoyable as Peggy Sawyer. Both Camila Paquet (as Maggie Jones) and Nick Berninger (Julian Marsh) were strong in their aged-up roles. Solid performances across the cast.

CCM_42nd Street2

“We’re in the Money.” Photo by Mark Lyons.

Thank you for a very enjoyable afternoon meeting those dancing feet.

My rating: 4.75 out of 5.

Click here for more information on the production.

Leave a comment

Filed under Reviews

Content Specialist and Salesforce/Email Marketing Manager Sought by Educational Theatre Association

EdTA_logoCONTENT SPECIALIST

Educational Theatre Association, home of the International Thespian Society and Educational Theatre Foundation, seeks a passionate, versatile Content Specialist to support the development of shareable content for use on EdTA and ETF websites, in email, print and other communications, and on social media. In addition, the Content Specialist will support the development of print and digital marketing campaigns, and public relations efforts.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Develop Educational Theatre Association and Educational Theatre Foundation content, creating stories about adult and student members, program participants, and award, scholarship, and grant winners for use on various print and online platforms including email and social media.
  • Edit content supplied by other departments to fit the association’s voice and style, and to optimize the message for each channel and target audience.
  • Write press releases for association events, programs, awards, and news following PR best practices.
  • Adapt and publish content for email communications and social media.
  • Write marketing copy for events, membership recruitment and retention, and EdTA programs that follows copywriting best practices and brand guidelines.
  • Develop copy for online landing pages and lead-generation forms that adheres to SEO best practices. Optimize copy for email and social publishing.
  • Write and edit SEO-friendly editorial content for EdTA websites, including dramatics.orgschooltheatre.org, and educationaltheatrefoundation.org to increase organic traffic.
  • Collaborate with Content team members on content planning and execution.

Education Required:

  • Bachelor’s degree in marketing communications, public relations or related field
  • Minimum two years of professional experience
  • Portfolio of professional writing samples

Skills and Qualifications:

  • Excellent writing and verbal communication skills
  • Proficiency in marketing copywriting, editorial writing, and public relations writing
  • Strong editing and proofreading skills
  • Proficiency in AP style preferred
  • Basic graphic design and photo editing skills
  • Working knowledge of HTML
  • Proficient with web content management systems such as WordPress and SEO
  • Advanced understanding of social media platforms and management tools
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign. Photoshop and Illustrator are a plus.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Docs
  • Adept at learning new software programs and tech tools
  • Strong organization and project management skills
  • Deadline driven with keen attention to detail and accuracy in all work
  • Ability to prioritize and work independently within one’s authority
  • Ability to demonstrate a positive, team-oriented attitude

To apply, please submit cover letter and résumé by email (Subject Line: Content Specialist 2019-123) to:  HRManager@schooltheatre.org.

First consideration will be given to applications received by 11/15/19.


 

SALESFORCE/EMAIL MARKETING MANAGER

The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) seeks a dynamic Salesforce/Email Marketing Manager to build and manage marketing journeys through automation focused on member engagement and retention.  You will partner with Content team and across other departments to drive day-to-day execution of our email communication and engagement strategies.

Job Responsibilities:

Marketing Automation

  • Create and develop content-rich loyalty and nurturing programs using consumer insights data and marketing automation tools including Salesforce Marketing Cloud & Pardot.
  • Execute email marketing strategies to retain current members and convert non-member leads into new members.
  • Build email messages, templates and multi-step campaigns using marketing automation tools.
  • Evaluate email campaign data to optimize performance and results.
  • Build landing pages and forms for lead capture and progressive customer profiling.
  • Lead and assist Content team in the utilization of Salesforce and Pardot to maintain accuracy of the databases.
  • Analyze and report on email marketing efforts and performance metrics.
  • Manage schedules, resources and delivery dates to ensure projects meet deadlines.
  • Ensure compliance with branding guidelines and content across all channels, as well as applicable regulatory requirements.
  • Ensure all email campaigns leverage current best practices.

Education and Experience Required:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, Business or Technology.
  • 3 – 5 years of professional experience in managing customer journeys and campaigns through marketing automation tools such as Pardot and Salesforce CRM.
  • Experience working with a membership association or a non-profit organization is preferred.
  • Theatre or arts interest or background is a plus.

Skills and Qualifications:

  • Entrepreneurial spirit/orientation.
  • Proven experience in using marketing automation tools and technologies to facilitate engagement and conversion.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, and Pardot or Salesforce Marketing Cloud.
  • Experience with an email service provider system.
  • Deadline driven with strong attention to detail
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Ability to effectively collaborate with Content team members and coworkers in other departments
  • Ability to effectively plan, be flexible, and be resourceful in managing workflow to meet deadlines.
  • Strong project management skills, including the ability to take initiative, multi-task and prioritize multiple projects
  • Calm, patient, diplomatic, and confident demeanor in working with staff, management, and vendors
  • Positive, team-oriented attitude
  • Ability to think and act independently, within one’s authority

To apply, please submit cover letter and resume by email (Subject line: Salesforce/Email Marketing Manager 2019-133 to:  HRManager@schooltheatre.org

First consideration will be given to applications received by 11/15/19.

Leave a comment

Filed under Casting Call

NARNIA The Musical Runs Nov. 30-Dec. 1

D2D_Narnia logoNARNIA The Musical
Dare to Defy Productions
Nov. 30-Dec. 1
Victoria Theatre [Dayton]

NARNIA: The Musical is a dramatization of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the first and most famous of acclaimed British author C.S. Lewis’s world-renowned series, The Chronicles of Narnia.

It tells of four English schoolchildren – brothers and sisters – sent away from London during World War II to stay in the manor house of their uncle – who stumble upon (and through) a wardrobe into the magical kingdom of Narnia, held in the power of the White Witch, whose evil spell has frozen the land, so that it is “always winter – and never Christmas.” They are embraced by the talking animals, the good Narnians who resist the Witch’s evil and await the return of Aslan – the Great Lion, who is their rightful ruler. Aslan, who has long been absent from his land (so that some have even doubted his existence) has – at last! – returned, to confront the Witch, and the children are soon caught up in a fierce struggle of good versus evil.

  • Sat, Nov. 30 at 2pm & 8pm
  • Sun, Dec. 1 at 1pm & 7pm

Official page | Facebook event |

Leave a comment

Filed under On Stage

MEALS 4 MONOLOGUES at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati

ETC_Meals for MonologuesCasting Society of America member D. Lynn Meyers to audition actors in
exchange for donations to benefit local Freestore Foodbank, December 9, 10 & 11, 2019

(Cincinnati, OH) Dim the lights, raise the curtain! With the holiday season in full swing, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati hosts its eighth annual Meals 4 Monologues auditions. Actors from throughout the Midwest are invited, on behalf of the Casting Society of America (CSA), for a general audition call to perform for CSA member D. Lynn Meyers in exchange for a suggested donation of three non-perishable food and/or toiletry items to benefit Cincinnati’s Freestore Foodbank.

The event, which is part of a nationwide Casting Society of America effort to support local food banks while auditioning local talent, will be held at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (1127 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202) on Monday, December 9; Tuesday, December 10; and Friday, December 11, 2019 from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm each day. This is an open casting call to all Equity union and non-union actors for future theatre, film, TV, and commercial projects cast by D. Lynn Meyers, CSA.

In the 2018 iteration of this audition event approximately 22% of the actors who auditioned were hired between different theatre, film, and media projects.

Actors must bring:

  • A current HEADSHOT and RÉSUMÉ to the audition (DO NOT email them);
  • Suggested donation of THREE non-perishable food (pasta, canned goods, etc…) or toiletry items (soap, toothpaste, etc…); and
  • A short, prepared monologue and song (must be performed a cappella), or two prepared monologues.

Time slots are 3 MINUTES maximum and available by appointment only. Time slots are on a first-come, first-serve basis and must be scheduled ONLINE at www.ensemblecincinnati.org. Walk-ins and reservations via phone will not be accepted.

The Freestore Foodbank is the largest emergency food and services provider to children and families in Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana, distributing 33 million meals annually to low-income individuals and families. The Freestore Foodbank supports 511 community partner agencies serving 20 counties in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. This includes food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, community centers, program sites, senior centers, and daycare facilities. The Freestore Foodbank is a member of Feeding America.

The Casting Society of America (CSA) is the premier organization of theatrical Casting Directors in film, television, and theatre. Although it is not a union, the CSA is a united professional society that consistently sets the level of professionalism in casting upon which the entertainment industry relies. CSA’s more than 490 members are represented not only in the United States, but also in Europe, Canada, Australia, and South Africa. “I am very proud to be a member of the Casting Society of America,” says CSA member D. Lynn Meyers. “I am delighted at the opportunity to see new faces and to spread outreach beyond the Greater Cincinnati area by embracing the idea of Meals 4 Monologues. It is such an inspiration for CSA to support this event.”

###

2019-2020 Season Presenting Sponsor is the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. Additional support provided PNC.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is supported, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati 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.

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Auditions

Magician Cody Clark to Perform CONDUCTOR CODY’S CHRISTMAS EXPRESS at Haines House of Cards

MISC_Christmas Express Haines HOCOctober 30, 2019 (CINCINNATI, OH) – Louisville, KY based professional magician Cody Clark, as his children’s magic character Conductor Cody, will be performing his holiday magic show Conductor Cody’s Christmas Express! at Haines House of Cards magic shop in Norwood on St. Nicholas Day (Fri. Dec. 6th) at 7 PM

In the style of classic holiday movies such as The Polar Express, Cody takes audiences on a train trip to the North Pole, with magic moments a plenty. Golden train tickets will be torn & restored, hot chocolate will magically appear, and after the show is over, your family will get to meet Santa! Through magic, audience participation, and creative storytelling, Conductor Cody’s Christmas Express! will be the catalyst for great holiday memories!

Cody Clark has been performing magic for 15 years. He is no stranger to Cincinnati, having performed in the 2015 & 2019 Cincinnati Fringe Festivals. His children’s character Conductor Cody is inspired by his childhood love of trains and George Carlin’s stint as Thomas the Tank Engine narrator Mr. Conductor. He performs this show at birthday parties, railroad museums, and libraries across America.

Tickets for Conductor Cody’s Christmas Express! are $10. They can be purchased in advance at http://www.haineshouseof.cards or at the door. Haines House of Cards is located on 2514 Leslie Ave in Norwood. To learn more about Conductor Cody, you can go to www.conductorcody.com .

###

Leave a comment

Filed under Events, Family-Friendly, Press Releases