Monthly Archives: May 2025

May 12, 2025 · 3:43 pm

Claudia Pompeya Brings THE MOTHER to Cincy Fringe

I’m Claudia Pompeya, a Cincinnati-based graphic designer and performer. I wanted to share that I’m debuting my first solo clown show, THE MOTHER, at this year’s Cincy Fringe—a one-night, work-in-progress performance on June 12 at 8:45 PM. Doors open 8:15pm.

It’s a poetic and offbeat exploration of the mother wound, told through physical storytelling, character, props, and absurdity. The piece is deeply shaped by my healing journey through clown.

Claudia Pompeya is a performer and visual artist who accidentally became a clown. She’s trained with Dell’Arte, renowned British comedy troupe Spymonkey, and more. Her first clown work, In My Room, was featured in Wave Pool Art Gallery’s Faux Real exhibition. Former corporate graphic designer. Current vessel of poetic nonsense. She blends visual storytelling with physical performance and soft chaos.

🎟️ Tickets: https://cincyfringe.com/the-mother/
📍 Miami Venue, on the corner of Vine & 13th Streets – Cincy Fringe Festival

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May 12, 2025 · 3:42 pm

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati Closes the 2024-2025 Season with JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING

May 31 – June 22, 2025

(Cincinnati, OH) Get tressed to impress! Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) closes its 2024–2025 Season with the regional premiere dramedy Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. Written by award-winning and Tony-nominated Ghanaian American playwright Jocelyn Bioh (School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play), pull up a chair with West African immigrant braiders who work their magic on the locals’ locks. This laugh-out-loud comedic gem is a riotously funny yet deeply resonant play that celebrates the indomitable spirit and interconnectedness that define us all. Playing  May 31–June 22, 2025, and is directed by Torie Wiggins. Premiere Sponsors are Daniel Brown & Mark Haggard and ArtsWave. Artist Sponsor is Linda R. Holthaus.

Welcome to Jaja’s bustling hair braiding salon nestled in the pulsating heart of Harlem, where a lively community of West African immigrant hair braiders weaves together humor and heart. Amidst the laughter and playful shop talk, a diverse group of women share dreams, love stories, and hidden secrets, all while creating stunning braided masterpieces. On a sweltering summer day, the lighthearted banter reveals deeper reflections on the challenges of feeling like outsiders in their own neighborhood, sparking a powerful exploration of identity and belonging, and confronting what it means to be an outsider on the edge of the place they call home.

“One of the things I love about Jaja’s is all these voices and ideas converging in this one place,” explains ETC Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers. “It’s important to celebrate a community’s voice in a way that feels accessible and understandable and that can be empathetic as well as celebratory. These women’s lives are changed in an instant by powers beyond their control. I think it’s essential in our world to recognize what other people may be up against that we’re unaware of as we go about our daily lives.”

Cast includes Burgess Byrd (Jaja), Keisha L. Kemper (Bea), Samantha Russell (Marie), Elexis Selmon (Jennifer), and Beasley (Vanessa/Shelia/Radia). Additionally, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati welcomes the following performers in their ETC debuts: A.J. Baldwin (Michelle/Chrissy/LaNiece), Jasimine Bouldin (Ndidi), Candice Handy (Aminata), Brianna Miller (Miriam), and Samuel Stricklen (James/Franklin/Olu/Eric).

Production team: Brian c. Mehring (Resident Scenic & Lighting Designer), Tiara M. Jones (Costume, Hair, & Wig Designer), Aniya Williams (Assistant Hair & Wig Designer), Justin Ellington (Sound Designer), Trey Tatum (Associate Sound Designer), Debora Crabbe (Dialect Coach), Shannon Rae Lutz (Properties Curator & Design Assistant), and Jacob Dowell (Technical Director). Production Stage Manager is Margot Whitney. Assistant Stage Manager is Lexi Muller. 

Performance Information

Performances Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 pm. A complete calendar of performances is available at www.ensemblecincinnati.org. 

Ticket Prices

Tickets for adults start at $30; student tickets are $28; and children are $24. Half-Price Rush Tickets: All remaining tickets for the current day’s performance(s) are available two hours prior to each show time for half-price (discount only applies to adult tickets) when purchasing by phone or in person. $15 Student Rush Tickets: Students may purchase up to two $15 student rush tickets two hours prior to show time with valid student I.D. Available in person only.

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2024-2025 Season Presenting Sponsor is the LKC Foundation.

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 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 rooted in historic Over-the-Rhine dedicated to engaging, enriching, and inspiring audiences through our thought-provoking world and regional premiere productions, creating and sustaining careers in professional theatre, building community partnerships, and sharing impactful education programs throughout our region.

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May 12, 2025 · 3:41 pm

Technical Director Sought by Improv Cincinnati

Title: Technical Director

Reports to: Artistic Director

About Improv Cincinnati
Improv Cincinnati is an award-winning theatre company that teaches fun and uplifting classes, produces theatrical improv and sketch comedy performances, and delivers professional team building and keynote experiences. Our mission is to lift spirits and inspire personal growth.

Our values:
Community; we foster compassion and a sense of belonging for individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, or any other way a person may identify. We strengthen this commitment through continued learning, scholarships, community engagement and charitable donations.

Joy; we pursue the creation of uplifting, entertaining and memorable shows, playful learning experiences, and meaningful relationships for our performers, students and community members.

Craft; we are devoted to the art of improvisation and sketch comedy. We lean into creativity, are committed to honing individual skills and honoring each individual’s path of learning.

Position Overview
The Tech Director is responsible for all things tech related including, but not limited to, lights, sound, and video. Set maintenance responsibilities are shared with Operations. The base schedule for this position shall be 7:00 – 11:00 pm one night per weekend. (Friday or Saturday) It’s expected that the TD will set and manage the schedule for the other tech assistants, and have flexibility for a few hours each week for tech troubleshooting, theater improvements, and staff meetings.

The Tech Director is responsible for curating the vibe at shows. Improv Cincinnati’s improvised shows require lights and sound to be modified and adapted for the scenes in real time. In addition to unscripted shows, the TD will be asked to program lights and sound for sketch comedy shows and scripted parodies.

The Tech Director will be responsible for upgrading and maintaining equipment. The TD should have the skills and knowledge to troubleshoot technical issues that occur.

Qualifications

Required Skills Include

  • Experience doing tech and/or stage managing for theaters.

  • Experience with doing lights and sound for theatrical productions.

  • Comfort with making decisions and solving problems with limited supervision.

  • Good communicator and positive attitude.

Preferred Skills Include

  • Degree in Theatre Design and Tech

  • Comfort making pre-show announcements on a microphone.

  • Familiarity with Improv Cincinnati as a student, performer, or audience member.

Responsibilities

  • Operate sound, lights and video for Clifton Comedy Theatre’s shows.

  • Troubleshoot equipment as needed.

  • Give advice on upgrades or solutions to tech issues.

  • Install new equipment, organize the tech booth, and change flats when necessary.

  • Curate pre-show slides, music playlists, and audio samples.

  • Work in concert with the show host and house manager to ensure the show goes smoothly.

  • Lead training sessions and hold meetings with staff.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a part time, hourly position paying $20 per hour.

If a candidate has questions about this position or requires different accommodations to submit an application, please contact info@improvcincinnati.com. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

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May 12, 2025 · 3:41 pm

Cast Announced for MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET at Warsaw Federal Incline Theater

The 2025 Summer Classic Season at Warsaw Federal Incline Theater Presents MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET May 28 – June 22, 2025

Book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux Original Concept and Direction by Floyd Mutrux. Inspired by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. Originally developed and produced by Relevant Theatricals, John Cossette Productions and Northern Lights, Inc., at the Goodman Theatre, Robert Falls, Artistic Director – Roche Shulfer, Executive Director and transferred to The Apollo Theatre, Chicago, IL, 2008 Produced by the Village Theatre, Issaquah, Washington, Robb Hunt, Producer – Steve Tompkins, Artistic Director, 2007 and Seaside Music Theater, Daytona Beach, FL, Tippin Davidson Producer – Lester Malizia, Artistic Director, 2008.

The Tony Award-nominated musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is set on December 4, 1956, when an extraordinary twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together at Sun Records in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions ever. MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary December night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations that is both poignant and funny. Relive the era with the smash-hit sensation featuring an incredible score of rock ‘n’ roll, gospel, R&B and country hits. Songs include “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Walk the Line,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,”, Folsom Prison Blues,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,”, “Hound Dog,” and more.

Production team: Hunter Henrickson, Director/Music Director; Finley Shields & Ellis Clay, Production Stage Managers

The cast includes: Keaton Eckhoff asCarl Perkins, Corey Meyer as Elvis Presley, Kyle Taylor as Johnny Cash, Evan Rogers as Jerry Lee Lewis, Michael Comstock as Sam Phillips, Amanda Sant as Dyanne, Rhys Boatwright as Fluke and Jan Diehl as Jay Perkins

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTER

  • Wed., May 28, Thurs., May 29, Fri., May 30, Sat., May 31, Sun., June 1
  • Wed., June 4, Thurs., June 5, Fri., June 6, Sat., June 7, Sun., June 8
  • Wed., June 11, Thurs., June 12, Fri., June 13, Sat., June 14, Sun., June 15
  • Wed., June 18, Thurs., June 19, Fri., June 20, Sat., June 21, Sun., June 22

Performances run Wednesday & Thursday at 7:30; Friday & Saturday at 8pm; Sunday at 2pm.

Where: The Warsaw Federal Incline Theater, 801 Matson Place, Cincinnati, OH 45204

Tickets: Adults $33 and Seniors/Students $30). Please note the pricing and beware of 3rd party websites. The only site to purchase from is ours: www.clpshows.org or at the box office at 513 241 6550.

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May 8, 2025 · 3:43 pm

2025-2026 Season Announce by Loveland Stage Company

Loveland Stage Company is thrilled to announce our 2025/2026 Season

Get ready for a year packed with laughter, heart, magic, and powerful storytelling. Here’s what’s coming to our stage:

SOMETHING ROTTEN
Directed by Amy Prestridge

Welcome to the Renaissance! This hilarious musical comedy follows two struggling playwright brothers as they try to outshine Shakespeare by writing the world’s very first musical. Witty, wild, and full of show-stopping numbers, it’s a love letter to theatre with a big wink.

ZANNA, DON’T!
Directed by Nick Huitger

In a magical, musical world where being gay is the norm and hetero love is taboo, Zanna—a matchmaking teen with a wand and a mission—helps his fellow students find their happily-ever-afters. A bold and heartwarming tale about acceptance, identity, and turning the world upside down.

THE WIZARD OF OZ
Directed by Carissa Sloan

Follow the yellow brick road with Dorothy, Toto, and a trio of unforgettable friends as they journey through Oz in search of home, heart, courage, and a way back to Kansas. Packed with classic songs and timeless magic, this family favorite returns to enchant a whole new generation.

INDEPENDENCE
Directed by KB Scheiding
In this intimate and compelling drama by Lee Blessing, three sisters return to their small Iowa hometown to confront long-buried secrets, family trauma, and their complex relationship with their fiercely independent mother. A moving exploration of identity, loyalty, and breaking free.

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