Jealousy, betrayal, and passion collide in this classic Elizabethan staging of Shakespeare’s timeless tale
Billy Chace as Iago & Sylvester Little Jr. as Othello. Photo by Mikki Schaffner
Cincinnati, March 4, 2026 – Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to present Othello playing March 6 – 29, 2026 and directed by Associate Artistic Director Candice Handy and featuring Slyvester Little Jr. as Othello and Billy Chace at Iago. This production is generously sponsored by Season Shakespeare Sponsor, The Linnemann Family Foundation, Production Sponsor Monteverdi, and Design Sponsor PNC.
When the esteemed General Othello succumbs to the cunning Iago’s deceptions, suspicion and heartbreak tear apart the bonds of love and loyalty. Featuring some of the most dramatic and iconic moments in all of Shakespeare, Othello is a searing exploration of trust, love, and the devastating consequences of doubt. “I hope the audience will leave this production of Othello with a desire to discover truth that comes from facts and facts that come from unmasked sources,” said Director, Candice Handy.
Bringing this classic to life is an ensemble cast of 10 talented actors. Taking on the title role of Othello is Sylvester Little Jr. and Billy Chace plays the conniving Iago weaving his demise. Tess Talbot takes the role of Desdemona, Othello’s wife, and Cary Davenport plays Cassio, falsely accused of an affair with Desdemona. Filling out the rest of the ensemble is Montez Jenkins Copeland as Montano, Courtney Lucien as Bianca, Sara Mackie as Brabantio, Kelly Mengelkoch as Emilia, Grant Niezgodski as Duke and Lodovico, and Patrick Earl Phillips as Roderigo.
Director Candice Handy leads the creative team in building a traditional setting for this Shakespearean tragedy. Performed in the round, scenic designer Charlie Calvert, alongside assistant scenic designer Gabby Trice, has created a striking environment that brings the audience into the action. Rainy Edwards’ costume designs and Kayla Cieslinski’s wig designs evoke the traditional Elizabethan aesthetic, firmly placing the story in its period. Lighting by Andrew Hungerford and sound design by Derek A. Graham shape the production’s atmosphere. Fight Director Gina Cerimele-Mechley brings the action with engaging swordfights. Dramaturgy is provided by Isaiah Reaves, and intimacy direction is provided by Torie Wiggins. This production of Othello is stage managed by Cole Cammack-Sweasy with assistant stage manager Danitza Piper.
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Othello runs from March 6 – 29, 2026. Performances of Othello are on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, with three Sunday Matinees on March 15, 22, and 29 at 2:00 PM. CSC offers performances with accessibility resources. Live Audio Descriptions are available on March 6, and there is a Sign Language Interpreted performance on March 29 at 2:00 PM.
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Tickets are on sale now. Preview performances are on Wednesday, March 4, and Thursday, March 5, with half price tickets. Discounts are available for students, seniors, local residents, and community partners. Each performance night has a limited number of $14 “Access” tickets. These can be purchased in advance by going online or calling the Box Office. And starting 1 hour before each performance, any unreserved tickets may be available as a discounted Rush Ticket to anyone, not just students. These tickets are only $12 and could be located anywhere in the house, depending on that evening’s availability. These cannot be reserved more than 1 hour before a show and must be purchased in person in the Box Office. Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. Ticketing fees apply. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the CSC Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273) ext. 1, or go online at http://www.cincyshakes.com.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is located at The Otto M. Budig Theater at 1195 Elm Street in OTR, adjacent to Washington Park. Many parking spaces are available on the street and in nearby lots and garages- for more information, visit online here.
CSC has coordinated a prepaid self-parking option right next door to the theater for a hassle‐free, guaranteed spot. A limited number of reserved spaces are available starting 1.5 hours before performances and lasting through the end of the show. The 3CDC parking attendant will have your name on the list with advance purchase, guaranteeing your spot and price. Visit www.cincyshakes.com/parking to reserve self-parking.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s 2025-2026 Season is generously presented by our Operating Support Partners: The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation; The Linnemann Family Foundation; The Ohio Arts Council; The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation; The National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest; The Shubert Foundation; Maureen and John Bridgeland, Cindy Bridgeland Crilley, and Debby and Jim Mason in honor of Jim Bridgeland; Lightborne, and the tens of thousands of people who give generously to the ArtsWave Community Campaign.
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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 all. In the summer of 2017, the theater relocated to the Otto M. Budig Theater, a brand new facility in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati. CSC’s repertoire is composed of the works of William Shakespeare, literary adaptations, world premieres, and contemporary classics. CSC performs on a Small Professional Theatre contract with the Actors’ Equity Association. Cincinnati Shakespeare is a member of Theater Communications Group and Shakespeare Theatre Association. Each year, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Education and Outreach Programs reach more than 50,000 young people and community members by meeting audiences where they are. This includes sharing programming in schools, parks, community centers and hosting educational matinees of mainstage productions. In 2015, 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!
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