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December 1, 2020 · 10:08 am

CCM Presents New Series of Free Digital Concerts and Performing Arts Presentations

CCM_logoCCM’s ‘stars of tomorrow’ are back on stage, and you get the best seats in the house!

Join the viewing party for the debut episode of ‘CCMONSTAGE Online’ on Friday, Dec. 11, featuring the CCM Philharmonia. 

CINCINNATI, OH—The University of Cincinnati’s nationally ranked and internationally renowned College-Conservatory of Music invites arts lovers from around the world to join in the viewing party for the debut episode of CCMONSTAGE Online at 7:30 p.m. EST on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. The premiere will stream simultaneously on CCM’s homepage and YouTube channel.

Get a reminder.

This dynamic new series of digital concerts and performing arts presentations will allow audiences near and far to experience the unparalleled artistry and expertise of CCM’s students, faculty and staff.

“The performing arts help to build and sustain a sense of community,” says CCM Dean Stanley E. Romanstein, PhD. “Now more than ever, we crave the sense of fellowship that comes through shared cultural experiences. While we may not yet be able to welcome audiences back to the CCM Village for live performances, we are excited to help you stay connected to the arts and to each other through our new CCMONSTAGE Online performance series.”

Recorded live at CCM while adhering to strict health and safety precautions, each installment of this new performance video series spotlights a different CCM program or ensemble.

The debut installment features the CCM Philharmonia performing a program of Virtual Virtuosity that includes works by Claude Debussy, Ottorino Respighi, Julia Perry and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Each episode also features insight into the repertoire and commentary on the process of rehearsing and performing during the era of COVID-19.

Download the concert program.

Future episodes will showcase performances by the CCM Ballet Ensemble, the CCM Chamber Choir, and a collaborative concert with CCM string quartet-in-residence the Ariel Quartet and members of the CSO/CCM Diversity Fellowship program. The performances by the CCM Ballet Ensemble and CCM Chamber Choir are further augmented by the cutting-edge artistry of students and faculty from CCM’s Theatre Design and Production programs. CCM will announce the premiere dates for these subsequent episodes later this fall.

CCM turned to the considerable expertise of its E-Media faculty and alumni to help produce this new series. Video production services for CCMONSTAGE Online are provided by MasseyGreenAVP, LLC. “Our goal was to capture the world-renowned talent that CCM has to offer through multiple cameras, providing CCM with professionally-produced videos to share with their fans virtually,” says CCM alumnus John Massey (BFA E-Media, ‘03), who directs each installment in this new series.

Massey explains, “Our team is made up of videographers with decades of experience from news, sports and entertainment industries. We were excited to be able to shoot in CCM’s beautiful facilities. We recruited E-Media grad John Tapogna (BFA Broadcasting, 1988), who has over 25 years’ experience as a sports videographer, to tackle providing tight shots. We sought to capture the energy and emotion of the performance up close while showing off the performers’ technical skill.”

All episodes of CCMONSTAGE Online will be digitally streamed for free. After the premiere broadcast, each installment in this ongoing series will remain available for on-demand viewing on CCM’s website and YouTube channel.

“Whether you’re a longtime CCM performance patron or a first-timer, we hope you’ll join us for one of our upcoming viewing parties to get a front row seat to see tomorrow’s stars today,” says Romanstein.

This digital performance series is made possible by support from CCMONSTAGE Online Broadcast Sponsors CCMpower and ArtsWave, and CCMONSTAGE Online Production Sponsors Dr. & Mrs. Carl G. Fischer.

Receive broadcast reminders and information on future episodes of CCMONSTAGE Online by subscribing to CCM’s YouTube channel and email newsletter.

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CCMONSTAGE Online Presents
CLASSICAL VIRTUOSITY
Featuring the CCM Philharmonia
Mark Gibson, music director and conductor

Streaming Premiere
7:30 p.m. EST Friday, Dec. 11, 2020

Performance Details

  • Claude Debussy, orch. Maurice Ravel: Danse(1890)
  • Ottorino Respighi: Trittico Botticelliano(1927)
  • Julia Perry: Short Piece for Orchestra(1952)
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 29 in A major, K. 201 (1774)

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A preeminent institution for the performing and media arts, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music offers nearly 120 possible majors, along with a wide variety of pre-collegiate and post-graduate programs.

The synergy created by housing CCM within a comprehensive public university gives the college its unique character and defines its objective: to educate and inspire the whole artist and scholar for positions on the world stage.

For more information, please visit us online at https://ccm.uc.edu/.

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December 1, 2020 · 9:48 am

Local Actors Sought for Interview

MISC_InterviewHello actors!

My name is Megan Bechtold and I’m a senior journalism major at Northern Kentucky University. I’m working on an article as part of an independent study with the goal of submitting it for local publication. The article would be surrounding graduating theater students and local actors and what a career in theater may look like during the pandemic.

I’m looking to find one or two local actors willing to meet for an interview over Zoom to discuss their career in acting and how the pandemic has impacted it. My deadline is for Monday December 7th at noon, so I would like to try and have all of my interviews by Thursday December 3rd if possible to allow for time to write the article.

If you’re willing and able to meet with me for a brief interview, please feel free to reach out via email at Meganmvbechtold@gmail.com so that we can set something up.

Thank you in advance for your time.

-Megan M. Bechtold

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November 30, 2020 · 12:20 pm

Cast Announced for THE CONSUL, THE TRAMP, AND AMERICA’S SWEETHEART at Dayton Playhouse

DPH_logoThe streaming run for THE CONSUL, THE TRAMP, AND AMERICA’S SWEETHEART, a 2015 FutureFest Winner from playwright John Morogiello will begin on January 20, 2021.

Wishing Break-a-leg to Director Jennifer Lockwood and the whole cast:

  • Miss Hollombe – Jenna De Gruy
  • George Gyssling – Mike Beerbower
  • Mary Pickford – Debra Strauss
  • Charlie Chaplin – Matthew Lindsay

Official page |

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November 30, 2020 · 10:24 am

ON CUE Fall 2020

ACT_vON CUE – The electronic newsletter of the Association of Community Theatres of Greater Cincinnati 

Fall 2020 Linda Roll, editor
llroll69@hotmail.com
Wow, what a year this has been. No one could have foreseen all the changes that have taken place. This has impacted every aspect of our lives. Let’s hope for at least some return to normalcy, whatever that will look like.In the meantime, let’s talk about what has been happening in our theatre world. The ACT board has continued to meet via ZOOM to conduct business.

  1. It was decided that groups who are still active will not be charged for any shows they ask to be judged. Groups will still need to pay their dues.
  2. Plans are underway to have the scholarship auditions conducted virtually. Each auditionee will have 5 minutes to show what they can do. 2 judges have already agreed to participate, and Melissa Smith is working to secure the others. It will be interesting to see if this will increase the number of young people who chose to audition.
  3. Dates have been set for the OCTA/ACT regional in June. Amanda Emmons Shumate has booked Parrish Auditorium and the Embassy Suites. This year the dates are June 17-19, 2021. Since most groups have cancelled their season, OCTA has decided that groups may excerpt from the past season. If for some reason there are again no regionals held, then the September OCTA fest will be pushed back another year (We are ALL hoping that won’t be the case)
  4. Even though there have been few shows, the shows that have happened have been adjudicated and have received those critiques. Fred Hunt stated that he is still looking for more judges, so if you have someone you think would make a good judge, let him know.
  5. Laureen Caitlin announced that the winter judges’ forum is scheduled for February 27 and will be via ZOOM. The topics to be discussed are lighting, sound, stage management and producing. As in the past, anyone is welcomed to view this video.
  6. For those of you who use the Wesseling One list to post information, in December, this address will be changing. Yahoo will no longer be hosting group lists, so John Wesseling is working to get relocated to a Google group. This email address will be released when it is up and working. For now, you can still submit to the Yahoo group page.

ACT is pleased to welcome Queen City as a new member. AACT update: This competition will be 100% virtual. This means that any of the theatres that did submit, if they wish to continue it must be 30 minutes. 12 groups will go to nationals, and if selected a professional video crew will come out and tape the 1 hour.

Some of the theatres are producing virtual shows, so be sure to check them out. The following is a list of some of these companies. If you know of a group doing this or are participating in any of these, let others know how to access the productions.

Drama Workshop, Footlighters, Mason, Village Players, Loveland and Equity Productions

If your group is holding events to raise funds, make sure to let us know what they are.

Let’s all support each other during this time.So, here are a few thoughts from your editor.

We are all struggling with just trying to survive what is going on in our lives. Jobs have been lost, family members and friends have been ill from this virus, and some of us have had loved ones die from various reasons, not just this virus. Whether you believe this is real or not, at least think about those around you. If you feel depressed, reach out and talk to someone. We are ALL in this boat together, and we WILL survive this.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you will be sharing the upcoming holidays, however you celebrate, with those you love.

Any errors, mistakes or omissions are not intentional.

Thanks to all of you for being a part of Greater Cincinnati theatre.

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November 30, 2020 · 9:56 am

A Cappella Group Raises $7K for Streaming Concert, Extends Campaign Window for Special Viewing of Full Show

No Promises_logoCINCINNATI, OH – In their campaign to “Save Christmas,” NO PROMISES Vocal Band has raised nearly $7,000 from more than 90 supporters to produce a streaming version of their annual “Christmas With NO PROMISES” concert.

The program was filmed at historic Memorial Hall in Over-the-Rhine on Tuesday, November 24, and will be released to campaign supporters circa December 8. Individual song videos will be released progressively in the days leading up to December 23, when the general public will be able to experience the full show for the first time.

A Successful Campaign Extended
Between October 21 and November 19, donors from across the country contributed nearly $7,000 in gifts ranging from $1 – $500 to cover venue rental, audio engineering, video engineering and licensing expenses incurred in creating digital concert. Debbie Hill and Dunrobin & Associates each made leading gifts of $500 as concert sponsors.

With less than a month remaining until the Christmas holiday, NO PROMISES is extending the campaign window to December 23. Fans who missed the initial fundraising period can contribute in any amount to receive special access to the full concert prior to the December 23 public release. This additional support will also help the ensemble defray some unexpected costs, including COVID-19 testing that allowed them to sing together unmasked.

Individuals can support the NO PROMISES Saves Christmas campaign in two ways:

  • Donate via credit card at NoPromisesVocalBand.com and find the “Leave Us A Tip” link.
  • Mail a check to: No Promises Vocal Band, ATTN: Matt Croy, 1480 Shore Drive, Findlay, OH, 45840

2020 Concert Set List
Recorded on November 24 at Cincinnati’s Memorial Hall, the concert consists of ten songs:

  • Tiny Little Christmas – As performed by The Blenders
  • All The Things You Are – As performed by The Singers Unlimited
  • O Holy Night – Traditional
  • Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) – The Temptations
  • Sunday Morning – Maroon Five
  • River – Joni Mitchell
  • This Christmas – Donnie Hathaway
  • White Christmas – As performed by The Drifters
  • Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – from MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS

As in their live concerts, members of the group introduce each tune with witty repartee.

Christmas with NO PROMISES – An Aural History
For many, the yearly Christmas With NO PROMISES tour has become one of the most anticipated performances of the year, earning a 2019 nomination by Movers & Makers magazine as Cincinnati’s Top Chamber Music Concert. Past tours have included stops in Dayton, Columbus, Toledo and Findlay, complementing beloved local venues including The Garfield Theater, The Warsaw Federal Incline Theater, and the band’s perennial favorite, Community of the Good Shepherd. Other recent venues have included Covington’s The Carnegie, Walnut Hills’ New Thought Unity Center, Montgomery’s The Uni, New Richmond’s historic Mt. Zion-St. Paul United Church of Christ, Withamsville’s St. Thomas More.

Live Christmas With NO PROMISES concerts have taken place annually since 2015, and draw more than 2,000 attendees each year.

About NO PROMISES
NO PROMISES is a Cincinnati-based professional a cappella ensemble bringing exhilarating vocals and breathtaking harmonizations to popular favorites of jazz, Motown, and yacht rock. The group has entertained at festivals, concert series, conventions and concert halls throughout the state. Its members have graced the stages of Broadway, fronted major symphony orchestras, and backed the likes of Jim Messina, Steve Winwood, Kenny Loggins and POCO. In their day-to-day lives, the men of NO PROMISES are clinical psychologists, theatrical talent buyers, and hairdressers with a passion for a cappella singing.

The group has released three recording projects: A No Promises Christmas (2016), All Wet (2018) and The Nines (2019).

The members of NO PROMISES are Joshua Steele (resident of Kennedy Heights), Ryan Strand (North College Hill), David Baum (Montgomery), Jeff Grooms (Cold Spring, KY), Matt Croy (Findlay, OH), and Nat Comisar (Indian Hill). Current guest artists are Noah Berry (Dayton, OH), Kyle Karnes (Oakley), and Schyler Vargas (Chicago, IL).

Curious about how Broadway actor David Baum joined NO PROMISES and became a clinical psychologist, or the surprising musical background of former Maisonette owner Nat Comisar? Check out individual bios at http://www.nopromisesvocalband.com/lineup/.

For More Information
Contact Nat Comisar at 513.378.5801 or booking@nopromisesvocalband.com.

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