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May 26, 2020 · 1:36 pm

Video Auditions Announced for Role in PUFFS at Commonwealth Artists Student Theatre

CAST_logoCommonwealth Artists Student Theatre (CAST) is holding open auditions for one role needed in their upcoming production of PUFFS.

PUFFS: “For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain Wizard School and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs… who just happened to be there too. A tale for anyone who has never been destined to save the world. The New York Times proclaims PUFFS, “A FAST-PACED ROMP through the ‘Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic.’ For POTTERphiliacs who grew up alongside Potter and are eager to revisit that world, ‘PUFFS’ exudes a jovial, winking fondness for all things Harry!” This clever and inventive play “never goes more than a minute without a laugh” (Nerdist) giving you a new look at a familiar adventure from the perspective of three potential heroes just trying to make it through a magic school that proves to be very dangerous for children. Alongside them are the Puffs, a group of well-meaning, loyal outsiders with a thing for badgers “who are so lovable and relatable, you’ll leave the theater wishing they were in the stories all along” (Hollywood Life). Their “hilariously heartfelt!” (Metro) and epic journey takes the classic story to new places and reimagines what a boy wizard hero can be.

We are only accepting video auditions.  Video submissions are due by Friday, May 29th by 5pm. 

Audition requirements

  • You need a memorized 45 second to 1-minute comic monologue 

Please submit video auditions to our Artistic Director, Jason Burgess, at jasonburgess@caststages.org. If the files are too big, you may share them though a Google Drive link, Dropbox or other platform. If you have any questions about video submissions, please contact our Artistic Director, Jason Burgess, at jasonburgess@caststages.org. The audition information packet is attached to this email.

The roles we are looking to fill is:

Cedric (M) – A champion. Athletic, winning, popular, and charming. Everyone’s favorite, but still loyal, patient, and kind. A leading example of a Puff.
Mr. Voldy (M) – Evil. Like, reeeaaally evil. Wants to rule the world in shadows and darkness and terror. (Or, ya know, just an amazing Ralph Fiennes impression.)

Performance dates for Puffs are Friday, July 3rd thru Saturday, July 11th. All performances will take place in the Felsenhaus warehouse located at 242 W McMicken Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45214

Commonwealth Artists Student Theatre is a Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati theatre collaborative, that through professional quality productions, arts instruction and developing community relationships, empowers students to achieve their artistic potential under the leadership of professionals.

For any questions regarding CAST, the production of Puffs or anything else, visit www.caststages.org or please contact Jason Burgess at 859-545-0770 or jasonburgess@caststages.org

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May 26, 2020 · 12:23 pm

Video Auditions Announced for Several Roles in NEWSIES at Commonwealth Artists Student Theatre

CAST_logoCommonwealth Artists Student Theatre (CAST) is holding open auditions for roles needed in their upcoming production of NEWSIES.

NEWSIES: New York City, 1899. Jack Kelly and his ragtag team of newsboys make a meager living selling newspapers on the city streets. But when the prices of “papes” are hiked and the newsies are hung out to dry, there is nothing left to do but “open the gates and seize the day!” Led by charismatic Jack and independent, young newspaper reporter Katherine Plummer, the Newsies form a union and organize a strike against the greedy publisher of the New York World. Can a group of idealistic newsboys win against a foe as powerful as acclaimed publisher Joseph Pulitzer? Inspired by the true story of the 1899 Newsboys Strike, Newsies is an ebullient, joyful, and entertaining musical capturing the strength that young people have when they join together and stand up against injustice. With a funny, poignant book by Harvey Feirstein and stunning music by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman — including the show-stopping Seize the Day, power ballad “Santa Fe” and lovely new songs like Katherine’s “Watch What Happens — Newsies is a classic with the power to inspire.

We are accepting video auditions for vocal/acting and dance.  Video submissions are due by Friday, May 29th by 5pm. 

Audition requirements

  • For NEWSIES, you need to recite a memorized 45 second to 1-minute monologue and sing a 32-measure excerpt from a Broadway show similar to Newsies that showcases your vocal talents. You will also need to learn a dance audition that will be found at https://tinyurl.com/CASTDance20

Please submit video auditions to our Artistic Director, Jason Burgess, at jasonburgess@caststages.org. If the files are too big, you may share them though a Google Drive link, Dropbox or other platform. If you have any questions about video submissions, please contact our Artistic Director, Jason Burgess, at jasonburgess@caststages.org. The audition information packet is attached to this email.

The roles we are looking to fill are:

Principal Characters

  • Les (M) – Davey’s cheeky younger brother is inspired by the freedom of the newsies and loves their independent lifestyle; Les is an intuitive, precocious salesboy and a pint-sized charmer;

Featured Characters

  • Romeo (M) – one of the Newsies
  • Scab/Newsie (M/F) – one of the Newsies.
  • Newsie/Featured Dancer (M/F) – one of the Newsies
  • Oscar Delancey (M) – tough brothers who work at the distribution window for the World, taking the side of the publishers in the strike and are known to use their fists to make a point.
  • Darcy/Cameraman/Bowery Beauty/Nun/Woman (M/F) – upper-class kid of a publisher who sides with the newsies et al.

Performance dates for NEWSIES are Friday, July 17th thru Sunday, July 26th. All performances will take place in the parking lot at Coney Island located on Kellogg Ave in Cincinnati, OH.

Commonwealth Artists Student Theatre is a Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati theatre collaborative, that through professional quality productions, arts instruction and developing community relationships, empowers students to achieve their artistic potential under the leadership of professionals.

For any questions regarding CAST, the production of Newsies or anything else, visit www.caststages.org or please contact Jason Burgess at 859-545-0770 or jasonburgess@caststages.org

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May 26, 2020 · 12:09 pm

Digi and Mike Schueler Make $3 Million Commitment to Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

Gift to support new theatre construction as well as ongoing operations

PIP_The Schuelers

Digi and Mike Schueler

CINCINNATI – Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park today announced a $3 million pledge from Digi and Mike Schueler to help construct its new mainstage theatre complex and to support artistic programming for the next five years.

“Digi and Mike’s extraordinary gift leads us into the homestretch of our capital campaign,” says Blake Robison, artistic director. “And making a five-year commitment to our future artistic programming speaks volumes about their love of the Playhouse and the confidence they have in work we put onstage for the community. We can’t thank them enough.”

Included in the pledge is a capital campaign gift of $1.75 million that gives the Schuelers naming rights to the lobby of the new facility. The Playhouse now has $41.5 million in funds committed toward the project total of $49.5 million. The Schuelers join Moe and Jack Rouse and the Rosenthal Family as the lead donors of the Playhouse’s capital campaign.

“Digi and I hope our gift inspires others to join us in helping deliver this project to the community,” says Mr. Schueler, who is Chairman and CEO of The Schueler Group, a real estate, development and construction company located in Warren County.

The Schuelers are active throughout Greater Cincinnati with numerous social service and arts organizations. Mrs. Schueler has been a member of the Playhouse Board of Trustees for 16 years and has filled a variety of leadership positions during that time. She also currently serves on the boards of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Every Child Succeeds, 4C for Children and East End Adult Education.

“The Playhouse is a national treasure right here in Cincinnati,” says Mrs. Schueler. “We are so pleased to play our part in securing its future for generations to come.”

With the other $1.25 million of their pledge, the Schuelers have committed to continue their season sponsorship of the mainstage series in the current Marx Theatre and future Rouse Theatre as well as a select production sponsorship in the Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre through the 2025-26 Season.

The Playhouse began site preparation work for the building construction in the spring to move utilities, change traffic patterns and create the staging area for the new theatre. That work is on track to be completed by the end of the summer. Ground-breaking for the new theatre is slated for late fall 2020, assuming no delays related to COVID-19 issues. Projected opening of the new theatre complex remains late 2022.

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May 26, 2020 · 9:45 am

Here’s What’s New at the 17th Annual All-Online Cincinnati Fringe Festival!

CFF_Orange logo text onlyThe Primary Lineup Just Wasn’t Enough. Fringe Brings You Special Events, Live Conversations, Family-Friendly Programming, Bar Series Events, and More!

When the COVID-19 public health crisis manifested, the Know Theatre team knew that the Cincinnati Fringe Festival – our beloved, silly, joyful two-week celebration of weird art and of community – couldn’t proceed as planned. Fortunately, there’s a lot of space between “can’t proceed as planned” and “giving up on it,” and that space is where we dug in and built a new home.

We’ve spent the last few months designing and building an all-digital, fully-online 17th Annual Cincinnati Fringe Festival. We’ve consulted with our artists and community partners, learned from other theatres’ experiments, and done a lot of innovating. In April, we rolled out a Primary Lineup of twenty shows, featuring everything from world premieres to revisits of favorite Fringe shows from years past. The Primary Lineup is available through either single-ticket purchases or as part of the All-Access Pass, and all the shows will be available to stream on-demand for the entire run of the festival, May 29 – June 13. See the full Primary Lineup at cincyfringe.com/digital-line-up.

Setting up the Primary Lineup was the taste of victory we needed; we couldn’t just stop there. With Fringe kickoff just days away, we are so excited to announce everything else that is coming to Cincy Fringe this season.

Special Events

In addition to the Primary Lineup, Cincy Fringe presents additional livestreamed Special Events. The ticketed events are available as single tickets or through the All-Access Pass. We’ve also got some more special events in the works, featuring exciting guest artists; we’re putting finishing touches on the plans now, but keep an ear out for exciting news about new special events during the festival!

Virtual Fringe CUSS from Travis McElroy and the Cincinnati Underground Secret Society. Livestreaming June 5, 9 PM. Can you keep a secret, Cincy? Travis McElroy and the Cincinnati Underground Secret Society bring local guests together to chat all things art, Fringe, and life!

CFF20_Desperately Seeking the Exit logo

Desperately Seeking the Exit: Online Live, from Peter Michael Marino. Livestreaming May 31, 7 PM, June 4, 9 PM & June 8 7 PM. In 2007, American actor/writer Peter Michael Marino wrote a musical based on the Madonna film “Desperately Seeking Susan,” featuring the hit songs of Blondie. It opened on London’s West End…and closed a month later. Whoops! Attend the internationally acclaimed tale – LIVE on your device.  In 2007, American actor/writer Peter Michael Marino wrote a musical based on the Madonna film “Desperately Seeking Susan,” featuring the hit songs of Blondie. It opened on London’s West End…and closed a month later. Whoops! This high-octane, comical solo train ride fills in the blanks of how the $6 million musical was made and unmade. May 31 at 7pm, June 4 at 9pm, June 8 at 7pm | Press release | Facebook event |

CFF_TruefringetrueFRINGE 2020, from True Theatre. Livestreaming June 11, 7 PM. “trueFRINGE 2020” is True Theatre’s 10th consecutive appearance at Cincy Fringe. The show features artists tied to the Festival, sharing their true stories about their lives as artists (it’s not as easy as they make it look!). See their shows then hear their stories at this one-night-only Fringe tradition! | Facebook event

CFF20_ComedySportz FringeComedySportz LIVE!, from ComedySportz Cincinnati. Livestreaming May 31, 11 AM. Two teams of trained ComedySportz improvisers go head to head in a family friendly match akin to Whose Line Is It Anyway, but for the whole family and this time the points DO matter! CSz Cincinnati is excited to be part of the first virtual Cincy Fringe Festival! AND we are taking the field with CSz Manchester. That’s right it’s an international match – USA versus Britain. Sound familiar history buffs? This will be all the puns, games and laughter with a British accent. Join us for our LIVE online match Sunday May 31st at 11:00 am. At ComedySportz every joke is for everybody. It’s a treat your entire family will enjoy! | Facebook event

OTRimprov Open Jam, from OTRimprov. Livestreaming June 1, 9 PM. Join our own local improv team for a round-up of consistently interesting and frequently funny scenes, and get a chance to get in on the inventive action! This is a free event.

Family-Friendly Fringe

Every Fringe, we bring you a lineup of free events that parents and kids can enjoy together! Here’s what we have streaming for families this year. (And if you’re craving even more Family-Friendly content, ComedySportz LIVE! is a ticketed Special Event that is great for families.)

Storytime with Sparkle! May 30 and June 6, 11 AM. This family-friendly show has been described as a hybrid of Mr. Rogers and Pee-Wee’s Playhouse with a Muppet garnish. Sparkle Leigh is the lovechild of Roger and Jessica Rabbit, and is often mistaken for a drag queen. Let’s read a book, not each other!

DRAGON UP! May 30, 1 PM. Oro the Dragon and Meetra the Meerkat Knight embark on a quest and learn about cooperation, conflict resolution, and how to talk about your feelings in this social-emotional learning fairy tale.

Alice in Neverland. June 6, 1 PM. Peter Pan has gone missing! Families at home will use their critical-thinking skills alongside Alice (of Wonderland fame) to crack the case.

KNOW Your Body. May 30, 12 PM and June 7, 11 AM. Join us for a movement and physical education class! We’ll learn some fun new ways to stretch our bodies, and then healthcare professionals will answer real questions from real kids about how bodies work.

Visual Fringe

Every year, Visual Fringe highlights a variety of visual mediums, and this year is no different – but now, audiences can find the gallery online! This free exhibit will be available on the Cincinnati Fringe Festival website during the run of the festival, under the “Visual Fringe” tab at the top of the homepage.

Talkbacks

We’ve got nineteen scheduled talkbacks, hosted and produced by theatre artist and educator Kate Coley. In these free, live conversations with Fringe artists, audiences can get a glimpse behind the curtain into how artist-produced, “kinda weird” theatre is made, and will have a chance to ask their own questions. These conversations will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube; the full schedule is available in the Fringe Guide.

Bar Series

One of the most memorable parts of every Cincy Fringe is the silly, creative, and oft-raucous after-hours fun at the Know Theatre Underground, and we weren’t going to miss out on that just because we can’t be together! We’ll be livestreaming nightly Hard-Hitting Channel Fringe Action News Updates, just like you’ve seen in the Underground in years past, and we’re also bringing you some of the same wacky events in digital format. Join us for activities like Fringe Olympics, where audiences compete for gold and glory (well, maybe just glory) from the comfort of home, and Mix Your Own Craft Cocktail, when local mixologists will talk you through creating custom cocktails from what you’ve got around the house! The full schedule is available in the Fringe Guide. And just like usual during Fringe, these events are totally free.

“Kinda Weird” Fringe Curbside Pickup

For those who like to raise a toast to the spirit of Fringe: we’ve got you covered. In partnership with our friends at Karrikan Spirits Co, Revel Urban Winery, and Grainworks Brewing Company, we’re giving you a new way to pick up your beverage care packages while supporting Cincy Fringe! From May 25th to June 5th, order from Grainworks Brewing Company, Karrikin Spirits, or Revel Urban Winery, select “Kinda Weird Fringe Curbside Pickup” as your delivery option, and between 12 PM and 2 PM on Saturday May 30th or Saturday June 6th, you can conveniently pick up all of your orders at the Know Theatre on Jackson Street! A small percentage of your purchase will be donated to Know Theatre, so make sure to grab your beer, wine, and liquor to support the arts.

Get tickets to all Fringe programming by visiting us at cincyfringe.com, or follow Cincinnati Fringe Festival on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for updates.

Know Theatre is Cincinnati’s Theatrical Playground. The Know showcases unexpected voices, new works, and plays that embrace the inherent theatricality of the live experience. Know Theatre seeks to be a place where artists and audiences feel welcome to take artistic risks, creating work that is cutting edge and accessible.

Know Theatre’s work is made possible, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Know Theatre with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

Know Theatre is also supported by The Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation, helping to change our communities for the better through collaboration and innovation, and the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, which provides a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to giving.

Know Theatre is a member of Theatre Communications Group and an Associate Member of the National New Play Network.

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May 22, 2020 · 1:37 pm

Sixteen Children’s Theatres Honor Frontline Workers with National Tribute Song

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is proud to participate

TCTC_So Many Heroes

Friday, May 22, 2020, CINCINNATI:   Amid the global pandemic which has forced the temporary closure of many performing arts venues, 16 youth-serving theatres across the country have come together to share a national tribute, performed by children within each community, to honor frontline workers, including five students from the Greater Cincinnati area representing The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT). These young Cincinnati artists include:

  • Brinley Culver
  • Celia D’Ascenzo
  • Diana Hutchinson
  • Annabelle Price
  • Nyla Thomas
  • Kavan Vadivelu

Bios can be found below.

Led by Seattle Children’s Theatre’s Interim Artistic Director Kathryn Van Meter, the project titled So Many Heroes empowers and amplifies the voices of young people during this time.

“We will be forever changed by our current events, and forever connected and bound together by our shared experience of isolation. As we begin to redefine what it is to share space, there is hope in our future because we are resilient…just like the young people in our communities,” said Van Meter.

Jeff Revels, Artistic Director of Orlando Repertory Theatre and writer for the nationally televised Memorial Day parade, presented the idea knowing that the network of theatres for young audiences could mobilize this tremendous effort. Together, Revels, Van Meter and Rich Gray, songwriter of So Many Heroes, began collaborating on what the national tribute could be.

“We have heard from the doctors and politicians, but not much from the kids of America. Writing musicals for young audiences has taught me how observant kids are. They see everything and absorb it all. They have been processing this like crazy, so, when asked to write this tribute, I knew it had to be in the direct, honest language that kids use,” said Gray, emphasizing the importance of hearing from young people during this time.

The tribute, which will be released today, Friday May 22, can be viewed on the participating theatre’s Facebook pages (including The Children’s Theatre’s page) at 6 a.m. (HST), 9 a.m. (PST), 11 a.m. (CT) or 12 p.m. (EST):

Adventure Theatre MTC (Glen Echo, MD)

Childsplay Theatre (Tempe, AZ)

Children’s Theatre of Charlotte (Charlotte, NC)

Dallas Children’s Theater (Dallas, TX)

First Stage (Milwaukee, WI)

Growing Stage (Netcong, NJ),

Honolulu Theatre for Youth (Honolulu, HI)

Imagination Stage (Bethesda, MD),

Lexington Children’s Theatre (Lexington, KY)

Northwest Children’s Theater & School (Portland, OR)

Oregon Children’s Theatre (Portland, OR)

Orlando Repertory Theatre (Orlando, FL

Seattle Children’s Theatre (Seattle, WA).

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH)

Trike Theatre (Bentonville, Arkansas)

Wheelock Family Theatre (Boston, MA)

TCT’s Producing Artistic Director, Roderick Justice, said: “On behalf of everyone at TCT, we are forever thankful to the heroes who keeps us safe, happy and healthy in a time where we can’t physically come together to entertain our audiences. Through this collaboration with the Nation’s leading children’s theatres, we deliver a powerful and unified voice of gratitude. These heroes keeping us safe will also keep our mission alive for another 100 years.”

About The Artists:

Brinley Culver
Brinley appeared as Precious in TCT’s October 2019 production of Casper the Friendly Musical. She appeared as Little Girl in TCT’s Cinderella. Some of her favorite shows include: Seussical (JoJo), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Flounder), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Chip), and Disney’s Frozen (Middle Anna). During the last three summers, Brinley has participated in TCT’s STAR Intensive NKU program, and last year in TCT’s STAR ALL STARS. Brinley just completed seventh grade at Liberty Junior School. Off stage, she loves producing her own movies, dancing, and watching Master Chef.

Celia Joy D’Ascenzo
Celia made her TCT MainStage debut earlier this year in Annie JR. as Molly. In addition to being an avid singer, dancer, actress, pianist, and tumbler, Celia is a passionate storyteller. Other credits include: Awaited, Disney’s Cinderella KIDS (Fairy Godmother), Seussical (Young Kangaroo), and Disney’s High School Musical JR. (Cheerleader). Celia loves her homeschool community at HELP and CC and dances at Just Off Broadway. She enjoys spending time with her sisters, creating their own shows.

Diana Hutchinson
Diana was proud to make her theatre debut with The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati in the title role of TCT’s production of Annie JR.. Diana was born and raised in Cincinnati. She is currently heading into her sophomore year at Walnut Hills High School. Diana enjoys dancing, singing, and spending time with her family and friends. She is excited about sharing her love for the arts as she continues her performing career.

Annabelle Price
Annabelle is a recent eighth grade graduate of Summit View Academy in Northern Kentucky. She is an avid fan of TCT and has participated in their summer camp programs and other special events. Annabelle has performed in numerous school and community theatre projects including the role of Piggie in a pilot production of Elephant and Piggie – We are in a Play.  She is passionate about the arts and hopes to continue in high school and beyond. Other credits include: Disney’s Lion King JR (Zazu), Alice in Wonderland JR (White Rabbit) and Madagascar JR. (Marty). Annabelle studies voice, acting and dance at Moss Performing Arts Academy and looks forward to more TCT opportunities in the future.

Nyla Thomas
Nyla is a recent eighth grade graduate of Crossroads Middle School in Fairfield, where she sings in the choir. She appeared in TCT’s 2020 production of Annie JR. and the 2019 production of Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS (Shanti). Nyla has a background in competitive hip-hop dancing and studies in voice. She was a TCT STAR Program participant from 2017 to 2019 and a TCT STAR All Stars participant in 2018 and 2019. Nyla received the TCT STAR Program “Rising Star” Award in 2018.

Kavan Vadivelu
Kavan is headed into the eighth grade at The Seven Hills School. In addition to theater, Kavan enjoys dancing and playing soccer for his club team. His previous credits include TCT’s 2019 production of Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS (Mowgli), Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (Charlie), and Disney’s Aladdin KIDS (Aladdin).

About The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati:
For 100 years, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati has provided education and entertainment for children and the young at heart through the art of stage performance. TCT is the oldest children’s theatre in the nation, and the only professional theater in the region that devotes its entire MainStage season to children. TCT directly impacts the lives of nearly 200,000 families and children annually, through Broadway-quality TCT MainStage performances as well as TCT on Tour touring productions and TCT Academy performing arts instruction for children ages 18 months to 18 years.

In March of 2020, in response to COVID-19 and school closures, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati launched TCT EVERYWHERE  — an online resource for parents, teachers and students featuring crafts, acting and vocal exercises and contests from the professional artistic staff of TCT Academy; along with study guides, podcasts, videos of past productions, and more.

For more information about the TCT mission, check out our website or enjoy our programming through TCT EVERYWHERE. 

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