Author Archives: robbucher

October 21, 2025 · 4:59 pm

Know Theatre of Cincinnati Calls for New Work

Applications Are Open Through Early December for the 2026 Cincinnati Fringe Festival and Serials! Season 16

Cincinnati, OH – Know Theatre of Cincinnati is excited to announce the opening of applications for their two wildly popular theatrical incubator programs: the 23rd Annual Cincinnati Fringe Festival (May 29 – June 13, 2026) and Serials! now in its sixteenth season, running every other Monday for five performances between January 26th and March 23rd, 2026.

The Cincinnati Fringe Festival is a 14-day festival of new work and live performance from local, national and international indie theatre artists that takes place annually over the first two weeks of June. The Cincy Fringe is a curated festival and each Primary Lineup application is reviewed by three arts professionals on the basis of diversity, innovation, passion, regional singularity, and for the project’s ability to be produced within the constraints of the Fringe structure. Applicants can submit to five different categories of programming: Primary Lineup, Special Events, Fringe In Development, Conceptual Fringe and Kids Fringe. With a Pay-What-You-Wish Application, a $125 Producer’s Fee, and a 50/50 box office split, the Cincinnati Fringe Festival aims to reduce the financial barrier for theatre artists to enable them to make exciting choices and take chances with their work – not their wallets. The deadline for applications is Tuesday, December 9, 2025; Applicants will be notified of their application status by February 2, 2026.

Serials! exists with the intention of giving local artists the opportunity to see their ideas onstage in a supportive, growth-oriented environment. Playwrights are encouraged to submit their ideas for serialized scripts that can be brought to full conclusion through no more than five episodes, to be performed live on the Know Theatre Cabaret Stage. Prior to each performance, each production is given time to do a technical rehearsal in the space and producers receive a 50/50 box office split. At the end of the five performances, the audience votes for the show that they wish to see performed in its entirety during a weekend run on the Know Theatre Cabaret Stage.

This year the Know Theatre welcomes new producers for Serials! After four seasons of production under the keen-eyed and loving care of Liz Carman, the Know is pleased to announce that Serials! Season 16 will be helmed by local theatre makers, Alexx Rouse and Zach Robinson of A to Z Productions. Rouse has been personally involved as a writer and producer since Serials! Season 2 and Robinson since Serials! Season 3. Serials! has been integral to their personal as well as professional stories, as the two theatre makers met during Serials! Season 3, fell in love, and have since collaborated on many successful productions including All’s Faire, a Ren Faire who-done-it comedy musical that has gone on to be professionally produced multiple times.

The application for Serials! requires the submission of a title, short and full descriptions, a 5-page writing sample, cast size, the request of a 1-5 episode arc, special production requests and the production team’s general availability. The application for Serials! Season 16 closes Monday, December 15; applicants will be notified of their selection by Friday, December 19, 2025.

Applicant Information
Applicants interested in applying to the Cincinnati Fringe Festival can find the Applicant Handbook, FAQs, and Application at https://cincyfringe.com/

For questions regarding the application or the festival, please contact Fringe Producer, Katie Hartman at katiefringe@knowtheatre.com

Applicants interested in applying to Serials! Season 16 can find the Applicant Handbook and Application at https://www.knowtheatre.com/serials-16/

For questions regarding Serials! or its application, please contact Serials! Producers, Alexx Rouse and Zach Robinson at Serials@knowtheatre.com

Ticket and Performance Information
Serials! Season 16 will take place on Mondays at 7:30pm: January 26, February 9 & 23, and March 9 & 23, 2026

Tickets and passes are now on sale for Serials! Season 16 and may be purchased by phone at (513) 300-5669 or purchased online at https://www.knowtheatre.com/serials-16/

  • Single Tickets: $17 ($15 plus $2 processing fee)
  • Five-show Pass: $75

The 23rd Annual Cincinnati Fringe Festival: May 29 – June 13, 2026. Passes will go on sale when the 2026 festival lineup is announced on Monday, April 6, 2026 at cincyfringe.com. Single tickets will go on sale on Monday, April 27, 2026.

Know Theatre of Cincinnati exists to build belonging through bold theatre.

Serials! Season 16 and the 23rd Annual Cincinnati Fringe Festival are made possible by the Morse and Betty Johnson Family Foundation. 

The 23rd Annual Cincinnati Fringe Festival is sponsored by Norah and Joe Mock of Cutler Real Estate.

Know Theatre is supported by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the annual ArtsWave Campaign, the region’s primary source for arts funding.

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 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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October 21, 2025 · 4:55 pm

Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Centers Receives $30,000 Grant

Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Centers Receives $30,000 Grant from H.B., E.W. & F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation

CINCINNATI, OH — Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Centers (MDTAC) has received a $30,000 grant from H.B., E.W. & F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Trustee. The grant will support MDTAC’s 2025-2026 season, Embrace: A Season of Connection. The H.B, E.W., & F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation supports arts and educational organizations, as well as environmental and historical preservation efforts in the Cincinnati area. The grant will significantly help MDTAC sustain nationally recognized performances and education programs. MDTAC continues to seek funds in order to fully meet our goals of ensuring quality, efficacy, and equity in pay scales. 

“This grant comes at a critical time for our organization and the Cincinnati community,” said Jeanne Mam-Luft, Artistic and Executive Director of Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Centers. “The Luther Charitable Foundation’s investment ensures we can continue to bring extraordinary dance experiences to Cincinnati, commission new works, and make the art form accessible to people of all backgrounds. It is more than funding: It’s a reflection of the importance of modern dance to our city’s cultural life.”

Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Centers — formerly known as Contemporary Dance Theater and MamLuft&Co. Dance — is Cincinnati’s second-largest dance organization. It is distinguished both by its virtuosic resident company and being the region’s only presenter of Modern and Contemporary Dance companies.

The $30,000 award supports Mutual’s mission-driven strategic goals to:

  • Create access to Modern Dance for diverse audiences, including 1,000 individuals from low-income families who would otherwise face barriers to cultural experiences.
  • Contribute to the vibrancy of Cincinnati by cultivating a thriving Modern Dance presence and connecting local audiences to artists from more than 25 U.S. cities.
  • Support personal and professional development through meaningful opportunities for both dancers and non-dancers to engage in art-making.

Mutual’s 2024–25 season, Embrace: A Season of Connection, will feature four professional productions, commissions for six new works developed locally, and two nationally celebrated guest companies appearing in Cincinnati for the first time. The organization’s programming brings together residents from across 90% of Cincinnati’s zip codes and beyond, deepening public understanding of the art form and fostering connections.

For more information about Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Centers, visit mutualdance.org

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About Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Centers

Mutual Dance Theatre is the city’s longest-running and most consistent Modern Dance organization, both as a presenter and a resident company. MDT was formerly known as Contemporary Dance Theater (est. 1972 by Jefferson James) and MamLuft&Co. Dance (est. 2007 by Jeanne Mam-Luft) until their merger in 2021. Both organizations began as performing troupes, but in the early ‘90s, CDT dissolved its company and subsequently focused on presenting guest artists. The two organizations joined to create the aptly-named Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Centers, taking enumeration from its elder half and thus celebrating its 54th season in 25-26. Mutual has honored and combined the priorities of both founding organizations: investing in a virtuosic local company with the aim of becoming a significant presence both locally and nationally, as well as the continued presentation of Modern and Contemporary Dance from across the States (and sometimes, beyond). Mutual also reaches thousands of children each year through education and its academy, as well as charity-supported outreach. Learn more at mutualdance.org.

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October 20, 2025 · 5:54 pm

trueTATTOO On Oct. 23

trueTATTOO
trueTHEATRE
Oct. 23
Memorial Hall [Over-the-Rhine]

For every tattoo, there’s a story. Join us to kick off Season 16 with 5 of the millions that are out there!

This show will be ASL interpreted thanks to Cincinnati State and their ASL Interpreter Training Program.

  • Thu, Oct. 23 at 7:30pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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October 20, 2025 · 5:49 pm

Stage Managers Sought for 2026 NEW WORKS FESTIVAL at Cincinnati Lab Theatre

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October 20, 2025 · 5:41 pm

Casting Call for BRIDGE CITY at American Legacy Theatre

BRIDGE CITY: CASTING CALL

MISSION
American Legacy Theatre generates inviting, reimagined theatrical experiences for all people to have a voice in enriching society.

PROJECT
Bridge City is an original full-length musical focused around community, family, loyalty to self, and normalizing the Black experience in pursuit of joy, dreams and aspirations. Developed with ALT since July 2024, this piece is written and composed by Kennen Butler who is an NYC-based theatre artist that is non-binary and Black.

After two public-facing workshops performed for the community to receive direct feedback in shaping the continued development of the piece, Bridge City is now being produced as a full-scale world-premiere production.

TIMELINE
Video Auditions: NOW. Submit by November 3rd, 2025 for first consideration. Auditions accepted after as well.

  • Rehearsals will be five days per week from March 9th- April 9th, including weekends. March 23-27 will be off for Spring Break.
  • Performances will be April 10-12, 17-19, 24-26. (Friday and Saturday evenings, Sunday matinees).

EXPECTATIONS
The Actor will structure, manage and execute the steps required to implement a high quality acting process that serves the integrity of the musical, bonds the other artists, aligns artistic vision, and heightens audience engagement with the piece. Attendance at all called rehearsals and performances is a given. Mastery of content required.

COMPENSATION
Performers will be paid a rate of $125/week.

For inquiries, referrals, and consideration contact Matthew David Gellin, Executive Artistic Director, at info@americanlegacytheatre.org.

ROLES

  • Lynn: mid 50’s-60s early’s. Female. Alto. Black/African American. Host of our dinner. Plays various characters throughout the piece from Jerica’s grandmother Lynn, Jerica’s Mother LaShay, Senator Maxine Moore, Professor Smith.
  • Jerica Williams: Mid 20’s-mid 30’s. Female. Alto/mezzo-soprano. Black/African American. Distinctly her in all that she does. Adaptive.
  • Jerome “Bookie” Robinson: Mid 20’s-mid 30’s, Male. Baritone/Bari-tenor. Black/African-American. Jerica’s childhood friend. Loves a good joke and a laugh. Especially if he knows it will help.
  • Mindi Kaleko: Mid 20’s-mid 30’s. Female. Mezzo-soprano/soprano. Self described as the “yenta of marketing” at Seven Hills. Moves to the beat of her own drum.
  • Deja “D” Brown: Mid 20s-Early 30s. Female. Alto. Jerica’s Childhood friend. Protective. Introvert.
  • Valerie Hawks: Late 20’s-Early 40s. Female. Alto. White. Jerica’s boss at Seven Hills. Type A.
  • Michael: Works at 7 hills. Resident hater. Wanted to be PR but was passed over for Jerica.
  • Israel “Iggy” Contreras: Latinx. Industry contact and newsperson for Bridge City’s Channel 4. James’ partner. Queer.
  • Dad: Jerica’s Father
  • James Anderson: Aid to Senator Moore and Iggy’s partner. Queer.
  • CEO (Christopher Eric Osgard): White. CEO of Seven Hills Group
  • Remy: Non Binary. They are an HR person for Seven Hills Group.
  • Hutchins: Mid 20s-mid 40s. Female. Union leader for Esterline Manufacturing.
  • John: A Lead at Seven Hills
  • Scott: Employee at Seven Hills
  • The Roots: The entire cast (aside from Lynn). They are Lynn’s family and guests to the dinner. As the story is told, they split into our principals, supporting cast, and ensemble

SUBMISSION
Video Auditions: NOW. Submit by November 3rd, 2025 for first consideration. Auditions accepted after as well.

  • Rehearsals will be five days per week from March 9th- April 9th, including weekends. March 23-27 will be off for Spring Break.
  • Performances will be April 10-12, 17-19, 24-26. (Friday and Saturday evenings, Sunday matinees).

To submit a video audition:

  • Prepare 16-32 bars of a pop, R&B, soul, OR contemporary musical theatre song that shows range and expression. Show us a little bit of you!
  • Perform 10 to 20 seconds of a rap verse of your choosing OR TLC’s “Waterfalls” (video:
    3:50-4:11) in a way that showcases you the best. We are looking for rhythm, clarity, flow, and story. This part of the audition does not have to be off-book.

I seen a rainbow yesterday
But too many storms have come and joined
Leavin’ a trace of not one God-given ray
Is it because my life is ten shades of gray
I pray, all ten fade away, seldom praise Him for the sunny days (Minimum stop point)
And like His promise is true, only my faith can undo
The many chances I blew to bring my life to anew
Clear and blue and unconditional
Skies have dried the tears from my eyes, no more lonely cries

Send video, headshot, and resume to info@americanlegacytheatre.org with the subject line of “Bridge City – (Character(s) Auditioning For) – (Last Name).

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