Category Archives: Events

September 12, 2017 · 3:59 pm

CMC’s Insights Lecture Series: THAT’S THE HUMOR OF IT: GOOD TICKLE BRAIN AND THE SILLY SIDE OF SHAKESPEARE on Sept. 26

CMC_Insights Lecture Series logowith Mya Gosling, Creator, Author and Artist of Good Tickle Brain

7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 28, 2017
at the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning

This is a FREE lecture, but reservations are required at http://www.cincymuseum.org/content/insights-lecture-series

Dost thou know that Cincinnati loves Shakespeare? In conjunction with Cincinnati Museum Center’s exhibition, Shakespeare and the Queen City, come hither as artist Mya Gosling, founder of Good Tickle Brain, shares her original interpretation of his stories. Mya will tell the story of how her early love of Shakespeare’s classic plays led to the creation of Good Tickle Brain in 2013, and its development to become the world’s leading stick figure Shakespeare webcomic. Highlighting the unique way comics entertain, educate, and entertain, Mya’s goal is to make Shakespeare fun and accessible to all audiences.

In collaboration with the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning

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September 12, 2017 · 3:06 pm

CMC’s Insights Lecture Series: COSTUMES, COSMETICS, AND CONTEXT CLUES: BRINGING A CHARACTER TO LIFE on Sept. 19

CMC_Insights Lecture Series logo

With Melanie Mortimore, Costume Designer at Playhouse in the Park, Miranda McGee, Associate Artist and Residential Ensemble Member at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and Amber Johnson, Educator and Make-Up FX Artist at the Art Academy of Cincinnati

7pm on Tue, Sept. 19, 2017 at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

This is a FREE lecture, but reservations are required at http://www.cincymuseum.org/content/insights-lecture-series

How do theatres create original characters and communicate their personalities to the audience, or take iconic roles and make them their own? Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is working in conjunction with Cincinnati Museum Center’s Star Wars™ and the Power of Costume and Shakespeare and the Queen City exhibitions, to provide a unique glimpse behind the curtain and the unique development processes that are used to bring new and beloved tales to life.

Costumer Designer Melanie Mortimer will discuss her work with Playhouse in the Park and how clothing choice relates to personality, identity, and communication. She will highlight the use of fabrication to inform audience perception of characters and their complexity. Art Academy of Cincinnati educator Amber Johnson will use her experiences as a Make-Up FX artist to examine how such (special) effects aid viewers in determining the good guys from the bad, and actors in defining who their characters are and sharing their stories. The Art Academy will also provide a live make-up demonstration as a Jedi and Sith are transformed right before your eyes. Finally, how does the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company use context clues to ascertain the directions William Shakespeare envisioned? From iambic pentameter to punctuation, antithesis to alliteration, Associate Artist and Resident Ensemble Member Miranda McGee will examine how they “unlock” Shakespeare’s texts to develop their characters the way they believe he intended.

In collaboration with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Playhouse in the Park, and the Art Academy of Cincinnati.

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September 11, 2017 · 7:13 pm

Playhouse Off the Hill Tour Begins with a Flash Sept. 30

THE LAST FIREFLY Helps Children Find the Courage Within

PIP_The Last Firefly

Promotional photo by Tony Arrasmith/Arrasmith & Associates.

CINCINNATI—Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s popular Off the Hill touring series returns Sept. 30 with THE LAST FIREFLY. The fantastical story combining Japanese fairy tales and folklore runs through Oct. 29 at community centers and schools across the region, from Burlington to Price Hill to Mariemont and at Memorial Hall in Over-the-Rhine.

THE LAST FIREFLY is the mythical story of Boom, the son of Thunder, who sets out to discover his true self. After his stepfather forces Boom from his home, he begins a search for his real father, which takes him on a journey of self-discovery, where he must courageously battle forces of nature.

“This show is a fun adventure that will engage the imaginations of children and parents alike,” says DaunielleTraditionally, kabuki theatre explores themes of good and evil through nature and spirituality. Characters include Lightning, Monkey,

Noted playwright Naomi Iizuka’s script is an evocative and kabuki-influenced play geared towards young audiences. Kabuki theatre is a Japanese form of stage drama that is characterized by elaborate costumes, lively storytelling, music, movement, and dancing.

Rasmussen, director of education and community engagement at the Playhouse.Tree and Spider, and Boom must also battle fierce elements of nature. These fantastical characteristics call for an especially innovative approach to set design, props, and costume, all of which are crafted by Playhouse artisans.

THE LAST FIREFLY is performed by members of the 2017-18 Bruce E. Coyle Acting Intern Company, under the direction of Playhouse Associate Artist Timothy Douglas. As Associate Artist, Douglas has directed many productions for the Marx and Shelterhouse stages, including Jitney, Buzzer, Clybourne Park, The North Pool, Mothers and Sons and the world premiere of Safe House. THE LAST FIREFLY marks his first production for the Playhouse in which he directs young and emerging artists for children’s theatre.

“We are very fortunate to have a director of Timothy’s caliber working with us on the first tour of the season,” says Rasmussen. “I can’t think of a better craftsman and storyteller to put together the story of Boom’s journey.”

Other upcoming Off the Hill touring plays include PINOCCHIO, Jan. 21 to Feb. 11, 2018. The much-loved tale about a wooden puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy is packed with magical characters, cartwheels, circus antics and dollops of fun for the whole family starting at age 6 and up. RAPUNZEL, recommended for ages 4 and up, premieres April 5, 2018, and runs to May 20. Young Rapunzel lives in a tower, curious about the outside until she meets a local boy who finally gives her the courage to be free.

Find a full list of public performances here.

Directed by Timothy Douglas and choreographed by Daunielle Rasmussen, the cast includes Hannah Jones, Marco Adriel Munoz, Psacoya Guinn & JT Stocks.

Off the Hill is supported by The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation and John C. Griswold Foundation.

The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of more than 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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September 11, 2017 · 4:19 pm

Cincinnati Ballet Presents THE KAPLAN NEW WORK SERIES

CB_New Works 2017 logoThe annual series returns to the Aronoff Center’s intimate Jarson-Kaplan Theater this fall

Celebrating its 13th year, The Kaplan New Work Series opens Cincinnati Ballet’s groundbreaking 2017-2018 Season September 14-24 at the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater. The series offers an up-close experience with a variety of exciting World Premieres by today’s most innovative choreographers. This year’s program includes special guest Travis Wall, best known for his work on the hit TV show, So You Think You Can Dance, and brand new works from Heather Britt, Penny Saunders, and Johanna Bernstein Wilt. A solo piece choreographed by Victoria Morgan will also receive its regional premiere, danced to “Black Coffee” by k.d. Lang.

Travis Wall rose to fame as the runner-up in Season two for the hit Fox TV show, So You Think You Can Dance, and is currently a resident choreographer for the show. Wall was the winner of the 2015 Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography, and has been nominated for an Emmy six times. He has choreographed for popular musicians including Carrie Underwood, Justin Bieber, and Demi Lovato. His other TV and film choreographing credits including the 82nd Academy Awards, Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary Special, the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, and the feature film, Step Up Revolution. He currently serves as the Artistic Director of Shaping Sound, the contemporary dance group he co-created with Nick Lazzarini, Teddy Forance, and Kyle Robinson. The Kaplan New Works Series is Wall’s first collaboration with Cincinnati Ballet, and it will also be only his second experience working with a professional ballet company (he choreographed a piece for Los Angeles Ballet in 2010).

“I think Travis will be a good fit for Cincinnati Ballet because of his strong and diverse dance background,” says Artistic Director, Victoria Morgan. “His choreography is full of energy and unexpected twists and accents, and our dancers are facile when it comes to bringing strong ballet technique and pointe work to contemporary movement. We are thrilled to have him join our program, and can’t wait to see what transpires!”

Heather Britt, a Cincinnati-based choreographer and founder of the wildly popular DANCEFIX classes, presents her ninth World Premiere for Cincinnati Ballet. Most recently, she wowed audiences with the World Premiere of “Karass” in the 2016-2017 New Works. In 2015-2016’s Director’s Choice, Britt presented the sensual duet entitled “Habitual” to rave reviews. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, “Britt and her dancers infuse the work with a level of intimacy we rarely see onstage.”

Britt graduated from the School for Creative and Performing Arts before going on to enjoy a modern dance career in California. Upon returning to Cincinnati, Britt founded HBDC (Heather Britt Dance collective) which encompasses DANCEFIX.  As a choreographer, her work has been featured several times in The Kaplan New Works Series, as well as with Cincinnati Ballet’s Second Company, Northern Kentucky University, ArtsWave, Playhouse in the Park, The Constella Festival, Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati Art Museum, and Concert:Nova.

Penny Saunders presents a World Premiere, in her first collaboration with Cincinnati Ballet, inspired by the story of Maria Anna Mozart. “She was said to be as talented a musician and composer as her brother, Wolfgang,” says Saunders, “but was not permitted to continue her carer in music because she was a woman.”

Saunders began her professional career with The American Repertory Ballet under the direction of Septime Webre. She went on to dance with Ballet Arizona, MOMIX Dance Theater, Cedar Lake Ensemble, and in 2004 she joined Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. In 2011, Saunders won the International Commissioning Project which launched her choreographic career, creating pieces for Hubbard Streets’ main and second company, Whim W’Him, SFDanceworks, Neos Dance Theater, Owen Cox Dance Group, and The Nexus Project. Saunders is the choreographer in residence at The Grand Rapids Ballet, receiving support from The New York City Ballet Choreographic Commissions Initiative, and  the recipient of the 2016 Princess Grace Choreographic Fellowship.

Johanna Bernstein Wilt, Cincinnati Ballet’s Ballet Master, will be presenting a World Premiere piece entitled, “The Dance Will Set You Free,” focusing on the creative process and the enigmatic spirit of dance. The 2017-2018 Season is Bernstein Wilt’s 36th year at Cincinnati Ballet, and she is thrilled to be creating her fourth ballet for New Works. Wilt joined as a dancer in 1981 and performed for 11 seasons before joining the artistic team in 1992. Throughout her career, she has staged ballets for notable choreographers such as Septime Webre, Kirk Peterson, David Nixon, Peter Anastos, Val Caniparoli, William Whitener and Jessica Lang.

Her choreographic credits include “Everyday Is a New Beginning,” for Cincinnati Ballet’s New Works during the 2008-2009 Season, and “A Hero’s Prayer” for the 2011-2012 New Works to commemorate her 30 years of work at Cincinnati Ballet. She also choreographed the Elgar Pas de Deux for Lumenocity (2014) and Life (is complicated) (2016) for Cincinnati Ballet’s Second Company.

Victoria Morgan presents “Black Coffee,” with music by k.d. Lang. The expressive solo is one of the first pieces Morgan choreographed after retiring from the stage, and it will be re-worked for its regional premiere in New Works. “The words and the mood of this piece felt like my inner story at the time,” says Morgan. “I have always wanted to revisit this piece,  and I’m interested to see how it can evolve as I have evolved.”

Since creating the first iteration of “Black Coffee,” Morgan has added extensively to her choreography credits, including full-length ballets such as Cinderella, Romeo & Juliet, The New Nutcracker, and King Arthur’s Camelot. She has also choreographed several contemporary works such as “Fractured Glass,” “Patriotic Pas,” and “Somewhere Close to Happiness.”

PERFORMANCE DATES AND INFORMATION

WHO: Cincinnati Ballet

World Premiere
Choreography: Heather Britt

Black Coffee
Choreography: Victoria Morgan

World Premiere
Choreography: Penny Saunders

World Premiere
Choreography: Travis Wall

World Premiere
Choreography: Johanna Bernstein Wilt

WHAT: THE KAPLAN NEW WORK SERIES

WHEN:

  • Thursday, September 14 – 7:30 pm
  • Friday, September 15 – 8:00 pm
  • Saturday, September 16 – 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
  • Tuesday, September 19 – 7:30 pm
  • Wednesday, September 20 – 7:30 pm
  • Thursday, September 21 – 7:30 pm
  • Friday, September 22 – 8:00 pm
  • Saturday, September 23 – 2:00 & 8:00 pm
  • Sunday, September 24 – 1:00 & 6:30 pm

WHERE:
Aronoff Center for the Arts
650 Walnut Street
Cincinnati, Ohio  45202

HOW:
Call 513.621.5282, visit cballet.org or visit the Cincinnati Ballet Box Office at 1555 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45212

About Cincinnati Ballet
Since 1963, Cincinnati Ballet has been the cornerstone professional ballet company of the region, presenting a bold and adventurous array of classical, full-length ballets and contemporary works, regularly with live orchestral accompaniment. Under the artistic direction of Victoria Morgan, Cincinnati Ballet has become a creative force within the larger dance community, commissioning world premiere works and exploring unique collaborations with artists as diverse as Grammy winning guitarist Peter Frampton and popular, Ohio-based band Over the Rhine. With a mission to inspire hope and joy in our community and beyond through the power and passion of dance, Cincinnati Ballet reaches beyond the stage in programs that allow every person in the region to be part of the continued evolution of dance. To that end, Cincinnati Ballet presents exhilarating performances, extensive education outreach programs and offers top level professional ballet training at Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. Budig Academy.

CONNECT: READ / WATCH / LISTEN / LEARN / ENJOY at cballet.org  

Cincinnati Ballet 2017-2018 Season Sponsors: ArtsWave, Rhonda & Larry Sheakley, PNC Bank, Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Ohio Arts Council, Mercy Health, Frisch’s Big Boy, Austin E. Knowlton Foundation, The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation

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September 6, 2017 · 3:26 pm

Cincinnati Ballet Launches New Annual Family Series with BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

CB_BeautyandtheBeastThe beloved story comes to life in April, 2018, and includes a sensory-friendly performance

CINCINNATI. (September 6, 2017) – Cincinnati Ballet is proud to announce a new, annual Family Series, with an inaugural production of Beauty and the Beast, featuring the Cincinnati Ballet Second Company, with dancers from the new Professional Training Division, and students from Cincinnati Ballet’s Otto M. Budig Academy. Beauty and the Beast comes to the Aronoff Center, with six performances April 6-8, and a sensory-friendly performance April 8 at 10:30 am.

The new series is a perfect introduction to ballet for audiences of all ages, with dazzling costumes and sets, and guided narration, so that even the youngest members of the audience can comprehend the story on stage. The Cincinnati Ballet Family Series will continue as an ongoing, annual production in the seasons ahead, allowing patrons the opportunity to create lasting ballet traditions with family and friends.

Cincinnati Ballet is proud to continue our sensory-friendly offerings with Beauty and the Beast. The 10:30 am sensory-friendly performance on April 8 is designed to create an experience that is welcoming and inviting to any patron or child with sensory sensitivities or specific needs. Accommodations include gentle lighting and sound, increased staffing with on-hand specialists, and a flexible, open-door theater environment with designated spaces where you and your child can take a break from the performance.

The whimsical and timeless Beauty and the Beast ballet is based on the original fairy tale, as told in the late 18th century by Charles Perrault. It follows Beauty and her tragic Beast in a legendary fable of promise, friendship, and love, and is appropriate for any age. The beloved tale is performed in one hour and fifteen minutes with choreography by Pamela Robinson-Harris and Peggy Dolkas, bright and beautiful costumes by Costume Production Director at Ballet West, David Heuvel, and immense and engulfing sets designed by Ballet West Vice President of Artistic and Production Operations, Michael Currey.

Tickets start at just $20. Tickets for the sensory-friendly performance are only available via phone. To request admission or additional details, please call 513.621.5282.

This new Family Series is being announced as Cincinnati Ballet unveils plans to implement a number of exciting initiatives in the 2017-2018 season as part of a long-term strategy for sustained growth and advancement. The “new” Cincinnati Ballet also encompasses an eye-catching, refreshed logo and brand identity for the Company, the launch of the Otto M. Budig Academy’s Professional Training Division, the Company’s return to Music Hall for three productions, and a groundbreaking partnership with Ballet West to co-present a World Premiere production.

PERFORMANCE DATES AND INFORMATION

WHO:        Cincinnati Ballet Second Company, Professional Training Division Dancers, Otto M. Budig Academy Students

Choreography: Pamela Robinson-Harris and Peggy Dolkas

WHAT:     Beauty and the Beast

WHEN:      

  • Friday, April 6 – 8:00 pm
  • Saturday, April 7 – 10:30 am, 2:00 pm, & 5:30 pm
  • Sunday, April 8 – 10:30 am**, 1:30 pm & 4:30 pm
    **Sensory-friendly Performance

WHERE:   Procter & Gamble Hall

Aronoff Center for the Arts

650 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio  45202

HOW:        Call 513.621.5282, visit cballet.org, or

visit the Cincinnati Ballet Box Office at 1555 Central Parkway

###

About Cincinnati Ballet

Since 1963, Cincinnati Ballet has been the cornerstone professional ballet company of the region, presenting a bold and adventurous array of classical, full-length ballets and contemporary works, regularly with live orchestral accompaniment. Under the artistic direction of Victoria Morgan, Cincinnati Ballet has become a creative force within the larger dance community, commissioning world premiere works and exploring unique collaborations with artists as diverse as Grammy winning guitarist Peter Frampton and popular, Ohio-based band Over the Rhine. With a mission to inspire hope and joy in our community and beyond through the power and passion of dance, Cincinnati Ballet reaches beyond the stage in programs that allow every person in the region to be part of the continued evolution of dance. To that end, Cincinnati Ballet presents exhilarating performances, extensive education outreach programs and offers top level professional ballet training at Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. Budig Academy.

CONNECT: READ / WATCH / LISTEN / LEARN / ENJOY at cballet.org

Cincinnati Ballet 2017-2018 Season Sponsors: Artswave, Mercy Health, PNC Bank, Ohio Arts Council, Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Frisch’s Big Boy, Rhonda & Larry

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