Category Archives: On Stage

TCT Provided Over $1 Million in School Ticket Subsidies During the 2024-25 Season

CINCINNATI, OH — The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) proudly announced today that its School Ticket Subsidy Program provided $1,018,460 in MainStage ticket support during the 2024-2025 season, helping ensure that live theatre remains accessible to students across Greater Cincinnati—regardless of financial background. More than 48,000 students attended the company’s weekday performances during the 24-25 season.

TCT’s subsidy program is designed to remove financial barriers for schools with limited resources, making it possible for thousands of children to experience the magic and educational power of live performance. The actual cost for a student to attend a MainStage production is approximately $30. In realizing that this is a steep price for many local schools, TCT provides subsidies so that no school ever pays more than $10 a ticket.

Even still, many schools cannot afford to bring their students at this lowered price due to limited resources and large student populations. Therefore, TCT’s School Ticket Subsidy Program allows for further discounts to schools with 50% or more of their students eligible for free or reduced lunch programs. These schools pay only $5 or less per student.

“No child should miss the chance to experience the magic of live theatre because their school can’t afford it,” said Kim Kern, President and CEO of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors and community partners, we are able to make that vision a reality for thousands of students each year.”

By closing the gap between the actual cost of live theatre and what schools can afford, the School Ticket Subsidy Program fulfills TCT’s mission to educate, entertain, and engage audiences of all backgrounds—ensuring that the life-changing impact of theatre is within reach for every child.

For more information on how to support this program or bring your school to a TCT performance, visit http://www.thechildrenstheatre.com.

For over a century, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati has been creating unforgettable theatrical experiences for children and families. From its professional MainStage productions and touring shows to its acclaimed theatre training programs, TCT is dedicated to inspiring young hearts and minds through the power of storytelling.

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SOMETHING ROTTEN! Runs June 26-29

SOMETHING ROTTEN!
Rise Up Performing Arts
June 26-29
Miami University Hamilton Parrish Auditorium

Directed by Rodney Neal

Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as “The Bard” (William Shakespeare). When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self….and all that jazz.

  • Thu-Sat, June 26-28 at 7pm
  • Sun, June 29 at 2pm

Official page |

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CHICAGO Runs June 26-29

CHICAGO
TheatreLab Dayton
June 26-29
Northmont Community Auditorium [Dayton]

A satire of celebrity culture and the justice system, set in the Roaring Twenties. It follows two women, Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, who are both imprisoned for murder and strive for fame and notoriety in the public eye. They navigate the corrupt world of lawyers and the press, seeking to manipulate public opinion and gain acquittal.

  • Thu, June 26 at 7:30pm
  • Fri, June 27 at 8pm
  • Sat, June 28 at 2pm & 8pm
  • Sun, June 29 at 2pm

Official page |

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TOSCA Runs June 26-28

TOSCA
Cincinnati Opera
June 26-28
Music Hall Springer Auditorium [Over-the-Rhine]

Floria Tosca suspects her lover of being unfaithful when really, he’s helping an escaped political prisoner and friend. This misunderstanding mutates into a series of escalating and irreversible misfortunes once Baron Scarpia, the chief of the secret police, enters the scene. Set in Rome during a time of national upheaval, as Napoleon’s army marches on Italy, Puccini’s epic opera stands as one of the most enduring and beloved of all time. Whatever darkness or desires Scarpia may bring, there is nothing Tosca will not do for art and love. Sung in Italian with projected English translations.

  • Thu, June 26 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, June 28 at 7:30pm

Official page | Facebook events |

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Cast Announced for BRIGHT STAR at Merit Theatre Company

Introducing the cast of BRIGHT STAR

We are excited to see this amazing group of performers bring this story to life on stage this summer.

  • ALICE MURPHY—Megan Dendler Johnson
  • BILLY CANE—Daniel Gnau
  • JIMMY RAY DOBBS—Mike Yarick
  • MARGO CRAWFORD—Rachel Cobbs
  • DADDY CANE—Arnie Forman
  • MAYOR DOBBS—Forrest Fairley
  • MAMA MURPHY—Rachel Mabry
  • DADDY MURPHY—Nathan Mabry
  • DARYL AMES—Sam Parker
  • LUCY GRANT—Allison Syvertsen
  • DR. NORQUIST—Adam Leigh
  • EDNA—Dakara Cooper
  • FLORENCE—Sienna Glaze
  • MAX—Sylas Craven
  • GOVERNMENT CLERK—Karen Wiebe
ADULT ENSEMBLE—Corinne Baumann, Olivia Barthauer, Dakara Cooper, Sylas Craven, Marley Davis, Elena Escamilla, Sienna Glaze, Blake Heubach, Adam Leigh, Elizabeth Lightner, Max McDaniel, Sam Parker, Josephine Shaut, Noah Steffen, Allison Syvertsen, Gwen Uhlenbrock, Karen Wiebe

YOUTH ENSEMBLE—Izzy Ashley, Jonah Hayley, Evelyn Heubach, Anna Manion, Joseph Manion

Performances run Aug. 22-30.

For more information visit www.merittheatre.org

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