Category Archives: Press Releases

February 19, 2026 · 10:23 am

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: The Musical at The Emery Theater Featuring Post-Show Talkback with International Bestselling Author, Jeff Kinney THIS Friday, Feb. 20

CINCINNATI – Greg Heffley is headed to the stage—and this Friday, the Opening Night Cincinnati audience will get a rare chance to hear directly from the creator who started it all.

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) continues its inaugural season in the beautifully restored Emery Theater with Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical, opening Friday, February 20 at 7 PM. The opening performance will feature a special post-show talkback with international bestselling author Jeff Kinney, offering fans a unique behind-the-scenes look at the beloved series. Tickets are on sale now at thechildrenstheatre.com.

Based on Jeff Kinney’s wildly popular book series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical (book by Kevin Del Aguila, music and lyrics by Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler) brings Greg’s middle-school misadventures to life with humor, heart, and high-energy music. From navigating friendships and family to surviving the social hierarchy of middle school, Greg’s story resonates with kids, parents, and anyone who remembers what it’s like to just try to fit in.

As one of TCT’s productions in the newly reimagined Emery Theater, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical invites families to experience this laugh-out-loud story in a space that blends historic elegance with cutting-edge theatrical technology—making the return of live theatre to this iconic venue even more memorable.

Following the February 20 performance, audience members will be treated to a short post-show talkback with Jeff Kinney, the #1 New York Times bestselling author whose Diary of a Wimpy Kid series has sold more than 300 million copies worldwide. Hosted by WKRC-TV’s Bob Herzog, Mr. Kinney will shine a light on the cast’s experience of this unique production and share behind-the-scenes insights on bringing it from page to stage. The talkback will also celebrate a significant milestone, as 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the musical’s premiere production. 

Kim Kern, President & CEO of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, said:

“Bringing Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical to the Emery Theater is incredibly exciting, and having Jeff Kinney with us for a post-show talkback makes this moment truly special. This production celebrates storytelling, imagination, and the joy of live theatre—exactly what this historic stage was meant for.”

In addition, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical will support literacy efforts across the region through a book donation drive benefiting Queen City Book Bank. Audience members attending any performance (school or public) are encouraged to bring a new or gently used children’s book to donate. Queen City Book Bank champions literacy through tutoring, Little Free Libraries, and community outreach, working to ensure that every child has access to books at home. Each year, the organization aims to provide 10 new books annually to more than 25,000 under-resourced K–6 students throughout Greater Cincinnati.

Public Showtimes include:

  • Friday, February 20, 2026: 7 PM – OPENING NIGHT
  • Saturday, February 21, 2026: 2 PM and 5 PM
  • Sunday, February 22, 2026: 2 PM
  • Saturday, February 28, 2026: 11 AM and 2 PM (ASL and Audio Described Performance)
  • Sunday, March 1, 2026: 2 PM
  • Wednesday, March 4, 2026: 2 PM (Sensory-Friendly Performance)
  • Saturday, March 7, 2026: 2 PM and 5 PM
  • Sunday, March 8, 2026: 2 PM

Ideal for ages 4+. This production runs approximately 60 minutes without intermission. This production uses theatrical fog and flashing lights. No strobe lights are used.

Stage Direction and choreography by Associate Artistic Director, Maddie Jones. Music Direction, Jacob Priddy

Scenic Design, Seth Howard. Lighting Design, Benjamin Gantose. Costume Design, Cat Schmeal-Swope. Video/Projection Design, Edward T. Morris. Sound Design, Doug Borntrager.

Book by Kevin del Aguila. Music and Lyrics by Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler. Based on the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” Book Series by Jeff Kinney and the 20th Century Fox Films. Additional Orchestrations by Christopher Jahnke. Originally Commissioned and Produced by The Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals (www.concordtheatricals.com).

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical is made possible by Dress Run Sponsor TriHealth and Season Sponsor The Charles H. Dater Foundation. PNC Foundation provides additional funding for MainStage Ticket Subsidies. Additional Sponsors include The Sutphin Family Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and The Shubert Foundation INC.

This production is made possible in part by an investment of public funds from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is supported by the tens of thousands who generously give to the annual ArtsWave Campaign, the region’s primary source for arts funding.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical will be performed in the newly reimagined Emery Theater, 1112 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Tickets start at $12. Visit thechildrenstheatre.com or call the TCT Box Office at 513.569.8080 x10, Monday – Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM to purchase tickets. To learn more about Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical, visit Concord Theatricals’ website.

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February 16, 2026 · 4:58 pm

Playhouse Summer Camps & Performance Academies Now on Sale

Summer programs offered in Mt. Adams and Mason

CINCINNATI – Registration is now open for Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s immersive summer theatre camps and performance academies. Designed for campers entering 1st through 12th grade, the camps provide an opportunity to explore theatre while enjoying a diverse lineup of themes inspired by beloved films and Broadway hits, including KPop Demon Hunters, Wicked, Seussical KIDS, Legally Blonde, Hamilton and Superman.

Camps take place at the Playhouse’s Mainstage Theatre Complex in Mt. Adams and the Mason Community Center, with options for before and after care.

Guided by camp staff, campers learn performance techniques including musical theatre, stage combat, writing, acting, rehearsal and performance — while at the same time gaining confidence and exploring their individuality.

One-week theatre camps for campers entering Grades 1-6 or 1-10

  • Learn the fundamentals of creating theatre with an informal Shareformance at the end of the week. Each week focuses on a unique theme: KPop Demon Hunters, Disney’s Zombies and Descendants, Super Mario, SpongeBob and Wicked: For Good.

One-week performance showcases for campers entering Grades 6-12

  • Campers explore theatrical skills with an emphasis on performance and storytelling techniques and a Showcase at the end of the week. Showcase themes: Hamilton and KPop Demon Hunters.

Two-week performance academies for campers entering Grades 1-12

  • Campers work together to stage a full-length play or musical from start to finish, while focusing on theatrical skills. Daily rehearsals culminate in a final performance complete with select costumes and set pieces. This summer’s performance academies are Seussical KIDS and Shrek KIDS for younger performers, with Legally Blonde The Musical JR. and Beware the Jabberwock for teens and tweens.

“The campers grow every single week, and we see it. A camper who comes in on the first day of a five-day camp is not the same camper who leaves on Friday,” says Ariana Moses, the Playhouse’s Education Director. “They’ve made friendships, they’ve formed a community, they’ve learned new skills, and they’ve put together something to show their family and friends.”

Summer Camp offers The Launch Pad Accessibility Program, offering opportunities for campers who have developmental disabilities, neurodivergence and sensory challenges to participate in camps and have their unique needs met. Camp staff are trained to meet specific needs and accommodations, and a family coordinator works with parents and caregivers to ensure a comfortable experience for their camper.

Enrollment is now open with early bird pricing through Feb. 28. Early bird tuition ranges from $320 – $750, depending on the week or session, and increases by $45 on March 1. Financial scholarships are available for campers who demonstrate need, and Before Care and After Care options are available at both locations.

For more information or to register, click here or call 513-421-3888.

Camps Offered in Mt. Adams at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

Gonna Be Golden: Songs from KPop Demon Hunters

June 1-5 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Campers entering Grades 1-6

Classes Include: Singing, Dance, Acting, Theater Crafts, Rehearsal and Performance

Two-Week Performance Academy: Legally Blonde The Musical JR.

June 1 – 12 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Campers entering Grades 6-12

Classes Include: Singing, Dancing, Design, Rehearsal and Performance

Keep Calm and Zombie On: Songs from Disney’s Zombies

June 8 – 12 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Campers entering Grades 1-6

Classes Include: Singing, Dance, Acting, Theater Crafts, Rehearsal and Performance

Here We Go! Super Mario Playwriting

June 8 – 12 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Campers entering Grades 1-10

Classes Include: Playwriting, Acting, Improvisation, Theatre Crafts, Rehearsal and Performance

Two-Week Performance Academy: Seussical KIDS

June 15 – 26 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Campers entering Grades 1-6

Classes Include: Acting, Singing, Dance, Theatre Crafts, Rehearsal and Performance

The Room Where It Happens: Hamilton Showcase

June 15 – 18 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Campers entering Grades 6-12

Classes Include: Singing, Dance, Design, Rehearsal and Performance

Up, Up and Away! Superman Stage Combat

June 15 – 18 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Campers entering Grades 1-10

Classes Include: Stage Combat Movement, Acting, Improvisation, Theatre Crafts, Rehearsal and Performance

Gonna Be Golden: Songs from KPop Demon Hunters

June 22 – 26 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Campers entering Grades 1-6

Classes Include: Singing, Dance, Acting, Theater Crafts, Rehearsal and Performance

It’s Our Moment: KPop Demon Hunters Showcase

June 22 – 26 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Campers entering Grades 6-12

Classes Include: Singing, Dance, Design, Rehearsal and Performance

Two-Week Performance Academy: Beware the Jabberwock

July 6 – 17 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Campers entering Grades 6-12

Classes Include: Acting, Improv, Stage Combat, Design, Rehearsal and Performance

Good Is the New Bad: Songs from the World of Disney’s Descendants

July 6 – 10 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Campers entering Grades 1-10

Classes Include: Singing, Dance, Acting, Theater Crafts, Rehearsal and Performance

Two-Week Performance Academy: Shrek The Musical KIDS

July 13 – 24 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Campers entering Grades 1-6

Classes Include: Acting, Singing, Dance, Theatre Crafts, Rehearsal and Performance

How It’s Done: KPop Demon Hunters Stage Combat Camp

July 20 – 24 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Campers entering Grades 1-10

Classes Include: Stage Combat, Movement, Acting, Improvisation, Theatre Crafts, Rehearsal and Performance

The Room Where It Happens: Hamilton Showcase

July 20 – 24 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Campers entering Grades 6-12

Classes Include: Singing, Dance, Design, Rehearsal and Performance

We’re All Goofy Goobers: SpongeBob Square-Camp

July 27 – 31 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Classes Include: Acting, Improv, Comedy Movement, Theater Crafts, Rehearsal and Performance

No Place Like Home: Songs from Wicked: For Good

July 27 – 31 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Campers entering Grades 1-10

Classes Include: Singing, Dance, Acting, Theatre Crafts, Rehearsal and Performance

Camps Offered at Mason Community Center & High School

Performance Academy: Shrek The Musical KIDS

June 15 – 26 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Campers entering Grades 1-6

Classes Include: Acting, Singing, Dance, Theatre Crafts, Rehearsal and Performance

Two-Week Performance Academy: Seussical KIDS

July 6 – 17 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Campers entering Grades 1-6

Classes Include: Acting, Singing, Dance, Theatre Crafts, Rehearsal and Performance

The Room Where It Happens: Hamilton Showcase

July 13 – 17 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Campers entering Grades 6-12

Classes Include: Singing, Dance, Design, Rehearsal and Performance

The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of almost 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.

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February 9, 2026 · 6:25 pm

Pones Presents: EUNOIA – Celebrating Joy and Creativity in Cincinnati’s Dance Community

Casey Miller Photography.

An Evening-Length Performance and Fundraiser at the CAC Black Box Theatre

Pones returns with the highly anticipated second year of Eunoia, an evening-length mixed bill performance designed to foster community, celebrate artistic innovation, and support our ongoing mission. Following the Pones tradition of dynamic, socially conscious productions, Eunoia puts the focus on joy as a powerful form of advocacy – as an act of protest – demonstrating that social justice can take the shape of resilience and celebration amid adversity.

We are thrilled to be partnering with the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) for this project. Performances will take place in CAC’s Black Box Lab, a space dedicated to making the arts accessible and inviting everyone to engage and grow together. Thanks to the support of The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, CAC’s Black Box Theatre provides the perfect stage for community-driven performances and creative collaborations. Join us for an unforgettable experience where dance sparks connection and empowerment— as we believe at Pones, movement is a vehicle for social change and collective celebration. 

Eunoia will feature 14 brand-new works from 16 choreographers, spanning genres from contemporary to pole, and color guard to acro yoga. This vibrant showcase gathers the Pones collective alongside local partners, highlighting how creativity flourishes when diverse voices come together to uplift and inspire one another.

In addition to the performances, attendees will enjoy live music by Siri Imani, a photo booth hosted by Casey Miller Photography, a selection of auction items, snacks from Smidge of the South, and a full bar with drinks available for purchase. The evening is not only a celebration of creativity, but also a fundraiser supporting the Pones mission to expand access to the arts, nurture emerging talent, and create lasting partnerships that strengthen the cultural fabric of our region.

Community attendance and participation helps ensure that dance continues to serve as a platform for dialogue, inclusion, and meaningful community engagement well beyond this event.

Event Details

Dates & Times:

  • Saturday, March 7 at 7:00 PM
  • Sunday, March 8 at 2:00 PM

Location: CAC Black Box Theatre, 44 E 6th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Tickets: Community Support & Access pricing, from $0 to $50+ https://Eunoia2026.eventbrite.com

Pones encourages all attendees to consider making an additional donation at the event to further support their work in the community. For more information or to request images and quotes, please contact Pones or visit https://pones.org/. Mark your calendars, join the movement, and experience the transformative power of Eunoia. 

About Pones
Pones provides artistic opportunities for community growth by creating engaging new ways for audiences to experience dance. Founded in 2008, Pones has collaborated with over 400 artists, 180 service and arts organizations, and 170 education partners. The collective’s accessible and participatory performances have been seen in over 90 Greater Cincinnati locations, as well as Indianapolis and Chicago. Ongoing programs are available year round for artists and art groups, schools, and businesses.

Pones performers use their bodies to speak their minds. The collective uses its signature pedestrian-inspired movement to spark collaboration, connection, and community.

Pones believes that art creates powerful change.

Learn more at https://pones.org/

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February 9, 2026 · 5:01 pm

The Carnegie and University of Cincinnati Partner on Classic Musical Comedy ANYTHING GOES

The Cole Porter hit sails into Covington February 27 – March 8

Indya Lincicome is Reno Sweeney in ANYTHING GOES. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

(Covington, KY, February 9, 2026) — The Carnegie launches its 2026 season with the sparkle, sophistication, and show-stopping energy of Cole Porter’s Broadway classic ANYTHING GOES. Produced in partnership with the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music (CCM) and featuring performers from CCM’s nationally recognized Musical Theatre program, this fresh, high-spirited production runs at The Carnegie February 27 through March 8.

Set sail for madcap mayhem in this tuneful, tap-dancing romp where high society and low morals collide. Aboard the S.S. American, con men are celebrated, evangelists become showbiz sensations, and romance runs delightfully amok. Featuring Cole Porter’s sparkling score—including “You’re the Top,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” and the toe-tapping title number—this screwball spectacle proves that with a little charm (and a catchy tune), you can get away with anything. ANYTHING GOES is your first-class ticket to fun.

Indya Lincicome, a senior at CCM, stars as evangelist-turned-nightclub singer Reno Sweeney. Lincicome recently appeared as Rizzo in The Carnegie’s Summer 2025 production of GREASE. Also returning to the Covington stage are Monique Churchill (Hope Harcourt), Josh Devine (Billy Crocker), Joey Baciocco (Lord Evelyn Oakleight), Dominic Carroll (Moonface Martin), and Jack Haroutunian, Arden Allmon, Grace Baker, Annika Jonker, Carter Minor, and Jameson Zoller in the ensemble.

Making their Carnegie debut are Zach “Zoo” Finkelstein, Benjamin Schultz, Abigayle Kate Gatton Stokes, Annie Dauk, Max Patrick, Andy Bakun, and Griffin Simmons. The productions swings and standbys include Matthew Williamson, Kage Cliburn, Naomi Thuren, Jack Bear Ryan, and JJ Korkin.

Joining the student cast are guest artists and real-life husband and wife Diane Lala (Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt) and Robert Pavlovich (Elisha J. Whitney). Lala, Professor Emerita of Musical Theatre at UC–CCM, returns to the stage after 36 years of teaching, directing, and choreographing. Pavlovich, a longtime UC–CCM Acting & Musical Theatre faculty member, is a veteran stage and screen actor and currently serves as host of All Things Considered for WWNO New Orleans.

The production is directed and co-choreographed by CCM faculty member Eric Byrd. Byrd directed several of The Carnegie’s best-selling productions including GREASE, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, RENT, and GUYS AND DOLLS. Choreographer Jessica Harris and Music Director Julie Spangler, both CCM faculty members, return after collaborating on last season’s SEUSSICAL.

ANYTHING GOES
Music and Lyrics by COLE PORTER
Original Book by P.G. WODEHOUSE & GUY BOLTON and HOWARD LINDSAY & RUSSEL CROUSE
New Book by TIMOTHY CROUSE & JOHN WEIDMAN

ANYTHING GOES is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. This version of ANYTHING GOES was adapted from the 1987 Broadway revival, originally produced by Lincoln Center Theater.

Production Sponsor for ANYTHING GOES
Piper’s Ice Cream Bar

Artist Sponsors for ANYTHING GOES
Debbie Bardonaro, Realtor, Sibcy Cline
J. Brett Offenberger, MD and Mr. Douglas E. Duckett
Rosemary and Mark Schlachter

UC–CCM Production Supporters for ANYTHING GOES
Ken and Toni Kanter

Subscriptions & Tickets
Flexible subscriptions and single tickets for the 2026 season are available now at thecarnegie.com or by calling the box office at 859-957-1940. Flexible subscription options allow audiences to choose the shows, dates, and seats that work best for them — with savings up to 15% on ticket prices.

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About The Carnegie
The Carnegie is Northern Kentucky’s largest multidisciplinary arts venue providing theatre events, educational programs and art exhibitions to the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati community. The Carnegie facility is home to The Carnegie Galleries, the Otto M. Budig Theatre, and the Eva G. Farris Education Center.

The Carnegie is supported by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. The Carnegie receives ongoing operating support from the Kentucky Arts Council, City of Covington, Kenton County Fiscal Courts, Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Cincinnati International Wine Festival, and Suits That Rock.

For more information on the 2026 season or First Show Free, visit thecarnegie.com.

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February 5, 2026 · 5:04 pm

Complexions Contemporary Ballet: STAR DUST | March 19, 2026 | Aronoff Center

“Quite simply put, absolutely wonderful.” – BroadwayWorld

Complexions Contemporary Ballet:
STAR DUST

A transfixing tribute to the life and music of David Bowie,
full of glitter and glam.

March 19, 2026
Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall

[Cincinnati, OH] – The acclaimed Complexions Contemporary Ballet, under the artistic leadership of co-founders Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, will perform its transfixing tribute to the life and music of David Bowie on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 7:30 PM at the Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall. The event is part of the Cincinnati Arts Association’s 2025-26 CAA PRESENTS! Season.

Tickets are on sale now at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-2787 [ARTS], or the Aronoff Center Ticket Office. For group sales (10 or more), call (513) 977-4155. A special 50%-OFF Family Four Pack offer is available for purchases of four or more tickets. Prices include all applicable fees and taxes and are subject to change.

Led by dance icons Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, Complexions Contemporary Ballet has awakened audiences to a new, exciting genre with their singular approach of reinventing dance and contemporary ballet. Armed with a rich Alvin Ailey lineage and a cadre of sixteen stunning dancers, Complexions has been hailed as a “matchless American dance company” by the Philadelphia Inquirer and “game changing” by London’s The Guardian.

The program opens with favorites from Retro-Suite, a series of short works celebrating 30 years as a company. The second half is STAR DUST, an utterly transfixing tribute to the life and music of David Bowie, full of glitter and glam. This ballet takes an array of his hits and lays a visual imprint, inspired by his unique personas and his restless invention artistically, to create a Rock Opera-style production in his honor. With Bowie’s 40+ year career and 25 albums that stretch across musical borders, STAR DUST pays homage to the iconic and chameleonic spirit of what can only be described as… BOWIE.  Get ready to witness the raw power and diversity of Complexions as they redefine what ballet can be.

“Companies like Complexions are game-changing: they’re forging a path for what ballet can be instead of what it historically has been.” – The Guardian

“If there is one thing that Complexions knows how to do well (and, let’s be honest, they do many things quite well), it’s their choreographic exploration of rock ‘n’ roll and popular music.” – Hollywood Soapbox

“The genius of legendary Co-Founders, Co-Artistic Directors Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rhoden cannot be underestimated.” – BroadwayWorld

Dwight Rhoden (Co-Founding Artistic Director / Principal Choreographer)
A native of Dayton, OH, Rhoden has established a remarkably wide-ranging career, earning distinction from The New York Times as “one of the most sought out choreographers of the day.” Rhoden began dancing at age seventeen, and performed with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Les Ballet Jazz De Montreal, and as a principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

In 1994, alongside Desmond Richardson, he founded Complexions Contemporary Ballet, bringing their unique brand of contemporary ballet to the world, forging a center for innovation and cutting-edge programming. Rhoden’s choreography has been the lynchpin of the company’s repertory development. In three decades, he has created over 100 ballets for Complexions, as well as for numerous other companies, including the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Arizona Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, BalletMet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Joffrey Ballet, Miami City Ballet, New York City Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, PHILADANCO!, Mariinsky Ballet, Zenon Dance Company, The Washington Ballet, The Houston Ballet, and The San Francisco Ballet, among many others.

Rhoden has also choreographed for So You Think You Can Dance, E! Entertainment’s Tribute to Style, AMICI, Cirque Du Soleil’s Zumanity, and Mozart Her Story, and collaborated with artists including Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Paul Simon, Nina Simone, and many more. He is the recipient of The New York Foundation for the Arts Award, The Choo San Goh Award for Choreography, The Ailey School’s Apex Award, and an Honorary Doctorate from the Boston Conservatory in recognition of his extensive contributions to the field of dance.

Currently, he is an Adjunct Professor at Howard University and Artistic Professor of Dance at Chapman University.

Desmond Richardson (Co-Founding Artistic Director)
An iconic American Dance Professional, Richardson is the Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet, celebrating its 30th year anniversary; Broadway Tony Award-nominee; TedTalk guest artist and speaker, and So You Think You Can Dance and AMICI (Italy) guest choreographer.

Richardson is a Presidential Scholar in the Arts and has graced the covers of various publications; he was the first African American principal dancer of American Ballet Theater, a principal dancer with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Frankfurt Ballet, and a featured guest performer nationally and internationally.

He has received the Capezio, Rosey Roosevelt Thompson, Bessie, and Dance Magazine awards. He is an honorary Doctorate recipient from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Currently, Richardson and his collaborator Dwight Rhoden are working on the Broadway-bound Mozart Her Story with producers Tegan Summer, Patricia Klausner, and Christopher Sepulveda.

Richardson’s character Ted appeared on Season Three of the HBO Max hit series The Other Two.

For more information about Complexions Contemporary Ballet, visit  https://www.complexionscontemporaryballet.org/.

Cincinnati Arts Association SPONSORS 

The Cincinnati Arts Association is supported [in part] by an investment of public funds from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

Season Sponsors:  AMERITAS (Founding Season Sponsor), MIAMI UNIVERSITY, ARTSWAVE, LOCAL 12 WKRC-TV, The P&G FUND of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, TRIHEALTH 

SEASON PRESENTING SPONSORS:  21C Museum Hotel, altafiber, Bahl & Gaynor, Cincinnati Herald, CityBeat, Fairfield Inn & Suites Cincinnati Uptown/University Area, Harlan Graphics, Heidelberg Distributing, Kinley Cincinnati, Pepsi, Summerfair Cincinnati

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CALENDAR INFORMATION

WHAT:                Complexions Contemporary Ballet: STAR DUST
WHEN:                Thursday, March 19, 2026 – 7:30 PM
WHERE:              Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall
PRICE:                 Ticket prices start at $23, inclusive of all fees. A special 50%-OFF Family Four Pack offer is available for purchases of four or more tickets.
INFO:                 Led by dance icons Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, Complexions Contemporary Ballet has awakened audiences to a new, exciting genre with their singular approach of reinventing dance and contemporary ballet. The sixteen-member company will perform STAR DUST, an utterly transfixing tribute to the life and music of David Bowie, full of glitter and glam.

TICKET INFORMATION – on sale now

  • www.CincinnatiArts.org
  • (513) 621-ARTS [2787]
  • Aronoff Center Ticket Office
  • Group sales (10 or more): (513) 977-4155

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