Category Archives: Press Releases

March 23, 2021 · 10:21 am

CAA Announces 2021 Overture Award Winners

CAA_Overture Awards$25,500 Awarded for Excellence in the Arts

CINCINNATI, OH – The Cincinnati Arts Association is pleased to announce the winners of its Overture Awards Competition.  Due to the impact of the pandemic, all three rounds of the competition were held virtually, culminating in an online announcement and celebration ceremony on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 7:00 PM.  The competition awarded $2,000 for education and training to the winning students in six arts disciplines, and $750 to each of the eighteen runners-up.

The Overture Awards recognizes, encourages, and rewards excellence in the arts among Tri-state students in grades 9-12 and is the area’s largest solo arts competition. Students are nominated by their schools and/or private studios to compete in one of six disciplines: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Theater, Visual Art, and Vocal Music. There are three levels of competition: Regional, Semi-Final, and Final.

Now in its twenty-fifth year, the Overture Awards was launched in 1996 by the Cinergy Foundation (now Duke Energy) and Class 19 of Leadership Cincinnati (a program of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber). The Overture Awards is funded and administered by the Cincinnati Arts Association, which operates and manages the Aronoff Center and Music Hall. The Overture Awards also relies on hundreds of volunteers from the community who help raise funds, adjudicate and manage the competitions, and nurture the program.

THE OVERTURE AWARDS ARE ENDOWED BY THE OTTO M. BUDIG FAMILY FOUNDATION. 

Overture Awards Presenting Sponsors: TriHealth; The Eleanora C.U. Alms Trust, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee; Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc.; Otto M. Budig Family Foundation; Summerfair Cincinnati

Scholarship Sponsors: Arthur Murray – Cincinnati, Douglas Beal, Doreen Beatrice, Bonita Brockert, Brandon Etheridge, Maura Garuccio, Jozsef Parragh, Pebble Creek Group, Phoenix Rising Ballroom, Summerfair Cincinnati, Josh Tilford, Western & Southern Financial Fund, The William O. Purdy, Jr. Foundation

2021 OVERTURE AWARDS WINNERS

CREATIVE WRITING: Savannah Gripshover, grade 11, Conner Senior High School
HOMETOWN: Hebron, KY – Savannah Gripshover’s earliest memories include making her own stories and characters to write about. Currently, she’s in the young writers’ group at her school and dabbles in several projects, primarily poetry and novels. She hopes to pursue a career in the arts and spend her life appreciating them.

DANCE: Braylan Enscoe, grade 11, Laurel Springs School / Just Off Broadway
HOMETOWN: Cincinnati, OH – Braylan trains and teaches at Just Off Broadway, where she is a member of their nationally recognized performance team. She has won numerous regional and national dance awards, performed Clara in The Nutcracker, and was a cast member in the short film Moving Henry, which premiered at The Dance Film Festival. Braylan’s plans for the future include attending college in California or New York while majoring in dance.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: Andrew Yang, grade 12, Seven Hills School / Won-Bim Yim
HOMETOWN: Cincinnati, OH – Violinist Andrew Yang is a senior at the Seven Hills School. He has served as concertmaster of the Ohio All-State Orchestra and the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. Andrew is also a two-time National YoungArts Winner, an MTNA National Competition Finalist, and a competitor in the 9th International Louis Spohr Competition for Young Violinists.

THEATER: Claire Northcut, grade 12, William Mason High School / Musical Arts Center
HOMETOWN: Mason, OH – Claire Northcut is a senior at William Mason High School and is very excited to be performing in the finals competition. She has been performing since she was six years old and is planning to major in musical theatre in college. She would like to thank her friends and family for their endless love and support!

VISUAL ART: Sydney Luebbe, grade 12, Lakota West High School
HOMETOWN: Liberty Township, OH – Sydney Luebbe was born and raised in Liberty Township, Ohio. She was introduced to art at a young age by her uncle, who’s an architect. Following in his footsteps, she developed a passion for science, mathematics, and art. Despite her challenging academic pursuits, she found comfort in expression through art.

VOCAL MUSIC: Mary Wilkens, grade 12, Ursuline Academy / Melody Wallace
HOMETOWN: Cincinnati, OH – Mary began performing at a young age and participates in Ursuline and St. Xavier’s theater programs. When not on the stage, Mary bowls for Ursuline, sings in her church choir, and sews costumes. Mary is a National Honor Society member and hopes to be a Speech Pathologist for vocal performers.

THE 2021 OVERTURE AWARDS FINALISTS
Winners listed in bold.

CREATIVE WRITING

  • Alexandra Frohn, grade 12, Seven Hills School
  • Savannah Gripshover, grade 11, Conner Senior High School
  • Jenny Hu, grade 11, Seven Hills School
  • Deeya Prakash, grade 11, Sycamore High School

DANCE

  • Braylan Enscoe, grade 11, Laurel Springs School / Just Off Broadway
  • Gracie Harper, grade 12, Anderson High School / The Studio for Dance
  • Trista Mullenix, grade 10, School for Creative and Performing Arts / Just Off Broadway
  • Emi Tao, grade 12, William Mason High School / Bing Yang Chinese Performing Arts Center

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

  • Ashley Cai, grade 10, William Mason High School / Benita Tse Leung
  • Cole Kubesch, grade 12, Sycamore High School
  • Nicholas Wolfe, grade 12, Saint Xavier High School / Leung Studios
  • Andrew Yang, grade 12, Seven Hills School / Won-Bim Yim

THEATER

  • Benjamin Crane, grade 11, Homeschool / Lincoln Chapman Studio
  • Claire Northcut, grade 12, William Mason High School / Musical Arts Center
  • Bella Randle, grade 11, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy / Musical Arts Center
  • Madeline Ritter, grade 12, School for Creative and Performing Arts / Cincinnati Conservatory MTI 

VISUAL ART

  • Sydney Luebbe, grade 12, Lakota West High School / Stephanie Gauer
  • Marialinda Roblero, grade 12, Lakota West High School / Stephanie Gauer
  • Nathan Tyler, grade 12, Sycamore High School
  • Tiya Yempati, grade 12, William Mason High School

VOCAL MUSIC

  • Claire Hardek, grade 11, Indian Hill School / Dr. Kimberly Buczek, Cincinnati Academy of Performing Arts
  • Ella Vaughn, grade 10, Walnut Hills High School / Karl Resnik, Musical Arts Center
  • Mary Wilkens, grade 11, Ursuline Academy / Melody Wallace
  • Maria Zierolf, grade 12, Mount Notre Dame High School / Lincoln Chapman, Musical Arts Center

Founded in 1992, the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management of two of the Tri-state’s finest performing arts venues – the Aronoff Center for the Arts and Music Hall – and is dedicated to supporting performing and visual arts. Each year, CAA presents a diverse schedule of events; serves upwards of 700,000 people in its venues; features the work of talented local, regional, and national artists in the Weston Art Gallery (located in the Aronoff Center); and supports the work of more than one dozen resident companies. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached more than 1.8 million students. 

CAA is proud to be a member of Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Greater Cincinnati Alliance for Arts Education, Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau, Greater Cincinnati Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce, and Performing Arts Center Consortium. 

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March 19, 2021 · 9:51 am

The Carnegie to Host Reading of ANGELS IN AMERICA: PART I MILLENNIUM APPROACHES

TC_Angels in America logoCOVINGTON, KY – The Carnegie is inviting the public to experience a socially distant staged reading of the groundbreaking ANGELS IN AMERICA: PT. 1 MILLENNIUM APPROACHES  on Friday, April 2 and Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 7 p.m. The Carnegie’s Otto M. Budig Theatre. Tickets are $10 and a portion of the proceeds will go directly to local artists.

ANGELS IN AMERICA: PT. 1 MILLENNIUM APPROACHES is Tony Kushner’s epic masterpiece inspired by mid-1980s America. Set against the backdrop of the HIV/AIDS crisis and President Ronald Reagan’s administration, the show details New York City residents as they grapple with the juxtaposed extremes of life and death, love and sex and heaven and hell.

ANGELS IN AMERICA is a production of The Carnegie’s Creative Disruption Committee (The Carnegie CDC), in association with Skylight Empire Productions. Created in 2020, The Carnegie CDC is a consortium of artists, educators, business/marketing and social service professionals designed to a creative engine and rapid response team to the changing situation of live performance in a pandemic world. The Carnegie CDC’s production of the show features actors from both the Greater Cincinnati region as well as New York and is recommended for adults only.

“In continuing with our tradition of bringing innovative and important works to our stage, the upcoming reading of ANGELS IN AMERICA fits our space both in terms of mission and programming perfectly,” said Maggie Perrino, Theatre Director for The Carnegie. “With so many of us currently feeling uncertainty given the pandemic, the timeliness of Tony Kushner’s work will shine through in relating one commonality we all share: the human experience.”

Presented at 7 p.m. Friday, April 2 and Saturday, April 3, 2021, tickets for ANGELS IN AMERICA: PT. 1 MILLENNIUM APPROACHES: A STAGED READING are $10 per adult. A portion of each ticket sale with support local artists and performers. To order tickets or for more information, please visit www.thecarnegie.com/events.

Support for The Carnegie Creative Disruption Committee programming series is provided by the John A. Schroth Family Charitable Trust.

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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.  More information about The Carnegie is available at thecarnegie.com or by calling (859) 491-2030. 

The Carnegie receives ongoing operating support from Cincinnati International Wine Festival, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Kenton County Fiscal Courts, the Kentucky Arts Council and the City of Covington. The Carnegie is also supported by the generosity of more than 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. 

About The Carnegie Theatre Series
The Carnegie Theatre Series produces professional, innovative stagings of an eclectic range of theatrical works. Striving to unite the greater Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati theatre community through partnerships and collaborations, the series engages and nurtures both emerging and established talent, including working professionals, committed part-time theatre artists, university performing arts students and younger students. The Carnegie Theatre Series productions bring together these forces to provide quality theatre for Northern Kentucky and the Greater Cincinnati area.

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March 17, 2021 · 9:35 am

Wright State Theatre Presents First Video Streaming musical, THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY, March 26-28

WSU_Theory of Relativity logoWright State Theatre will present its first streaming musical production of the year, THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY online only, March 26-28. With music and lyrics by Drama Desk Award nominees Neil Bartram and Brian Hill (The Story of My Life, Broadway), The THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY is a joyous and moving look at our surprisingly interconnected lives. Whether you’re allergic to cats, in love for the first or tenth time, a child of divorce, a germaphobe or a first-term college student figuring out your place in life, audiences are sure to see a bit of themselves in this fresh new musical.

Through a collection of witty and moving songs, scenes and monologues, THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY introduces a group of college students experiencing their first independence and the joys and heartbreaks, the liaisons and losses, the inevitability and the wonder of human connection that comes with it.

“Take a Physics manual, blend it with the sound of The Book of Mormon, the hilariously nerdy references of The Big Bang Theory , a sprinkle of Chicago, few drops of Glee, bake it in a Broadway bowl, use all the originality you can have….That’s the successful recipe for the spectacular song cycle, THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY.”– Live Like Tom

Directed by Greg Hellems (Head of Wright State’s Musical Theatre program) and Musical Directed by R. Wade Russo, this is Wright State Theatre’s first filmed musical. Hellems says, “Finding a cinematic expression for Theory has been an exciting opportunity. The show is unapologetically about recognizing the need for human relationships and the experience of making and losing those interactions. The lyrics have taken on a whole new meaning now that many of those connections have been disrupted by the real obstacles presented by Covid-19.

For theatre artists, shooting a film has been a rewarding new challenge. Working without a film crew, the cast and production team have explored the medium of film in the most accessible of ways, our iPhones. For everyone working on this production, this was our first chance to be back in rehearsal and in performance since March of 2020. I was so moved the first night the cast sang together live, I was teary eyed. After a year of waiting, having a chance to make art again has been joyful.”. In an intensely collaborative process of filming with students, alumni and staff across Wright State’s Dayton campus, the company has found creative and unusual ways to create joyful art in the midst of the pandemic.

Audiences can see The Theory of Relativity online at www.showtix4u.com and follow the simple prompts to purchase tickets for home viewing.

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March 17, 2021 · 9:18 am

Mutual Dance Theatre (Formerly MamLuft&Co. Dance) to Perform Live in |S|P|A|C|E|, April 16 – May 1, 2021

CINCINNATI, OHIO — Mutual Dance Theatre, Cincinnati’s resident Modern Dance company formerly known as MamLuft&Co. Dance, makes its premiere under its new name. This COVID-conscious event will take place live at the organization’s new home in Hartwell (8222 Monon Ave, 45216).

MDT_Evans

Steven P. Evans, choreographer and Company Director. Photography by Jeanne Mam-Luft.

MūDa choreographer Steven P. Evans and the company jump off of pandemic-induced conditions to explore what it means to feel deserving of a claim to space.

The Modern Dance performance will be like none other, taking place in a unique, studio setting featuring a long, translucent, plastic curtain that defines areas, but also hides and reveals.

Evans, a highly talented Cincinnati-native who worked with well-known Modern Dance choreographers in New York City before returning to Cincinnati, likens the dance performance to a journal entry. Through it, he and the Company process some of the conditions we find ourselves in during the COVID-19 pandemic and how metaphorical masking and distancing had been the norm for many prior to it, such as LGBTQ+ persons attempting to blend-in.

Evans struggled in his youth with severe depression as he attempted to hide his sexual identity. A revelation came to him during COVID-19 that masking was all too familiar to him, and from masking comes separation and misunderstandings. And, from social distancing comes isolation and the familiar loss of critical human connection.

Evans writes:
“So many people attempt to retreat from their spaces: hiding behind what they can…they don’t — like I didn’t — think they even deserved space for themselves…Each dancer in this work represents various aspects of self-camouflage, and each is cloaked in misinterpretations.”

MDT_Space1

Promotional image for |S|P|A|C|E|, choreographed by Steven P. Evans in collaboration with the Mutual Dance Theatre performers.

When audiences enter the performance space, they are immediately transported into a unique theater experience. They will share space with an enormous plastic curtain — reminiscent of biohazards in films, but also familiar as plastic dividers that have been erected by businesses to protect their workers from the virus. This curtain divides the area and changes during the performance. Audience members can vaguely see what is happening on the other side of the curtain, but given the lack of clarity, masks worn by all, and socially-distanced pod seating, each person immediately feels separation and thus palpably enters into Evans’ world.

The plastic curtain works as a player in this work in multiple ways: it is an intentional homage to COVID-19, it blurs views, it reveals, and it delineates space as very personal or very impersonal.

Location
The performance will take place in a large studio at Mutual Arts Center, the organization’s new home in Hartwell, quickly accessible from I-75 and other local routes by just a 15 minute drive from most parts of the city. Parking on-site is free and ADA-accessible. The organization is fundraising for renovations to fully complete the transformation of the space into a performance studio theater.

Performers
In this performance, Mutual Dance Theatre (formerly MamLuft&Co. Dance) introduces several new performers previously unseen by Cincinnati audiences: Hannah Neff, Rowan Salem, Jacob Shade, Jasmine Snellen, and Emma Raney (guest artist); in addition to Hannah Williamson and Claire Dieringer who return from previous seasons. Click here for photos.

Performances are Fridays at 8pm & Saturdays at 3pm & 8pm.

Tickets are $60-$125 depending on the size of your pod and are available online at https://www.mutualdance.org/archive/space/

COVID-19 Considerations
Seats will be sold in distanced “pods” wherein a household can share a cluster of 4-5 seats and will be spaced safely from other “pods.” Masks will be worn by all persons: performers, audience members, and front-of-house. COVID-19 screening will take place upon entry, with temperature checks, a masks-required-at-all-times explanation/reminder, and questions regarding symptoms and exposure. More information can be found at mutualdance.org/space#covid.

Access
Mutual Dance Theatre was founded to create more access to Modern Dance. We believe that all income levels should have the pleasure of attending live performances. Free admission will be provided to persons of low-income.  Patrons are encouraged to contact the organization at 513.494.6526 or hello@mutualarts.org for assistance.

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March 17, 2021 · 9:00 am

Last Weekend to See In-Person Performances of TCT’s Production of  RAPUNZEL’S HAIRY FAIRY TALE 

Online performances continue through May  

TCTC_Rapunzel 6

Brandi Langford-Sherrill as Rapunzel. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Cincinnati – In RAPUNZEL’S HAIRY FAIRY TALE, the classic story comes to life in an exciting world-premiere musical adaptation adventure featuring everyone’s favorite long-locked lady in a tower. The show is part of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s 101st season. 

RAPUNZEL’S HAIRY FAIRY TALE can be seen in-person, via socially distanced, LIVE performances on TCT’s Ralph and Patricia Corbett Showtime Stage on Red Bank Road through this weekend only, ending on Sunday, March 21. The show is also streaming to watch at home or at school through the online service, Broadway On Demand, through May 31. 

All the characters braided in this hairy fairy tale, are comically played by only two actors! Yes, your read that correctly. ONLY TWO ACTORS! This fresh new adaptation will make audiences throw their heads of hair back in laughter and delight as two incredibly talented and versatile actors (Jackson Hurt and Brandi Langford-Sherrill) untangle this hairy fairy tale like you’ve never seen it before! 

In-person seating is limited to 30% (or just 44 seats) per performance.  

The TCT Team has continued to work diligently creating safety protocols to protect the audience, staff, and the actors on stage. As with TCT’s live productions of, THE VELVETEEN RABBIT as well as GARFIELD, THE MUSICAL WITH CATTITUDE, special nose and mouth coverings are again integrated into the costumes by Resident Costume Designer, Jeff Shearer, and pre-recorded vocal amplification is used to reduce the amount of respiration created by actors in the theater during a performance. 

“The health and well-being of our audience, students, and staff have been and always will be our top priority, said Kim Kern, TCT’s Managing Director and CEO. “Last April, we assembled a committee of advisors, health professionals, and community leaders to guide our safety protocols. Through their constant guidance, we continue to receive the most up-to-date information, implement strategies early, and continue to go above and beyond CDC, state, and local guidelines to keep everyone safe, happy, healthy, and creative.” 

At all in-person shows, mandatory masks for the audience, as well as social distancing, are required. For complete health and safety protocols, visit https://thechildrenstheatre.com/2020/08/safety-protocols/. 

Live performances on TCT’s Ralph and Patricia Corbett’s Showtime Stage on Red Bank Road will take place this Thursday and Friday at 7pm, Saturday at 11am, 2pm, and 5pm, and ending on Sunday, March 21, at 2pm and 5pm. 

Tickets and digital passes are on sale now. For details visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com. Ticket prices for live performances are $25 per ticket. 

Digital performance passes on Broadway on Demand are $18.95. Digital passes provide unlimited viewing over three days, which begin after the first view. 

RAPUNZEL’S HAIRY FAIRY TALE can be enjoyed by all ages. The show was specially created for The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman. The show was directed by Eric Byrd.

TCT’s free podcast, Audio Footlights, features a behind the scenes look at RAPUNZEL’S HAIRY FAIRY TALE and is available on SoundCloud and iTunes. 

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RAPUNZEL’S HAIRY FAIRY TALE is made possible by the generosity of Production Sponsors Edyth B. Lindner, TriHealth, Johson Investment Counsel, and Time Timer, LLC, as well as Season Sponsors, ArtsWave, Ohio Arts Council, The Patricia A. Corbett Trust, The Charles H. Dater Foundation, and The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Foundation. The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is supported by ArtsWave and the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. 

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