Category Archives: Press Releases

The Human Race Theatre Company’s THE COMEUPPANCE

What do you remember most from your high school days?
Is it the cliques, the drama, the good times?

Relive the mysteries of the past in The Comeuppance by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.

As the sun sets before their twentieth high school reunion, a close-knit group of former classmates—once known as the “Multi-Ethnic Reject Group”—reunites to pre-game the monumental night. Bonded in their youth as outsiders, they now navigate the complexities of adulthood with humor, heart, and a hint of nostalgia.

Brilliantly witty, theatrical, and moving, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ The Comeuppance focuses on millennials reckoning with the world they will soon inherit. This play is a toast to the ties that bind us, the past that shapes us, and the future we step into together.

“Branden’s writing takes a look at relationships – family, friends and chosen families – and plays on the strengths and weaknesses of those dynamics,” notes Emily N. Wells, Artistic Director of The Human Race Theatre Company. “You’ll see yourself or your friends in The Comeuppance as the characters tease, shame, and pressure one another to accept and move beyond the past.”

Latrelle Bright directs the five-person cast: Darnell Pierre Benjamin as Emilio, Erin Eva Butcher as Caitlin, Rico Romalus Parker as Francisco, Annie Pesch as Ursula, and Lipica Shah as Kristina.

The full production team: Tamara L. Honesty, Scenic Design; Kelsey Gallagher, Lighting Design; Kristie C. Osi, Costume Design; Daniella Brown, Sound Design; Sarah Gomes, Props; TBD Production Stage Manager; Isabella Myers, Assistant Stage Manager.

The Comeuppance will play in the Loft Theatre in downtown Dayton, June 4 – June 15, 2025.  Tickets are on sale through the Dayton Live box office, 937-228-3630, or online at www.humanracetheatre.org

For press ticket requests, please contact Tiffany Countryman, Engagement and Learning Coordinator, at tiffany@humanracetheatre.org

The Human Race Theatre Company continues its commitment to high quality theatre with access points for all with two special ticket initiatives: two sections of $20 seats available at any time through the box office, and ten $10 rush seats available 60 minutes before any performance.

Special Nights at The Loft:  

Pay What You CAN      Tuesday, June 3, 2025 7:30 pm to benefit the Dayton Food Bank and Leadership Dayton’s Class of 2025 Classroom Book project

Inside Track Thursday, June 5, 2025 6:45 pm – Pre-show Discussion

While We’re On The Subject    Sunday, June 8, 2025 2 pm – Post Show Discussion

$10/Sawbuck Sunday Sunday, June 8, 2025 7:30 pm – $10 tickets at 6:00 pm

While We’re On The Subject   Sunday, June 15, 2025 2 pm – Post Show Discussion

Parent’s Day Out Sunday, June 15, 2025 2 pm – Kids Separate Activities (5-12yo)

The Human Race expresses gratitude for the public and private support which makes these productions possible:  Loft Season Sponsor: Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation. Sustainability Sponsors:  Steve and Lou Mason, The Toulmin Fund at The Dayton Foundation.  Additional Season support:  Erma R. Catterton Trust, Funds at The Dayton Foundation, Virginia F. Kettering Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Sam Levin Foundation.  Organizational support:  Culture Works, Montgomery County, Ohio Arts Council. Media Sponsor: WDPR Discover Classical. Pay What You Can Sponsor: Enterprise Holdings Foundation. Parent’s Day Out: Rabbit Hole Books/Dayton Book Fair.  Capital Support: The Schiewetz Foundation, The Dayton Foundation, The Toulmin Fund at the The Dayton Foundation.

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2025-2026 Season Announced by Fairfield Footlighters

Magic is in the air for Fairfield Footlighters 2025-2026 Season! All performances will be held at the Fairfield Community Arts Center. Stay tuned to fairfieldfootlighters.org for audition information and ticket sales.

Broadway Nights: A Musical Revue
book by Kate Brauer-Bell & Elizabeth Hickerson
September 26-28, 2025

Directed by Kate Brauer-Bell
Music Directed by Elizabeth Hickerson
Produced by Dan Schindler

Shakespeare in Love
by Lee Hall
November 14-16, 2025

Directed by Shelby Carter-Collins
Produced by Kate Brauer-Bell

The Nerd
by Larry Shue
February 13-15, 2026

Directed by Mark Lunsford
Produced by Anna Brown and Nicholas Brown

Harvey
by Mary Chase
May 15-17, 2026

Directed by Nicholas Brown
Produced by Kathy Brown and Abby Engel

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Tea TIME: One Woman Performance Artist Boils Over on Stage at Cincy Fringe

Tea TIME:
Erika MacDonald
A NEW EXPERIMENTAL STORYTELLING SOLO SHOW

“MacDonald embodies the “fearless intimacy” that is the essence of Fringe.”
– Orlando Weekly 

(Covington, KY) Fringe favorite and Covington resident Erika MacDonald returns to the Cincinnati Fringe Festival with an all-new performance monologue to entertain and delight. Tea TIME will have its world premiere at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival as part of the Primary Lineup with just five performances on the big stage at Gabriel’s Corner.

ABOUT THE PERFORMER
Erika has participated in the Cincinnati Fringe every year since 2014. Her many Fringe awards include BEST SHOW (The Barn Identity, Tampa Fringe), BEST FEMALE PERFORMER (Tap Me on the Shoulder, Orlando Fringe) and CRITICS’ PICK-OF-THE-FRINGE (Ice Candle, Cincy Fringe). Erika is one of the founders of the Cincinnati Storytelling Festival which will be returning for a fifth year this November. For bio/photos please visit https://www.othererika.com/.

“Delightfully energetic and entertaining” – Watermark 

THIS YEAR:
This has been a big year for Erika in experimental performance:

  • This winter she was honored to be invited to be a Featured Teller at the inaugural Fort Myers Storytelling Festival, as part of an eclectic collection of interdisciplinary storytellers
  • Erika has been brought on as a consultant for a National Science Foundation-funded research project entitled “our biologies” for her expertise in the field of experimental performance
  • This past March, right here on Cincinnati’s Know Theater Underground stage, Erika completed a five-camera shoot of her one-woman show, The Barn Identity, complete with a live studio audience. The video will be released this summer. 

“Smart and comic” – Curve Magazine

THE CREATIVE TEAM:

  • Writer / Performer: Erika MacDonald
  • Choreographer: Genevieve Bernard
  • Director / Sound Designer: Paul Strickland

TICKETS AND INFORMATION
Advance tickets are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online at cincyfringe.com or during the festival at Festival Box Offices. Please note: No Late Seating to any Fringe Festival Event. Arrive early to avoid disappointment.

TICKET LINK: https://cincyfringe.com/tea-time/

VENUE: Gabriel’s Corner, located in OTR – 1425 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati OH 45202

SHOW DATES AND TIMES (60 minutes):
Friday, May 30th at 8:45pm; Sunday, June 1st at 7pm; Thursday, June 5th at 7pm; Friday, June 6th at 8:45pm; Wednesday, June 11th at 7pm.

PRICING: $20 General Admission | Multi-show passes available.

RATING: 13 & Up

WARNINGS: Adult Language, Hot Beverages

Festival dates: May 30 – June 14, 2025. For more info about Cincy Fringe visit cincyfringe.com.

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DARE TO DREAM MUSICAL SPECTACULAR to Benefit ROYAL Theatre Company on May 30

ROYAL Theatre Company to Present
DARE TO DREAM MUSICAL SPECTACULAR
An Original Musical Review
May 30, 2025

ROYAL Theatre Company, Home of the Children’s Theatre of Mason, is proud to present Dare to Dream Musical Spectacular, an original musical review, on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. We invite you to be part of an extraordinary evening that promises to inspire, entertain, and celebrate the amazing impact our life’s dreams can have.

This show is one night only! Tickets are $100 per person for the Gala and show or $50 per person for the show and dessert only. Tickets for the Gala include a reception, two drink tickets, hors d’oeuvres, dessert and the show. To purchase tickets to the event and preview silent and live auction items please visit our website ROYALTheatreCompany.com. If you are interested in being a Dare to Dream sponsor, please contact Nicole@ROYALTheatreCompany.com

Dare to Dream Musical Spectacular is an innovative performance that highlights the dreams, hopes, and aspirations that drive us all. Featuring mesmerizing music, heartfelt performances, and choreography, it is a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the courage to pursue what seems impossible. The Gala will set the stage for an amazing night! The money we raise through this event will allow ROYAL Theatre Company to provide its ongoing initiatives to nurture creativity, education, and positive change through the arts. “Audience members will not only be wowed and entertained, they will also be personally moved in a way that impacts how they pursue their lives and dreams,” says Karen Kilgore, President of
ROYAL Theatre Company.

Fans can follow ROYAL Theatre Company on Meta: Facebook (ROYAL Theatre Company, Home of Children’s Theatre of Mason) and Instagram (royal_theatre_company).

About ROYAL Theatre Company, Home of The Children’s Theatre of Mason ROYAL Theatre Company produces two large-scale productions each season, from The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Oliver to Beauty and the Beast and Lion King Jr. as well as many other popular favorites. ROYAL Theatre Company offers children from ages 6-18 and other talented actors from all over the Cincinnati area the opportunity to take part onstage as performers as well as off stage as crew members, make-up assistants and many other behind-the-scenes roles. To volunteer, donate or learn more, visit ROYALTheatreCompany.com or call 513.398.0116.

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Claudia Pompeya Brings THE MOTHER to Cincy Fringe

I’m Claudia Pompeya, a Cincinnati-based graphic designer and performer. I wanted to share that I’m debuting my first solo clown show, THE MOTHER, at this year’s Cincy Fringe—a one-night, work-in-progress performance on June 12 at 8:45 PM. Doors open 8:15pm.

It’s a poetic and offbeat exploration of the mother wound, told through physical storytelling, character, props, and absurdity. The piece is deeply shaped by my healing journey through clown.

Claudia Pompeya is a performer and visual artist who accidentally became a clown. She’s trained with Dell’Arte, renowned British comedy troupe Spymonkey, and more. Her first clown work, In My Room, was featured in Wave Pool Art Gallery’s Faux Real exhibition. Former corporate graphic designer. Current vessel of poetic nonsense. She blends visual storytelling with physical performance and soft chaos.

🎟️ Tickets: https://cincyfringe.com/the-mother/
📍 Miami Venue, on the corner of Vine & 13th Streets – Cincy Fringe Festival

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