Category Archives: Press Releases

October 6, 2025 · 5:48 pm

Walnut Hills Theatre Department Presents the 2025 ONE ACTS FESTIVAL

Walnut Hills High School welcomes you back to the stage with their annual Junior High One Acts Festival

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cincinnati, OH – The Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department is thrilled to be welcoming you to the opening of their 2025-2026 season with the Junior High One Acts Festival!  The show runs October 16-18th, 2025 at 7pm and October 18th at 2pm  in the Rick Steiner Black Box Theatre.

The festival features 3 One Act plays; Why We Like Love Stories by Stephen Gregg, Murder in Little Grimley by David Tristham, and an original piece titled Bebe Le Strange by Walnut students Ash Kertpet and Easton Taylor. 

Sasha Rucker-Chang as Crooper, Annajane Updegrove as Chloe & Silas Dronen as Bark. Costumes by Izzy Hayes, Hair and Makeup by Piper Hawkins.

Why We Like Love Stories
Directed by Mckenzie Bell

In the hills above Pin Cushion, California, students go to talk of the world, flirt and yearn. It’s a place where heartbreak awaits. In a La Ronde-style chain, Chloe breaks up with her boyfriend, Crooper, devastating him. Months later, Crooper ineptly attempts to use a mathematical equation to break up with Jessica—his girlfriend of seven months. She’s furious, since she’s in the middle of declaring her love for him. Months later, a calmer Jessica rebuffs Bark, who pines for her. But then things come full circle. Bark and Chloe—outsiders both—take an awkward, fumbling-for-words walk in the hills. Chloe has a secret, and Bark’s reaction to it gives them a surprising connection that, for the moment at least, promises a future. Why We Like Love Stories is a wistful comedy about the things we learn from the people we love, even once they’ve left us

Front row: Benno Gibson as Sam, Ellis Klump-Lawson as Gordon & Adina Morvay as Joyce
Back row: Madeline Benoit as Margaret and William Crone as Bernard. Costumes by Izzy Hayes, Hair and Makeup by Piper Hawkins. 

Murder in Little Grimley
Directed by Caroline Lovelace and Aubrey Lowe

Anxious to cash in on the public’s appetite for detective dramas, the Chairman Gordon writes a whodunnit. But in a bizarre twist he then finds himself embroiled in a real-life murder mystery that threatens to put him behind bars. The quarrelsome quartet have been in some sticky situations over the years. But can they possibly get away with murder?

 

 

Ive Syroney as Charlie and Leni Cable as Bebe Le Strange. Costumes by Izzy Hayes, Hair and Makeup by Piper Hawkins.

Bebe Le Strange
Written and Directed by Ash Kertpet and Easton Taylor

When a gullible teenager named Charlie visits the mysterious psychic Bebe Le Strange, he is given a tarot reading that he believes will change his life. Bebe Le Strange pulls “The Magician” card from the deck and tells Charlie that he is meant to be a magician. Little does Charlie know, the psychic is a fraud and misled Charlie with a fake reading and fake spellbook. Unfortunately, Charlie takes the card to heart and performs a magic act for his friends at his birthday party, but miraculously he makes his friend Jessie disappear and can’t bring him back. 

All photos by Mikki Schaffner.

Tickets are $15.50* for adults and $13.50 for students (prices include processing fees).Tickets can be purchased at: https://sites.google.com/view/whhstheatredepartment/tickets

This production and the entire WHHS Theatre Season is graciously sponsored by: 

  • The Walnut Hills High School Class of 1964 Performing Arts Fund
  • The Walnut Hills High School Alumni Foundation 
  • Wings Walnut Hills Theatre Boosters
  • WHHS Parent Association 
  • Solution Roofing
  • Riverview Heating and Cooling
  • Dr. Pepper and Family 

Why We Like Love Stories features Silas Dronen as Bark, Sasha Rucker-Chang as Crooper, Tahirih Fanananzapir as Jessica, and Annajane Updegrove as Chloe. Murder in Little Grimley features Ellis Klump-Lawson as Gordon, Madeline Benoit as Margaret, WIlliam Crone as Bernard, Adina Morvay as Joyce, and Benno Gibson as Sam. Bebe Le Strange features Leni Cable as Bebe Le Strange, Ivy Syroney as Charlie, Grayson Isenberg as Finley, Za’nayah Combs-Reed as Emerson, Tuula Hicks as Jessie/Police Officer, and Emeline Gallagher as Alex.

  • Student Directors- Caroline Lovelace, Aubrey Lowe, Mckenzie Bell, Ash Kertpet, and Easton Taylor
  • Technical Director-  Joe Mitchell
  • Festival Producer- Mike Sherman 
  • Festival Stage Manager/Student Technical Director- Abbie Kershner
  • Stage Managers-Violet Garitson, Adelaide Linser, Aidyn Montgomery, and C.C. Wise
  • Costume Designer- Izzy Hayes
  • Costume Manager- Al Carmicle
  • Hair and Makeup Designer- Piper Hawkins
  • Marketing and Publicity Manager- Adelaide Linser
  • House Manager- Ellie Cook
  • Lighting Designer- Dallon Hatton
  • Lighting Managers- Dallon Hatton and Eleanor Jackson
  • Props Designer- Sebastian Garitson
  • Props Manager- Asher Morin
  • Scenic Designer/Lead Scenic Artist- Polly Wilson
  • Assistant Scenic Designer- Riley Coleman
  • Scenic Manager- Lily Pavelka
  • Sound Designer- Molly Wermuth
  • Sound Manager- Violet Garitson

 

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October 3, 2025 · 10:15 am

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Presents the Hilarious DRACULA: A Comedy of Terrors

This Off-Broadway and West End hit comes to Cincinnati, just in time for spooky season! 

Cincinnati, October 2, 2025 – Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to present Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, playing September 5 – 20, 2025 and directed by Producing Artistic Director and CEO, Brian Isaac Phillips. This production is generously sponsored by Rance and Marilyn Duke.

About the show: Sink your teeth into a hilarious new take on the world’s most famous vampire! Filled with outrageous twists, playful innuendo, and more laughs than you can count, this delightful romp reimagines Bram Stoker’s gothic classic like you’ve never seen before. This dangerously debonair Dracula brings seductive chaos, proving that sometimes the Prince of Darkness can be as captivating as he is cunning. Join the hilarious hunt this Halloween season, where the only thing sharper than Dracula’s fangs are the gags that’ll leave you in stitches. Don’t miss the riotous ride that’s sure to leave you howling with laughter! 

Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors premiered Off-Broadway at New World Stages on September 4, 2023, where it quickly gained popularity with critics and audiences for its fast-paced farce and campy spin on Bram Stoker’s classic. The production became a viral sensation and went on to enjoy strong success in regional theatres across the U.S. Following its New York run, it made its UK premiere in March 2025 at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, marking a significant step in its international reach and continued popularity.

Bringing the outrageous world of Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors to life is a stellar cast of CSC favorites. Christopher Guthrie sinks his teeth into the title role of Count Dracula, while Kelly Mengelkoch showcases her versatility as both Mina Westfeldt and the fearless Dr. Van Helsing. Candice Handy takes on the role of Jonathan Harker, with Jasmine Bouldin as the spirited Lucy Westfeldt. Rounding out the ensemble, Billy Chace delivers double the laughs as both Dr. Westfeldt and the delightfully unhinged Renfield.

Directed by CSC Producing Artistic Director and CEO Brian Isaac Phillips, with Assistant Director Robert Carlton Stimmel, this creative team is bringing Halloween hilarity to life! Scenic Designer Chris Holloway sets the stage for comedic chaos, while Costume Designer Rainy Edwards—along with Kayla Cieslinski’s wig design—gives Dracula and the cast their iconic looks. Lighting Designer Aiden Bezark and Sound Designer Doug Borntrager add to the fun with a playful mix of gags and sound effects. Properties Designer Robert Carlton Stimmel provides the cast with an assortment of whimsical props, including puppets designed by Matthew Lewis Johnson. Gina Cerimele-Mechley serves as Fight and Intimacy Director, and Susan Jung brings movement to the stage as Dance Choreographer. The production is stage managed by Cole Sweasy, with Assistant Stage Management by Colton Wolf.

Content Advisory: Contains adult humor and situations, PG-13 recommended. Includes flashing lights and loud noises.

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Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors runs from October 3 – November 1, 2025. Performances of Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors are on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, with two Saturday Matinees on October 25 and November 1 and three Sunday matinee on October 12, 19, and 26 at 2:00 PM. CSC offers performances with accessibility resources. Live Audio Descriptions are available on October 3, and there is a Sign Language Interpreted performance on November 1.

Tickets are on sale now. Preview performances are on Wednesday, October 1, and Thursday, October 2, with half price tickets. Discounts are available for students, seniors, local residents, and community partners. Each performance night has a limited number of $14 “Access” tickets.  These can be purchased in advance by going online or calling the Box Office.  And starting 1 hour before each performance, any unreserved tickets may be available as a discounted Rush Ticket to anyone, not just students. These tickets are only $12 and could be located anywhere in the house, depending on that evening’s availability. These cannot be reserved more than 1 hour before a show and must be purchased in person in the Box Office. Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. Ticketing fees apply. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the CSC Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273) ext. 1, or go online at www.cincyshakes.com.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is located at The Otto M. Budig Theater at 1195 Elm Street in OTR, adjacent to Washington Park.  Many parking spaces are available on the street and in nearby lots and garages- for more information, visit http://www.otrchamber.com/pages/WheretoPark.

CSC has coordinated a prepaid self-parking option right next door to the theater for a hassle‐free, guaranteed spot. A limited number of reserved spaces are available starting 1.5 hours before performances and lasting through the end of the show. The parking attendant will have your name on the list with advance purchase, guaranteeing your spot and price. Visit www.cincyshakes.com/parking to reserve self-parking.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s 2025-2026 Season is generously presented by our Operating Support Partners: The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation; The Linnemann Family Foundation; The Ohio Arts Council; The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation; The National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest; The Shubert Foundation; Maureen and John Bridgeland, Cindy Bridgeland Crilley, and Debby and Jim Mason in honor of Jim Bridgeland; Lightborne, and the tens of thousands of people who give generously to the ArtsWave Community Campaign.

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About Cincinnati Shakespeare Company:
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is a professional theatre company dedicated to bringing Shakespeare and the classics to life for all.  In the summer of 2017, the theater relocated to the Otto M. Budig Theater, a brand new facility in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati. CSC’s repertoire is composed of the works of William Shakespeare, literary adaptations, world premieres, and contemporary classics. CSC performs on a Small Professional Theatre contract with the Actors’ Equity Association. Cincinnati Shakespeare is a member of Theater Communications Group and Shakespeare Theatre Association. Each year, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Education and Outreach Programs reach more than 50,000 young people and community members by meeting audiences where they are. This includes sharing programming in schools, parks, community centers and hosting educational matinees of mainstage productions. In 2015, CSC was proud to become one of the first five theaters in the United States to “Complete the Canon” by producing all 38 plays by William Shakespeare. CSC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible.  Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to be Cincinnati’s stage for the Classics!

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October 1, 2025 · 4:28 pm

Aronoff Center Celebrates 30th Anniversary


Aronoff Center for the Arts
Celebrates 30th Anniversary

More Than 17,500 Events – Nearly 12.5 Million Guests

[Cincinnati, OH] – Thirty years ago, the Aronoff Center for the Arts opened its doors in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, ushering in a new era for the city’s cultural and civic life. Since late October 1995, the Aronoff Center has welcomed nearly 12.5 million people to more than 17,500 performances and events, becoming one of the region’s most visited and beloved destinations for the arts. The Aronoff Center is managed and operated by the not-for-profit Cincinnati Arts Association, which also manages Music Hall.

The Aronoff Center’s impact has extended far beyond its stages and galleries. As a cornerstone of Cincinnati’s downtown revitalization, the Center has fueled the local economy by drawing millions of visitors into the city core. Guests dining in restaurants, staying in hotels, and shopping nearby have helped generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity, making the Aronoff both a cultural beacon and an economic engine for the region.

This season, the Aronoff Center celebrates its 30th Anniversary with the theme EXPLORE – CONNECT – BELONG: a reflection of its mission to inspire curiosity and creativity, bring people together, and make the arts accessible to all.

The Center’s success is anchored in its three performance spaces—Procter & Gamble Hall, Jarson-Kaplan Theater, and Fifth Third Bank Theater—alongside the acclaimed Weston Art Gallery, which has introduced thousands of visitors to cutting-edge contemporary art by local, national, and international artists. Together, these venues form a dynamic cultural hub that blends Broadway blockbusters and world-class dance with theater, concerts, comedy, community events, arts education programs, and visual art exhibitions that capture the human spirit and spark conversation.

The Aronoff Center is home to some of the region’s most acclaimed resident companies, including Cincinnati Ballet; Cincinnati Music Theatre; Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative; Exhale Dance Tribe; First Financial Bank Broadway in Cincinnati, presented by TriHealth; Mutual Dance Theatre; and Revolution Dance Theatre. Together, these companies bring a wide spectrum of artistry to the Aronoff’s stages.

As part of the 30th Anniversary celebration, the Aronoff Center has teamed with local distiller Willow Run Custom Bourbons to create an exclusive Aronoff anniversary bourbon available to purchase at Willow Run Custom Bourbons, located at 645 Walnut Street.  A portion of the proceeds from every bottle will support the mission of the Cincinnati Arts Association through its “Bottle for a Cause” program. Guests are invited to raise a glass to three decades of unforgettable performances, thought-provoking visual art, and transformative community impact.

“Over the last three decades, the Aronoff Center has not only shaped Cincinnati’s cultural identity, but also contributed powerfully to the renaissance and continuing vitality of downtown,” said Steve Loftin, President & CEO, Cincinnati Arts Association. “The Aronoff is more than a venue – it’s a gathering place where people can explore their passions, connect with others, and truly feel a sense of belonging. We invite audiences to join us for extraordinary experiences this season as we celebrate the Aronoff’s 30th Anniversary!”

Looking ahead, the Aronoff Center remains committed to nurturing artists, engaging our community, and fueling both the creative and economic energy of Cincinnati for decades to come.

For more information, visit CincinnatiArts.org. 

CINCINNATI ARTS ASSOCIATION
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 more than 600,000 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, including Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Symphony/Pops Orchestras, May Festival, and First Financial Bank Broadway in Cincinnati, presented by TriHealth. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached more 2.1 million youth and adults. 

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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September 30, 2025 · 4:48 pm

Human Race Theatre’s DRACULA Opens Oct. 29

A FRESH BITE OF A CLASSIC TALE

The Human Race Theatre Company throws back to their very first production with a fresh bite of a classic horror tale: Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really by Kate Hamill.

When your survival is at stake…will you be able to distinguish the monster from the man? Bouncing between horror and humor, Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic novel is a thrilling play that questions who the true monsters are. Kate Hamill’s imaginative, gender-bending Dracula is unlike any adaptation you’ve ever seen – exploring the nature of predators and reinventing the story as a smart, disquieting, darkly comic drama. No damsels in distress, no romanticized villains – just a gleeful stake through the heart.

 “We themed our 40th Season around family and knew that we wanted to nod back to the Dracula we produced in 1986. Kate Hamill’s retelling of the classic story through a woman’s lens felt like the right choice,” writes Emily Wells, Artistic Director of The Human Race. “A pregnant Mina Harker attempts to save her dear friend from the throes of the vampire and his wives, and in doing so, puts her family unit at risk.”

Wells directs, with a stellar Miami Valley area cast: Caitlin Larsen as Renfield, Andrew Ian Adams as Jonathan Harker, Angelique Archer as Mina Harker, Greg Mallios as Dracula, Jordan Trovillion as Lucy Westerna, Rico Romalus Parker as Dr. George Seward, and Darlene Spencer as Van Helsing. Two Wright State University students round out the cast as part of the Human Race – WSU Performing Arts Collaboration – Skye Hodgkin and Evelyn Vordtriede.

Providing the spooky atmosphere and designs are Charlie Calvert, Scenic Design; Jessica Drayton, Lighting Design; Ayn Swann, Costume Design; Jay Brunner, Composer & Sound Design; Sarah Gomes, Props Design; Carolyn Fast, Production Stage Manager; Isabella Myers, Assistant Stage Manager

DRACULA will play in the Loft Theatre in downtown Dayton, October 29 – November 9, 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, October 28, 2025 7:30 pm to benefit the Dayton Food Bank & Artemis Center
  • Inside Track – Thursday, October 30, 2025 6:45 pm – Pre-show Discussion
  • While We’re On The Subject – Sunday, November 2, 2025 2 pm – Post Show Discussion
  • $10/Sawbuck Sunday – Sunday, November 2, 2025 7:30 pm – $10 tix starting at 6:00 pm
  • Parent’s Day Out – Sunday, November 9, 2025 2 pm – Kids Activities (5-12yo)

The Human Race Theatre Company expresses gratitude for the public and private support which makes these productions possible:  Loft Season Sponsor: Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation. Production Sponsor: Charley and Judy Schuerholz.  Special thanks to: Versiti Blood Center of Ohio. 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, and Pizza Factory.  Organizational support:  Culture Works, Montgomery County, Ohio Arts Council. Media Sponsor: WDPR Discover Classical. Pay What You Can Sponsor: Enterprise Holdings Foundation.  Capital Support: The Schiewetz Foundation, The Dayton Foundation, The Toulmin Fund at the The Dayton Foundation, Oakwood Rotary.

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September 22, 2025 · 6:05 pm

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Celebrates $1 Million Bequest from Beloved Patron Virginia “Jinny” Browning

This extraordinary gift is the largest bequest ever made to Cincinnati Shakespeare Company 

CINCINNATI, OH (September 18, 2025) — Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (CSC) is humbled to announce a $1,000,000 bequest from longtime friend, patron, and supporter Virginia “Jinny” Browning. This extraordinary gift – the largest bequest ever made to CSC – will strengthen CSC’s programming, operations, and endowment, helping ensure that the power of live classical theatre will inspire and connect generations to come.

Jinny’s relationship with CSC began in 2012, when she saw Producing Artistic Director and CEO Brian Isaac Phillips perform in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. From that night on, she became not only a faithful audience member but also a dedicated donor. Her generosity touched nearly every part of CSC: she provided annual support for operations, invested in the campaign to build the Otto M. Budig Theater, and, most importantly, offered friendship, encouragement, and belief in the Company’s mission.

“Our dear friend Jinny was incredibly generous to CSC in so many ways,” said Brian Isaac Phillips. “Her time, her expertise, and her passion helped make CSC a better place. I am humbled that she chose to remember CSC in this meaningful way. She will always be a part of who we are and what we do.”

For many at CSC, Jinny was more than a patron—she was family. In one memory, Sara Clark, CSC’s Director of Development, visited Jinny at her home in Maysville, Kentucky. Together with a colleague, she performed the famous Romeo and Juliet balcony scene right in Jinny’s living room. “That’s the kind of supporter Jinny was,” Clark recalled. “She welcomed us into her home, celebrated the art we created, and made sure it would thrive long into the future. Her bequest is an act of love as much as generosity.”

Jinny’s gift also shines a light on CSC’s growing Planned Giving program, which invites supporters to make a lasting difference by including CSC in their estate plans. Donors inspired by Jinny’s example can learn more at cincyshakes.com/Legacy or reach out directly to Sara Clark at sara.clark@cincyshakes.com for a confidential conversation.

“We hope Jinny’s generosity encourages others to imagine the legacy they can leave,” Clark added. “Her gift ensures that CSC will continue bringing people together for Shakespeare and the classics for years to come.”

Virginia Browning’s full obituary is available here.

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About Cincinnati Shakespeare Company:

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is a professional theatre company dedicated to bringing Shakespeare and the classics to life for all.  In the summer of 2017, the theater relocated to the Otto M. Budig Theater, a brand new facility in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati. CSC’s repertoire is composed of the works of William Shakespeare, literary adaptations, world premieres, and contemporary classics. CSC performs on a Small Professional Theatre contract with the Actors’ Equity Association. Cincinnati Shakespeare is a member of Theater Communications Group and Shakespeare Theatre Association. Each year, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Education and Outreach Programs reach more than 50,000 young people and community members by meeting audiences where they are. This includes sharing programming in schools, parks, community centers and hosting educational matinees of mainstage productions. In 2015, CSC was proud to become one of the first five theaters in the United States to “Complete the Canon” by producing all 38 plays by William Shakespeare. CSC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible.  Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to be Cincinnati’s stage for the Classics!

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