Category Archives: Press Releases

December 23, 2020 · 10:02 am

Know Shines a Light into the World in THE LIGHT AT THE END OF A WORLD

Know Theatre of Cincinnati shines a light into the world inKTC_The Light at the End logoDevised by Know Theatre
January 21-24, 2021

Feb. 1 – We had planned for The Light at the End of a World, our choose-your-own-adventure production about lighthouses, the perils of the coast, and what to look for when you’re lost in the dark, to run for one weekend only.

But our little streaming experiment was such a hit with audiences, and we received so many requests for an extension, that we’ve made it a video-on-demand experience through February 21.

After you purchase your pay-what-you-can ticket, you’ll have 48 hours to access the show and explore your way through the paths.

On what to look for when you’re lost in the dark.

Choose Your Story

Is it just us, or has this winter seemed darker than usual? A lot of this past year has been pretty dark, to be honest. Given the state of the world, Know Theatre found ourselves yearning for a light in the darkness. Kindling that light gave us our newest digital MainStage event: The Light at the End of a World, which offers a little guidance about what to look for when you’re lost in the dark.

In this all-online, interactive, choose-your-own-path performance, audiences find themselves welcomed into the private thoughts of a passionate amateur historian of lighthouses and other historical wayfinding. As his story unfolds, viewers can choose “doors” in the performance that drop them into other worlds: a cabaret featuring the best in nautical stand-up comedy, a grippingly suspenseful tale about travelers marooned in a lighthouse, and the workshop of a beleaguered young artist struggling to find her light.

The Light at the End of a World has been devised by the artists on staff at the Know Theatre. We have always known that art can be a healing balm to the spirits of artist and audience alike, and as we wrestled with this question over the past several months – what do we do when we are lost in the dark? – the different limbs of this play began to emerge.

Inspired by branching, site-specific works of theatre, like Sleep No More from Punchdrunk and The Other Rhine, our own co-produced work with Hit The Lights! Theatre Co. in 2016, this show is a fully-staged piece of digital entertainment that viewers can stream in the safety and comfort of their own homes. It’s a warm and dry haven for all who feel battered on the rocks of the past year, for everyone who’s looking for a little light or a little sweetness in the January dark, or for anyone who’s longing to be a light for others.

The Light at the End of a World will be performed for just one weekend, January 21 through 24. Helmed by the Know’s artistic leadership team, Andrew J. Hungerford and Tamara Winters, the show is co-created by Zach Robinson, Liz Carman, Kayla Williams, and Alexx Rouse.

Know Theatre takes the potential risks of making theatre in a pandemic very seriously, and we are taking all possible steps to ensure the safety of our cast and crew. Precautions include grouping working teams together inside pre-existing social “bubbles,” regular COVID testing for all members of the production team, clearly delineated working spaces to ensure safe distancing, mask-wearing at all times except during performance, and regular disinfecting of the theatre.

Tickets for The Light at the End of a World will be available in early January. We can’t wait to take you on this wayfinding journey with us. The seas may get bumpy, but we’ll guide you safely by these rocky shores.

PRODUCTION TEAM

  • Devising Team: Andrew J. Hungerford, Tamara Winters, Zach Robinson, Kayla Williams, Liz Carman, Alexx Rouse
  • Sound Designer: Douglas J. Borntrager
  • Resident Stage Manager: Meghan Winter
  • Technical Director: Henry Bateman 

AT A GLANCE

  • Production: The Light at the End of a World, by Know Theatre of Cincinnati
  • Dates: January 21-24, 2021
  • Where: Online, streamed from the Know Theatre of Cincinnati
  • Tickets: The standard ticket price is $20. Audiences may opt to support the Know’s initiative to pay all artists and employees a living wage by selecting the $30 Living Wage Ticket. Rush tickets, when available, may be purchased for $10 an hour before performance. 

Know Theatre is Cincinnati’s Theatrical Playground. The Know showcases unexpected voices, new works, and plays that embrace the inherent theatricality of the live experience. Know Theatre seeks to be a place where artists and audiences feel welcome to take artistic risks, creating work that is cutting edge and accessible.

 Know Theatre’s work is made possible, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign. 

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Know Theatre with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. 

Know Theatre is also supported by The Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation, helping to change our communities for the better through collaboration and innovation, and the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, which provides a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to giving. 

 Know Theatre is a member of Theatre Communications Group and an Associate Member of the National New Play Network. 

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December 23, 2020 · 9:34 am

Mason City Council Passes Unanimous Resolution to Support MAC Efforts

MAC_City CouncilAt the city council meeting on December 14th, 2020, the Mason City Council passed a unanimous resolution in support of the efforts and vision of the Mason Arts Council, forging the path for future cooperation and partnership to bring the Mason Regional Arts Facility to Mason, Ohio.

The Mason Arts Council, a non-profit organization founded in 2019 with the focus of bringing the arts community together and enhancing opportunities for all citizens to experience the arts, would raise private capital to pay for the building of the facility (no use of local taxes), and hopes to partner with the City of Mason on resources and additional opportunities for art-related events.

A collaboration between the City of Mason and MAC would bring the most comprehensive, world-class arts facility to the region, making Mason an arts and cultural destination, attracting regional and national talent.  Mason tourism would increase, stimulating the growth of downtown businesses, and leading to more urban living development.

Wonderful arts opportunities would be available for all, no matter the skill level, and a heavy emphasis would be placed on those with special needs. Additionally, the Mason Arts Council is committed to partnering with Mason City Schools and other area schools to enhance their arts education programs. Not only would the arts curriculum be extensive, but this new facility would offer the latest in technological advancements.

“We are so excited our resolution was accepted by the City of Mason and we look forward to calling Mason the home for the Regional Center for the Arts,” stated Thomas Huff, the President of the Mason Arts Council. “This facility would be a focal point of the city – a destination to bring more business to local restaurants and shops and stimulate additional downtown development. A place to showcase the many cultures within our community. A place for children to learn, masters to shine, and audiences to be wowed!”

The Mason Regional Center for the Arts would be built in two phases, beginning with the Center for the Performing Arts. Welcoming patrons with an entry canopy and a large lobby, the facility would consist of a 1,000-seat theatre, ticket offices, a scene shop and workroom, a green room, a large rehearsal room, performers dressing rooms, restrooms, a beverage bar and concessions, a kitchen, and a smaller 400-seat theatre with a separate entrance. The main theatre would accommodate large-scale productions and acts, while the smaller theatre could be utilized for corporate events and entertainment. Receiving and security offices, prop storage, board rooms, administrative offices, a music library, instrument storage, and a large community event room would also be part of phase one.

Phase two of the build would be the Center for the Visual Arts adjacent to the Center for the Performing Arts. A beautiful recreation area with outdoor sculptures would welcome visitors as they approach the building. The main, skylit hallway would feature member paintings and photography. Other features in the Visual Arts Center would be: art and photo galleries, a large art gallery for traveling exhibitions, a dance and ballet studio, sculpture, painting and ceramics studios, a state-or-the-art production studio, a TV control room, a radio studio and control room, an actor’s instruction studio, computer labs, drawing and print making studios, and general classrooms for instruction.

“We truly appreciate the dedication of the Mason City Council to our city and their support of the arts. We hope to continue to work together to make the Mason Regional Arts Center a reality,” Thomas Huff added.

Mason Arts Council
Founded in 2019, the Mason Arts Council is an independent, non-profit organization with the goal of bringing the arts to people of all ages, ability levels and backgrounds. MAC works with local, regional and state arts organizations to enhance arts opportunities for the community and supports arts events throughout the year. MAC plans to design and build a state-of-the-art community arts facility funded by private donations (no local tax dollars). To learn more, visit masonartscouncil.org.

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December 21, 2020 · 11:17 am

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s Production of GARFIELD, THE MUSICAL WITH CATTITUDE Featuring IN-PERSON and Online Performances This January

TCTC_Garfield costume rendering

Costume rendering by TCT’s Resident Costume Designer, Jeff Shearer.

Cincinnati – Mondays aren’t everyone’s favorite, but at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT), there’s one cool cat that dislikes Mondays the most – Garfield. He’ll be center stage, featured in his own show, GARFIELD, THE MUSICAL WITH CATTITUDE as part of the company’s 101st season. The show can be seen in-person, via socially distanced, LIVE performances on TCT’s Ralph and Patricia Corbett Showtime Stage on Red Bank Road starting on January 21, 2021. The show will also be streaming to watch at home or at school through the online service, Broadway On Demand, beginning January 28.

In this musical adaptation of everyone’s favorite sarcastic tubby tabby, Garfield awakens to find his birthday – the most important day of the year – has fallen on a Monday. The horror! To make matters worse, all his friends – Jon, Odie, Arlene, and even his nemesis, Nermal – have completely forgotten it’s his big day. Only his beloved teddy bear, Pookie, understands his disappointment. Feeling rejected, Garfield leaves the comforts of home but soon realizes in the outside there’s no T.V., the food is garbage (literally), and animal control is always just around the corner. In the end, Garfield learns little things like, you know, the value of friendship and that “home is where the heart – and the food – is.”

TCTC_Odie Rendering

Costume rendering by TCT’s Resident Costume Designer, Jeff Shearer.

The show’s director, Eric Byrd, who also serves as TCT’s Associate Artistic Director and Company Manager said, “My guess is Garfield would’ve thrived in quarantine. He’d be able to sleep through Mondays, gorge on lasagna, and watch TV morning, noon, and night. But in this story, our unlikely hero embarks on an epic journey outside the comfort of his own home and to a world unknown and unexplored and discovers that ‘perspective is everything.’ The year 2020 challenged all of us and put many things into perspective.”

Mr. Byrd adds, “Sometimes the little things in life, the things we aren’t always able to make time for, like the friends and family we celebrate with, mean the most to us. Garfield’s dream of the perfect birthday celebration surrounded by the people in his life, is a dream we all share right about now.”

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

The TCT Team has continued to work diligently to create and debut new safety protocols to protect the audience, staff, and the actors on stage.

As with TCT’s most recent production, THE VELVETEEN RABBIT, special nose and mouth coverings will again be integrated into the costumes by Resident Costume Designer, Jeff Shearer, and pre-recorded vocal amplification will be 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. “In 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, will be required. For complete health and safely 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 Thursdays and Fridays at 7pm, Saturdays at 11am, 2pm, and 5pm, and Sundays at 2pm and 5pm, January 21 through February 14, 2021.

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

Digital performances begin January 28 on Broadway on Demand. The presale price for a digital pass is $15.95. This presale price is only available until the production debuts online. After that time, digital passes are $18.95. Digital passes provide unlimited viewing over three days, which begin after the first view.

GARFIELD, A MUSICAL WITH CATTITUDE is based on the Comic Strip GARFIELD by Jim Davis. Book by Michael J. Bobbitt and Jim Davis. Music and Lyrics by John L. Cornelius II ©Paws, Jim Davis Michael J. Bobbitt, and John L. Cornelius II. Originally produced by Adventure Theatre MTC, Glen Echo MD, Michael J. Bobbitt, Producing Artistic Director. Directed by Nick Olcott.

TCT’s production is being directed by Eric Byrd and can be enjoyed by all ages.

An upcoming episode of TCT’s free podcast, Audio Footlights, will feature a behind the scenes look at GARFIELD, THE MUSICAL WITH CATTITUDE and will be available on SoundCloud and iTunes.

TCT strives to eliminate barriers to attendance for all audiences, including people who are hard of hearing or deaf. For theatregoers who are deaf and use American Sign Language as their primary means of communication, we provide an experienced theatre interpreter who stands to the audience left side of the stage and translates what the actors are saying or singing into American Sign Language (ASL).

The show’s ASL performance will be Saturday, January 23 at 11 AM.

The Cast includes:

  • Odie…………………………….EVAN BLUST†
  • Jon / Animal Control ……..A. JAMES JONES
  • Nermal ………………………..MADDIE BURGOON JONES
  • Arlene …………………………BRANDI LANGFORD-SHERRILL
  • Garfield………………………..DEONDRA KAMAU MEANS

UNDERSTUDIES

  • For Odie & Jon — ETHAN KUCHTA†
  • For Nermal & Arlene — KAYLA VOGEL
  • For Garfield  — CJ ZIMMER†

† Denotes TCT’s Young Artists Company

GARFIELD, THE MUSICAL WITH CATTITUDE is made possible by the generosity of Production Sponsors Edyth B. Lindner and TriHealth, 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.

Set renderings by TCT’s Resident Scenic Designer, Jennifer Rhodus.
Costume renderings by TCT’s Resident Costume Designer, Jeff Shearer.

** Live productions are subject to capacity restrictions and safety protocol through the CDC and the State of Ohio and may be converted to a digital ticket if the performance must be canceled for any reason due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

-END-

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December 17, 2020 · 11:22 am

Ohio Valley Voices’ Got Talent – The UnGala

OVV_The UnGalaOhio Valley Voices is looking for talented children in the Greater Cincinnati/Tri-State Area to compete in a virtual talent competition this spring. The competition will consist of four rounds of eliminations judged by premiere talent of the region including Roderick Justice of Cincinnati Children’s Theatre and D. Lynn Meyers of Ensemble Theater of Cincinnati. The final four and biggest fundraiser will return for a live broadcast on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 7:00 PM where the winner will be awarded $2,500!

WHAT IS OHIO VALLEY VOICES?

Ohio Valley Voices (OVV) was formed in 1999 when three families wanted their young children, who were deaf and recently fitted with cochlear implants, to have the opportunity to learn to listen and talk. The families were discouraged when they found no such local programs and felt their only option was to start their own program. In 2000, OVV opened its doors, initially serving 16 children who were deaf or hard of hearing from the Greater Cincinnati area.

Today, Ohio Valley Voices serves over 50 children at a time from across the tri-state area and even the world. The kids attend five days a week for intensive and highly individualized listening and spoken language therapy mixed with regular preschool or early elementary schooling. When children graduate from our program, they are “mainstreamed” to their local public or private school by the first or second grade. These children continue on their educational journey alongside their hearing peers without the need for additional services.

By giving these kids access to this speaking world, OVV opens them up to a world of possibilities and allows them to reach their fullest potential.

WHO CAN AUDITION:

This competition is for singers, dancers, comedians, musicians, magicians, jugglers, gymnasts, and other talented kids. It is open to children and young adults aged 17 years and younger but must be a solo act (groups and bands will not be considered). Any lyrics or material in the initial audition and any subsequent performances must be family-friendly.

HOW WILL YOU BE JUDGED:

Videos will be reviewed by our panel of judges at each round of submissions. The panel of judges will score each act on a scale of 1-10 based on the following criteria: showmanship, confidence, and creativity.

At the live event, the audience of viewers will vote to select the winner of Ohio Valley Voices’ Got Talent.

Judges include:

  • Roderick Justice, The Children’s Theater of Cincinnati
  • Lynn Meyers, Ensemble Theater of Cincinnati
  • Emilie Larosa, Broadway Bound Dance Academy

TIMELINE AND WHAT TO EXPECT:

Selection committee will review all online applications and samples to decide who will be invited to each round. Contestants must make all deadlines and be available for the final live show in order to participate. Selection dates are as follows:

  • January 17, 2021 – Deadline for submissions
  • January 25, 2021 – 32 selected individuals notified by email
  • February 1, 2021 – Second round of audio and video samples must be submitted
  • February 8, 2021 – 16 selected individuals notified by email
  • February 15, 2021 – Third round of audio and video samples must be submitted
  • February 19, 2021 – 8 selected individuals will be notified by email
  • February 24, 2021 – Fourth round of audio and video samples must be submitted and fundraising deadline to win the “Golden Ticket”
  • February 28, 2021 – Final four are selected and notified by phone along with the “Golden Ticket” winner
  • March 6, 2021 – Final four talent show LIVE

FUNDRAISING:

This is a fundraiser to support Ohio Valley Voices and the children that attend our programs. A fundraising page will be created for each contestant that makes it past the first elimination (32 contestants). This page will include the contestant’s bio and performance videos, as well as a button to donate in honor of the contestant. The contestant that raises the most money by February 24 will automatically receive the “golden ticket” and advance to the finale on March 6, 2021. An additional award will be made to the contestant who raises the most money by March 6 (whether or not they are the competitor who won the “golden ticket”).

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

There is a $35 fee to apply. (Those unable to accommodate this may submit a letter of need instead to qualify for a limited number of scholarships.)

To apply, please submit a short biography, headshot, and a one to two-minute video of the act no later than 11:59 pm Thursday, January 17, 2021 to jlmuething@ohiovalleyvoices.org. Confirmation of receipt and a link to pay the application fee will be sent within 48 hours.

(One submission per act is allowed. Videos may be attached, but it is encouraged that you upload them to YouTube or a similar service and send a link to ensure that they are received in full quality.)

Questions? Email jlmuething@ohiovalleyvoices.org

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December 9, 2020 · 4:43 pm

WLWT to Broadcast Cincinnati Ballet’s THE NUTCRACKER AT HOME

CB_WLWTAudiences will enjoy a free, all-new version of the holiday favorite

CINCINNATI, OH. (December 9, 2020) –
Cincinnati Ballet and Hearst Television, WLWT announced today that for the first time ever, Cincinnati Ballet’s performance of the holiday classic The Nutcracker presented by Frisch’s will be shown on WLWT Channel 5. The Nutcracker at Home presented by Frisch’s will premiere in Prime Time on Tuesday, December 22 at 8 pm, with additional re-broadcasts throughout the holiday season on both WLWT and MeTV, Cincinnati channel WLWT 5.2. “Everyone has a front row seat to this year’s Nutcracker,” said Cincinnati Ballet President and CEO Scott Altman. “The Nutcracker is a part of so many families’ holiday memories, this re-imagined, hour-long broadcast will keep that tradition alive during this unusual holiday season. We are thrilled to partner with WLWT on this holiday gift to the community.” Music for the production was recorded by members of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. “Due to COVID-19, viewers across Greater Cincinnati will be able to enjoy this year’s performance of The Nutcracker from the safety and comfort of their homes,” said Branden Frantz, WLWT President & General manager. “For more than 72 Years, WLWT has continued Leading the Way in the Tri-State on hyper-local programs and unique specials. I am incredibly proud of the collective teams at WLWT and Cincinnati Ballet for the vision and extraordinary efforts to make available to everyone a cherished holiday tradition at the end of this challenging year,” Frantz added.

The Nutcracker at Home presented by Frisch’s will be recorded at Cincinnati Music Hall next week following strict health and safety protocols. The production will introduce new choreography by Artistic Director Victoria Morgan with support from artistic team – Cervilio Miguel Amador, Dale Shields and Suzette Boyer Webb, Main Company dancers, and gorgeous sets and costumes. Morgan and the Cincinnati Ballet’s artistic and production teams spent countless hours working with Emmy award-winning Director David Ashbrock to adapt the ballet for television. Due to the pandemic, dancers will wear masks and follow socially-distancing guidelines, but Morgan said audiences will enjoy an up-close, immersive experience of The Nutcracker like never before. “With eight cameras capturing moments from every angle, even on the stage itself, this is a truly unique experience,” said Morgan. “Those magical moments we share together each year remain in this production — Clara and the Nutcracker Prince, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, plus we’ve added a few surprises just for this broadcast version.” Cincinnati Ballet is also honored to partner with Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra to create a unique recording of Tchaikovsky’s iconic music for this special performance. Cincinnati Ballet Music Director Carmon DeLeone and 35 Symphony musicians recorded a special score for the performance at Music Hall in late November. DeLeone also spent many hours editing the music for this special broadcast. A streaming version of the production will be also available to watch for a limited time after Christmas. More details to come at cballet.org.

WLWT Channel 5 schedule:

  • Tuesday December 22 at 8pm
  • Thursday December 24 at 7pm
  • Friday December 25 at 5am
  • Friday December 25 at 12pm

MeTV Cincinnati Channel 5.2 schedule:

  • Thursday December 24 at 8pm
  • Friday December 25 at 10pm

Nutcracker at Home Presenting Sponsor: Frisch’s, Production Sponsor: Mercy Health, our official Sports Medicine Provider

Cincinnati Ballet 2020-2021 Season Sponsors: Rhonda & Larry A. Sheakley, Margaret & Michael Valentine, ArtsWave, Mercy Health, Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Ohio Arts Council, Frisch’s, The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation

About Cincinnati Ballet
Since 1963, Cincinnati Ballet has been the cornerstone professional ballet company of the region, presenting a bold and adventurous array of classical, full-length ballets and contemporary works. Under the artistic direction of Victoria Morgan, Cincinnati Ballet has become a creative force within the larger dance community, commissioning world premiere works and exploring unique collaborations. With a mission to inspire hope and joy in our community and beyond through the power and passion of dance, Cincinnati Ballet reaches beyond the stage in programs that allow every person in the region to be part of the continued evolution of dance through exhilarating performances, extensive community and education programs and top-level professional ballet training at Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. Budig Academy.

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