Category Archives: Press Releases

July 1, 2020 · 9:22 am

NKU School of the Arts Announces Appointments to Program Heads

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY – Northern Kentucky University has appointed new program heads for its School of the Arts (SOTA).

NKU_Brad McCombs headshot

Brad McCombs.

Brad McCombs will transition from Program Head of Music over to the Program Head of Visual Arts. Brad received a B.F.A. from Washington University in St. Louis and a M.F.A. from Carnegie Mellon University. Brad’s interest in leadership of the arts rests in the power of the arts to transform individuals and communities that both inspires and provokes thought. His research focuses on creating powerful connections with an audience whether they are physical, virtual or somewhere in-between. His role as an artist is comprehensive and embraces activism, anthropology, ecology, and sociology. His regional public art project, the Driftwood Institute, engages students to help educate the community about our watershed. Brad has shown his work both nationally and internationally including a recent project in collaboration with the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra where he created visuals to accompany the live performance of Darius Milhaud’s “La Création du Monde”.

NKU_Kimberly Gelbwasser Lazzeri headshot

Kimberly Gelbwasser Lazzeri.

Kimberly Gelbwasser Lazzeri will be assuming the role of Program Head of Music. She is Associate Professor of Voice and Vocal Area Coordinator at NKU’s School of the Arts. In 2016, she was the recipient of the Outstanding Junior Faculty Award in the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Lazzeri currently serves as President of the Kentucky Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. In the summer, she often serves on the music faculty of the Kentucky Institute for International Studies in Salzburg, Austria. Dr. Lazzeri is a certified Kripalu yoga teacher and she teaches a course at NKU entitled “Yoga for Creativity.” Dr. Lazzeri holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree and a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Northwestern University. To learn more, visit “Kimberly Gelbwasser Lazzeri Voice Studio” on Facebook.

NKU_Michael Hatton

Michael Hatton.

Michael Hatton will be continuing as Program Head of Theatre + Dance. Michael received his M.F.A. in Theatre Pedagogy and Directing from Virginia Commonwealth University and his B.F.A. in Theatre Management from Northern Kentucky University and has been a full-time faculty since 2005. He has served in various forms of university governance and service, including general education, university and college curriculum, e-learning, master advising, international education, and planning committees, and currently serves on the executive board of the Cooperative Center for Study Abroad (CCSA). Additionally, Michael has won awards for teaching, including from the Greater Cincinnati Consortium of Colleges and University as well as the NKU Michael C.C. and Susan S. Adams Outstanding Non-Tenure Track Faculty award. He is a freelance director and stage manager having worked with numerous regional theatre companies.

About NKU School of the Arts
SOTA is the creative engine of Northern Kentucky University. The School of the Arts combines dance, music, theatre, and visual arts to bring unparalleled artistic opportunities to current and future students. Our minors come from every college on campus from nursing to mathematics, political science to construction management. SOTA’s Prep programs, including the nationally recognized String Project, engage 900 students from children to adults annually. SOTA offers 12 degrees with 30 specializations in addition to seven minors. With innovative curriculum, small class sizes and award-winning instructors, students develop expertise and the qualities most in-demand for today’s changing career landscape. To learn more, please visit nku.edu/sota or find us on social media @NKUSOTA.

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June 30, 2020 · 9:55 am

ON CUE June 2020 – The Electronic Newsletter of ACT of Greater Cincinnati

ACT_purple

This year is not what any of us expected. Because of the Corona Virus, theater productions were halted in mid-March. Some shows were in the middle of their run and a lot of shows were not allowed to go on. People were asked to stay home in order to try to prevent the spread of the infection.

Not only were local productions cancelled, but the ACT/OCTAfest, OCTA Jr and the OCTA State Conference were all cancelled. So “virtual” has become the word of the day. Thanks to the ACT board, the awards were held online. Dan Maloney, Amanda Emmons Shumate, Fred Hunt, Dennis Murphy, Wayne Kirsch and Gary Rogers worked to make the event happen. (To any one else involved in making this happen, kudos to you as well). So, here is a wrap up of the presentations.

The evening was opened with remarks from President, Dan Maloney. Amanda Emmons Shumate, ACT 1st VP, also contributed opening remarks.

Wayne Kirsch presented the first awards of the evening. The Spirit of Community Theatre awards are presented in each region to a person or persons who have contributed to the promotion of community theatre both on the local as well as the state level. The winners this year were Valeria Amburgey and Joel Lind.

The Rising Star award is the newest award and it is given by the various member theatres to recognize individuals who have exemplified a new level of exceptional dedication and commitment to their theatre or the ACT community as a whole.

Those winners are:

  • Acting Up – Kathy Maritato
  • CenterStage Players- Trisha Cooper
  • Cincinnati Music Theatre – Adrianna Boris
  • Footlighters – Katie McCarthy
  • INNOVAtheatre – Michael J. Schumacher
  • Loveland Stage Company – David Vest
  • Mariemont Players – Becky Collins
  • Mason Community Players – Jess Braun
  • Sunset Players – Ross Hazlett
  • The Drama Workshop – Lindsey Pullam

Dan Maloney presented the President’s Award. This award is given annually by the President of ACT to a an Act board member who has demonstrated outstanding commitment and dedication to the goal’s of the ACT during that particular year. This year’s recipient is Fred Hunt.

Dennis Murphy, the Awards Chair, presented the three big ACT awards. He introduced last year’s winners who have the honor of announcing the various winners. ACT member groups can nominate any person to receive an award based on the attributes attributed to their namesakes. Then a committee meets to select the various winners. This year’s winners are:

  • Mario Pitocco Award-this award is presented annually to honor an individual who has shown continuous service and excellence in creative technical theatre-
    Jason Cox-The Drama Workshop
  • Roger Grooms Award-presented to honor an individual who has demonstrated dedication to raising the artistic quality of community theater production through active teaching and/or by demonstrating sustained excellence in the categories of directing, acting, choreography, musical or vocal direction-
    Jerry Wiesenhahn-Beechmont Players
  • Art Rouse Award-presented to an individual or couple who has shown exceptional commitments and dedication to community theatre-
    Tom & Nancy Ann Storey-Mariemont Players

Fred Hunt, ACT 2nd VP, presented the Orchid Awards throughout the evening.There were 43 shows in this abbreviated season with 882 Nominations and 439 Orchids.

The following are the categories with the number of nominations and orchids in each category.

Category | # of Nominations | # of Orchids

  • Sound Design | 28 | 8
  • Sound Execution | 17 | 1
  • Light Design | 32 | 18
  • Light Execution | 20 | 5
  • Set Design | 33 | 23
  • Set Décor | 33 | 22
  • Set Construction | 21 | 15
  • Costume Design | 34 | 23
  • Makeup | 7 | 1
  • Hair/Wigs | 12 | 6
  • Photography | 13 | 3
  • Video Production Design | 2 | 0
  • Video Execution | 1 | 0
  • Other | 17 | 6
  • PreShow | 4 | 1
  • Original Program Art | 27 | 13
  • Program | 25 | 9
  • Special Effects | 5 | 2
  • Lobby Display | 23 | 10
  • House | 21 | 9
  • Properties | 30 | 8
  • Stage Management | 26 | 15
  • Stage Combat | 4 | 2
  • Dialect Coaching | 3 | 1
  • Producing | 36 | 23
  • Overall Technical Quality | 16 | 5
  • Ensemble | 47 | 16
  • Choreography | 10 | 7
  • Dance Execution | 11 | 5
  • Musical Direction | 13 | 10
  • Vocal Direction | 9 | 3
  • Orchestral Performance | 13 | 11
  • Direction | 39 | 23
  • Overall Performance Quality | 11 | 5
  • Musical Theatre Performance | 104 | 55
  • Acting in a Play | 135 | 75

Here is the breakdown by theatre group

Theatre | # of Shows | # of Nominations | # of Orchids

  • Acting Up | 1 | 19 | 10
  • Beechmont Players | 4 | 80 | 26
  • Center Stage | 2 | 41 | 27
  • Cincinnati Music Theatre | 1 | 34 | 18
  • Fairfield Footlighters | 3 | 62 | 32
  • Footlighters | 3 | 83 | 55
  • INNOVAtheatre | 2 | 28 | 20
  • Inspiring Arts Productions | 1 | 23 | 12
  • Loveland Stage Company | 4 | 79 | 36
  • Mariemont Players | 4 | 89 | 44
  • Mason Community | 4 | 71 | 25
  • Merit | 1 | 23 | 9
  • Riverstage Community | 1 | 8 | 2
  • Sunset Players | 2 | 44 | 34
  • The Drama Workshop | 4 | 93 | 49
  • Tri-County Players | 3 | 57 | 23
  • The Village Players | 3 | 48 | 17

For information for winners from each theatre, you can visit this blog entry at Behind the Curtain Cincinnati.

Any errors, mistakes or omissions are not intentional.
Thanks to all of you for being a part of Greater Cincinnati theatre.

Please, everyone stay safe. Hope to see you all soon.
Linda Roll, editor

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June 29, 2020 · 12:01 pm

Local Young Pianist Performs in Lang Lang’s Virtual Concert Series on July 3

MISC_Sophia Suwirvo

Sophia Suwiryo.

Cincinnati-area pianist Sophia Suwiryo will be a part of Lang Lang’s virtual concert series on Friday 7/3 at 12 PM EST.

The Lang Lang International Music Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that music can remain a source of inspiration and comfort during these strange and uncertain times. Starting from May 15th, the foundation has adapted Play It Forward to the virtual space with a weekly concert series to connect and inspire audiences across the globe.

Play It Forward is a community service initiative for our Young Scholars, in which they bring classical music performances to schools, retirement homes, and community centers. The goal is to inspire hope by bringing world-class performances straight into the homes of their audience.

The weekly series will be hosted on LLIMF’s Instagram IGTV, and will feature a 20-30 minute performance by one of their Young Scholars, followed by a Live Q&A session from the performer(s) on Instagram Live.

You can see Lang Lang’s announcement here: https://www.facebook.com/LangLangPiano/videos/838518596635554/

For more information: http://langlangfoundation.org/ & https://www.instagram.com/langlangfoundation/

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June 29, 2020 · 9:43 am

2020-2021 Season Update from Troy Civic Theatre

TROY_logoThe Troy Civic Theatre board of directors has been closely following the Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) situation affecting our communities since the initial shut-down announcements in March. After recent conversations with the Ohio Department of Health, several meetings with board members, and gathering feedback and input from our members, season ticket holders, sponsors, and patrons, the board has made decisions regarding the 2020-2021 theatre season.

The postponed production of the Jones, Hope, Wooten comedy THE HALLELUJAH GIRLS (previously planned for May 2020) will be going forward in August. The show will be presented August 7-9, 14-16, 2020, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 2 pm, and with added Saturday matinee performances, also at 2 pm. All 2019-20 season ticket holders will be able to use their tickets. However, due to social distancing, you may not be able to retain your usual seats or performances. We will be asking that season ticket holders please confirm the dates they wish to attend and number in their party by late July, in order for proper seating to be provided. More information will be coming to season ticket holders from our box office personnel regarding requirements and recommendations.

The TCT board also plans to continue with the previously announced 2020-2021 season, starting with DADDY’S DYIN’, WHO’S GOT THE WILL in September, directed by Michael Schumacher. The Del Shores comedy will be followed in November by the touching Sean Grennan drama, THE TIN WOMAN, directed by Niccole SueAnn Wallace. March 2021 will offer the uproarious Jones, Hope, Wooten farce, FARCE OF HABIT, directed by Steve Dietrich. The 2020-21 season will conclude with the hit musical BONNIE AND CLYDE, directed by Derek Dunavent. Season ticket flyers will be going out to all current season ticket holders soon, and season tickets will be available for purchase during THE HALLELUJAH GIRLS performances. As the extent of social distancing and gathering limits for the future is still now known, previously preferred seating may not be available.

The board of directors is as committed to keeping our audiences and members safe as we are to providing quality entertainment. To this end, we are continuing to talk to the Ohio and Miami County Departments of Health for their guidance regarding requirements and recommendations for live theatre, and setting our policies and procedures for these upcoming productions accordingly. We ask for your continued patience as we work towards making these important decisions, and set up a fluid seating plan that will also meet the needs and preferences of our audience members.

While we do not have everything set yet, the board is creating a plan for chair placement that can be altered depending on the size of the audiences (currently anticipated to be 25-30 audience members per performance). Protocols regarding intermission, entrance into the theatre, seating, and dismissing the audience at the end of the performance are still being discussed, and will be announced as decisions are being made. Use of masks or face coverings by audience members will be strongly encouraged, hand sanitizer will be available for everyone entering the theatre, and a cleaning protocol for before and after performances will include frequent disinfecting of all hard surfaces, as well as a plan to spray down the entire theatre with hypochlorous acid (HOCL), commonly used as a disinfectant spray in dental offices and hospitals.

The TCT board of directors wishes to thank all our members and audiences for their continued support, and their patience and understanding as we navigate these uncharted waters. We will make announcements as information is available and policies are set. We look forward to seeing you at the Barn!

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June 26, 2020 · 11:00 am

CINCINNATI OPERA AT 100, A Televised Celebration of Cincinnati Opera’s First Century to Premiere on CET July 3

co_logoFeaturing performances from home by:

Nicole Cabell, soprano and
Craig Terry, piano

Jacqueline Echols, soprano,
Matthew White, tenor, and
Kevin Miller, piano

Stephen Costello, tenor and
Anthony Manoli, piano

Morris Robinson, bass and
Matthew Umphreys, piano

Members of the Cincinnati Opera Chorus and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

And performances at iconic Cincinnati locations by:

Jennifer Cherest, soprano
and Henri Venanzi, piano

Joseph Lattanzi, baritone and
Marie-France Lefebvre, piano

CSO musicians Stefani Matsuo, concertmaster and
Michael Chertock, piano

Maria Miller, mezzo-soprano,
Cincinnati Ballet dancer Samantha Riester
with choreography by Oğulcan Borova,
and Carol Walker, piano

Victoria Okafor, soprano and
Henri Venanzi, piano

Rodion Pogossov, baritone and
Elena Kholodova, piano

Michael Preacely, baritone and
Marcellene Winfrey, piano

CINCINNATI, OH—June 25, 2020—Cincinnati Opera and CET have announced plans for Cincinnati Opera at 100, an hour-long televised program commemorating Cincinnati Opera’s centennial. Featuring insights from local and national opera experts and performances by artists from across the country, Cincinnati Opera at 100 will premiere on CET 48.1 on Friday, July 3 at 9 p.m. EST. Additional airings will follow on CET Arts 48.3 through Tuesday, July 7.

The nation’s second-oldest opera company, Cincinnati Opera presented its first performance on June 27, 1920, at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, and its annual Summer Festival has become a beloved Cincinnati arts-going tradition. Though the company’s 100th Anniversary Season was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, Cincinnati Opera at 100 transports the opera-going experience into viewers’ homes, including performances by much-loved singers from recent Cincinnati Opera productions and historical highlights from opera experts. Performances take place from the artists’ homes as well as iconic locations throughout the city, including the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Cincinnati Music Hall, and other surprise venues.

“In this extraordinary year, we’re honored to partner with CET to tell the story of this ‘opera company that could,’” said Christopher Milligan, The Harry Fath General Director & CEO of Cincinnati Opera. “Our first 100 years are rich with memorable moments, remarkable people and partnerships, and a deeply devoted audience whose enthusiasm is truly inspiring. Cincinnati Opera at 100 is a love letter to all who have made this company what it is today.”

Major support for Cincinnati Opera at 100 has been provided by Monteverdi Tuscany, a luxury boutique hotel centrally located between Rome and Florence, founded by Cincinnati Opera board member Michael L. Cioffi. The celebration of the arts and humanities is central to the Monteverdi Tuscany experience, and the hotel regularly presents performances by some of opera’s most distinguished artists.

“A founding philosophy of Monteverdi Tuscany is that beauty, art and music are fundamental to our nature as human beings, and remain now, as much as ever, integral to us all,” said Cioffi. “We are thrilled to be a part of such an extraordinary moment of Cincinnati Opera’s distinguished history.”

“Michael is a visionary and a great fan of opera and Italian culture,” continued Milligan. “When we shared with him our idea of a televised centennial celebration with singers across Cincinnati and from their homes across the country, he was immediately inspired. It is his support and the sponsorship from Monteverdi Tuscany that has made this program possible.”

For complete program details for Cincinnati Opera at 100, visit cincinnatiopera.org.

CINCINNATI OPERA AT 100
Broadcast Schedule (all times are EST):

CET 48.1

  • Friday, July 3, 2020 | 9 p.m.

CET Arts 48.3

  • Sunday, July 5, 2020 | 9 p.m.
  • Monday, July 6, 2020 | 9 a.m., 2 p.m. & 6 p.m.
  • Tuesday, July 7, 2020 | 11 a.m., 4 p.m. & 11 p.m.

Description:
Cincinnati Opera at 100 is an hour-long televised program commemorating Cincinnati Opera’s centennial featuring insights from local and national opera experts and performances by artists from across the country.

With commentary by:

  • Anne Arenstein, arts writer and critic
  • Cori Ellison, dramaturg and faculty, The Juilliard School
  • Janelle Gelfand, arts writer and critic
  • Dan Hurley, historian
  • Louis Langrée, Music Director, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
  • Thane Maynard, Director, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
  • Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director, Cincinnati Opera
  • Angela Powell Walker, Artistic Director, School for Creative & Performing Arts, Cincinnati

And performances by:

  • Nicole Cabell, soprano and Craig Terry, piano
  • Jennifer Cherest, soprano and Henri Venanzi, piano
  • Stephen Costello, tenor and Anthony Manoli, piano
  • Jacqueline Echols, soprano, Matthew White, tenor, and Kevin Miller, piano
  • Joseph Lattanzi, baritone and Marie-France Lefebvre, piano
  • Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra musicians Stefani Matsuo, concertmaster and Michael Chertock,
    piano
  • Maria Miller, mezzo-soprano, Cincinnati Ballet dancer Samantha Riester with choreography by Oğulcan Borova, and Carol Walker, piano
  • Victoria Okafor, soprano and Henri Venanzi, piano
  • Rodion Pogossov, baritone and Elena Kholodova, piano
  • Michael Preacely, baritone and Marcellene Winfrey, piano
  • Morris Robinson, bass and Matthew Umphreys, piano
  • Members of the Cincinnati Opera Chorus and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Major support for Cincinnati Opera at 100 has been provided by Monteverdi Tuscany, A Rare Boutique Hotel.

For complete program details, visit cincinnatiopera.org.

ABOUT CINCINNATI OPERA
Founded in 1920 and the second-oldest opera company in the nation, Cincinnati Opera presents a thrilling season of grand opera every summer. The company’s repertoire includes beloved classics and contemporary masterworks brought to life by some of the world’s most dynamic performers and creative artists.

Critical support for Cincinnati Opera is provided by ArtsWave, Huntington, The Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund of the Greenacres Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, Patricia A. Corbett Estate and Trust, and Harry T. Wilks Family Foundation, along with many other generous individuals, corporations, and foundations.

Cincinnati Opera’s mission is to enrich and connect our community through diverse opera experiences. cincinnatiopera.org

ABOUT PUBLIC MEDIA CONNECT
Public Media Connect is Southwest Ohio’s leading provider of education and enrichment in both living rooms and classrooms, serving more than 3 million people in the Greater Cincinnati and Dayton communities. Through PBS and local programming, innovative multimedia curriculum projects, parent workshops and professional development for teachers, Public Media Connect—CET and ThinkTV—positively impacts our community with rich and diverse resources. Public Media Connect’s mission is to strengthen the communities and region we serve by providing content and services that engage, inspire
and inform, educate and entertain, fostering culture and citizenship, the joy of learning and the power of diverse perspectives.

ABOUT MONTEVERDI TUSCANY
Monteverdi Tuscany is a luxury boutique hotel centrally located between Rome and Florence, offering stunning panoramic views of the Val d’Orcia region of Tuscany, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned worldwide for its scenic splendor.

This unique, luxury hotel is not confined within a single building but instead is infused throughout an idyllic, medieval village, with rooms and suites tucked in among authentic and fastidiously maintained properties. The hotel now comprises eighteen individual rooms and suites plus three elegantly appointed villas, all perfect for individuals, couples, families and groups of traveling friends.

In addition, Monteverdi Tuscany currently boasts an award-winning zero kilometer restaurant, a Culinary Academy, a piano lounge and terrace bar, a separate Enoteca and Library Bar, outdoor swimming pool and indoor heated spa pool, an award-winning holistic spa, yoga studio, a modern gym, an art gallery, and a beautifully restored 700-year-old Romanesque church that serves as Monteverdi’s performing arts venue.

The next year will be a time of growth, expansion, and change at the luxury boutique hotel, always with beauty, authenticity, and guests’ wellbeing at the forefront. Owner Michael Cioffi will once again team with renowned Rome-based designer, Ilaria Miani, to expand upon and enhance the village of Castiglioncello del Trinoro.

Monteverdi’s walls and roots date back to the 12th century, yet its distinctive aesthetic and first-class amenities perfectly fuse past and present to create a truly timeless setting.

For more information or to book a stay at Monteverdi Tuscany after July 1, 2021, please visit www.MonteverdiTuscany.com.

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