Category Archives: Press Releases

March 11, 2025 · 3:24 pm

Cincinnati Ballet Announces 2025-2026 Season

Cincinnati Ballet proudly presents the regional premiere of Septime Webre’s THE GREAT GATSBY; the return of the iconic SWAN LAKE; Director’s Vision: LIBERTY IN MOTION, which celebrates the evolution of American choreography for the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence – PLUS, The Kaplan New Works Series, THE NUTCRACKER presented by Sheakley Family and the annual Family Series: PINOCCHIO

CINCINNATI, OH (March 11, 2025) – Cincinnati Ballet is pleased to announce the repertoire slated for the 2025-2026 Season curated by Cervilio Miguel Amador in his first season since being named the Company’s permanent Artistic Director. The Season opens September 12 – 20, 2025 at the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theatre with The KAPLAN NEW WORKS Series. Experience four world premiere commissions from choreographers Yoshihisa Arai, Caroline Dahm, Andonis Foniadakis, and Andrea Giselle Schermoly. Yoshihisa Arai is Director of Cincinnati’s Ballet’s Second Company – CB2 Director and Rehearsal Director. A former leading artist with Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet, Arai has choreographed for Colorado Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and Cincinnati Opera, among others. Caroline Dahm is a Los Angeles-based dancer and choreographer who has created works for Cincinnati Ballet, SALT Contemporary Dance, Newport Contemporary Ballet, Indiana University, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, UMKC Conservatory, and Wylliams Henry Contemporary Dance Company. Greek-born Andonis Foniadakis is an internationally-renowned choreographer who has collaborated with Martha Graham Dance Company, Sydney Dance Company, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Washington Ballet, among many others. South African-born Andrea Giselle Schermoly has choreographed nationally and internationally for companies such as Royal New Zealand Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, and Kansas City Ballet, among others. She is also the Resident Choreographer for Louisville Ballet.

Leap into the jazz age and celebrate American culture in the 1920s with the regional premiere of choreographer Septime Webre’s opulent The Great Gatsby at the Aronoff Center, November 7 – 15, 2025. Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic 1925 novel, this production features stylish dancing, shocking scandals, and jazz music performed live.

No holiday is complete without a trip to the Land of Sweets for The Nutcracker presented by Sheakley Family at Music Hall, December 18 – 28, 2025. When a curious young girl named Clara receives a magical Nutcracker for Christmas, her dreams come to life in the Land of Sweets. With Tchaikovsky’s beloved score performed live by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

Experience the breathtaking romantic tragedy, Swan Lake at Music Hall, February 13 – 21, 2026. Hailed as one of the greatest ballets of all time, this production features virtuosic choreography after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, with additional choreography by Kirk Peterson and live music performed by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

Spring will bring Director’s Vision: Liberty In Motion, A patriotic triple bill at the Aronoff Center, April 10 -12, 2026. The production features works from choreographers George Balanchine, Justin Peck, and Claudia Schreier. Peck’s The Times Are Racing draws inspiration from a variety of dance styles while matching Dan Deacon’s electronic score with youthful impulse and vigor. Schreier’s First Impulse is a neoclassical style rooted in contemporary ballet concepts. Balanchine’s Serenade is a milestone in the history of dance, as the first original ballet George Balanchine created in America.

‘Be brave, truthful, and unselfish.’ It’s the heartwarming story of a puppet who wants to be a real boy. A one-hour, narrated ballet at the Aronoff Center, April 16 – 19, 2026, Pinocchio features Cincinnati Ballet Second Company – CB2 dancers and young performers from the Otto M. Budig Academy. Arrive early for free lobby games, crafts, photos and more.

Subscriptions are on sale now for the 2025-2026 Season. Single tickets will go on sale August 1, 2025. For more information visit cballet.org.

Cincinnati Ballet 2024-2025 Season Sponsors:
Margaret and Michael Valentine, Julie and John Richardson | SugarCreek, ArtsWave, Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Ohio Arts Council, 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, regularly with live orchestral accompaniment. Cincinnati Ballet is a creative force within the larger dance community, commissioning world-premiere works and exploring unique collaborations. With a mission to enrich, expand, and excel in the art of dance through performance, a high-caliber academy, and impactful education and community engagement in local to global communities, Cincinnati Ballet reaches beyond the stage in programs that allow every person in the region to be part of the continued evolution of dance. To that end, Cincinnati Ballet presents exhilarating performances, provides extensive education and community engagement programs, and offers top-level professional ballet training at Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. Budig Academy.

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March 10, 2025 · 4:03 pm

TCT Receives $2 Million Anonymous Challenge Gift

Emery Theater Fundraising Nears Finish Line in $51.5 Million Campaign

CINCINNATI, OH – The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) is thrilled to announce a transformative $2 million anonymous gift to its capital campaign for the restoration and reimagination of the historic Emery Theater. This remarkable donation reduces the recent $4 million gap to just $2 million needed to meet the project’s total goal. This gift was made to encourage additional supporters to step forward and to meet the challenge to close the final funding gap. The anonymous donor hopes to inspire new donors, and those already considering support for The Emery, to seize this opportunity and make their commitment now, helping TCT bring the vision for a world-class children’s theatre home to life.

In a statement, the donor shared:
“We look forward to the completion of this historic new home for The Children’s Theatre, which will be another jewel in Cincinnati’s crown.”

Kim Kern, TCT’s President & CEO, expressed her gratitude, saying: “We are enormously grateful for the generosity of this donor, and this gift that is a testament to the community’s belief in our vision for The Emery Theater — a space that will not only serve as TCT’s permanent home, but also as a vibrant cultural anchor for families, schools, and the entire region. We hope this challenge inspires others to step up and join us in preserving this historic landmark and creating an extraordinary venue where future generations will experience the magic of live theatre.”

A Campaign to Crown Cincinnati
TCT’s Emery Theater campaign, titled “A Crown for the Queen City,” will restore and reinvent the 113-year-old venue into a technologically advanced, one-of-a-kind home for TCT’s MainStage productions, education programs, and community events. The renovation includes cutting-edge stage technology, a 40’ x 60’ LED video wall, an automated fly system, projection mapping, and a stage lift with a built-in turntable — all seamlessly integrated into the theater’s historic architectural beauty.

Once complete, The Emery will become one of the most innovative children’s theaters in the country, expanding TCT’s reach and allowing for the development of groundbreaking new works. It will also enhance accessibility for all families and ensure TCT’s ability to serve future generations.

About the Emery Theater and TCT’s Historic Return
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s roots at The Emery date back to 1947, when it became the company’s first performance home. TCT remained at the Emery until 1969. After decades of vacancy, TCT officially purchased the building in December 2023, beginning the process of reclaiming and reimagining this historic treasure.

TCT’s inaugural season back at The Emery will begin in October 2025, opening with The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition, a fitting tribute to the theatre’s legacy and the company’s vision to blend historic charm with cutting-edge theatrical innovation.

History of The Emery Theater
Imagined by philanthropist Mary Emery and designed by the famed architectural firm of Samuel Hannaford & Sons, the Emery Auditorium opened in January 1912 with an inaugural concert by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. The acoustically exceptional 2,200-seat theater in Over-the-Rhine was once considered one of the top concert halls in the country. Sergei Rachmaninoff, John Philip Sousa, George Gershwin, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bette Davis, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. all stood on the Emery stage at various points in its history.

The Emery was also the performance home of TCT until 1969 when the University of Cincinnati took ownership of the property and ran it as the College of Applied Sciences until 1989. The theater was used for films, lectures, and meetings for the next decade. While the building’s upper floors were developed as apartments in 2001, the theater has fallen into disrepair since that time. TCT is the Emery Theater’s best hope to be restored to its former glory and to regain its place as a memorable and iconic arts venue.

About The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
Celebrating 105 years this season, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) is the oldest professional theatre for young audiences in the country. For more than a century, it has created lifelong memories and lasting impact for children and families. TCT serves more than 200,000 in the region and brings art to life through three divisions: TCT MainStage productions, TCT on Tour/WorkShops, and TCT Academy. Delivering much more than entertainment, TCT offers an inclusive space and innovative programming for children and adults to learn confidence, patience, and imagination. TCT’s partnerships with regional schools allow thousands of students each year to reap the lifelong benefits of a quality arts education that they might otherwise not experience due to geographic or economic limitations.

With productions geared specifically toward the attention span of a child, we expose children to the magic of theatre in an age-appropriate way. While Broadway-quality, our shows are only one hour long and allow for a true family/school outing where new memories and traditions can be created. Our purpose is to enrich the lives of all people by providing access to exceptional performing arts experiences, which includes our Sensory-Friendly program where performances are adapted to specifically meet the needs of children with autism and other sensory concerns. We are the only professional theater in the region that devotes our entire MainStage season to children, helping to create the future arts patrons of our community.

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March 5, 2025 · 5:56 pm

Cincinnati Opera Announces 2025 Studio Sessions

The artist-curated, cabaret-style performance series runs June 17–July 17 and features a diverse array of music—from opera to jazz to popular song and more—in Music Hall’s intimate Wilks Studio

CINCINNATI (March 5, 2025)—Cincinnati Opera has announced the lineup for its 2025 series of Studio Sessions—intimate, cabaret-style performances at Music Hall’s Wilks Studio curated and performed by Cincinnati Opera artists. Studio Sessions will take place during Cincinnati Opera’s 2025 Summer Festival (June 12–July 27) alongside its mainstage productions of Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto, Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca, and an all-new production of Fiddler on the Roof by Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick, and Joseph Stein. See below for details.

Cincinnati Opera presents
STUDIO SESSIONS

June 17, 2025, at 8 p.m.
Soul and Sound: Dueling Pianos and Artistic Tributes to the Harlem Renaissance
Wilks Studio at Cincinnati Music Hall
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Experience a virtuosic evening spanning multiple genres and time periods. Inspired by the Harlem “rent parties” of the 1920s and onward, pianists Kevin Day and Kevin Miller present opera, jazz, and classical repertoire along with poet and curator Tifara Brown and special musical guests.

Tickets: General admission: $47, reserved seating: $67. Tickets are on sale now for 2025 Summer Festival subscribers and will go on sale to the general public on April 1, 2025. To order, call 513-241-2742 or visit cincinnatiopera.org.

July 10, 2025, at 8 p.m.
Anthony Clark Evans in Recital
Wilks Studio at Cincinnati Music Hall
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Audiences will remember the “warm-toned, vivacious, and humane” (San Francisco Chronicle) baritone Anthony Clark Evans from recent Cincinnati Opera productions of Lucia di Lammermoor and La Traviata. Now, following his mainstage performances as Scarpia in Tosca, Evans returns for an evening of handpicked selections perfect for the intimate studio setting, joined by pianist James Maverick.

Tickets: General admission: $47, reserved seating: $67. Tickets are on sale now for 2025 Summer Festival subscribers and will go on sale to the general public on April 1, 2025. To order, call 513-241-2742 or visit cincinnatiopera.org.

July 17, 2025, at 8 p.m.
From Avenue A to Broadway: Songs and Stories of Tin Pan Alley
Wilks Studio at Cincinnati Music Hall
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

At the turn of the 20th century, an unassuming Manhattan neighborhood was quickly becoming the vibrant epicenter of American popular music. Tin Pan Alley gave voice to a community of diverse composers, lyricists, and performers, mingling the traditions of Yiddish theater with Western classical music, ragtime, and jazz to shape the soundtrack of an era. Cincinnati Opera features Queen City Cabaret’s Sarah Folsom and Matthew Umphreys along with special guests to shine a spotlight on the artists whose resilience, innovation, and spirit of collaboration spurred the golden age of American popular song.

Tickets: General admission: $47, reserved seating: $67. Tickets are on sale now for 2025 Summer Festival subscribers and will go on sale to the general public on April 1, 2025. To order, call 513-241-2742 or visit cincinnatiopera.org.

About Cincinnati Opera
Cincinnati Opera’s mission is to enrich and connect our community through diverse opera experiences. Founded in 1920 and the second-oldest opera company in the nation, Cincinnati Opera presents a thrilling season of grand opera every summer and engaging programs throughout the year. 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.

Cincinnati Opera is supported by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. This project was supported in part by the Ohio Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts. Cincinnati Opera also receives general season support from The Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Patricia A. Corbett Estate and Trust, and the Harry T. Wilks Family Foundation, along with general season and project support from many other generous individuals, corporations, and foundations. Cincinnati Opera is a member of OPERA America. Learn more at cincinnatiopera.org.

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March 5, 2025 · 5:55 pm

Overture Awards 2025 – Finals Competition and Awards Ceremony | Sat., March 15 | Aronoff Center

[CINCINNATI, OH] – The Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is proud to present the 2025 Overture Awards Finals Competition. The Overture Awards provides $3,000 to six area high school students for education and training expenses, with eighteen finalists each winning $1,000. The program also includes and Arts Educator Award for Excellence in Arts Instruction totaling $1,000.

Tickets are on sale now at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-ARTS [2787], and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office.

The Overture Awards Finals Competition and Awards Ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM at the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater. Winners will be announced immediately following the competition. The Visual Art Finalists Exhibition will be showcased in the Aronoff Center’s Center Stage Room (adjacent to the Weston Art Gallery on 7th Street) from Tuesday, March 10 – Sunday, March 23, 2025.

This year, 237 students applied to compete in one of six artistic disciplines: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Theater, Visual Art, and Vocal Music. The Overture Awards was developed to recognize, encourage, and reward excellence in the arts among Tri-state students in grades 9-12. It also provides students an opportunity to share their talents and interests among their peers in a supportive environment outside of their individual schools. There are three levels of competition: Regional, Semi-Final, and Final.

The Overture Awards Regional Competitions were held virtually in January 2025. The top twenty-five percent of competitors in each discipline advanced to the Semi-Finals, which were held at the Aronoff Center on February 12-15. Twenty-four finalists will compete in the Finals Competition at the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater on March 15.

Now in its 29th year, The Overture Awards was launched in 1996 by the Cinergy Foundation (now Duke Energy) and 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, manage the competitions, and nurture the program. 

The Overture Awards are endowed by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation.

THANK YOU to the following generous supporters of Dancing for the Stars and The Overture Awards: 

Accent on Cincinnati, The Alleen Company, Scott Allgyer, Arthur Murray – Cincinnati, Arthur Murray – West Chester, Douglas Beal, Doreen Beatrice, James Branham, Bonita Brockert, Sebastian Castillo, Dance Manor, DelightMore, eat well celebrations & feasts, Maura Garuccio, Heidelberg Distributing Company, Jeff Thomas Catering, Alex Johns, Dr. Hali Jungers,  Dr. Magdalena Kerschner, Jeremy Mainous, Moerlein Lager House, Newport Aquarium, Party Source, Pepsi, Philip Bortz Jewelers, Prime Cincinnati, Primo Italian Steakhouse, Punky’s Pixels, Bret Schneider, Deb Schubert, Britton Spitler, Street City Pub, Studio 900,  Zack Thornton, Josh Tilford, Rostislav Toporski, Melissa Vaughn

Chris O’Brien & Janeen Coyle (former hosts of “Married with Microphones,” 103.5 WGRR-FM), JD Hughes (DJ, 103.5 WGRR-FM) 

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

Printing Sponsor:  Harlan Graphics 

The 2025 Overture Awards Finalists 

CREATIVE WRITING

  • Evelyn Jeong, grade 9, Talawanda High School
  • Abbey Mader, grade 11, Saint Ursula Academy
  • Jai Tate, grade 11, Ohio Connections Academy
  • Asher Wesolowski, grade 10, School for Creative and Performing Arts 

DANCE

  • Nora Doyle, grade 10, School For Creative and Performing Arts/Just Off Broadway
  • Abigail Riester, grade 12, Turpin High School/College Conservatory of Music- Prep Ballet Department and Planet Dance
  • Maanasa Yarlagadda, grade 12, Sycamore High School
  • Audrey Zuziak, grade 12, Dixie Heights High School/Strive Dance Collective 

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

  • Beckett Cerón, grade 10, Seven Hills School/Studies with Jeremy Collins
  • Vivian Chang, grade 12, William Mason High School/Hong Cheng Violin Studio
  • Sonya Moomaw, grade 9, School for Creative and Performing Arts/Studies with Dr. Sarah Kim
  • Angela Tang, grade 10, William Mason High School/ Studies with Joel Smirnoff

THEATER

  • Jake Hagerty, grade 11, Highlands High School
  • Jai’Den Pritchett, grade 10, Sycamore High School/Musical Arts Center
  • Clarissa Ramirez, grade 12, Sycamore High School
  • Natalie Schmall, grade 10, Ursuline Academy 

VISUAL ART

  • Allison Droege, grade 12, William Mason High School
  • Nathan Knoll, grade 12, Elder High School
  • Faith Ogenyi, grade 12, Lakota East High School
  • Andrew Sichak, grade 12, Loveland High School

VOCAL MUSIC

  • Eden Bee, grade 12, Turpin High School/Studies with Xan Jeffery
  • Ishanvi Karthikeyan, grade 12, Lakota West High School/Studies with Malathy Vijay
  • Devi Kool, grade 10, Wyoming High School/Studies with Stacey Sands
  • William Wittekind, grade 11, Saint Xavier High School/Studies with 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 two million students and adults.

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, and Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce.

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March 4, 2025 · 4:59 pm

Improv Cincinnati Acquires Local ComedySportz

Local comedy theatre adds national family-friendly improv franchise to their show offerings

Improv Cincinnati, a leading force in the region’s comedy community, is excited to announce its acquisition of the local ComedySportz franchise. This strategic move will bring together two beloved improv comedy institutions, thereby expanding the opportunities for performers and audiences alike in the Queen City.

ComedySportz Cincinnati is a competitive improv show that has two teams go head-to-head in a fast-paced, family-friendly improv “match”. With its unique blend of audience participation and quick-witted humor, ComedySportz has built a loyal following since its inception in 2017.

Improv Cincinnati is excited to integrate ComedySportz’s signature competitive improv format into its already diverse lineup of shows, classes, and community initiatives. Two community initiatives that they are most excited about expanding are the CSz Highschool League, and improv-based summer camp programs.

“We have partnered with Moeller as our first member of the Highschool League. We are very excited to generate interest for other schools to join us next season!” says Alex Morris, the Managing Director of ComedySportz. “Additionally, it’s the second year for our summer camps, and I could not be happier to train the next generation of improvisers!”

For more information about Improv Cincinnati and ComedySportz performances and community initiatives, visit www.improvcincinnati.com.

About Improv Cincinnati

Improv Cincinnati is an award-winning theatre company that teaches classes, produces theatrical improv and sketch comedy performances, and delivers professional team building and keynote experiences. Since our inception in April 2016, we’ve entertained countless members of Cincinnati’s community while also teaching more than 1,000 students through improv workshops, classes, and team building. We foster compassion and a sense of belonging for individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, or any other way a person may identify. And we strengthen this commitment through continued learning, scholarships, community engagement and charitable donations.

Our mission is to become a best-in-class institution that helps people of all backgrounds become their best selves through learning, performing, and enjoying comedy of all kinds.

ComedySportz Cincinnati is a high-energy, competitive improv show where two teams of improvisers battle for laughs with audience suggestions fueling the fun. Additionally, ComedySportz offers improv training, summer camps, and corporate workshops that inspire laughter and personal growth both on and off the stage.

Since 2017, ComedySportz has been entertaining families in Cincinnati with a focus on clean, high-energy entertainment. ComedySportz offers a hilarious and inclusive experience for families, friends, and corporate events alike.

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