Category Archives: Press Releases

Broadway in Cincinnati and Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Announce a “Books for Belle” Drive to Benefit Adopt a Book

MISC_Adopt a Book logoInspired by Belle’s generous heart and love of books in Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Broadway in Cincinnati is collecting children’s books to help further the good work of the inspiring local non-profit Adopt a Book. This organization is dedicated to serving local kids who may have never been to a library and have never had a book of their own.

Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is returning to Cincinnati as a special engagement in the Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati season presented by TriHealth.  Produced by NETworks Presentations, this elaborate theatrical production will come to life on stage at the Aronoff Center, April 20 – 24, 2016. For information on the production, visit www.BeautyAndTheBeastOnTour.com. 

Founded by two 8-year-old Cincinnati-area siblings in 2011, Adopt a Book has donated over 100,000 books through more than 93 organizations in the Tri-State, with the goal of giving at-risk kids books of their own.

Broadway in Cincinnati general manager Genevieve Miller Holt encourages show attendees to participate.  “We at Broadway in Cincinnati are dedicated to helping local non-profits by creating charity drives that tie in with the themes of the shows we present.  This week’s engagement of Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is sold out, so if every family attending the show brought one book, we could contribute more than 5,000 books to deserving local kids, promoting literacy and a love of reading.  We sincerely hope our generous audiences will join us in this worthy cause.”

BIC_Beauty and the Beast bw logoDisney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST features the Academy Award®-winning score with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman, with additional songs composed by Alan Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice. The book is written by Linda Woolverton.

The original creators of the Broadway production have reunited for this new touring production. The play is directed by Rob Roth and choreographed by Matt West, with Costume Design by Ann Hould-Ward (Tony Award® winner for her work on Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), Lighting Design by Natasha Katz (five-time Tony Award® winner), Scenic Design by Stanley A. Meyer, Sound Design by John Petrafesa Jr. and Music Supervision by Michael Kosarin. 

Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is the classic story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped in a spell placed by an enchantress.  If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.

Based on the 1991 Academy Award®-winning animated feature film and celebrating 21 years since its Broadway premiere in 1994, Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is the ninth longest running musical in Broadway history that has become an international sensation seen by over 35 million people worldwide in 22 countries, and translated into 9 different languages. This production launched in February 2010 and has been seen nearly 3 million people while playing over 1,500 performances in all 50 United States and 8 Canadian Provinces.  Currently, there are five productions playing around the world including the North American Tour, Paris, tours in Japan and Germany, and a new international tour (inspired by the North American tour) that will visit over 14 countries in two years.

Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST will play the Aronoff Center from April 20 – 24, 2016: Wednesday – Thursday at 7:30PM, Friday at 8:00PM, Saturday at 11:00AM, 3:30PM and 8:00PM and Sunday at 1:00PM and 6:30PM. Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to change without notice. For more information, please visit www.BroadwayInCincinnati.com.

 

Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati presented by TriHealth is committed to bringing the very best of Broadway to the Tri-State, presenting touring Broadway plays and musicals in Cincinnati since 1987. For the past twenty years, Broadway in Cincinnati has presented all shows at the Aronoff Center, and joins in celebrating the Aronoff’s landmark 20th Anniversary this year.  The Broadway in Cincinnati series brings more than 185,000 people downtown to the Aronoff Center each year, and contributes an average of $30 million to the local economy each season. Broadway in Cincinnati is a member of the Greater Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce and The Broadway League. Fifth Third Bank is the sponsor of the Cincinnati 15/16 Season and the season is presented by TriHealth. LOCAL 12 is the official television station of the 15/16 Cincinnati Season.

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA is part of the Key Brand Entertainment family of companies, which includes Broadway.com, under the supervision of John Gore (Owner & CEO).  BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 38 markets. Current and past productions include On Your Feet, View from the Bridge, Beautiful, Finding Neverland, Million Dollar Quartet, Hairspray and The Producers. BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com; Broadway.com.

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Village Players presents GIRLS OF THE GARDEN CLUB

VP_Girls of the Garden Club promo.jpg

Photo courtesy of Amy Hamilton.

[Fort Thomas, Kentucky] –  Village Players of Fort Thomas presents its spring production, GIRLS OF THE GARDEN CLUB by John Patrick, April 22-30, 2016. Performances for this production will be Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Thursday at 8:00 PM and Sunday at 3 p.m.   Village Players will donate the proceeds from this production to the Fort Thomas Garden Club.

Rhoda Greenleaf lives to garden.  It’s her obsession and her house looks like a jungle.  She’d love to expand her plant collection to a greenhouse behind her home, and husband Vincent remarks that if she’s ever elected president she’ll have a greenhouse – only he didn’t say president of what!  Thanks to Vincent’s comments, Rhoda’s newest passion is seeking the presidency of the local Garden Club, and she’ll do everything she can to achieve her dream.  She plots to oust the long-time president by winning the local flower show. But fate comes up with obstacles to her quest that she must overcome with the help of her Garden Club friends.  The cast includes Jeri Nakamura, Elaine Michael, Gretchen Gantner, Gaylene May Schumacker, Jessica Moore, Kaitlyn Sansom, Kaylee Michael, Meredith Conner, Lori Bowling, Teresa Myers, Megan Schultheis, Leslie Hillner, Judy Littlefield, Jenetta Anderson, Betsy Evans, Erica Brady, Doug Bruening and Hunter Bruening.

Tickets for GIRLS OF THE GARDEN CLUB are $17 and can be purchased online at www.villageplayers.biz or by calling 859-392-0500.

Village Players began in 1966 when members of the Fort Thomas Woman’s Club formed a community theatre department and renovated the lower level of the building to house a unique and intimate 102-seat three-quarter thrust stage. Village Players is a member of KTA, OCTA, ACT-Cincinnati and AACT. Located at 8 North Fort Thomas Avenue, Fort Thomas, Kentucky, Village Players mounts four productions each year and donates the proceeds of its spring production to charity. For more information, www.villageplayers.biz or 859-392-0500.

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CAA’s 10th Annual DANCING FOR THE STARS Annouces Winners

Lenox Wealth Management’s Jay Lame
and Dance Pro Leigh Bradshaw
Crowned DANCING FOR THE STARS 2016 Champs
After Historic Tie-Breaking Dance-Off

Jamie Humes named ‘Fundraising Champion’

CAA_Dancing for the Stars 2016 logoCINCINNATI, OH – After a first-ever, historic two-way tie for first place that resulted in a dance-off between the top-two competitors, Jay Lame (Financial Analyst, Lenox Wealth Management) and his dance pro Leigh Bradshaw (Cincinnati Ballroom Company) were crowned the champions of the 10th Anniversary edition of Cincinnati Arts Association’s (CAA) annual Dancing for the Stars on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at the Music Hall Ballroom.

The teams of Lame/Bradshaw and Jamie Humes (Vice President of Marketing, Traditions Building & Development Group) and Josh Tilford (Independent Dance Instructor) both received perfect scores of 40 (out of 40). First-runner-up Humes also took home the ‘Fundraising Champion’ Award, as the celebrity who raised the most money for the event through ticket sales and donations.

With an audience this year of nearly 650 guests, the popular event is CAA’s largest annual fundraiser, and raised more than $90,000 in support of the organization’s acclaimed arts education programs, including the Overture Awards – the nation’s largest locally-run high school arts scholarship competition.

Conrad Thiede (Director of Gifts, Cincinnati Public Radio) and Bonita Brockert (Independent Dance Instructor) placed third in the competition.

The remaining five dance pairs included:

  • Stephen Beck, MD (Chief Medical Information Officer, Mercy Health) and Desiree Mainous (Arthur Murray Dance Studio – Cincinnati)
  • Eric Combs (Trial Lawyer and Partner, Dinsmore & Shohl) and Doreen Beatrice (Independent Dance Instructor)
  • Casey Hilmer (Co-owner and Founder, Power Ryde) and Alyenendrov Tsorokean (Phoenix Rising Ballroom)
  • Lakshmi Sammarco (Hamilton County Coroner) and Jeremy Mainous (Arthur Murray Dance Studio – Cincinnati)
  • Marianna Vardaka, MD (Board Certified Obstetrician-Gynecologist) and Jozsef Parragh  (Independent Dance Instructor) 

Inspired by the hit ABC-TV show Dancing with the Stars, Dancing for the Stars 2016 featured eight Cincinnati celebrities paired with some of the area’s finest professional dancers in a competition program, at which the audience vote and judges scores propelled the winners to victory. The competitive dance for the evening was Disco, and each dance pair had 90 seconds to woo the crowd and the judges.

Event emcees were Chris O’Brien and Janeen Coyle (“Married With Microphones,” 103.5 WGRR-FM). The four competition judges were Douglas Beal (independent dance instructor), Doug Bolton (Managing Principal, Cushman & Wakefield; Dancing for the Stars 2015 Fundraising Champion), Carri Chandler (External Affairs Specialist, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North American, Inc.; Dancing for the Stars 2011 alum), and Joe Rigotti (creative director, Accent on Cincinnati; event planner; Dancing for the Stars 2012 alum).

Currently in its tenth year, Dancing for the Stars has become one of the most-anticipated fundraising events of the season.  Since the event’s debut in 2007, more than 70 local notables have ‘danced for a cause’. The impressive list of past champions includes:  2007 – Dr. O’dell Owens (former president, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College; former Hamilton County coroner); 2008 – Jenell Walton (reporter, WLWT-TV5; former reporter, The List; former WCPO-TV9 anchor and reporter); 2009 – Phil Schworer (Attorney, Frost Brown Todd; former president, Cincinnati Bar Association); 2010 – Donna Speigel (owner, The Snooty Fox); 2011 – Dr. Tracey Skale, M.D. (chief medical officer, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral  Health Services), 2012 –  Regina Russo (chief of communications, Contemporary Arts Center; former director of marketing and communications, Cincinnati Art Museum; former anchor/reporter, WXIX-TV19), 2013 – Chris Seelbach (Cincinnati City Councilman), 2014 – Neal Schulte (founder & president, Schulte Financial Group, LLC), and 2015 – Johnny Chu (owner, KungFood Chu’s AmerAsia restaurant).

In addition, Dancing for the Stars 2016 featured:

  • Dinner-by-the-bite provided by A Catered Affair; Alfio’s buon cibo; Eddie Merlot’s; Incredible Delights; Jeff Thomas Catering; Kroger; Lala’s Blissful Bites; Metropolitan Club; Oriental Wok; Palomino Restaurant & Bar; Prime 47; Skyline Chili; Urban Artifact (beer tasting); Vonderhaar’s Catering, Inc.; and Whole Foods Market
  • Silent Auction
  • Popular DJ and 103.5 WGRR personality Rockin’ Ron Schumacher
  • Pre-event wine tasting and meet-and-greet with the stars
  • Open dancing before and after the competition

Event highlights included:

  • An inspiring 20th Anniversary video about the Overture Awards featuring interviews with many of the student competitors.
  • Two big screens that featured live video of the competition and engaging video introductions of the stars and pros (interviews and rehearsal footage) before their dances.
  • Decked out in a gold lamé disco shirt and black pants, Champion Jay Lame showed his best disco moves with Pro Leigh Bradshaw accompanied by Donna Summer’s “Hot Stuff.”
  • Fundraising Champion Jamie Humes and Pro Josh Tilford wowed the audience with expert spins and lifts to a mash-up of Kool & The Gang’s “Celebration” and Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop Until You Get Enough.”
  • Third-place finisher Conrad Thiede was ‘stayin’ alive’ for an extended Saturday Night Fever solo dance break that whipped the crowd into a ‘night fever’; he and Pro Bonita Brockert danced to an extended medley of hits from the popular disco film.
  • Stephen Beck showed off his ‘worm dance’ moves and ‘70s leisure suit during his routine with Pro Desiree Mainous to the hit song “Disco Inferno.”
  • “Oh, behave, Baby” is what Eric Combs, dressed head to toe as Austin Powers (wig covering his bald head), seemed to be saying to Pro Doreen Beatrice as the pair disco-ed to a medley of the Paul Oakenfold’s “1975” and the Guess Who’s “American Woman.”
  • Casey Hilmer and her Pro Alyenendrov Tsorokean amazed the crowd with a disco routine featuring numerous, jaw-dropping lifts; the pair entered the dance floor with raincoats and umbrellas and performed to Gloria Gaynor’s dance mix of “It’s Raining Men.”
  • In the intro video before their charming disco routine, Pro Jeremy Mainous revealed that Hamilton County Coroner, Dr. Lakshmi Sammarco, thinks Zombies are real and is an A-Type personality who likes to take the lead.
  • One of the night’s best-dressed dance pairs was Dr. Marianna Vardaka in a shimmering and colorful disco body suit and her Pro, Jozsef Parragh, in a ‘70s-inspired outfit complete with wig, sunglasses, and gold chain.
  • An encore dance by last season’s champions Johnny Chu and Doreen Beatrice to James Brown’s “Get Up Offa That Thing” featured Johnny in a James Brown wig performing some of Brown’s best solo moves.
  • Humorous, astute, and supportive comments from the Dancing for the Stars panel of judges.
  • The event had an exceptionally responsive, raucous, and energetic audience, which included large cheering sections holding signs with various messages in support of their favorite Stars.
  • After the competition, the dance floor at the Music Hall Ballroom filled with hundreds of guests who danced the night away to music by DJ Rockin’ Ron from 103.5 WGRR.

Dancing for the Stars 2016 Presenting Sponsor: TriHealth 

Dancing for the Stars 2016 Event Sponsors:  Arthur Murray – Cincinnati, Doreen Beatrice, Bonita Brockert, Cincinnati Ballroom Company, Crest Graphics, Inc., Heidelberg Distributing, Jozsef Parragh, Pebble Creek Group, Phoenix Rising Ballroom, Josh Tilford

Dancing for the Stars 2016 Committee:  Dr. Tracey Skale (co-chair, Dancing for the Stars 2011 winner), Phil Schworer (co-chair, Dancing for the Stars 2009 winner), Christina Bolden, Terry Foster, Sue Gilkey, Jim Howland, Ginger Loftin, and Rosemary Schlachter.

CAA’s OVERTURE AWARDS AND ARTS EDUCTION PROGRAMS
Cincinnati Arts Association’s Education and Community Relations programs promote life-long engagement in the arts, while contributing to individual, organizational, and community success.  With a mission to educate, inspire, and engage the Tri-state region, these accessible arts programs ignite the imagination of students of all ages.

The Overture Awards is one of several programs (which also include Artist on Tour, SchoolTime, Emerging Arts Leaders, and more) that have served more than 1.4 million children and adults since the inception of CAA’s Education and Community Relations programs nearly two decades ago.  CAA is proud of its newest initiative, “Arts in Healing,” that will promote wellness through the arts.

The Overture Awards – the largest locally-run, high school arts scholarship competition in the country – recognizes, encourages, and rewards 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.

Each year, more than 450 students are nominated by their schools to compete, and this year’s competition awarded $42,000 in scholarships for excellence in Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Theater, Visual Art, and Vocal Music. To date, the Overture Awards has awarded more than $665,000 to support artistically-talented students in pursuit of their dreams.  Now in its 20th year, the Overture Awards was launched in 1996 by the Cinergy Foundation and Leadership Cincinnati (a Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce program).

For more information about CAA’s Education and Community programs, visit www.cincinnatiarts.org/education-community.

CINCINNATI ARTS ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1992, the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management 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.

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Cincinnati Music Theatre presents BIG FISH | May 6-14 | Aronoff Center – Jarson-Kaplan Theater

CMT_Big Fish promoCINCINNATI, OH – Cincinnati Music Theatre (CMT) proudly presents Fred Tacon and Pamela Kay Day in the regional premiere of a new Broadway musical, BIG FISH, May 6-14, 2016 at the Aronoff Center’s intimate Jarson-Kaplan Theater (see full performance schedule below).

Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film directed by Tim Burton, BIG FISH is a new Broadway musical featuring music and lyrics by Tony-nominee Andrew Lippa and book by esteemed screenwriter John August.

A heartwarming fantasy set in the American South, BIG FISH centers on charismatic Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman whose impossible stories of his epic adventures thrill everyone around him, but frustrate his son, Will, who is about to have a child of his own. As the end of Edward’s life approaches, Will embarks on his own journey to find out who his father really is, revealing the man behind the myth, separating the truth from the tall tales. Overflowing with heart and humor, BIG FISH is an extraordinary new Broadway musical that reminds us why we love going to the theater – for an experience that’s richer, funnier, and BIGGER than life itself.

“The best part of an adventure is the people you meet!” So says Edward Bloom, and we think you’ll agree when you meet the talented folks bringing Edward’s story to life in Cincinnati Music Theatre’s regional premiere production of this epic, life-affirming new musical.

The cast includes Fred Tacon as Edward Bloom, Pamela Kay Day as Sandra Bloom, PJ Karpew as Will Bloom, Martin Collins as Young Will, Karen Sowards as The Witch, Joey Schnell as Amos Calloway, Mark D. Motz as Karl, Jessica Nguyen as Josephine Bloom, Katie Daniel as Jenny Hill, Sean Mize as Don Price, Jack Williams as Zacky Price, Ken Macke as The Mayor, Tony Nguyen as Red Fang, Jay Louden as the Fishermen, Katie McCarthy as the Girl in the Water, and Rob Warfel as the General. In addition, the production features an ensemble that includes Megan Archibald, Brad Baldwin, Elizabeth Bode, Karl Bolinger, Adrianna Boris, Meagan Cornett, Mark Culp, Cody Hendershot, Liz Koch, Andrew Kutcher, Beth McClain Schnell, Samantha Toberman, Will Warfel, Aubrey Wilson, and Nor-Rita Winters.

BIG FISH is directed by Skip Fenker and produced by Kathy Beiting and Catherine Schultz. It features choreography by Mike Fielder, vocal direction by Kendra Struthers, and musical direction by Charles Wilhelm.  BIG FISH is presented by special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW).

Tickets are $24.00 (adults) and $20.00 (students, seniors, military, and groups of 15 or more), and may be purchased online at www.Cincinnatimusictheatre.org , www.CincinnatiArts.org, the Aronoff Center Ticket Office, or (513) 621-ARTS [2787].

For more information about Cincinnati Music Theatre, visit www.cincinnatimusictheatre.org, LIKE us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cincinnatimusictheatre, and follow us on Twitter @CinMusicTheatre.

BIG FISH Performance Schedule

  • Friday, May 6th, 2016 – 7:30pm
  • Saturday, May 7th, 2016 – 7:30pm
  • Sunday, May 8th, 2016 – 2:00pm
  • Wednesday, May 11th, 2016 – 7:30pm
  • Thursday, May 12th, 2016 – 7:30pm
  • Friday, May 13th, 2016 – 7:30pm
  • Saturday, May 14th, 2016 – 7:30pm

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TDW Presents Musical Classic THE FANTASTICKS

TDW_The Fantasticks promo

El Gallo (Jonny Hoffman) guides Matt (Jacob Lucas) and Luisa (Maria Huey) on their journey to find love. Elaine Volker image.

(Cheviot, OH) The Drama Workshop’s production of the classic musical, THE FANTASTICKS, opens on Friday, April 22, at The Glenmore Playhouse, 3716 Glenmore Avenue in Cheviot. It is the final production of TDW’s record-attendance 2015-2016 season.

THE FANTASTICKS, by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, is the world’s longest running musical – running for over 50 years in Manhattan and entrancing generations of audiences the world over. THE FANTASTICKS is a funny and romantic musical about a boy, a girl, two meddling fathers and a wall. The boy and the girl fall in love, but then grow apart, thanks to their fathers’ actions.  Can the mysterious El Gallo bring them back together, reminding them that “without a hurt, the heart is hollow”? The famous score, which includes the classic songs Try to Remember, They Were You, and Soon It’s Gonna Rain, is as timeless as the story itself.

The cast includes Geoffrey Hill (The Mute), Jonny Hofmann (El Gallo), Jacob Lucas (Matt), Jack Williams (The Old Actor), Mike Robb (Mortimer), Mark Waldfogle (Hucklebee), Russ McGee (Bellamy), and Maria Huey (Luisa).

Wyoming resident Jonny Hoffman plays El Gallo. “I chose THE FANTASTICKS as my return to the stage because of the twist on a classic love story and the wonderful and dynamic music within the show, “ he said, “I’m truly humbled to be working with such a talented cast!”

Russ McGee makes the drive from Crittenden, Kentucky, to rehearse in Cheviot as the character Bellamy. ” I think the audiences will love the show, the beautiful and classic songs, the silliness, and the overall meaning,” he explained. “Since the first show I saw at The Drama Workshop, I knew I wanted to act on that stage. They have such a reputation for producing quality shows and having a good time while they do. “

Mike Robb, who plays Mortimer, is a long-time fixture in Cincinnati community theatre, and has worked with many groups – but this is the first time he’s performed with The Drama Workshop. “This is the third time that  I have been fortunate enough to be cast in THE FANTASTICKS, and the folk at TDW have welcomed me with open arms. I am very fond of this play and with this cast, I think that the audience will love it!”

THE FANTASTICKS runs April 22 through May 8 at The Glenmore Playhouse, 3716 Glenmore Ave in Cheviot.  The show offers Friday and Saturday evening performances beginning at 8:00 pm, and Sunday matinees starting at 2 pm.

Tickets are $16 each when ordered in advance, or $17 at the door. Shows at TDW frequently sell out, so advance reservations are strongly recommended. Tickets may be ordered by phoning the TDW 24/7 ticket line at 513.598.8303, or by ordering online through the TDW website at www.thedramaworkshop.org.

The Drama Workshop was founded in 1954. TDW is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to advancing education and promotion of the theatrical arts. The Drama Workshop is widely recognized as one of greater Cincinnati’s most accomplished community theater organizations, garnering dozens of awards annually from the Association of Community Theatres of Greater Cincinnati. In 2015, they were the most-recognized group in the greater Cincinnati area for theatrical excellence.

TDW productions are frequently been selected to represent the Southwest Ohio region at the Ohio Community Theatre Association annual conference. TDW was also honored to represent the state of Ohio at the 2013 American Association of Community Theatre regional conference in Hartford, Wisconsin. The Drama Workshop has been recognized the Cincinnati Preservation Association for their efforts to rehabilitate the former Glenmore Bowl into The Glenmore Playhouse.

Prospective members, and individuals or businesses interested in becoming involved or in helping advance TDW’s mission are encouraged to contact the group through our website at www.thedramaworkshop.org, or by phone at 513.598.8303.

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