Category Archives: Press Releases

May 1, 2024 · 6:24 am

DANCING FOR THE STARS 2024 Announces Winners

CAA_Dancing with the Stars 2024Deb Schubert and Dance Pro James Branham
Crowned New Dancing for the Stars Champs

Scott Allgyer honored as Fundraising Champion

[CINCINNATI, OH] – Deb Schubert (Health Care Professional Marketing, Procter & Gamble) and dance pro James Branham (Arthur Murray Dance Studio — West Chester) were crowned the champions of the Cincinnati Arts Association’s sixteenth annual Dancing for the Stars on Saturday, April 21, 2024, at the Music Hall Ballroom. Scott Allgyer (Owner, Studio 900) took home the Fundraising Champion Award as the celebrity who raised the most money for the event through ticket sales and donations – more than $17,000.

The team of Schubert/Branham and second-place winners Alex Johns (Real Estate Agent, Coldwell Banker) and Bonita Brockert (Independent Dance Instructor) both received perfect scores of 40 (out of 40). The ultimate winner between the two perfect-scoring dance teams was decided by the audience vote via an applause meter.

Dr. Hali Junger (Veterinarian, Newport Aquarium) and Josh Tilford (Dance Manor) took third place.

As the Cincinnati Arts Association’s largest annual fundraiser, the popular event raised more than $70,000 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. 

The other three dance pairs included:

  • Scott Allgyer (Owner, Studio 900; Dancing for the Stars 2024 Fundraising Champion) and Maura Garuccio (Independent Dance Instructor)
  • Dr. Magdalena Kerschner (Board certified Anesthesiologist and Aesthetic Medicine Physician;  Founder, Victory Wellness and Medspa – Cincinnati, OH and Naples, FL) and Jeremy Mainous (Arthur Murray Dance Studio – Cincinnati)
  • Zack Thornton (Director, Advisory Services, Fidelity Investments) and Melissa Vaughn (Arthur Murray Dance Studio – Cincinnati)

Inspired by the hit TV show Dancing with the Stars, Dancing for the Stars 2024 featured six 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 theme for the evening was Broadway, and each dance pair had 90 seconds to woo the crowd and the judges.

Event emcees were Chris O’Brien & Janeen Coyle (former hosts of “Married with Microphones,” 103.5 WGRR-FM). The competition judges were Douglas Beal (Independent Dance Instructor), Sebastian Castillo (General Manager, Prime Cincinnati; Dancing for the Stars 2022 Dance Champion), Bret Schneider, (Owner, WOW Windowboxes; Dancing for the Stars 2022 Fundraising Champion), and Britton Spitler as Brock Leah Spears (Project Manager – ADM; Dancing for the Stars 2023 Dance Champion).        

In addition, Dancing for the Stars 2024 featured:

  • Dinner-by-the-Bite provided by DelightMore, eat well Celebrations and Feasts, Jeff Thomas Catering, Moerlein Lager House, Prime Cincinnati, Primo Italian Steakhouse, Skyline, Street City Pub.
  • Dance music by popular DJ and 103.5 WGRR personality JD Hughes.
  • Open dancing before and after the competition.
  • Entertaining exhibition dances by talented Dancing for the Stars dance pros.
  • An inspiring video about the Overture Awards, featuring interviews with the six student winners of the 2024 Overture Awards finals competition.
  • 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.
  • Humorous, astute, and supportive comments from the Dancing for the Stars panel of judges.
  • Exceptionally responsive, raucous, and energetic audience reactions, which included large cheering sections holding signs with various messages in support of their favorite stars.

Dance and Song Selections (based on the theme of Broadway)

  • Deb Schubert / James Branham: Cha Cha Cha – “Lady Marmalade” from Moulin Rouge! The Musical
  • Alex Johns / Bonita Brockert: Combination of dance styles – “Style” from the film musical Robin and the 7 Hoods
  • Dr. Hali Junger / Josh Tilford: East Coast Swing / Lindy Hop – “You Can’t Stop the Beat” (Glee version) from Hairspray
  • Scott Allgyer / Maura Garuccio: Rumba – “Seasons of Love” from Rent
  • Dr. Magdalena Kerschner / Jeremy Mainous: Rumba – “Whatever Lola Wants (Lola Gets)” from Damn Yankees
  • Zack Thornton / Melissa Vaughn: Hustle (Disco) – “A Friend Like Me” (Electro Swing Remix) from Aladdin

Event Committee:  Dr. Tracey Skale (honorary chair), Doreen Beatrice, Michael Betz, Amal Daoud, Terry Foster, Ginger Loftin, and Rosemary Schlachter.

Presenting Sponsor: TriHealth

Event Sponsors: Accent on Cincinnati, Arthur Murray – Cincinnati, Arthur Murray – West Chester, James Branham, Bonita Brockert, Dance Manor, Maura Garuccio, Harlan Graphics, Jeremy Mainous, Punky’s Pixels,  Josh Tilford, Melissa Vaughn 

Libations Sponsors:  Heidelberg Distributing, Ohio Valley Wine & Beer, Party Source, Pepsi

The Cincinnati Arts Association is supported [in part] by the Ohio Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts.

CINCINNATI ARTS ASSOCIATION’S EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGMENT PROGRAMS

CAA’s Education & Community Engagement department cultivates diverse, inclusive, and accessible arts engagements, seeking to remove barriers preventing arts participation. Committed to a practice of antiracism, the Education and Community Engagement department encourages the use of CAA venues, develops diverse arts supporters, and fosters an appreciation and understanding of diverse arts disciplines, while encouraging and supporting practicing arts educators and administrators, audiences, and aspiring artists.

SchoolTime presents a series of programs that feature nationally recognized artists at the Aronoff Center and Music Hall. The Artists on Tour program brings a variety of arts experiences directly to schools, community centers, and other organizations. The finest local teaching artists in the region enhance learning with unique programs that vary in culture and art form.

The Arts in Healing Initiative integrates the performing and visual arts in medical and community healthcare settings and other non-traditional settings to promote community wellness and encourage the community to explore the arts as an active part of their healing and ongoing wellness.

The Overture Awards is a program that recognizes and rewards excellence in the arts among Greater Cincinnati students in grades 9-12. Its mission is to encourage arts education as an integral part of a student’s academic experience and to create an environment that encourages training in, and appreciation of, the arts. The Overture Awards is the area’s largest solo arts competition and offers awards in six artistic disciplines: creative writing, dance, instrumental music, theatre, visual art, and vocal music.

Now in its 28th year, the Overture Awards has granted more than $1,000,000 to youth and arts educators in the Tri-state region. The Overture Awards was launched in 1996 by the Cinergy Foundation (now Duke Energy) and Leadership Cincinnati (a Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce program).

CINCINNATI ARTS ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1992, the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management of two of the Tri-state’s finest performing arts venues – the Aronoff Center for the Arts and Music Hall – and is dedicated to supporting performing and visual arts. Each year, CAA presents a diverse schedule of events; serves more than 600,000 people in its venues; features the work of talented local, regional, and national artists in the Weston Art Gallery (located in the Aronoff Center); and supports the work of more than one dozen resident companies, including Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Symphony/Pops Orchestras, May Festival, and Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati, presented by TriHealth. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached more than one million youth and adults.

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May 1, 2024 · 6:22 am

Celebration of Life for Senator Stanley J. Aronoff | June 22, 2024 | Aronoff Center

CAA_Celebration of Aronoff LifeJune 22, 2024
Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall

[Cincinnati, OH] – A Celebration of Life for Senator Stanley J. Aronoff is scheduled for Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the Aronoff Center for the Arts located in downtown Cincinnati at 650 Walnut Street.  The celebration will begin in the Otto M. Budig Lobby at 5:00 PM with drinks and lite bites and will move into the Procter & Gamble Hall at 5:45 PM for a program featuring special speakers and performers paying tribute to Stan. Cocktail attire is suggested.

RSVPs are requested at http://www.cincinnatiarts.org/stanaronoff.

Stan Aronoff played a pivotal role in the revitalization of Cincinnati during his more than three decades in public office. He championed crucial legislation, secured state funding, and advocated for the interests of the Cincinnati region with governors. The Aronoff Center stands as his enduring legacy, reflecting his 30-year dedication to the local arts community. Stan once said, “I want to be remembered for the good deeds, for some of the unnoticed constituent work we did. I want to be remembered for more than the bricks and mortar. I want to be remembered as a person who cares about people.”

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CALENDAR INFORMATION

WHAT:                Celebration of Life for Senator Stanley J. Aronoff

DATE                   Saturday, June 22, 2024

TIME:                  5:00 PM – Drinks and lite bites

                             5:45 PM – Celebration program honoring Senator Aronoff
PLACE:                Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall

RSVP:                  RSVP at www.CincinnatiArts.org/stanaronoff

ATTIRE:               Cocktail

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April 29, 2024 · 9:36 am

Know Theatre of Cincinnati Names Bridget Leak as Producing Artistic Director

KTC_Bridget LeakCINCINNATI, OH (April 29, 2024)— Know Theatre of Cincinnati’s board of trustees today announced that Bridget Leak has been named the next Producing Artistic Director of the company. Leak’s tenure begins May 1, 2024.

A respected director, educator, and creator, Leak is currently the co-founder of Queen City Flash, an organization dedicated to cultivating new work and open access to the arts. Leak brings to the role a diverse background and deep-rooted connections to local and national theatres including Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, UC’s College Conservatory of Music, Xavier University, as well as Manhattan Theatre Club, Cleveland Playhouse, and Studio Theatre in Washington, DC. No stranger to Know Theatre of Cincinnati, she directed ten Cincinnati Fringe Festival productions (six of which garnered awards) and two mainstage productions. As Producing Artistic Director, she will lead all aspects of the company’s operations, including artistic and production management, financial management, fundraising, marketing, education, community engagement, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Leak’s appointment comes at a historic moment for Know Theatre of Cincinnati which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022. The board of trustees will officially introduce her to the community at Frontiers Unknown, a fundraiser to benefit the future of Know Theatre of Cincinnati on Monday, May 6th at 8:00pm at Covington Yard (401 Greenup St., Covington, KY 41011). Ticket information can be found at knowtheatre.com/on-stage or by calling 513-300-5669.

Leak will succeed Andrew Hungerford, who served as the Producing Artistic Director for 10 years with the company. Hungerford was the fourth Producing Artistic Director for the theatre and successfully navigated the organization through the pandemic by producing a full season of at-a-distance programming that provided needed income to artists as well as kept operations running. He directed and designed some of Know’s most successful and beloved productions including Neli Gaiman’s Neverwhere, Puffs, and Ada & the Engine. He also designed The Bengsons’ Hundred Days which went on to future life at New York Theatre Workship, La Jolla Playhouse, and a regional tour. Alongside 59 mainstage productions and ten Fringe Festivals, Hungerford is proudest of the 100+ new plays by local artists featured in the Serials! Program, the hundreds of audience members who have been able to attend shows for free through the Know’s Welcome Experiment, the Know’s commitment to paying artists a living wage, and being an integral part of the national conversation about ways to safely produce work in a pandemic.

Today’s announcement concludes an eight-month local and national search, chaired by board president, Kathryn Hoffman with participation from the theatre’s board, staff, key artists, stakeholders, and community members.

Said Leak, “As Know’s next Producing Artistic Director, I am ready to collaborate with our local artists and audiences alike. I want to continue the Know’s long legacy of connecting our region to stories risky and beautiful, told both at the cutting edge or too close for comfort. I want to use our talents and resources to lift up our own artists, so that their stories can flourish and take root. Cincinnati has a vibrant arts community, full of daring artists and passionate audiences, both hungry for the weird, the wild, the bold. I see The Know as the perfect institution for these two forces to intersect.”

“We are thrilled to name Bridget Leak as the new Producing Artistic Director of Know Theatre of Cincinnati,” said Hoffman. “Bridget is the most prepared person in the room at all times.  She possesses the talent, organization, and relationships with other artists and organizations that will allow Know to grow our community of artists, donors, and audiences. Her collaborative leadership style will create a new chapter for the organization that will bring new and old audiences back to the theatre. She is a relationship builder by nature and is ready to hit the ground sprinting.”

She added, “This search was exhaustive and comprehensive in scope. I can’t thank enough the stellar search committee, staff, board, and our community stakeholders for their dedication and engagement throughout the search process. The Know is incredibly fortunate to enjoy such a committed community who continually show their love. We encourage everyone to join us on Monday, May 6th to welcome Bridget and celebrate our next Producing Artistic Director.”

Said Hungerford, “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Bridget on a delightful variety of projects at the Know over the last decade, from Serials! to the MainStage and points in between. I’ve watched her spectacular work at the Fringe and theatres around Cincinnati captivate and move audiences, subverting and expanding expectations of what theatre can be. I’m thrilled to pass the Producing Artistic Director baton of the Know to an artist of Bridget’s caliber and expect this theatrical playground to thrive under her leadership.

About Bridget Leak
Bridget Leak is a Cincinnati-based freelance theatre director where her theatre company, Queen City Flash is currently an Artist in Residence at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Recent directing credits include; Playhouse in the Park (A Christmas Carol, Actually and Off-the-Hill Series), Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (Maytag Virgin, Queen), Know Theatre (Andy’s House of [blank], 10-time Fringe participant), and teaching and directing at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and Xavier University. She was featured in American Theatre Magazine and had her work highlighted in Teaching Theatre magazine, a publication of EdTA. Previous honors include; People’s Liberty Grant Recipient, Cincinnati Art Ambassador Fellowship, SDC Denham Fellow, Lincoln Center Directors Lab alum, Artist in Residence at Robert Wilson’s The Watermill Center, Directing Fellow at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, a Sir Gielgud Fellowship finalist and a SDCF Observer (Cleveland Play House and Round House Theatre). Queen City Flash produces two podcasts Zoinks! and Have Monster Will Travel, available wherever you listen. Bridget has her M.F.A. in Directing from the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University and is a member of SDC. She calls East Price Hill home with her husband, playwright-composer Trey Tatum, small human Wilder, puppies “Pocket” & “Lint”, and her bees. bridgetleak.com 

About Know Theatre of Cincinnati
Know Theatre was founded in 1997 when a “Tribe” of artists led by Jay Kalagayan traveled to bookstores and other venues throughout Cincinnati to perform original, collaborative works.

Know Theatre Tribe took up its first residence in Gabriel’s Corner in 1999, a community performance space in an Over-the-Rhine church basement and produced a full season of plays. In 2006, thanks to the generous support of David C. Herriman, Know Theatre moved to a new home, a versatile performance space at 1120 Jackson Street. That same year, the theatre merged with the Cincinnati Fringe Festival and relaunched the resulting organization as Know Theatre of Cincinnati. This merger created what was, at the time, the only regional theatre that also produced a Fringe Festival.

Know Theatre is now among the region’s most dynamic small arts organizations, producing an award-winning MainStage Season, the Cincinnati Fringe Festival, a SecondStage season of works focused on local artists, and Play(under)ground, unique post show program designed to strengthen the relationships between artists and audiences.

For more information, visit knowtheatre.com

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April 18, 2024 · 6:18 am

WAITING FOR LAURA at 2024 Cincy Fringe

CFF24_Waiting for LauraOscar Winner Laura Dern is invited to the Cincinnati Fringe Festival, but will she
show up?

Local artists Ben Miller-Jones (Cincinnati) and Justin King (Columbus) are teaming up under their production company “Ben & Justin Present” to launch the world premiere of their new play WAITING FOR LAURA at the 2024 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. The show is about two friends anxiously awaiting an interview with Oscar Winner, Laura Dern. Ben and Justin not only wrote
this show, but are also starring in it as fictionalized versions of themselves, excited to meet their real-life hero.

It’s not only Ben and Justin who will be waiting to see if Laura Dern shows up, but also, the rest of Cincinnati, Ohio. As part of the production of this show, its producers have reached out through various channels to Laura Dern and her production company “Jaywalker Pictures” in hopes that she might be available for a cameo at one of the performances. In fact, there’s a production note in the script that calls for the producers to reach out and strictly states that “…under no circumstances are the actors, Ben and Justin, allowed to know if Laura Dern is available for a performance” and gives stipulations for how the show might slightly change in the event of the celebrity cameo.

“We’ve always been fans of Laura Dern and we’ve written this play as a love-letter to one of the most iconic actresses out there.” says Co-Creator Ben Miller-Jones.

“The show is labeled as ‘a fantasy’ and what’s more of a fantasy than getting to meet a Hollywood celebrity who means the world to you?” adds Co-Creator Justin King.

Ben & Justin Present is a production company best known for creating 3 seasons of The Gay
Spelling Bee for YouTube. BJP is self-run, not for profit, and full of delusion, much like its creators. WAITING FOR LAURA is camp. It’s comedy. It’s Waiting for Godot if Godot was an Oscar-Winning gay icon.

For tickets and show dates, visit https://cincyfringe.com.

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April 16, 2024 · 5:56 pm

Cincinnati Music Theatre Scholarship Applications Now Open

CMT_logoThe purpose of the Cincinnati Music Theatre Scholarship Program is to encourage and promote the study of theater arts at the collegiate level, particularly musical theater, in both performance and production. Importantly, the CMT Scholarship Program is intended to give back to the Greater Cincinnati area through the support of academic study in recognition of the years of dedicated public interest and support of CMT productions.

CMT, through its scholarship program, will recognize outstanding Cincinnati-area high school seniors who have excelled in various aspects of theater production and/or performance during their high school career and will pursue a college degree in theater arts or theater-related music performance, production or education.

ELIGIBILITY: High school seniors in the Greater Cincinnati area who will be entering college to study theatre/musical arts.

QUALIFICATIONS: Eligible applicants (as described above) must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher (4.0 scale). Applicants must submit an application and portfolio (if applicable). Applications may be emailed to rkmkramer@yahoo.com.

AWARDS: The award will be in the form of a check made payable to the institution for the benefit of the winning applicant(s). The recipient may use the award for any expense related to his/her education; i.e. tuition, fees, books, room and board, etc.

Up to two winners may be selected per year, with each award not to exceed the amount of $1,000.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN APRIL 19, 2024.
NO EXCEPTIONS.

CLICK HERE FOR SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS AND APPLICATION

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