Category Archives: Staged Reading

HERE’S TO LIVING
Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative
Feb. 22
Aronoff Center Fifth Third Bank Theater [Downtown]

CPI New Voices Series presents a reading of Here’s to Living by local playwright Dr. Leo Bradley.

Living and enjoying a full and satisfying life while growing old is proving to be a challenge to Jesse Kincaid as he grapples with the challenges of retirement.  Everyone around him, both family and friends, seems to feel he is “losing it” and is in dire need of advice as to how to live out his life.

His daughter is worried about both his health and how to preserve his life-long accumulated wealth. The fact that Jesse thinks love can still happen at any age only increases the family tensions.

Jesse’s friends, ranging from former professional colleagues to financial, legal, real estate advisors, and golf partners, all have different perspectives on needed changes in Jesse’s life.

Helping Jesse to navigate this labyrinth is Glenn, his life-long friend and soul mate. Together they attempt to convince themselves and others to not stand on the shoreline and watch the river flow by, but to sail their vessels until the river runs dry.

1/20/22 – Health and Safety Guidelines

• Tue, Feb. 22 at 7:30pm

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THE CIRCLE
Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative
Jan. 11
Aronoff Center Fifth-Third Bank Theatre [Downtown]

CPI New Voices Series presents a reading of THE CIRCLE by local playwright Michael Defrancesco.

A new inmate is assigned a prison cell. He is dominated by his cellmate who controls everything about their habitation, and who learns information dangerous to the newcomer–who has lived with his increasingly concerned mother as she observes his personality change from that of a passionately committed young man to a furtive alcoholic. The Circle reveals details of his downward spiral and desperate grasping at some sort of salvation.

12/10/21 – COVID-19 Policy

• Tue, Jan. 11 at 7:30pm

Official page |

PLANTING GRANDMA by Liz Coley
Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative
Nov. 9
Aronoff Center Fifth-Third Bank Theater [Downtown]

Gathered home to their father’s deathbed vigil, middle-aged siblings Bran and Roni plan to undertake his last unfinished business, laying Grandma’s long-neglected ashes to rest. Taking a shovel to the past creates a deeper hole than they bargained for, unearthing family history and exposing personal fears the siblings and their mother have kept buried.

About the Playwright: Liz Coley writes novels (Pretty Girl-13, HarperCollins), short stories, and plays. She manages Next Stage Cincinnati Playwrights, a local critique group, and is producing an upcoming showcase of tens. Her work has been performed in San Diego, Cincinnati, and the Boston area. Follow LizColeyBooks on social media and visit LizColey.com.

10/8/21 – COVID-19 Policy

• Tue, Nov. 9 at 7:30pm

Official page |

THE STANDS and AT THE EDGE OF THE LIGHT
Cincinnati Playwright Initiative
Sept. 14
Aronoff Center Fifth Third Bank Theatre [Downtown]

THE STANDS by Eric Thomas
Two sets of parents meet at their sons’ first high school baseball game. Marcus wants his son to love baseball as much as he did. Alex wants her son to be on track toward a scholarship. Pamela wants to protect her son from ridicule. Blair wants to make a friend. All relationships and expectations are challenged when the parents are confronted with a series of surprises, both on the field and in the stands.

AT THE EDGE OF THE LIGHT by Chris Bishop
Three men from different backgrounds share a common secret. Each one must navigate the familial, religious and societal pressures forcing him to hide his true identity from the world and even himself. Each man struggles to find and reveal his true self on the border between the darkness of shame and fear, and the light of honesty and self-love.

Casts include: Burgess Byrd, Jessie Faye, Jeff Weinkam, Elizabeth Hickerson & Derek Snow

9/10/21 Covid-19 Policy: Due to the high levels of COVID-19 transmission in Hamilton County and the surrounding area, all guests, staff, and volunteers are required to wear masks at all times in our venues, regardless of vaccination status. This policy is effective immediately and until further notice.  In addition, beginning September 13, 2021, ticket holders 12 years of age and older will be required to show a proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for entry into the Aronoff Center and Music Hall. Requirements for children under 12 years old will be determined by each of our venue’s resident companies.
Note: Always verify the latest policy changes before attendance.

• Tue, Oct. 12 at 7:30pm

Official page