Tag Archives: Cincinnati Actor’s Studio and Academy

WILD PARTY Runs Nov. 24-Dec. 3

CASA_The Wild Party logoWILD PARTY
Cincinnati Actor’s Studio and Academy
Nov. 24-Dec. 3
Essex Studios [Avondale]

Directed by Erin Carr
Music/vocal direction by Janet Langhorst
Choreographed by Margot Grom

Cast: Amy Helms, Owen Kiley, Blake Knauer, Alena Firlie, Jonah Sorscher, Leanne Hays, Katie Tierney, Bettina Ernst, Abbie Loebker, Bella DeJesus & Bryce Kessler

WILD PARTY is a steamy, cautionary tale about escapism, control and excess. Set between 2017 and the Prohibition era, lovers Queenie and Burrs decide to throw a party-to-end-all-parties in their small, Manhattan apartment. As the guests arrive, it seems Queenie is taken with her friend’s date, sparking a complicated love triangle. The night, fueled by booze, games, and pretention, takes a dangerous turn as Burrs’s jealousy gets the best of him. The game unravels. Violence erupts. Checkmate.

  • Fri-Sat, Nov. 24-25 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Nov. 26 at 3pm
  • Fri-Sat, Dec. 1-2 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Dec. 3 at 3pm

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Don’t You Want To Be The Life Of The Party?

CASA_The Wild Party logoNOV 10, 2017—Tristate audiences are invited to #jointhewildparty as Cincinnati Actor’s Studio & Academy presents Andrew Lippa’s WILD PARTY.

WILD PARTY is a steamy, cautionary tale about escapism, control and excess. Set between 2017 and the Prohibition era, lovers Queenie and Burrs decide to throw a party-to-end-all-parties in their small, Manhattan apartment. As the guests arrive, it seems Queenie is taken with her friend’s date, sparking a complicated love triangle. The night, fueled by booze, games, and pretention, takes a dangerous turn as Burrs’s jealousy gets the best of him. The game unravels. Violence erupts. Checkmate.

Book, music & lyrics by Andrew Lippa, WILD PARTY is presented with special arrangement with Musical Theatre International (MTI).This musical is based on the 1928 book-length narrative poem by Joseph Moncure March of the same name. Because of its risqué subject matter that was taboo in the 1920’s the poem was widely banned, although despite (or perhaps because of its controversial nature) it was a success for March.

This production is directed by Erin Carr. Cast includes current CASA students: Amy Helms, Owen Kiley, Blake Knauer, Alena Firlie, Jonah Sorscher, Leanne Hays, Katie Tierney, Bettina Ernst, Abbie Loebker, Bella DeJesus, and Bryce Kessler. Production includes Matt Berman as Asst. Director/Technical Director, Will Forgham as Stage Manager, Janet Langhorst as Music/Vocal Director, Margot Grom as Choreographer, Gina Cerimele-Mechley as Fight Choreographer, Meg Griffin as Costume Designer, Olivia Dunn as Marketing Manager and Marisa Holzman as Production Manager.

Performances run November 24th, 25th & December 1st, 2nd at 7:30PM, November 26th & December 3rd at 3:00PM. All performances will take place at Essex Studios, 2511 Essex Pl, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206. Tickets can be purchased at www.casastudioacademy.com. Tickets: $9 Students, $14 Adults. For more information: www.casastudioacademy.com

MORE INFORMATION:

Vaudeville was a time of separate, unrelated acts being billed together. Have you looked at YouTube or Instagram lately? It’s easy to glamorize the past and relish in escaping to another time and place, especially to cope with any abuse or violence in your life, but soon you might realize that not much has changed:

“…An era of Republican leadership, nationalistic and fundamentalist movements, and changing social conventions. Electing Republican presidents who favored business expansion rather than regulation, the American public enjoyed apparently unlimited prosperity, while fear of radicals and foreigners combined to almost completely close off America to immigration and contributed to the resurgence of hate groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. Religious fundamentalism revived as new moral and social attitudes came into vogue.”

As a community we have spent the last century observing, judging and turning our heads from issues that “don’t affect us” directly. But when will we learn that it is up to each of us to step up and speak up? Designed as a railroad style theatre, this production brings the audience into the forefront of the show. Without a clear fourth wall, along with the tantalizing invite to join the party, each of us is faced with the decision of what would we do in this situation. It’s past the time of closing our eyes, turning our heads and shutting out the ugly. So how far do we let violence go unchecked? We need to face it together and decide what we can do as a community to help those who are lost in the shadows, who are forgotten on the sidelines, who are masking their insecurity with an excess of show.

**This show will raise money for Women Helping Women**

PLEASE NOTE: THE WILD PARTY contains adult subject matter, language, and themes. Viewer discretion is advised.

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Moliere’s THE LEARNED LADIES at Cincinnati Actor’s Studio Aug. 3-6

CASA_The Learned LadiesWhat does it mean to be a male or female in the world?

JULY 31, 2017—Tristate audiences are invited to explore the idea that function requires form as Cincinnati Actor’s Studio & Academy presents Moliere’s THE LEARNED LADIES.

It is 1630 in France. Spain’s Christopher Columbus introduced Europe to unknown civilizations whose reach is re-defining the term: “Conventional Wisdom”. In response to this period of philosophy and discovery, French women of a “certain” class are gathering to expand their intellectual horizons and fight to elevate their spot on the social ladder.

Moliere’s THE LEARNED LADIES shows us that despite enlightenment, however, some things never change. For all their lofty aspirations, the women of this Salon must still deal with the mundane concerns of daily living–romance, finances, and what is a woman’s place in the world. Sound familiar?

This production is the 3rd in CASA’s 2017 Summer Series and runs from August 3rd- 6th at Essex Studios. This show is directed by Cheryl Couch. Cast includes: Alena Firlie, Katie Tierney, Haley Gillman, Meg Griffin, Eliza Martin, Amber Smith, Julie Deye, Grace Wesson, Nora Tighe, Leanne Hays, & Olivia Dunn. Production crew includes Matt Berman as Asst. Director/Stage Manager and Finney Kutcher as Costume Designer.

Performances run August 3rd – 6th at 7:30PM and will take place at Essex Studios, 2511 Essex Pl, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206. Tickets can be reserved by emailing casatics@gmail.com. T ickets: Adults $15, Students $10. Summer Subscriptions are also available. For more information: www.casastudioacademy.com

This production of THE LEARNED LADIES offers the opportunity to explore these very modern themes through the pen of the renowned French playwright, Moliere. In the capable hands of long-time Cincinnati Director and Teacher, Cheryl Couch, the all-female cast of young thespians will lead audiences in an examination of these questions in an entertaining production that will satisfy both traditional and contemporary theatre fans. Ms. Couch notes that the production is staged to create a dialogue around relationships as well.

Ms. Couch states: “Audiences will be surprised at the humor and grace with which these young actors have embraced the challenge of bringing this stylized form of theater to life”.

In addition, as part of The Ghostlight Project, all summer long, theaters and theatre-makers across the country will take part in this initiative, meeting their neighbors, making meaningful connections with community organizations in their area, and learning how to be of service. CASA is proud to be taking part in this initiative. Throughout our Summer Series, CASA will be collecting canned foods for the Freestore Foodbank of Cincinnati as well as clothing & household items for the Off the Streets program at Anna Louise Inn, located in Clifton. See boxes in our lobby to donate.

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Classic Words, Classic Songs, Classic Dances!

CASA_Love's Labour's Lost logoJULY 7, 2017—Tristate audiences are invited to have fun with the classics! Cincinnati Actor’s Studio & Academy presents LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST: A Musical Adventure

Shakespeare’s tale of LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST tells of a few lords gathering at the new court of Naverre determined to educate themselves in anything the books will teach, but they end up getting taught a lesson in love. Now imagine the late 1940s Europe, devaststed by WWII, desperately in need of rebuilding its culture and enjoying life. Put these together and you find yourself in a world swirling with Shakespearean language, classic music by the likes of Cole Porter and Gershwin, singing, dancing, and a celebration of loving life!

This production is the 2nd in CASA’s 2017 Summer Series and runs from July 13th-23rd at Essex Studios. This show is directed & by Gina Cerimele-Mechley. Cast includes: Aiden Dalton, Finney Kutcher, Kat Sweeney, Matt Berman, Katie Teirney, Ben Cohen, Grace Wesson, Katie Kenniston, Sydney Mahon, Faith Dansberry, Amy Helms. Production crew includes Olivia Cremisio as Stage Manager, Kyle Goold as Asst. Choreographer/Asst. Stage Manager and Evan Holzman as Videographer.

Performances run July 13th, 15th, 21st, 22nd, & 23rd at 7:30PM and will take place at Essex Studios, 2511 Essex Pl, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206. Tickets can be reserved by emailing casatics@gmail.com. Tickets: Adults $15, Students $10. Summer Subscriptions are also available. For more information: www.casastudioacademy.com

In addition, as part of The Ghostlight Project, all summer long, theaters and theatre-makers across the country will take part in this initiative, meeting their neighbors, making meaningful connections with community organizations in their area, and learning how to be of service. CASA is proud to be taking part in this initiative. Throughout our Summer Series, CASA will be collecting canned foods for the Freestore Foodbank of Cincinnati as well as clothing & household items for the Off the Streets program at Anna Louise Inn, located in Clifton. See boxes in our lobby to donate.

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CASA Brings A NIGHT OF CURIOUS INCIDENTS to the Stage

If we choose to celebrate difference, then it cannot divide us.

casa_a-night-of-curious-incidents-logo

FEB 25, 2017—Tri-State audiences are invited to this fundraiser to celebrate people on the spectrum with featured music & artwork by students on the spectrum, as well as scenes from “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” adapted by Simon Stephens, at A NIGHT OF CURIOUS INCIDENTS presented by Cincinnati Actor’s Studio & Academy, LLC. A NIGHT OF CURIOUS INCIDENTS, which is part of CASA’s High School Acting Studio, runs from March 2nd- 5th at Essex Studios. This will be a fundraiser for the Tall Institute.

About “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”
Fifteen-year-old Christopher has an extraordinary brain; he is exceptionally intelligent but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbor’s dog, he sets out to identify the true culprit, which leads to an earth-shattering discovery and a journey that will change his life forever.

This evening fundraiser is directed & developed by Gina Cerimele-Mechley. Cast of selected scenes include current CASA students: Ryan Smith, Kyle Goold, Will Forgham, Katie Kenniston, Meg Griffin, Raelynn Snodgrass, Sadie Koopman, Leanne Hays, Owen Kiley, Olivia Dunn, Finney Kutcher as well as Aiden Dalton and professional actor/CASA alum Marisa Holzman. Evening’s production crew includes Julie Deye as Asst. Director, Hannah Brandell as Stage Manager, Olivia Cremisio as Asst. Stage Manager, Marisa Holzman as Production Manager, Katie Kenniston as Production Manager Intern, Finney Kutcher as Costume Designer and Evan Holzman as Technical Director.

Performances run March 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th at 7:30PM. The fundraiser runs until 10PM and will take place at Essex Studios, 2511 Essex Pl, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206. Tickets can be reserved at casatics@gmail.com. Tickets: Adults $12, Students $7. For more information, like Cincinnati Actor’s Studio & Academy on Facebook.

Additional Show Information:
The evening is a celebration of difference.  We will have artwork created by several people on the spectrum on display in the lobby. Most of the music playing during the evening will also have been created by people on the spectrum. The students of the High School Acting Studio at Cincinnati Actor’s Studio & Academy (CASA) will be exploring some of the scenes in “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” in order to share with the audience, in a theatrical multi-sensory way, what it is like to experience the world through the eyes of autism.

Our goal is to help build awareness and thusly patience and tolerance for those that are different from ourselves. The large amount of intolerance in our world stems from a lack of education and understanding of each other’s differences. We hope to expand the audience’s desire to research more about what it means to live on the spectrum and to develop a greater appreciation for the challenges that people on the spectrum face.

The audience will be seated on all four sides of the stage to promote the idea that no one has the exact same perspective. The actors and the lighting constantly break the fourth wall in order to allow the audience to enter the story rather than simply enter the theatre.

So, quite simply, if we choose to celebrate difference, then it cannot divide us.

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