Tag Archives: Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative

AN EVENING OF THEATER (5 Staged Readings)
Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative
Feb. 10
Aronoff Center Fifth Third Bank Theater [Downtown]

WELCOMING ECHOES
Written by Paul Bergman
Welcoming Echoes follows John Lewis from his youthful days to his gradual “justice-awakening” and full embrace of the “Beloved Community.” The words of Lewis, the power of his commitment to Civil rights and non-violence, the poignancy of painful reversals, and the glory of his later years entwine in a tapestry of a dynamic life.

Playwright Bio:
Paul is a retired professional who has long had a fascination with history and how certain people were pivotal in shaping it. In particular, the struggle for human rights rings its bell with a clarion call to awareness.  Paul believes stories from the past can instruct us, provide a sense of the “Why?” and inspire us to act.

NEXT TRAIN TO PLATFORM 22
Written by Roger Collins
Two strangers, two journeys, two very different destinations.

MUST BE THE MUSIC
Written by Roger Collins
Music: the medium of emotion, and desire, and hope.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH CAFE
Written by Roger Collins
A good cup of coffee with the right music…you’re ready for (almost) anything!

THE HOLY TERRORS
Written by Roger Collins
This brand of paintball takes teamwork, tactics, and a dose of theology.

Playwright Bio:
Roger Collins is professor emeritus at the University of Cincinnati where he received the Cohen Award for Excellence in Teaching. He has published short stories and drama in literary journals, and his short plays have been produced locally and in New York, Florida, and California. His sci-fi novel, Cities of Glass, was published in 2022.

• Tue, Feb. 10 at 7:30pm

Official page | Facebook event |

THANKS FOR CALLING, STILLWATER DEPOT, CENTER STREET, and SGT. SKINNER GOES FOR COFFEE
Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative
Nov. 18
Aronoff Center Fifth-Third Bank Theater [Downtown]

THANKS FOR CALLING (One Act Play)
Two ex-lovers meet via a broken keyboard. This is the catalyst for the love story of Anna and Danny, one a woman struggling to make ends meet, the other a jazz musician hoping for his big break. Will they re-connect, or only learn that some things can’t be fixed?

About the Author:
Dave Doster’s produced plays include The Whale (Spark Festival NYC), Guardian Angel Blues (Madlab Columbus), Rushing for Pandas, The Obstacle Course, and The Last Out (GI60 NYC/Leeds UK). Dave writes weekly with NY/NJ based “Curtains On Fire” podcast and workshop. Besides writing, he enjoys sailboat racing and singing.

STILLWATER DEPOT, CENTER STREET, and SGT. SKINNER GOES FOR COFFEE (Three 10-minute plays)

In STILLWATER DEPOT, Lily visits her old hometown to check up on her estranged father. Dad’s doing okay, but Lily needs to work on a few things.

A homeless man on CENTER STREET tries to save Martha’s husband from a heart attack, and introduces him to a different world.

In SGT. SKINNER GOES FOR COFFEE, a hard-boiled cop seems to be trying for a Dirty Harry moment, but the Armed and Dangerous Fugitive won’t resist arrest. Now what?

About the Author:
Clint Bramkamp has been acting since high school, and he has performed in CPI’s productions as well as having his short plays staged here. Clint trained and performed at Playhouse in the Park, and acted at the Showboat Majestic, Cherry County Playhouse, and Human Race Theater. He is currently a board member at The Drama Workshop in Cheviot, and he founded their annual festival of ten-minute plays by local authors, Home Brew Theater. Home Brew 9 will be performed in January 2026.

• Tue, Nov. 18 at 7:30pm

Official page |

HOLLYWOOD MASALA
Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative 
Sept. 16
Aronoff Center Fifth-Third Bank Theater [Downtown]

HOLLYWOOD MASALA follows an Indian-American family’s trip to India, where hilarious culture clashes, Bollywood dreams, and a shocking kidnapping collide. As their daughter’s daring escape involves a self-absorbed movie star, they rediscover family bonds and identity—delivering sharp comedy, heartfelt moments, and a satirical look at celebrity culture.

• Tue, Sept. 16 at 7:30pm

Official page |

Playwright Bio
Sanjay is a playwright, novelist, actor, and improviser whose vibrant comedies and heartfelt dramas explore identity, culture, and belonging. Raised in India, he honed his craft on the New Delhi stage, working with directors like Barry John and Faisal Alkazi. After a successful academic career, he reignited his passion for storytelling with Dances with Doctors (2017), featured by the Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative, covered by WLWT, and also produced by Playhouse 22 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. His short plays Love Me Tinder (2019) and The Fool (2020) were staged at Cincinnati’s Aronoff Center. In 2024, his bilingual play Hollywood Se Bollywood Tak enjoyed houseful shows at the Mason Community Playhouse, and its success inspired him to create Hollywood Masala, a fresh English adaptation written for a wider audience. As a novelist, his English-language book Holi Tragedy tells a gripping coming-of-age mystery set against the backdrop of an Indian festival, sharing the complexities of the diaspora experience with readers beyond the community. He is also a published innovation author and a passionate storyteller committed to bridging cultures through the performing arts.