Tag Archives: Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati

May 12, 2025 · 3:42 pm

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati Closes the 2024-2025 Season with JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING

May 31 – June 22, 2025

(Cincinnati, OH) Get tressed to impress! Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) closes its 2024–2025 Season with the regional premiere dramedy Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. Written by award-winning and Tony-nominated Ghanaian American playwright Jocelyn Bioh (School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play), pull up a chair with West African immigrant braiders who work their magic on the locals’ locks. This laugh-out-loud comedic gem is a riotously funny yet deeply resonant play that celebrates the indomitable spirit and interconnectedness that define us all. Playing  May 31–June 22, 2025, and is directed by Torie Wiggins. Premiere Sponsors are Daniel Brown & Mark Haggard and ArtsWave. Artist Sponsor is Linda R. Holthaus.

Welcome to Jaja’s bustling hair braiding salon nestled in the pulsating heart of Harlem, where a lively community of West African immigrant hair braiders weaves together humor and heart. Amidst the laughter and playful shop talk, a diverse group of women share dreams, love stories, and hidden secrets, all while creating stunning braided masterpieces. On a sweltering summer day, the lighthearted banter reveals deeper reflections on the challenges of feeling like outsiders in their own neighborhood, sparking a powerful exploration of identity and belonging, and confronting what it means to be an outsider on the edge of the place they call home.

“One of the things I love about Jaja’s is all these voices and ideas converging in this one place,” explains ETC Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers. “It’s important to celebrate a community’s voice in a way that feels accessible and understandable and that can be empathetic as well as celebratory. These women’s lives are changed in an instant by powers beyond their control. I think it’s essential in our world to recognize what other people may be up against that we’re unaware of as we go about our daily lives.”

Cast includes Burgess Byrd (Jaja), Keisha L. Kemper (Bea), Samantha Russell (Marie), Elexis Selmon (Jennifer), and Beasley (Vanessa/Shelia/Radia). Additionally, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati welcomes the following performers in their ETC debuts: A.J. Baldwin (Michelle/Chrissy/LaNiece), Jasimine Bouldin (Ndidi), Candice Handy (Aminata), Brianna Miller (Miriam), and Samuel Stricklen (James/Franklin/Olu/Eric).

Production team: Brian c. Mehring (Resident Scenic & Lighting Designer), Tiara M. Jones (Costume, Hair, & Wig Designer), Aniya Williams (Assistant Hair & Wig Designer), Justin Ellington (Sound Designer), Trey Tatum (Associate Sound Designer), Debora Crabbe (Dialect Coach), Shannon Rae Lutz (Properties Curator & Design Assistant), and Jacob Dowell (Technical Director). Production Stage Manager is Margot Whitney. Assistant Stage Manager is Lexi Muller. 

Performance Information

Performances Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 pm. A complete calendar of performances is available at www.ensemblecincinnati.org. 

Ticket Prices

Tickets for adults start at $30; student tickets are $28; and children are $24. Half-Price Rush Tickets: All remaining tickets for the current day’s performance(s) are available two hours prior to each show time for half-price (discount only applies to adult tickets) when purchasing by phone or in person. $15 Student Rush Tickets: Students may purchase up to two $15 student rush tickets two hours prior to show time with valid student I.D. Available in person only.

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2024-2025 Season Presenting Sponsor is the LKC Foundation.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is supported, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is a professional theatre rooted in historic Over-the-Rhine dedicated to engaging, enriching, and inspiring audiences through our thought-provoking world and regional premiere productions, creating and sustaining careers in professional theatre, building community partnerships, and sharing impactful education programs throughout our region.

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April 30, 2025 · 1:25 pm

THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING Runs May 1-3

THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati Studio Series
May 1-3
[Over-the-Rhine]

Cast: Dale Hodges as Joan Didion

Staged Reading. In this dramatic adaptation of her award-winning, bestselling memoir, which The New York Times called “an indelible portrait of loss and grief… a haunting portrait of a four-decade-long marriage,” Joan Didion transforms the story of the sudden and unexpected loss of her husband and their only daughter into a stunning and powerful one-woman play.

  • Thu-Fri, May 1-2 at 7pm
  • Sat, May 3 at 3pm

Official page |

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April 29, 2025 · 4:49 pm

JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING Runs May 31-June 22

JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
May 31-June 22
[Over-the-Rhine]

Welcome to Jaja’s bustling hair braiding salon nestled in the pulsating heart of Harlem, where a lively community of West African immigrant hair braiders weaves together humor and heart. Amidst the laughter and playful shop talk, a diverse group of women share dreams, love stories, and hidden secrets, all while creating stunning braided masterpieces. On a sweltering summer day, the lighthearted banter reveals deeper reflections on the challenges of feeling like outsiders in their own neighborhood, sparking a powerful exploration of identity and belonging, and confronting what it means to be an outsider on the edge of the place they call home. Written by award-winning and Tony-nominated Ghanaian American playwright Jocelyn Bioh (School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play), this laugh-out-loud comedic gem is a riotously funny yet deeply resonant play that celebrates the indomitable spirit and interconnectedness that define us all. Note: Jaja’s stylists and clients are no strangers to gossip and gab, sometimes using mild adult language and sexual references. In these complex female friendships, they feel empowered to discuss racism, divorce, domestic violence, and deportation, all while sharing dreams and braiding masterpieces.

  • In preview Sat, May 31 at 7pm
  • In preview Tue, June 3 at 7pm
  • Wed-Fri, June 4-6 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, June 7 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Sun, June 8 at 2pm
  • Tue-Fri, June 10-13 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, June 14 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Sun, June 15 at 2pm
  • Tue-Fri, June 17-20 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, June 21 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Sun, June 22 at 2pm & 7:30pm

Official page |

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April 14, 2025 · 12:47 pm

THE SOUND INSIDE Review

By Katrina “Kat” Reynolds

THE SOUND INSIDE presented by Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati through April 27th. I attended the Opening Night performance. 

The cast of THE SOUND INSIDE presented by Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

This April, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is bringing audiences The Sound Inside by Adam Rapp. An enigmatic sort of tale by the playwright of Red Light Winter is summarized as the story of a creative writing professor and a gifted student who form an unexpectedly intense bond. Since there is definitely some mystery, there will be no spoilers here.

Making the trek a few blocks over from his Cincinnati Shakespeare Company home, Brian Isaac Phillips once again joins ETC as a “guest” director. Fortunately for us all, his gift travels nicely. Per usual, Mr. Phillips has his actors make excellent use of the playing space. Complementing the movement well is Scenic & Light Designer Brian c. Mehring’s execution of an almost palpably chilly backdrop (or was the heat just on the fritz opening night?). One of the best things about shows at Ensemble is that they never shy away from making grand sets and this one particularly takes advantage of the vertical space they have at their disposal. Further, projections designed by Becca Schall are pointed and used with the ideal amount of restraint.

While this show certainly belongs to one character more than another, both performing artists are exceptionally cast and non-negotiable. Playing the role of Christopher, an Ivy League freshman with creative writing aspirations, is Rupert Spraul. Mr. Spraul has a mysterious and almost impish presence on stage without being too precious. His portrayal of a young man who would keep anyone guessing is inspired.

In the role of tenured Ivy League professor, Bella, is the inimitable Annie Fitzpatrick. This may be a bold statement, but this is quite possibly one of the best roles she has ever tackled. I was drawn in from the very first words out of Ms. Fitzpatrick’s mouth and it felt like it was just the two of us, chatting over coffee. She gives the audience a master class on how to navigate the subtleties of an intimate slice of a character’s life. It is difficult to avert your eyes from her, but Mr. Spraul was just as engaging and they went toe-to-toe very nicely. (Besides, I envy a human being who can curse where it doesn’t sound nearly as offensive as when I do it.)

I have had the privilege of seeing some incredible theatre in my time – and quite a bit this season. It can be difficult to surprise me and our BTC genius, Rob Bucher. But we love when it happens and this play is definitely something to discuss. In a rare nod, this is definitely a “must see” play. It’s no picnic, however: this show is fraught with heavy topics and emotions that may re-open some previously healed wounds. While the show covers content relating to illness, mental health, and self-harm, it is for very good reason. There is a story to be told and I sincerely hope you’re there to listen and take heed of it.

Click here for more information about the production.

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March 20, 2025 · 3:35 pm

ETC Presents the Riveting Regional Premiere Drama THE SOUND INSIDE, April 5-27

(Cincinnati, OH) Everyone has a story . . . the question is how it ends. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) presents the haunting psychological thriller The Sound Inside that will leave you wondering who you can trust. Filled with intrigue, gorgeous writing, stunning imagery, and a healthy dose of mystery, this captivating drama by Pulitzer Prize finalist Adam Rapp (Red Light Winter), playing April 5–27, 2025, explores the limits of what one person can ask of another and has received critical acclaim for its nuanced characters, thought-provoking themes, and masterful storytelling. Directed by Brian Isaac Phillips. Sponsored by Shekhar & Anu Mitra and The Geiger Family.

In this noir-ish campus mystery, not everything is as it seems behind the ivy-covered walls of Yale, where an unlikely bond leads to an unthinkable favor. Writing professor Bella Baird is looking for answers, but a fateful encounter with the brilliant yet enigmatic student Christopher could lead to life-changing consequences for them both. As their relationship intensifies and their lives become entwined in unpredictable ways, their story unfolds to a stunning conclusion. Nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Play, The Sound Inside is a captivating story that blurs the lines between truth and fiction, mentorship and obsession.

“It’s rather mysterious. You think from the beginning that you’ve figured out the whole story—you’re led to believe you’re in the driver’s seat, but then it takes a turn, then another, then another,” says Producing Artistic Director
D. Lynn Meyers. “This show is so articulate and intelligent; it makes you think while also touching your heart. You will get deeply connected to the two characters. The combination of Annie Fitzpatrick and Rupert Spraul on stage with Brian Isaac Phillips’s strong vision is a beautiful thing. I’m thrilled to have it in the season.”

About the Cast

Annie Fitzpatrick (Bella) last appeared at Ensemble Theare in Hands on a Hardbody. Locally she appeared at Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Know Theatre, and the Cincinnati Pops. She has worked with various regional theatres including Indiana Repertory Theatre, American Stage, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Geva Theatre, Florida Stage, Florida Studio. Her TV and film credits include Chicago P.D., Those Who Kill, Army Wives, White Noise, Dark Waters, Mr. Manhattan, Hauntology, The Old Man and the Gun, Fun Size, and Milk Money.

Rupert Spraul (Christopher) makes his Ensemble Theatre debut with this production. His previous work includes Hamlet, Richmond Shakespeare Festival; “Master Harold”…and the Boys, Falcon Theatre; Romeo and Juliet, Classic Theatre of Maryland; As You Like It, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company; Macbeth, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks; Small Engine Repair, Clifton Performance Theatre; A Case for the Existence of God, Know Theatre; and various film work including Netflix’s Shirley.

Production team: Brian c. Mehring (Resident Scenic & Lighting Designer), Maria Fernanda Ortiz Lopez (Costume Designer), Trey Tatum (Sound Designer), Shannon Rae Lutz (Properties Curator & Design Assistant), and Jacob Dowell (Technical Director). Production Stage Manager is Margot Whitney. Assistant Stage Manager is Lexi Muller. 

Performance Information

Performances Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 pm. A complete calendar of performances is available at www.ensemblecincinnati.org. 

Ticket Prices

Tickets for adults start at $30; student tickets are $28; and children are $24. Half-Price Rush Tickets: All remaining tickets for the current day’s performance(s) are available two hours prior to each show time for half-price (discount only applies to adult tickets) when purchasing by phone or in person. $15 Student Rush Tickets: Students may purchase up to two $15 student rush tickets two hours prior to show time with valid student I.D. Available in person only.

###

2024-2025 Season Presenting Sponsor is the LKC Foundation.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is supported, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is a professional theatre rooted in historic Over-the-Rhine dedicated to engaging, enriching, and inspiring audiences through our thought-provoking world and regional premiere productions, creating and sustaining careers in professional theatre, building community partnerships, and sharing impactful education programs throughout our region.

 

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