By Liz Eichler for LCT
August 26, 2025 – Members of Cincinnati’s theater community gathered virtually Monday night for a lively exchange of updates and ideas. The Zoom meeting, hosted by the League of Cincinnati Theatres (LCT) brought together leaders from local professional theatre companies, LCT members, and critics.
The wide-ranging conversation, the first of two “Season Share Outs,” explored upcoming productions, innovative Spooky Fall programming, reopening an historic theatre with state-of-the-art technology, and more.
LCT reviewer Willie Caldwell summed it up: Cincinnati theatres “punch above their weight,” delivering world-class productions and daring new works.
Highlights from 5 Local Professional Theater Companies
Know Theatre
Bridget Leak, Know Theatre’s Producing Artistic Director, previewed the upcoming season at Know Theatre. The first production is King James, which will be staged at the intimate Know Theatre bar. This production is about two long time friends who open up to each other during the early days of LeBron James’ reign with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Written by Miami University grad Rajiv Joseph, it will be directed by Darnell Pierre Benjamin and feature Kieran Cronin (Matt) and Phillip Latham (Shawn).
Newly announced–Know is leaning into Halloween with OctKNOWber Nights, a 16-night countdown full of entertainment themed for the Spooky Season. Hopefully the staff doesn’t look like zombies after this fun-filled month.
- Z is for Zebra (Oct. 2–5), a Fringe Festival sellout from Cincinnati artist/activist Katie Scarlett.
- Homer Shadowheart NOT WELCOME AT HOME (Oct. 5), stand-up comedy from Janette Perez (Indianapolis), Erica Russell (Cincinnati, with reality TV credits), and Homer Shadowheart himself (comic, actor, musician, writer).
- A Sad Vampire (Oct. 10), by Aleah Vassell, about a harmless vampire seeking solace at an Applebee’s on Halloween night.
- The Anti-Pestilence League (Oct. 11), offering a “double dose of dread” with live stagings of two classic radio plays: SUSPENSE: Fugue in C Minor and THE WHISTLER: A Matter of Patience.
- Creepshow (Oct. 12), five twisted tales where horror collides with improv comedy.
- Ghost Stunters (Oct. 17–19), a paranormal comedy encore from Serials! creators Alexx Rouse and Zach Robinson.
- Musical Madhouse (Oct. 24–26), Broadway hits reimagined with sinister twists, featuring Maddie Vaughn, Caleb Redslob, Stixen Stones, and others.
- Show Us Your Weird (Oct. 29), billed as “American Horror Story meets America’s Got Talent.”
- Nosferatu, the 1922 silent horror film, with improvised live soundtrack by Innerspace Collective. (Oct. 30), presented by Shamala Hamala (Kevin James Thornton’s new studio and gallery in OTR)
Know Theatre’s 28th season continues with:
- Die Hard is a Christmas Movie by A.J. Baldwin and Alexx Rouse (the second highest grossing show ever at Know) returns November 28 – December 21
- Serials! – Mondays beginning in January, 2026
- Constellations by Nick Payne, February 12-22
- The Ravenside Occurrence by Derek J. Snow, March 26-April 18 (partnering with SCPA music students)
American Legacy Theatre
Dora Bayliss, Arts Impact Program Director, outlined American Legacy Theatre’s focus on social justice storytelling, including its Playwrights for Change program and workshops, and education programs.
After workshops, a full production of Bridge City by Kennen Butler is coming in April. Completing a two-year development journey the team has had the opportunity to tweak the stories and songs that reflect the life of a woman growing up and making a difference in an urban area divided by a river. Described as “a bold, joyful exploration of the Black experience—centering love, hope, and resilience instead of trauma.” Watch a preview.
Starting its two year development process is Closing, by Playwright-in-Residence Megan Bennett (Brooklyn). It will have workshop performances in November and Spring.
Human Race Theatre Company
Artistic Director Emily N. Wells joyfully highlighted that it will be Human Race Theatre’s 40th anniversary season. The theme is “Family–given, chosen, found.” The season line up includes:
- Dad’s Place by Jake Lockwood (opens September 3), which grew from an improv sketch into a full-length play. Starring Jason Podplesky and resident artist Bruce Cromer in “a quick-change extravaganza”
- Kate Hamill’s Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really (opens October 29) – echoing Human Race’s inaugural season, which opened with Count Dracula
- Seasonal Shorts A holiday show of six short plays runs December 10-21
- A one-woman show by legendary Sally Mayes: Contradiction of the Southern Soul runs February 24-March 1
- A partnership with Wright State University on Hayfever runs April 8-19
- The Hot Wing King (June 3-14), with plans to partner with local food trucks for a full culinary-theatrical experience.
Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
Artistic director Roderick Justice shared plans for the organization’s 106th season and the highly anticipated reopening of the historic Emery Theater. The Mainstage Season:
- Wizard of Oz – October 10-26
- Elf JR – December 5-21
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid – February 20-March 8
- World Premiere of DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon JR – April 17-May 3
Touring and Academy productions:
- TCT Academy: The Addams Family School Edition November 6-15 at Red Bank Road
- TCT on Tour: Henny Penny’s Adventure by Isaiah Reeves, Reindeer Games (reindeers on a quiz show), Harriet Tubman by Alexis Selman, Pirate-y Peter Pan
Justice praised their production partner LightBorne, who will help transform the Emery into “the most technologically advanced proscenium-style theatre in the U.S.—a dazzling blend of historic preservation and innovation.” The Emery will combine its legendary acoustics with cutting-edge technology, including:
- A fully automated stage lift and turntable
- Automated SLOAT system and line sets
- Digital LED rear wall
- Projection mapping across the proscenium and house walls
- All powered by a single NISCON control system
Justice underlined their goal has always been to have the best “street to seat” experience, since TCT is often the first theatre experience, he wants it to be memorable and magical.
SNEAK PEEK: TCT is having a Family Friendly “Block Party” on Sunday, September 7, from 12 PM to 4 PM (rain or shine), to celebrate the reimagining and future opening of its permanent home: the jaw-dropping Emery Theater in Over-the-Rhine. At 12:30 PM, a short program will feature Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, hosted by Local 12’s Bob Herzog where they will activate the TCT Crown on the Emery’s marquee.
Clifton Players
Kevin Crowley announced the continued revival of the Clifton Players at the Liberty Exhibition Hall in Northside. Nancy Bell’s The People in the Woods opens September 5. “This dark comedy is prescient and hilarious and speaks to our current state of chaos in unexpected ways.” The play asks how far do you have to go to leave the world behind? Starring Miranda McGee Bratton, Carter Bratton and Randy Bailey.
In November, they will co-produce Man Versus Machine with Arkansas’ Southern Theater Company. The audience will see 6 human- and AI-created plays. The audience decides which is which. Playwrights will include: Crowley, Zina Camblin (Fiona! The Guest), Southern Theatre’s Brett Williams, and Lee Blessing (A Walk in the Woods, Eleemosynary) as well as two generative AI platforms.
Clifton Players performed in a basement on Ludlow in 2012-2016 (it is now the Clifton Comedy Theatre). With two performances spaces at Liberty Exhibition Hall, Carol Brammer and Kevin Crowley have produced some exception work. Last season they tested the waters, partnering with Zina Camblin (The Guest), Dale Hodges (The Velocity of Autumn), among others. LCT looks forward to more great work from this intrepid and talented group.
Collaboration and Operations
The group also discussed theater operations and program design. Justice described the Emery Theater’s new multi-level lobby, complete with interactive features to enhance the “street to seat” experience. Wells clarified the operational relationship between Dayton Live and its resident companies, highlighting shared services but distinct financial structures.
The conversation turned to strategies for maintaining audiences in challenging times. Human Race reported that shorter production runs are increasing ticket sales for their theatre. The Children’s Theatre has expanded its family-oriented runs. Instead of 17 performances in 2 weeks when they rented the 2,000 seat Taft Theatre, they will have 17 performances across 3 weeks in the Emery 1500 seat space. It will also be more sustainable for the performers and staff.
Participants also stressed the importance of collaboration, with several companies expressing openness to future partnerships. Partnerships benefit theatres in many ways, from reducing production costs, to introducing new performers and new design concepts. LCT member theatres have the benefit of connecting with faculty, staff and students at multiple highly regraded training programs in our area, from Wright State, Miami University, University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music, Mount St. Joseph’s, Sinclair, Xavier and Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts–as well as Cincinnati’s SCPA (School for the Performing Arts) in OTR (Over-The-Rhine).
Looking Ahead
The August 25th meeting was the first in LCT’s new “Season Share Out” series.
The next session is September 29 at 7 pm when additional LCT leaders will present their seasons and insights. Go to the LCT WEBSITE for more events and information.
Questions? Typos? Please reach out to leagueofcincinnatitheatres@gmail.com
