FRIENDS OF THE COMPANY

“With one ‘we thank you,’ many millions more…”

The Winter’s Tale, Act I, Scene ii

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company extends thanks to the following individuals and organizations for their generous support. The following gifts were received by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 or pledged to the 2023 – 2024 Season. Giving Levels are exclusive of Capital Campaign donations. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy. If you see an error, please accept our sincere apology and contact Sara Clark at 513-381-2273, ext. 3208. 

Illustrious and Inspiring, $50,000+
ArtsWave
The Estate of Dava Lynn Biehl
John Bridgeland and Maureen Fallon Bridgeland
The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation
Cynthia Crilley
Fifth Third Foundation
Patricia and Calvin Linnemann
Debby and Jim Mason
Ohio Arts Council
Robert & Adele Schiff Family Foundation
Alice Scovell

Benevolent and Bold, $25,000-49,000
Anonymous, in memory of our mom Kathy
Mrs. L.L. Browning
Charles H. Dater Foundation
Martin Chavez
Eleanora C. U. Alms Trust, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee
Johnson Investment Counsel, Inc.
The Limestone Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts in Partnership with Arts Midwest
P&G Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Cass and Glenn Plott
Shubert Foundation
Don and Linda Tecklenburg
Donna and Robert Welch

Gallant and Glamorous, $10,000 - $24,999
Diane Adamec
Andrew Jergens Foundation
BlankRome/Monteverdi Tuscany
Foster and Motley
Johnson Charitable Gift Fund
Marcie and Jim Kinney
John and Betsy LaMacchia
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
The McElroy Family
Judge Mark and Mrs. Sue Ann Painter
PNC Bank
Vicky and Rick Reynolds
Ruth J. and Robert A. Conway Foundation
Rosemary and Mark Schlachter
The Thomas J. Emery Memorial
Laura and Tayfun Tuzun
Western & Southern Financial Group
Richard and Debbie Westheimer

Avowed and Audacious, $5,000 - $9,999

Brian and Elizabeth Coley
Sally and Joel Davenport
David and Kelley Downing
Rance and Marilyn Duke
Rick and Melissa Eder
Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Fund for Cincinnati Shakespeare Company of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation
EY
Fifth Third Bank
Frost Brown Todd LLC
The Gumbleton Family
Mark and Marcy Kanter
Key Bank
Jean and Charles Lauterbach
Messer Construction Co.
Chris Nare and Lori Rappold
The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation
Whitney Owens
Patrick Points and Wijdan Jreisat
Raymond James Financial, Inc.
Rosalie P. van Nuis
Mark and JoAnn Vella
H. James Williams and Carole Campbell Williams
Jay and Jodi Woffington
The Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation

Devoted and Daring, $2,500 – $4,999
Anonymous
Mr. Fred Berger
Scott Bischoff and Teresa Sedlack
Crosset Family Fund
Jennifer and Vito Damiano
Dan Fales
Carol and Richard Fencl
Allyson Fleischer
GBBN Architects, Inc.
Sarah and Matt Graber
Graeter's
Myron and Sherry Hughes
Steve and Shannon Kane
Steve Kenat and Heidi Jark
David Kern
Linda Klump
Susan Lauf
Thomas P. Lee
Isabel Mendez
Ed and Diane Mohlenhoff
David and Lesley Nevers
Kathy and Mike Rademacher
Betty and Steve Robinson
Bob Roesbery
Steven Skibo and Susan Esler
David Smith
Peter and Ginger Strange Family Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Melanie Swick and Matthew Schottelkotte
Bob and Sue Trusty
William P. Anderson Foundation
Jonathan Winterkorn
Woodward Trust
George and Nancy Yund

Ardent and Astounding, $1,000 - $2,499
Americana Arts Foundation
Jeffrey and Karen Anderson
William and Caroline Bahlman
Mary Baskett
Cathy Kramer and Peter Block
Robert Brackenbury and Linda Parysek
Daniel and Kendra Braun
M.C. and Tom Brennan
Judith Jaspers Briggs
Charles Scott Riley III Foundation
Tracy and Michael Cheever
Lee and Lisa Clapp
Philip Clayton
Dr. Kristen Copeland and Steve Johns
Marjorie E. Davis
Dr. and Mrs. Stewart Dunsker
Joe and Kay Ellis
Scott Goebel and Emily Detmer-Goebel
Mr. Jeffrey Goldman
Tom and Sarah Goodwin
William J. Gracie, Jr. and Daniel J. Fairbanks
John and Elizabeth Grover
Beverly Kinney 
Becky and Ross Long
Ted and Molly Lucien
Paul and Anne Lucky|
The McMahon Family
Gerald Greenberg and Pamela Meyers
John and Heidi O'Connor
David and Patricia Papoi
Rick Pender and Joan Kaup
Mitchell and Karen Rashkin
Becky and Ted Richards
Margaret and Gates Richards
RSL Architecture
Kevin and Jill Schad
Dr. Catherine Shackson
Ruth and John Sikorski
Stephanie Smith
George Taliaferro
Kathleen Thornton and Dr. Robert Keith
Ann Westheimer and Pete Williams, in honor of Dick Westheimer
Christine Whittaker and Thane Thompson
Jamie Williams
Carol and Rich Wilson

Ebullient and Exhilarating, $500 - $999
Christine Adams
Mary Ann and Doug Bell
Sara and Dan Bick
John and Peg Bruggeman
Hon. James Cissell
Carol C. Cole, in memory of Leland M. Cole
Sean and Tracie Conway
Michael DiMaggio
Lindsey Faber
Noah Goertemiller
Bill Gordon and Nancy Johnson
Haider Ala Hamoudi and Sara Burhan Abdullah
Emily M. Hodges
Phyllis Jackson
Amy Katz
Geoff and Shellie Leder
Mr. and Mrs. Luke Lovell
Ron Matson and Daniel Young
Mark McKillip
Norah and Joe Mock
Mark Motley
Denise and Doug Peaslee
Marc and Suzi Rubin
Jessica and Michael Ruebusch
Robin Sargent
Rich Schultz
Saira Shahani and Rick Warm
Don Semler
Dee and Tom Stegman
Ida and John Tergerson
Gordon and Mary-Anne Thompson
Ronald and Elizabeth Tinklenberg
Marty C. Tomb, in memory of Howard L. Tomb
Richard Vonderbrink
Ted and Mary Ann Weiss
Ms. Jo Ann Wieghaus
Kristin Woeste

Valiant and Voracious, $250 - $499
Anonymous
Jana Bazzoli
Bryan Belanger
Emma Bernay
Maureen Bickley and Layne Meader
David and Elaine Billmire
Curtis Brown
Douglas Bruestle
Chad and Patrice Burke
Melinda Caldwell
Larry and Julie Chandler
Jeffrey Conner
Betty Coutant
Sally Daetwyler
Donald and Victoria Daiker
Mark Dauner
Mallory and Nick Decker
Rose Marie Deibel
Deanna and David Eppers
Angie Fischer
Ariel Fox
Edward and Stacy Gilfilen
Gail Ginther
Ms Stephena Harmony
Tom and Catherine Hayes
James and Julie Hewitt
Susan Hibbs
Karlee Hilliard
Steve and Pat Hodson
Tom and Kathy Hogan
Becky Hogya
Kevin and Libby Howard
Doug Ignatius and Bruce Preston
Keith and Farrah Jackson
Steve and Janet Jackson
Prashant Jagtap
Mr. Andrew Jones
Steve Karoly
David and Sam Kereiakes
Gail and Eric Kirchner
Sandra Kohn
Leslie Korbee
Pat and Randy Krumm
Robert and Ellie Lamb
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan and Nancy Lippincott
John Lorenz
Joeliene Magoto
Mary Mahoney
Colleen and Mike McSwiggin
Dave and Diane Moccia
Kim Morrow
David and Vicky Motch
Drs. Nick Newman and Leila Saxena
Neda and Bruce Nutley
Niamh J. O'Leary
Cyndie and David Park
The Patel-Curran Family
Karen Paxton
Alice Perlman
David Piatt
Kay Puryear
Daniel Randolph
Abigail Riddle and Braden Blankenship
John Robson, in honor of Barbara Norris
Patty Rosely
Ms. Jennifer Sauvey
Suzanne Schindler
Monica and Matt Scott
Cristina Seda-Hoelle
Carol Shore
Mr. Brad Smallwood
Paul Spearman
William Spohn and Margaret Dunn
Bob and Laurie Sternberg
Nancy Wagner
Hon. Lawrence Walter and Christena Walter
Jessica Warren-Jones and Matthew Jones
Bill and Jenny Watts
Bob and Rhonda Young
Justin Zimmerman

Grand and Gracious, $100 - $249
Marjorie C. Aaron
Alan Abes and Monica Schneider
Paul and Carolyn Adam
Wayne Adams
Dr. Bruce Allen and Colleen Foegle
Lisa Allgood
Amwins Group
Maria Anderson and Edmund C. Davis, Jr.
Anonymous (10)
Erin Barta
Dr. Rubin Battino
Tim and Lisa Beckelhimer 
Peter and Victoria Beltramo
David and Madonna Bowman
Chris Breda
Rebecca and John Bromels
Vikki Brown
John Budde
Doug and Carol Burley
Beckie Campbell
Sam Chamberlin
Jon and Katie Clark
Sue Cohen and Rob Schmuelling
Heather and Jedd Cole
David Cone
Doren Cook
Sally Coomes
Jeff and Lisa Cooper
Stella M. Davies
Justin Drouin
Dudley Family
Robert and Mary Fitzpatrick
Patrick Flick
Jillian Frasher
Terri Gaither
Jo Anne Gibbons and John Getz
David Goist
Constance Graham
Leanne Hadley, in honor of Patrick Flick
Laura Leigh Hahn, in honor of Annabelle Magruder
Stew and Linda Hall
Laura A. Hobson
Dale Hodges
Daniel J. Hoffheimer
Matt Holbein, in honor of Denise Corrou
Ali Hubberd
Joseph Huber
Dani Isaacsohn
Ann and Hank Jarboe
James and Rosemarie Jeffery
Andrea Johnson
Jerome Johnson
Marilyn and Robert Johnson 
Lauren Judy
Jim and Mary Ann Kalla
Nancy Kramb
Ms. CiCi Lee
Jemma Alix Levy and Steve, Dylan, and Ruth Smith
Teri Clark Linden
Sherwin Little
David Martin
Steven Massie
Sherry and Steve McCamley
Thomas McMackin, in honor of Kevin McMackin
Ms. Julia Meister
Lance Melching
Brenda Merrick
Ms. Janet Michaelis
Mark Mikulski
Ariel Miller
Linda and Jim Miller
Christine Mulvin
Teri Murphy
Ena Nearon
Fred and Barbara Norton
Kyrié Owen
Susan Pace
Cana Peters 
Brian Isaac Phillips and Corinne Mohlenhoff
Todd And Jeanne Phillips
Ronald Plybon
Margaret Polanski
Ms. Carla Reichelderfer
Brian Reilly
Wendy Reppart and Robert Butts
Mark and Jan Rosenbaum Sass
Laura Schack
Mary Anne Scheuble
Kathryn Schnier
Jennifer Sebranek
Rachelle Sekerka
Pamela Jean Shaffer
Mary Shukairy
Dr. Edward B. Silberstein and Jacqueline M. Mack
Steven Smith and David Vanderpool
Christine Socwell
Harry and Carol Sparks
Marcy Stacy
Carl Stich and Amy Banister
Ms. Mary Stier
Georgana Taggart
Sarah Tankersley and Geoff Vickers
Eric and Rachael Tayce
Suzanne Terwilliger
Sandra and James Uhrig
Judith Vermillion
Christopher and Nancy Virgulak
Nancy and Patty Wagner
David and Shelly Wallace
Catherine and Hugh Walsh
Amy Warner and Michael Haney
Fred and Jo Anne Warren
Mr. Terry Webb
Michael Williams
Bill and Kathy Winters
Robert Workley
Beth and Neil Yoke, in honor of Rick Stefanowicz
Janice Zimmerman

Monthly Giving Circle
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company relies on the sustained commitment of a strong community of supporters to fuel our mission of bringing Shakespeare and the Classics to life for all. We send special thanks to our Monthly Giving Circle for their ongoing support of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company now and for seasons to come.

Rebecca and John Bromels
Curtis Brown
Jon and Katie Clark
Ms. Janet Davidson
Jillian Frasher
Scott Goebel and Emily Detmer-Goebel
Noah Goertemiller
Emily Hodges
Andrea Johnson
Colleen and Mike McSwiggin
Susan Pace
Kathy and Mike Rademacher
Patty Rosely
Robin and Anna Sargent
Jennifer Sauvey
Suzanne Schindler
Mary Stier
Georgana Taggart
Christine Whittaker and Thane Thompson

In-Kind Donors
1215 Wine Bar and Coffee Lab
American Legacy Tours
Bonbonerie
Cincinnati Nature Center
Cincinnati Men's Chorus
Cincinnati Museum Center
Emerge
Friends of Music Hall
Graeter's
Meredith Gregg
Key Bank
Lightborne
The Macron Bar
Mercantile Library
Mimi Moller
Samantha Reno
Jessica Ruebusch
State Bound Operations
Janice Zalla-Schwenkmeyer

Legacy Society
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is grateful to the generous donors who have remembered CSC in their estates, or have expressed their commitment to a future planned gift. If you have considered including Cincinnati Shakespeare Company in your estate plans and want to learn more, please reach out to Sara Clark, Director of Development, at Sara.Clark@cincyshakes.com.

Mrs. L.L. Browning
Cynthia Crilley
Estate of Dava Lynn Biehl
Estate of James R. Bridgeland, Jr.
William Gordon and Nancy Johnson
The Gumbleton Family
Thomas P. Lee
Julie Metz

ArtsWave Partners
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company acknowledges the following partner companies, foundations and their employees who generously participate in the annual ArtsWave Campaign at the $100,000+ level. Thank you!

$2 million +
P&G

$1 million to $1,999,999
Fifth Third Bank and Fifth Third Foundation

$500,000 to $999,999
GE Aerospace

$250,000 to $499,999
altafiber
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
The Cincinnati Insurance Companies
Great American Insurance Group
The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Trustee
Western & Southern Financial Group

$100,000 – $249,999
Cincinnati Open
Cincinnati Reds
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
Duke Energy
The E.W. Scripps Company and Scripps Howard Foundation
The Enquirer│Cincinnati.com
Greater Cincinnati Foundation
The Kroger Co.
Messer Construction Co.
National Endowment for the Arts

Take a closer look at how the characters from Shakespeare’s Hamlet are reimagined in James Ijames’ Fat Ham. Ijames cleverly updates the iconic characters to resonate with contemporary audiences, blending classic themes with fresh perspectives

Hamlet: Juicy

After being visited by the ghost of his recently passed father, Juicy has been tasked with getting revenge on his uncle. Sound familiar? Juicy thinks so too! But revenge doesn’t come easy to Juicy, a sensitive and self-aware young Black man in search of his own happiness and liberation. As Fat Ham’s Hamlet, Juicy has to decide whether to follow the writings of Shakespeare and enact revenge or follow a different path.

Gertrude: Tedra

Tedra is Juicy’s mother. Similar to her Shakespearean counterpart Gertrude, she married her recently deceased husband’s brother quickly after his death for his status. Her dubious marriage choices aside, she is a caring mother to Juicy

Ophelia: Opal

Opal is a close friend of Juicy’s, and unlike her Hamlet counterpart Ophelia, she has no intention of being in a relationship with Juicy. Though serving a similar role to Ophelia, Opal’s strong personality and independence are polar opposites of the original character.

Laertes: Larry

The aptly named Larry is Fat Ham’s parallel to Laertes. Both characters are returning home after time away, but as a marine, Larry was sent away for very different reasons than Laertes was in Hamlet. Suffering from PTSD, Larry struggles with his own identity after his return.

Polonius: Rabby

Rabby takes on the role of Fat Ham’s Polonius, serving as a comedic character. Instead of advising the King, Rabby is a close friend of Tedra’s and works to set up their kids, Juicy and Opal. Her unique matchmaking efforts and outrageous personality distinguish Rabby from her Shakespearean

Horatio: Tio

(Hora)Tio is Juicy’s oldest friend and cousin. He is a clever and funny, free agent who offers insights into the family’s complicated situation. Horatio is the only survivor of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and Tio is the only character in Ijames’ Fat Ham who goes to therapy!

Claudius: Rev

Rev is Fat Ham’s version of Claudius. As Juicy’s former uncle and now stepfather, his role is similar to the original work of Shakespeare, but rather than being the master of a kingdom, he’s the pit-master of the BBQ. Newly married to Tedra, Rev confidently asserts his power over Juicy’s family… and the grill.

Hamlet's Father: Pap

Pap is Juicy’s recently deceased father (portrayed by the same actor as Rev). He appears to his son as a ghost and asks Juicy to avenge him. Pap’s role is the most similar to the original Shakespearean character. He is the inciting incident that begins Juicy’s journey through Fat Ham.

Welcome to Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's production of "Fat Ham," part of the ambitious PROJECT Hamlet—a highlight of the 2024-2025 season. PROJECT Hamlet brings Shakespeare’s renowned tragedy to life in three distinct and innovative ways, offering our audiences a fresh perspective on the timeless story. 

Earlier this summer, local audiences were treated to a contemporary production of "Hamlet" directed by CSC’s Associate Artistic Director Candice Handy as part of our FREE Shakespeare in the Park tour. This accessible performance reached nearly 5,000 people across 30 different parks, allowing many to experience Shakespeare for the first time.

Cast of the 2024 FREE Shakespeare in the Park Tour | Photography: Melanie Malicote

Beasley as Hamlet | Photography Mikki Schaffner

"Fat Ham" by James Ijames and directed by Darnell Pierre Benjamin is the second installment of PROJECT Hamlet and is a Broadway and Pulitzer Prize-winning sensation that reimagines "Hamlet" in a modern world. This production offers a bold, contemporary twist on the tale you may have seen this summer or in the past at CSC. 

But PROJECT Hamlet doesn’t end here! We invite you to join us again in January for the World Premiere of "A Room in the Castle" by Lauren Gunderson directed by Kaja Dunn. This groundbreaking production, commissioned by CSC and penned by the acclaimed Lauren Gunderson, reinterprets "Hamlet" from the perspectives of Ophelia and Gertrude. 

Lauren Gunderson shares, "I’m terrifically excited to finally bring ‘A Room in the Castle’ to Cincy Shakes. Since they boldly commissioned the idea years ago, I’ve been filled with gratitude and eagerness to tell this untold part of the most iconic Shakespearean play and bring the women of ‘Hamlet’ out from the shadows and into their own truths. What a gift to be trusted, commissioned, and–now–produced at Cincinnati Shakespeare!" 

Running from January 24 to February 9, 2025, "A Room in the Castle" explores themes of love, intrigue, and power, delving into the emotional journeys of its central female characters amidst the chaos of the Danish court. Produced in partnership with the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., this production symbolizes a significant collaborative effort and will move to Washington, D.C., after its Cincinnati premiere—a milestone marking CSC’s first expansion into the D.C. area. 

Our Producing Artistic Director and CEO, Brian Isaac Phillips, hopes that "audiences experience as many of the productions in PROJECT Hamlet as they can, as each provides new insights into the Danish prince and his family's story and showcases the versatility and enduring appeal of Shakespeare's work."

We thank you for being part of this journey and look forward to welcoming you back in January for "A Room in the Castle." Enjoy “Fat Ham!”