Director and Dance Choreographer: Darnell Pierre Benjamin

Darnell Pierre Benjamin (he/him) (11 Seasons) sits in gratitude as he returns to CSC, having worked in the company as an actor, choreographer, and director—favorites include Titus Andronicus, A Raisin in the Sun, and Fences. Regionally, Darnell has performed with Ensemble Theatre, Know Theatre, and Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, to name a few. He serves as a professor at Northern Kentucky University and College-Conservatory of Music. Darnell is on the boards of Treehouse Cinci, Pones, Stop the Stigma Productions, and Caracole. As a producer, Darnell collaborates with local LGBTQAI+ and allied artists in Queen City Pride Cabaret, supporting education efforts in LGBTQAI+ orgs. In 2020, Darnell premiered his film “13th & Republic”, which can be viewed at https://13thandrepublic.com/

Scenic Designer/ Resident Scenic Designer & Charge Artist: Samantha Reno

Samantha Reno (Debut) is happy to be working her first season with her new CSC family! Although from Cincinnati, she has recently returned from Sacramento, California, where she was the resident scenic designer for nine years at B Street Theatre and designed around 80 productions, including A Doll's House, Part 2, Ironbound, and The Forever Question.  No stranger to Cincinnati theatre, one may occasionally spy her design work at the Children's Theatre of Cincinnati (Superman the Musical), Northern Kentucky University (Noises Off!), and Town Hall Theatre in Centerville (Mr. Popper's Penguins). Eternally grateful to her husband and two children for their love, support, and keeping her inner child well rested!

Costume Designer/ Resident Costume Designer: Rainy Edwards

Rainy Edwards (she/her) (3 Seasons) is a Costume Designer from Llano, Texas; receiving her MFA in Costume Design at Florida State University. She has been with the company since 2018 and has had the pleasure of designing many shows here including The Winter’s Tale, Titus Andronicus, The Merry Wives of Windsor, and All The Way to name a few. Her work has been seen at Utah Shakespeare Festival, The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Triad Stage and Lexington Children’s Theatre. She is excited to be back and making art with her colleagues and friends. She is forever thankful for the support of Chris and their dog Obi.

Lighting Designer/ Resident Lighting Designer & Scenic Associate: Justen N. Locke

Justen Locke (he/him) (5 Seasons) is excited to be returning for his 5th season at CSC.  He has had the great pleasure of working at CSC and collaborating on many great productions such as Macbeth, The Diary of Anne Frank, 1984, Othello, Every Christmas Story Ever Told, The Elephant Man, and most recently All the Way.  Justen is excited to be back and looks forward to seeing all the shows that CSC will produce this season and is beyond excited to collaborate on them with such a fantastic artistic team.

Sound Designer: Jason Sebastian

Jason Sebastian (he/him) (Debut) has been working freelance in live performance for over 20 years in various capacities. He lived in New York for 10 years after graduating from CCM and worked in venues such as St. Ann’s Warehouse, P.S. 122, Dance Theater Workshop (NYLA) and The Chocolate Factory. He is currently the sound engineer for theater company Elevator Repair Service, working on The Select (The Sun Also Rises), Gatz, Arguendo, Measure for Measure, and Baldwin and Buckley at Cambridge. Locally, Jason has worked with Miami University and was an adjunct for CCM's Sound Design program and designed 2018’s Guys and Dolls. He was also the sound designer on Murder for Two at the Cincinnati Playhouse earlier that year. He currently resides in Cincinnati but still occasionally gets (got) to travel the world with friends and collaborators. This is his first show with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

Intimacy Director: Samantha Kaufman

Samantha Kaufman (she/her) (Debut) is thrilled to be working with CSC for the first time. She is based in the Midwest region and travels to perform in and fight/intimacy/movement direct productions across the nation. Samantha is a Certified Intimacy Director with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators. Regionally, she has worked with theatres such as Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Lookingglass Theatre, Ohio Shakespeare Festival, and Cleveland Play House, among others. She is fiercely passionate about advocacy for artists and spreading consent practices through theatre communities. She couldn’t be prouder of the opportunities to empower artists with this work. Please check out SamanthaJKaufman.com for more information about Samantha.

Fight Director: Gina Cerimele-Mechley

Gina Cerimele-Mechley (she/her) (26 Seasons) a Cincinnati native, has been involved with CSC since its inception as Fahrenheit Theatre Company. She played the Nurse in their very first production of Romeo and Juliet in 1996. Getting cast in the role again specifically with CSC is a dream come true.  Gina is a 30 year member and one of the few female Certified Teachers with the Society of American Fight Directors. Gina runs the nationally recognized Cincinnati Actor’s Studio & Academy, and she was the first recipient of the CAA’s Arts Educator Award.  Some of her favorite regional credits outside of Cincinnati include Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Denver Center Theatre Company, and Opera Theatre St. Louis.

Dramaturg/ Associate Director of Development: Elaine M. Cox

Elaine M. Cox (she/her) (2 Seasons) is the Associate Director of Development at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, and thrilled to add the title of Dramaturg for the 2021-2022 Mainstage Season. She has worked most recently as the dramaturg at Amphibian Stage (Marie Antionette and naked) in Fort Worth, TX, and Berkshire Theatre Group (Nina Simone Four Women) in Pittsfield, MA. Many thanks to Brian Isaac Philips for making this dream a reality!

Production Manager: Kate Bindus

Kate Bindus (she/her) (4 Seasons) is delighted to be returning to CSC as the Production Manager. Having previously served as the Associate Production Manager and Assistant Stage Manager, Kate is ecstatic to be able to serve CSC in her new leadership role. Kate has worked on many shows at CSC but some of her past favorites include Fences, Macbeth, and Pride & Prejudice. She is very grateful for her wonderful friends, family, and mentors that have supported her throughout her professional journey. Kate is a Cleveland native that enjoys coffee, the outdoors, and crafting in her free time. She looks forward to producing world-class theatre for all here at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company!

Technical Director: Chris Holloway

Chris Holloway (he/him) (Debut) is excited to become a part of the Cincinnati Shakespeare company in his first season as Technical Director. He is also ecstatic to be back to building scenery for live theatre. Before joining Cincy Shakes, Chris was the Assistant Technical Director at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, and a Scenic Carpenter at The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina in Hilton Head S.C. He received his education at the University of South Carolina Aiken.

Costume Shop Manager: Abbi Howson

Abbi Howson (she/her) (9 Seasons) is so grateful to be back in the Costume Shop making more costumes than masks this season! She holds a BFA from the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music. Favorite designs of hers in her time at CSC include The Elephant Man (2016), The Tempest (2017), and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2018). When she's not at the theater, you can most likely find Abbi on her bike around town in search of craft beer. Thanks to Cam for an incredible last 15 years - that's all.

Assistant Stage Manager: Katie Mitchell*

Katie Mitchell (she/her)(2 Seasons) is excited to be working as the Assistant Stage Manager for Romeo and Juliet. A Cincinnati-based actor, Katie worked her first season with CSC as a member of the Touring Company from 2018-2019. Recent favorite projects include Proof at The Carnegie and The Wolves at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. Preceding her time with CSC, she was also a member of the Professional Acting Apprentice Company at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati during their 2017-2018 season. She is thankful to be a part of the theatrical return of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.

Resident Stage Manager: Jason Stewart*

Jason Stewart (they/them) (4 Seasons) is excited to get to play with their CSC family once again. They have held multiple positions at CSC from Stage Management Intern to Properties Manager and wildly thankful to make their debut as the Resident Stage Manager. Locally they have also worked with The Human Race Theatre Company, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. Some of their CSC favorites include: Macbeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Fences. Jason would like to give a special shout out to their family for all of the love and support.

Assistant Technical Director: Robert Carlton Stimmel

Robert Carlton Stimmel (he/him) (3 Seasons) is thrilled to be returning to Cincinnati Shakespeare Company! He is a Cincinnati area native, hailing from Fairfield, Ohio. After receiving his BA in Theatre at Miami University, he has worked with various theatre including Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Alliance Theatre, Short North Stage, and Tantrum Theatre. In addition to his technician and design work, he is also a performer and producer and is always looking to expand his artistic abilities! Robert is the Artistic Director of Impaired Vision Productions, a local theatre organization that produces new works. He would like to thank his wife Kayla for her constant support of his artistic aspirations and her unconditional love.

Production Associate: Cole Sweasy

Cole Sweasy (they/them)(Debut) is thrilled to make their debut at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company as the Production Assistant and COVID Safety Manager for Romeo and Juliet! Cole has been a part of stage management teams for many events throughout the last four years, such as anime conventions, pride festivals, and other professional theatre. Cole has BAs in Theatre, Communication Studies, and English, all from Western Kentucky University. They can also make a killer drink on the side since they have managed a bar as well as the stage.

Properties Supervisor: Kara Eble Trusty

Kara EBle Trusty (she/her) (2 Seasons) is delighted to be returning to make art with CSC for a second season. A Cincinnati native, she saw her first CSC production at the age of 12, and is constantly amazed that she gets to collaborate with some of the same people that inspired her love of theatre and art at a young age. Kara has worked locally with the Know Theatre of Cincinnati and The Carnegie, as well as with the Clarence Brown Theatre in Knoxville, Tennessee. She would like to thank her friends and family, especially her parents Bob and Sue, for their love, support, and encouragement as she continues down this incredible and irrational artistic path.

Wardrobe Supervisor: Amanda Winters

Amanda Winters (she/her) (3 Seasons) is thrilled to be returning home to CSC as Wardrobe Supervisor. As a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design and licensed Cosmetologist, Amanda has had the opportunity to work in many aspects of theatrical costuming. She has had the honor of working at such companies as Cirque Du Soleil, Seattle Opera, Cincinnati Opera, and Cincinnati Ballet. She would like to send so much love and gratitude to her wonderful husband.

*Appearing through an Agreement between this theatre, the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, and Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States

This play was written in 1595-6 and is set in Verona, Italy, at a time when a long standing feud between two noble families - the Montagues and the Capulets - constantly breaks out into brawling on the streets. Prince Escalus, ruler of Verona, threatens terrible punishment on anyone who takes part in further violence.

YOUNG LOVE 

Romeo Montague is hopelessly in love with the unattainable Rosaline and, in an attempt to cure his lovesick misery, his friends persuade him to go disguised to a party at the home of his family's sworn enemies, the Capulets. Romeo reluctantly agrees to go when he learns that Rosaline has been invited.

At the party, he meets Juliet, only daughter of the Capulets, and not even knowing each other's names, they fall instantly in love. Juliet's hot-headed cousin, Tybalt, has spotted Romeo and his friends but is prevented from challenging them by her father, Old Capulet. He does not wish to see his party disrupted, and speaks well of Romeo's reputation in Verona.

MARRIAGE PROPOSALS 

During the preparations for the party, however, Juliet's mother has told her that Count Paris, a suitable young nobleman (who is also at the party) has asked her father for permission to marry her. Even though shocked by the discovery that their families are sworn enemies, both Romeo and Juliet are determined to marry, and choose go-betweens to help them arrange a secret wedding. Romeo asks his friend and mentor, Friar Laurence, to conduct the ceremony, while Juliet sends her elderly nurse to meet Romeo and learn the arrangements he has made.

Friar Lawrence is amazed by Romeo's sudden rejection of his love for Rosaline but reluctantly agrees to marry them, believing that such a marriage might bring an end to the ancient feud. As arranged, Romeo meets the Nurse, who is instructed to make sure that Juliet arrives at the Friar's the following morning ready to be married.

OLD FEUDS, NEW CASUALTIES  

Now secretly married to Juliet, Romeo encounters her aggressive cousin, Tybalt, who challenges him to a duel. Romeo is unwilling to fight with him for Juliet's sake, but his closest friend, Mercutio takes up the challenge instead. When Romeo steps between them in an effort to stop the fight, Mercutio is stabbed to death. Romeo then kills Tybalt in a rage and is forced to fly the scene.

Angry that his laws have been broken, but accepting that Tybalt started the fight, Prince Escalus banishes Romeo to Mantua. Romeo is distraught and runs to the Friar for advice and help.

Alone in her room on her wedding night, Juliet, unaware of the death of her cousin or her new husband's banishment, eagerly awaits Romeo's arrival. When she learns what has happened, Juliet is so distraught that the Nurse promises to arrange one night together for the newly-weds before Romeo must leave Verona. The following morning at dawn, the couple part sadly, promising each other that they will find a way to be together forever and that their current problems will be solved.

Juliet's parents believe that her grief is caused by Tybalt's death so, in attempt to cheer her, they suggest she should marry Count Paris immediately. When she refuses, her father threatens to disown and abandon her, so she too seeks advice from the Friar, who has also been approached by Paris to marry him to Juliet.

Realising that she is so desperate that she might commit suicide (and perhaps fearful of the consequences for himself if he allows her to commit bigamy), the Friar advises her to go home and make peace with her parents. He then gives her a potion that is guaranteed to make it appear that she has died in her sleep. He explains that the effects will wear off within 42 hours, by which time she will be buried in her family's crypt.

He promises to send a letter to Romeo immediately, explaining the situation and asking him to return in time to be with Juliet when she awakes.

Juliet takes the potion and is discovered 'dead' when her nurse and mother try to wake her for her marriage to Paris. Her 'corpse' is then taken to the crypt where it is laid beside that of the dead Tybalt. The Friar's messenger leaves to find Romeo in Mantua.

THE ENDING

Stop reading now if you don't want to know how it ends...

The Friar's messenger is delayed on the way and, instead of learning of the Friar's plan, Romeo's servant, Balthasar, returns to Mantua from Verona bringing news of Juliet's supposed death. Devastated, Romeo purchases poison with which to kill himself and hurries back to Verona, planning to die by Juliet's side.

LOVE IN DEATH

Attempting to break into the crypt, he is interrupted by Paris and they fight. Romeo kills Paris and, reaching Juliet's body at last, embraces her and drinks the poison, kissing her as he dies.

Having learned that his messenger had not reached Romeo, the Friar runs to the crypt, discovers Paris's body and reaches Juliet's side just as she revives. Unable to persuade Juliet to leave her dead husband, and fearing for himself if he is discovered there, the Friar runs away, leaving Juliet alone with Romeo's body. Realising that all their plans have failed, she pulls his dagger, stabs herself in the chest and dies.

Once the bodies are discovered, the Friar confesses everything he knows and is pardoned by Prince Escalus. Knowing that their feud has brought about the deaths of their children, the warring families are reconciled and agree to build a monument to the young lovers.

Synopsis by The Royal Shakespeare Company.

The role of the Dramaturg is to provide the cast, director, production team, and audience with helpful knowledge, research, and context about the play so that they are – in turn – better equipped to do their jobs or enjoy the performance! CSC’s Dramaturg is Elaine Cox. Do you have a question about the show or an idea for future resource guides? Email Elaine.Cox@cincyshakes.com.

Check out all the “Closer Look” tabs for more information or access the entire dramaturgy guide online here.

Did you know that this is the seventh time CSC has staged Romeo and Juliet? And that of all Shakespeare’s plays, it is the second most-produced play world-wide? When William Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet sometime 1591 and 1595, he staged a story that was likely already well-known to his Elizabethan audience through other sources for at least a generation. Yes, the most famous of all Shakespeare’s plays was not his own conception at all, but a variation on an Italian story dating back to the 1400s.

The oldest origin of the play can be traced to Italian author, Masuccio Salernitano (1410 - 1475). His book Il Novellino contains the story Mariotto and Giannoza, young lovers from Siena. The story contains all the main plot points you know and love:  feuding families, forbidden romance, a sleeping potion, and terrible communication ending in the mutual death of star-crossed lovers.

In the 1530s, Luigi da Porta wrote a similar tale of Romeo Montechhi and Giulietta Cappelleti, moving the setting of their lives from Siena to Verona. The two were wed in secret, only to be torn apart by Romeo's killing of Giulietta's cousin, concluding with their tragic deaths—Romeo by Giulietta's sleeping potion, and Giulietta by… holding her breath so she could die with him.

Matteo Bandello (1480-1562), is most directly credited with influencing Shakespeare’s version. Bandello's version provides the surnames Montague and Capulet. He also added the element of the costume ball, where Romeo and Juliet first meet, and the shocking moment in which Juliet viciously kills herself with her lover's dagger.

The Bandello account is widely believed to have been closely followed by the French author Pierre Boaistuau, whose version was then translated into English by Arthur Brooke as a poem called The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet in 1562. Thirty years later, guess who brought it to life?

Shakespeare, of course.

Verona is located in Northeast Italy. In Shakespeare’s lifetime, it was part of the Venetian Republic, but until 1405 it had been an independent city-state. Romeo and Juliet’s Verona is independent and with its own prince – Escalus, played by CSC’s Candice Handy – who authorizes and enforces local laws. Taking that fact into account, the play should historically take place sometime during the fourteenth century. Verona was a trading town, earning money through the shipping industry and benefitting as the trading link between the East and the West.

Wealthy Veronians sold wood, spices, silks, salt, and fish, as well as participated in the slave trade. They used their money to create distinctive art, intricate sculptures, and remarkable architecture. It was not uncommon for homes to be three stories tall, with many balconies.

Romeo and Juliet is one of seven plays Shakespeare set in Late-Renaissance Italy, a setting he used to present a freer society than Elizabethan England. Italian social hierarchy was less rigid than England’s. By setting his plays in Italy, Shakespeare also gave himself the opportunity to criticize his society while seeming to criticize a foreign society. In Romeo and Juliet, the empowerment that the Montagues and Capulets felt to ignore the Prince’s orders reflects the complex political situation of an Italian city-state. At the same time, the play shows that this situation ends in disaster, which serves as a warning to those who might try to undermine the Queen’s power.

Shakespeare drew from stereotypes about Italy to create the world of Romeo and Juliet. Even in the 1500s, Italy was known as a country where romance was valued very highly. This “tragedy of love” was a theatrical genre created by Italian playwrights, and both of Shakespeare’s love tragedies, Romeo and Juliet and Othello, are set in Italy. Juliet’s openness about sex also reflects English stereotypes about Italians, who were believed to be less chaste than their English counterparts. The poison Romeo uses to kill himself is another example of local Italian color: Italians were believed to favor poison as a method of assassination – or at least the English thought so.

We all love. We all know what it’s like to fall in love.

And in this world that Shakespeare and CSC have created for you, love is all most of these characters have.

When you first imagine the world of the Capulets and Montagues, no one would blame you for picturing a world of opulence, a grandeur derived from the Italian Renaissance with sumptuous costumes and an over-the-top masquerade ball. But does “Alike in dignity” from the play’s opening lines inherently mean affluent? Dignity and a lower socioeconomic status are certainly not mutually exclusive.

This production imagines the Capulets and Montagues as underclass families in Verona and examines the overt presence of violence and discontent within their community. Romeo and Juliet is a love story, but also one of mental health and the driving forces of light and darkness.

By embracing the intersectionality of gender, race, class, sexuality, and physical appearance, this production of Romeo and Juliet, CSC will build a Verona where audience members from all backgrounds will see themselves and their relationships depicted onstage. 

To learn even more about Director Darnell Benjamin’s vison of Verona, you can listen to an interview with him, Dramaturg Elaine Cox, and CSC Board Member Marcie Kinney.

Or, read a summary transcript here online here.

“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 October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021). Giving Levels are exclusive of Capital Campaign donations. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy. If you see a discrepancy, please accept our sincere apology and contact Elaine Cox at 513-381-2273 ext. 3200.

Benevolent & Bold, $25,000+                
ArtsWave        
Mrs. L.L. Browning        
Mr. Otto Budig        
Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation    
Charles H. Dater Foundation        
Martin Chavez        
Fifth Third Bank Foundation        
John A. Schroth Family Charitable Trust        
The Limestone Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation        
Patricia and Calvin Linnemann        
Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund of the Greenacres Foundation        
Debby and Jim Mason in honor of James R. Bridgeland, Jr.
National Endowment for the Arts in Partnership with Arts Midwest        
Ohio Arts Council        
P&G Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation        
Judge Mark and Mrs. Sue Ann Painter        
Robert & Adele Schiff Family FoundationDon and Linda Tecklenburg        
        
Gallant & Glamorous, $10,000        
Anonymous        
Bartlett Wealth Management        
Sally and Joel Davenport        
Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation        
The Johnson Charitable Gift Fund        
Travis and Teresa McElroy        
Bill and Karen McKim        
National Endowment for the Arts        
Cassandra and Glenn Plott        
Rosemary and Mark Schlachter        
The Shubert Foundation        
The Thomas J. Emery Memorial        
Laura and Tayfun Tuzun        
Western & Southern Financial Fund        
Jay and Jodi Woffington        
        
Avowed & Audacious, $5,000        
Barnes Dennig        
Mr. John and Maureen Fallon Bridgeland        
Clark Schaefer Hackett        
Cynthia Crilley in memory of James R. Bridgeland Jr.
Crosset Family Fund        
Ernst & Young LLP        
Susan Esler and Steven Skibo        
GBBN Architects, Inc.        
Graeter's        
Mr. Myron and Sherry Hughes        
Todd and Tricia James        
LaMacchia Family Foundation        
Richard I. and Susan J. Lauf Fund        
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation        
Colleen and Mike McSwiggin        
Patrick Points and Wijdan Jreisat        
Betty and Steve Robinson        
Paul Sittenfeld and the Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Fund for Cincinnati Shakespeare Company        
Mark and Anne Stepaniak        
Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation        
Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP        
William O. Purdy, Jr. Foundation Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation        
The Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation        
Woodward Trust
George and Nancy Yund           

Devoted & Daring, $2,500        
1919 Investment Counsel        
Mr. Scott Bischoff and Teresa Sedlack        
Marty Boyer        
Charles Scott Riley III Foundation        
Kimberly and Dirk Doebereiner        
Kelley and David Downing        
Dan Fales        
Carol and Richard Fencl Family Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation        
Gary and Tricia Glass        
Sarah Graber        
Sam Hatchett        
Kevin and Libby Howard        
David Kern        
Marcene and Jim Kinney        
Jean and Charles Lauterbach        
Mary Beth Martin and Kenneth Oswald        
Ohio Development Services Agency        
David and Patricia Papoi        
Redknot Homes        
Vicky and Rick Reynolds        
Thomas and Patricia Sullivan        
Thompson Hine LLP        
H. James Williams and Carole Campbell Williams        
        
Ardent & Astounding, $1,000        
John Abner        
Mary & David Adams Charitable Fund        
Lisa Allgood        
Americana Arts Foundation        
Bob Amott and Janice Flanagan        
Jeffrey and Karen Anderson        
Mr. Fred Berger        
Dava L. Biehl        
Jim and Sue Bohache        
Robert Brackenbury and Linda Parysek        
Daniel and Kendra Braun        
Dr. Robert Burroughs        
Timothy Cagle        
Philip Clayton        
Marjorie Davis Charitable Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation        
Emily Detmer-Goebel and Scott Goebel        
Ellen T. and Dr. Stewart B. Dunsker Designated Fund III of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation        
Rick and Melissa Eder        
Joe and Kay Ellis        
Gerald Greenberg and Pamela Meyers        
Gumbleton Family Charitable Trust        
Mr. Robert Hickey        
Jennifer Horvath        
Steve Kenat and Heidi Jark        
Emily Kennedy        
Linda U. Klump        
Thomas P. Lee        
Ted and Molly Lucien        
Scott and Monica Mahon        
Norah and Joe Mock        
Ed and Diane Mohlenhoff        
Mark Motley        
Teri Murphy        
Mr. Chris Nare        
Norwood Together        
Cyndie and David Park        
Rick Pender and Joan Kaup        
Julie Peter        
Philanthropub        
Brian Isaac Phillips and Corinne Mohlenhoff        
Tarita Preston        
Mitchell and Karen Rashkin        
RCL Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation         
Dr. Robert Reed M.D. and Ms. Constance Reed        
Maddie Regan and Brian Lloyd        
Hera Reines        
Becky and Ted Richards        
Gates T. Richards IRA        
The Ridgeway Foundation        
Patricia Robertson        
Ms. Diane Roland        
Monique Rothschild        
Karen Sandker        
Matthew Schottelkotte        
Schwartz Rainville Fund        
Tom Simpson        
Stegman Family Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation        
Thornton-Keith Family Charitable Gift Fund        
US Bank Foundation        
Westheimer Rhodes Family Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation        
Brian Wickensimer        
William P. Anderson Foundation        
        
Ebullient & Exhilarating, $500        
Anonymous 
The Adamec Charitable Gift Fund        
Christine Adams        
Diane Albrinck        
Mary Anneken        
Ted Baldwin        
Adam Bangert        
Ron Bates and Randy Lasley        
Lisa Beckelhimer        
Merritt Beischel        
William and Kathleen Bentley        
Maureen Bickley        
David and Elaine Billmire        
Fred and Kari Boss        
Andrew Botschner        
Robyn Brands        
Karen Brinkman        
Douglas Bruestle        
David and Susan Carson        
Rachel Chrastil        
Michael and Kathy Clark        
Eric, Allison and Louise Cohen in honor of     Inez Segell
Tim and Joni Conway Family Fund        
Hillary Copsey        
Carole Donnelly        
Karen Eddleman        
Nancy Finke        
Mary Ann Fleischer        
Christopher A. Futscher and Lynn M. Schulte        
Michelle Getz        
Noah Goertemiller        
Tom and Sarah Goodwin        
Dr. William Gracie and Daniel Fairbanks        
Richard and Barbara Green        
Mr. Stew Hall        
Linda Harpster        
Debra Hartsell        
Children of Lloyd Hartsough in memory of Lloyd Hartsough
Petrina Hasinski        
Rachel Heberling        
Kathryn Hendrickson        
Emily M. Hodges Fund in honor of     Maggie Lou Rader on her birthday
Linda Holthaus        
Haleigh Hopkins        
Ray Ibarra        
Phyllis Jackson        
Dale and Cheri Jenkins        
Katie Johannigman        
Marcy Kanter        
Amy Katz        
Sandra Kohn        
Mr. Michael Kuehl        
Geoff Leder        
Sara Lehew        
Tony and Elaine Leist        
Travis Lockhart        
Matthew Long        
Dan and Anne Lovell        
Dave and Lee MacKenzie        
Tom McMackin        
Marianne Miller        
Mary Mitchell        
Maggie Muething        
Jason Mulvin        
Frank Newbauer        
Nicholas Newman        
Ronald Nicholson        
Neda and Bruce Nutley        
Mary Ohlinger-Pray        
Annelise Page        
Denise & Doug Peaslee        
Robert and Teddy Perry        
Mark Raider and Dr. Miriam Raider Roth        
The Irene & Daniel Randolph DAF of the Cambridge Charitable Foundation        
Eliza Redwine        
Jana Riess        
Ronald and Zonia Rose        
Mr. Louis Ross        
Christine and Andrew Schaub        
Janet Schultz        
Rich Schultz        
Rebecca Schultz        
Jennifer Sebranek        
Dr. Edward B. Silberstein and Jacqueline M. Mack        
Paul Spearman        
Mrs. Jan Steinman        
Leah Stewart        
Thomas and Laura Sullivan        
Marty Tomb        
Will Turbyne        
Collin Turner        
Mrs. Kari Ullman        
Thomas and Nancy Van Brunt        
Rosalie P. van Nuis        
JoAnn Vella        
Gail and Anton Viditz-Ward        
Brent Vimtrup        
Rick and Stella Wade        
Anne Wallace in honor of Ellie Broscious
Robert and Joan Wallace        
Don Weinkam        
Russell Durst and Kathryn Wekselman        
Donna Welch        
Ms. Jo Ann Wieghaus        
Beverly Williams        
Robert and Jean Willis        
Kelly Wray            
        
Valiant & Voracious, $250        
Jana Bazzoli        
Darnell Pierre Benjamin        
Eric Bishop        
Jessica Blackwell        
Jessica Blevins        
Ellen Boyne        
Amy Bunger        
Beckie Campbell        
Angela Chong        
James Cissell        
Susan Cogan        
Kristopher Cole        
Jeffrey Conner        
Dr. Thomas Cook        
Mr. Bradley Corey        
Janet Davidson        
Catherine Defoor        
Rose Marie Deibel        
Deanna and David Eppers        
Barry Fittes        
Arielle Goldberg        
Eric Gould and Cindy Moore        
Meredith Gregg        
Nancy Helwig and Bob Roesbery        
Candice Jones-Peelman        
Steve Karoly        
Beverly Kinney        
Jean Knuth        
Kelly Kuhn        
Marc and Lauren le Roux        
Joyce Looby        
Catherine Masla        
Julie Metz        
Audrey Meyers        
Mary Sue Morrow        
Dr. Niamh O'Leary        
Maggie and Declan O’Sullivan         
Michael Curran and Manisha Patel        
Alice M Perlman        
David M. Piatt Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation         
Margaret Polanski        
Paul and Marilyn Porcino        
Mary Ann Prokop        
Terrence Regan        
Suzanne M. Schindler        
Sue Schneider        
Kathryn Schnier        
Semler Family Charitable Fund        
Stephanie Sepate         
Dave and Jeanne Smearsoll        
Steven Smith        
Dr. William Spohn and Dr. Margaret Dunn        
Richard and Kelli Stein        
Ann Tobias        
Dr. Kelly Waldrop        
Fred and Jo Anne Warren        
Ms. Karen Zaugg        
        
Grand & Gracious, $100        
Anonymous 
David Aaron        
Alan Abes and Monica Schneider        
Wayne Adams        
Jose Alvarez        
Peter and Tamara Anderson        
Robert and Christina Arlinghaus        
Katherine A. Barksdale Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation        
Elzie Barker and Joe Hornbaker        
Henrietta Barlag        
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis J. Barron     in memory of     William Denny Baskett III
Rebecca Beckstedt        
Mary Ann and Doug Bell        
Ms Patricia Beresford        
Katherine Berger        
David and Madonna Bowman        
Chase and Karen Bramwell        
John and Peg Bruggeman        
Mary Bryan        
Denny and Mindy Burger        
Pat Ciccarella        
Margee Clarke        
Mr Willard H Connor Jr        
Fred and Rhonda Cooper        
Jeff Cooper        
Elaine Cox        
Leslie and Leo Dahring        
Charlisa Daniels        
George Davis in honor of     Ron and Georgia Davis, R.I.P.
Noel Dejarnette        
Genny Dennison        
Emilie and David Dressler Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation        
Donald and Katherine Durack        
Joe Eckert        
Elizabeth Eichler in honor of Dorothy Rice
Elizabeth End        
Thomas Endress        
David and Deanna Eppers        
Lindsey Faber        
Michelle Feld in memory of Bill Baskett 
Annie Fitzpatrick        
Jill and Greg Fritz        
Andrea Galloway        
GE Foundation        
Haynes and Maria Goddard        
Kevin Grace        
Katherine Graeter        
Mary Gray        
Sally Grazier        
Siobhan Greyvenstein        
Jennifer Groman        
Fred Haaser in honor of Diana Haaser
Bryan and Graham Hafertepe        
Jane and Scott Hamilton        
Mindy and Eric Hammer        
Kate and Adam Hand        
Angie Head        
Heink Charitable Fund        
Michael and Janice Hess        
Mr. Paul Hickey        
Mr. Paul Hill        
Ms. Karlee Hilliard        
Ron and Sandy Hitzler         
Dale Hodges        
Daniel J. Hoffheimer        
Bonnie Hoffmann        
Tom and Kathy Hogan        
Genevieve Holt        
Betty Huck        
Christopher Hunter        
Stephanie Hurley        
Brandy Jones        
Mr. Kenneth Jordan        
Kim Juelg        
Jim and Mary Ann Kalla        
Anonymous        
Kristen Keane and Matthew Morss        
Kiley Family Trust        
KimTimTeam Realty        
John Klingler        
Rita and Rick Kowalski        
Mr. Marvin Kraus        
Pat and Randy Krumm        
CiCi and Owen Lee        
Laura Lejeune        
John Leyendecker         
Frank Light        
Patti Lindsey        
Mr. Joseph Link        
Matthew Loveless        
Craig Malblanc        
Michele Mansfield        
Fred L. Martens        
David Mason        
Sherry and Steve McCamley        
Deb McDonald        
Janet and Michael McGrath        
Robert McMahon     in memory of     Laura McMahon
Kathy Gerend-Meinking and John Meinking        
Meister Family Fund        
Ric Mierenfeld and Kim Heimbrock         
Denny Kidder and Mark Mikulski        
Ted and Frances Molinari     in honor of     Myron Hughes
Rob and Andrea Morwood        
Ruta Mueller        
Kate and Krishna Mungur        
Muskingum County Community Foundation        
Joe and Maude Nagle        
Naramore Family Charitable Fund        
Manu Narayana        
Network for Good        
Norwood High School English Department        
Timothy and Joanne Oppelt in memory of     Patrick Hoffman
Tim and Kathy Paulin        
Graham and Karen Paxton        
Gregory Pelle        
Tim Peter     in memory of     Jan Peter
Tim and Angie Philpott        
Jason and Emily Praeter         
Joseph and Crystal Prather        
Phil and Susan Price        
Ms. Betty Prince        
Spencer and Beverly Pugh        
Kay Puryear        
Erica Reid        
Tony Rein in honor of     Harley, Nature's Perfect Dog
Robert Riehemann        
Elizabeth Robson        
Patricia Rosely        
Betty Rosenthal        
Paul Sanow        
Jenn Sauvey        
Kevin and Jill Schad        
Roger and Katharine Schumacher     in memory of     Mr. William Baskett
Kathy and Joe Schwab        
The Seeley Family        
Kit Seibert        
Rachelle Sekerka        
Jon and Jackie Seymour        
Lois Ann and Edward J. Shannon        
Charles and Patricia Shoemaker        
Mary Shukairy        
Simmons Family        
Natalie Adler Skarzynski        
William David Smith        
Bob and Laurie Sternberg        
Courtney Sulentic        
Sarah Tankersley and Geoff Vickers        
ThermoFisher Scientific        
Greg Terhune and Bo Wachendorf        
Sue and Tom Terwilliger         
Jude Tessel        
Janette Thomposn        
Jim and Sandy Uhrig        
DeAnne Vallo        
Diana L Veid     in honor of     Casey Bradley
Anne Venters     in honor of     Jeanna Vella and Elaine Cox
Steven Walkup        
Hugh and Catherine Walsh        
Judge Lawrence Walter and Ms. Christena Walter        
Amanda Webb        
Sandra Weiskittel     in honor of     Ken Oswald for his generous contributions to the arts
Jim and George Ann Wesner        
Lawrence Wheat II and Jennifer Miller        
Christine Whittaker        
Bill and Kathy Winters        
Hilary and Tim Young