Importance of Being Earnest
Tap here for the mobile program information
Mobile Program

We love your feedback! Click here to take our survey

2023-2024 Season Sponsored by
The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation and The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation

Brian Isaac Phillips, Producing Artistic Director Presents:

Directed by Brian Isaac Phillips** 

August 4 - 20, 2023
Previews August 2 and 3

 

Scenic Design: Samantha Reno 
Costume Design:  Rainy Edwards 
Lighting Design:  Watson 
Sound Design:  Kevin Semancik 
Properties Design: Kara Eble Trusty 
Assistant Director: Lindsey Augusta Mercer
Intimacy Director: Gina Cerimele-Mechley
Production Stage Manager: Cole Sweasy* 

Cast 
Cecily Cardew: Tora Nogami Alexander* 
Reverend Canon Chasuble: Darnell Pierre Benjamin* 
Miss Prism: Burgess Byrd* 
Lane/ Merriman: Billy Chace* 
John “Jack” Worthing/ Ernest: Jeremy Dubin* 
Algernon “Algy” Moncrieff: James Evans* 
Gwendolyn Fairfax: Kelly Mengelkoch* 
Lady Bracknell: Christine Pedi* 

Production Staff 
Production Manager: Kate Bindus 
Production Stage Manager: Cole Sweasy* 
Assistant Stage Manager: Abby Sherr 
Technical Director: Chris Holloway  
Master Carpenter: Drew Homan  
Wardrobe Supervisor: Nathalie Gibson 
Costume Shop Manager: Lindsey Jones 
Carpenter & Master Electrician: Jared Earland 
Charge Artist: Samantha Reno 
Technical Director: Robert Carlton Stimmel  
Properties Supervisor: Kara Eble Trusty 
Wig Stylist: Amanda Winters

 

This production has two 10-minute intermissions.

 

*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

**Member of SDC 

Tora Nogami Alexander
Cecily Cardew

Tora Nogami Alexander (she/her) (2 Seasons) is so excited to be back at Cincinnati Shakespeare after performing with her fellow cast members in The Rewards Of Being Frank. Tora is an actor and musician based out of New York City. Some past credits include Twelfth Night with the Acting Company, The Heart of Robin Hood and Richard II at Hudson Valley Shakespeare Company and Aquila Theatre’s national tour of 1984 and The Odyssey. Tora’s TV credits include NBC’s series, Rise. She would like to extend her thanks to Cincinnati Shakespeare for having her back as well as her ever supportive friends and family especially her partner, Justin. Website: www.toraalexander.com

Darnell Pierre Benjamin*
Reverend Canon Chasuble

Darnell Pierre Benjamin (he/him) (13 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/

Burgess Byrd*
Miss Prism

Burgess C. Byrd (she/her/they) (4 Seasons) is delighted to be back at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Previously here, she was seen as Lena Younger in A Raisin in the Sun and Tillie in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. Recent credits: Cynthia in Sweat at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati; Headmistress Francis in School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; Florence Kennedy/Ensemble in Gloria: A Life, Human Race Theatre; Guest Artist at the University of Texas Austin as Shylock in Merchant of Venice. She can be seen in the films Inconceivable (2017), the upcoming Bones and All (2022), and the recently wrapped Challengers (2023). 

Billy Chace*
Lane/ Merriman

Billy Chace (15 Seasons) is happy to be returning to the Cincy Shakes Ensemble for a 14th season.  Past roles include Walter Jenkins in All The Way, Falstaff in The Merry Wives Of Windsor, Victor/Poche in Flea In Her Ear, Autolycus in The Winter’s Tale, Sir Toby in Twelfth Night, Richard in Richard III, Touchstone in As You Like It, Enobarbus in Antony and Cleopatra, Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing, Renfield in Dracula, Guildenstern in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Lucio in Measure For Measure, Berowne in Love’s Labors Lost, and Clown 1 in The 39 Steps. He is also proud to have been featured in The Other Place with Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati and as a voice actor in Cincinnati Ballet’s 2011 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He is blessed and very thankful for his loving and supportive family and friends.

Jeremy Dubin*
John “Jack” Worthing/ Ernest

Jeremy Dubin (he/him) (23 Seasons) originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, holds degrees from the University of Evansville and Ohio State University. For over twenty years, he has had the privilege of making and teaching theatre in Cincinnati and beyond. Some favorite CSC projects include Much Ado About Nothing (Benedick), Noises Off (Garry), Cyrano de Bergerac (Cyrano), The Hound of the Baskervilles (Sherlock Holmes), The Diary of Anne Frank (Director) ,Titus Andronicus (Director), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Director), and Every Christmas Story Ever Told (Director). Jeremy is also the co-founder of The Puzzle Crawl, a super-nerdy Cincinnati bar crawl for nerds. He would like to thank his family for their unabashed enthusiasm and Kelly for being the greatest.

James Evans
Algernon “Algy” Moncrieff

James Evans (he/him) (2 Seasons) previously appeared at CSC in The Rewards of Being Frank as Algernon. Previous theater credits include: The Rat Trap (The Mint Theater Company); The Woman in Black (The McKittrick Hotel and American Conservatory Theater); Salty (The Tank), The Spider’s Web (Bristol Valley Theatre). TV credits include: “The Food That Built America,” “The Booze, Bets and Sex That Built America.” MA from the University of Cambridge and AA from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. jamesevansactor.com.

Kelly Mengelkoch*
Gwendolyn Fairfax

Kelly Mengelkoch (she/her) (19 Seasons) is elated to return to playing with CSC this season. Having performed in Romeo and Juliet and The Comedy of Errors last season, she has also recently been seen at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati in Tiny Beautiful Things, The Human Race Theatre Company in Everything That's Beautiful, and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park for their annual presentation of A Christmas Carol. Film credits include Dark Waters, Perception, Old Man and the Gun, A Kind of Murder, Healing River, and C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America. She is grateful to the Cincinnati community for providing and supporting amazing art, and amazing careers for so many of us. Love to Jeremy. kellymengelkoch.com

Christine Pedi
Lady Bracknell

Miss Christine Pedi (she/her) (2 Seasons) is thrilled beyond articulation to be returning to CSC as Lady B having had the unbridled joy of breathing renewed life into this formidable dowager in the world premiere of The Rewards of Being Frank  (a rather cheeky sequel to The Importance of Being Earnest).  Beyond the realm of this fair city her fondest memories of trodding the boards on Broadway include Mama Morton in Chicago, Little Me, & Talk Radio.  She received the humbling distinction of a Drama Desk nomination for her work in the legendary satirical romp that is Forbidden Broadway.   While technically NOT royalty she IS known as   “Lady of 1000 Voices”  and  her impressions flourish on the Tube of YOU, Sir  Howard Stern’s program (on SIRIUS XM radio where she is also a daily presenter on the ON BROADWAY channel)  and beyond. On telly she boasts being a “dead SOPRANO” (Mrs Bobby Baccala, 5 lines, 3 scenes, “TA TA”)   ChristinePedi.com * Cameo.com

Brian Isaac Phillips*
Director

Brian Isaac Phillips* (Producing Artistic Director and Ensemble, 23nd Season) has been leading the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company since 2003.  During his tenure, Mr. Phillips has guided the organization to artistic and financial success, including the opening of The Otto M. Budig Theater, a $17.5MM world-class facility at the corner of 12th and Elm Streets in OTR, as well as the completion of Shakespeare's 38 play canon, making Cincinnati Shakespeare Company one of the first five theatres in the United States to accomplish this milestone.

Mr. Phillips, originally from Pittsburgh, PA, is a graduate of Morehead State University and has been a resident of Cincinnati for over two decades.  In that time he has collaborated with virtually every arts organization in the region.  He is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association and the Stage Director’s and Choreographer’s Society.

In 2020, Mr. Phillips was awarded the international Shakespeare Theatre Association's prestigious Sidney Berger Award for excellence in artistic direction and was also named as one of Cincinnati Magazine's 300 Most Powerful Business Leaders. Mr. Phillips was nominated in 2019 and 2016 for the SDCF Zelda Fichandler Award for outstanding artistic contribution to our region. Mr. Phillips was recognized by both Mayor John Cranley and Mayor Mark Mallory for service at CSC and to the city of Cincinnati. He was also selected for the 2014 Class of Forty Under Forty and a has been nominated for the Ohio Governors’ Arts Awards. In 2016, Mr. Phillips graduated from Cincinnati USA Chamber’s 39th Class of Leadership Cincinnati and is now happy to serve on one of the steering committees.  Also in 2016, Mr. Phillips was selected as a finalist for the Business Courier’s 2016 C-Suite Awards for Chief Executive Officer.

Most recent CSC directing credits include All the Way, The Merry Wives of Windsor, August: Osage County, 1984, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Dracula, A Midsummer Night’s DreamThe Tempest (Co-Director), The Elephant Man, Antony and Cleopatra, Death of a Salesman, Cyrano de Bergerac, One Man, Two Guvnors, Waiting for Godot, The Birds, and The Great Gatsby.

Brian is the lucky husband of one of the most amazing actors in town and the proud father of Holden and Annabel.

Samantha Reno
Scenic Design

Samantha Reno (she/her) (3 Seasons) is excited to be heading into another season at CSC! Recent favorite designs include "Romeo and Juliet," "Hamlet," "Comedy of Errors," and "Living Dead." In the last year, she has also enjoyed working with the Cincinnati Opera ("Fierce"), the Cincinnati Ballet (Bold Moves Festival), Northern Kentucky University ("Noises Off"), and B Street Theatre in Sacramento, California. The most gratitude and joy to her wonderful, supportive husband and two amazing kids!

Rainy Edwards
Costume Design

Rainy Edwards (she/her) (5 Seasons) is from Llano, Texas, and received her MFA in Costume Design at Florida State University. She has been with the company since 2018. Rainy 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. Rainey 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.

Watson
Lighting Design

Watson (she/they/y’all) (11 Seasons) is thrilled to be back in the Queen City! Having worked with CSC on over 50 MainStage productions some of their favorite credits are: Othello, King John, Long Days Journey into Night, Cymbeline, and Timon of Athens. They have designed theater all around the tri state and NYC. Watson is currently a Senior Designer with Studio RRD in NYC and LA. 

Kevin Semancik
Sound Design

Kevin Semancik (he/him) (4 Seasons) is a Theatrical Sound Designer, Audio Engineer, and Live Production Specialist based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. Kevin is well versed in audio system design and optimization - having completed advanced  training from Meyer Sound, d&b audiotechnik, Figure 53 and Rational Acoustics. As a Sound Designer, Kevin has worked on productions for the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Public Theatre, Theatre Row, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati and Memorial Hall of Cincinnati. He regularly works with The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company as a Sound Designer for their live productions and Recording Engineer Engineer for their Audio Dramas with WVXU. Kevin is currently the resident Sound Designer and Audio Engineer for the Children's Theatre of Cincinnati. He enjoys working in a supportive educational environment where he can help train students in professional design and engineering practices.
Read more about Kevin and his work at https://www.semanciksound.com/ 

Kara Eble Trusty
Properties Design

Kara Eble Trusty (she/her) (4 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 12 and is 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, The Carnegie, and 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.

Lindsey Augusta Mercer
Assistant Director

Lindsey Augusta Mercer (they/them) (5 Seasons) is a multi-hyphenate theatre artist passionate about queer, interdisciplinary, and reimagined works. Lindsey is thrilled to be returning to CSC for the first time since One Man, Two Guvnors in Season 21 on Race street. As a director, actor, musician, composer, and professional goober, some of their favorite credits include; Directing: Head Over Heels, Saint JoanGirlfriend, The Last 5 Years, Performing: The Bengson’s HUNDRED DAYS  (Know Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse/US Tour), [title of show]. Lindsey is a proud member of AEA & SDCF and is currently writing the book, music, and lyrics for a new musical adaptation of Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway. Co-founder Queen City Queer Theatre Collective, Lincoln Center Directors Lab ‘17, Baldwin Wallace University’13. Lindseyaugustamercer.com

Gina Cerimele-Mechley
Intimacy Director

Gina Cerimele-Mechley (she/her) (28 Seasons) a Cincinnati native, Gina 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.

Brian Isaac Phillips*
Producing Artistic Director

Brian Isaac Phillips* (Producing Artistic Director and Ensemble, 23nd Season) has been leading the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company since 2003.  During his tenure, Mr. Phillips has guided the organization to artistic and financial success, including the opening of The Otto M. Budig Theater, a $17.5MM world-class facility at the corner of 12th and Elm Streets in OTR, as well as the completion of Shakespeare's 38 play canon, making Cincinnati Shakespeare Company one of the first five theatres in the United States to accomplish this milestone.

Mr. Phillips, originally from Pittsburgh, PA, is a graduate of Morehead State University and has been a resident of Cincinnati for over two decades.  In that time he has collaborated with virtually every arts organization in the region.  He is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association and the Stage Director’s and Choreographer’s Society.

In 2020, Mr. Phillips was awarded the international Shakespeare Theatre Association's prestigious Sidney Berger Award for excellence in artistic direction and was also named as one of Cincinnati Magazine's 300 Most Powerful Business Leaders. Mr. Phillips was nominated in 2019 and 2016 for the SDCF Zelda Fichandler Award for outstanding artistic contribution to our region. Mr. Phillips was recognized by both Mayor John Cranley and Mayor Mark Mallory for service at CSC and to the city of Cincinnati. He was also selected for the 2014 Class of Forty Under Forty and a has been nominated for the Ohio Governors’ Arts Awards. In 2016, Mr. Phillips graduated from Cincinnati USA Chamber’s 39th Class of Leadership Cincinnati and is now happy to serve on one of the steering committees.  Also in 2016, Mr. Phillips was selected as a finalist for the Business Courier’s 2016 C-Suite Awards for Chief Executive Officer.

Most recent CSC directing credits include All the Way, The Merry Wives of Windsor, August: Osage County, 1984, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Dracula, A Midsummer Night’s DreamThe Tempest (Co-Director), The Elephant Man, Antony and Cleopatra, Death of a Salesman, Cyrano de Bergerac, One Man, Two Guvnors, Waiting for Godot, The Birds, and The Great Gatsby.

Brian is the lucky husband of one of the most amazing actors in town and the proud father of Holden and Annabel.

The Importance of Being Earnest is a witty and satirical play written by Oscar Wilde. Set in the Victorian era, the play follows the lives of two bachelors, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, as they navigate a web of mistaken identities and romantic entanglements.

Jack, who lives in the countryside, assumes the identity of his fictitious brother, Ernest, whenever he visits the city. Algernon, on the other hand, creates an imaginary invalid friend named Bunbury, whom he uses as an excuse to escape social obligations. Both men find themselves entangled in a series of humorous and chaotic situations when their fabricated lives begin to unravel.

Love and romance play a central role in the plot as both Jack and Algernon fall in love with women who have a peculiar preference for men named Ernest. Gwendolen Fairfax, the cousin of Algernon, is captivated by the name Ernest, while Cecily Cardew, Jack's ward, also desires a husband with the same name. This leads to comical misunderstandings and mistaken identities as the men try to fulfill the expectations of their prospective partners.

As the play progresses, secrets are revealed, and the characters confront the consequences of their deceptions. Lady Bracknell, Gwendolen's formidable mother, adds another layer of comedy and social commentary with her obsession for wealth, social status, and rigid adherence to societal expectations.

The Importance of Being Earnest uses humor, wordplay, and farcical situations to expose the hypocrisy and superficiality of the Victorian upper class. Through his sharp wit and clever dialogue, Wilde challenges the conventions of his time and satirizes the absurdities of societal norms, particularly regarding love, marriage, and identity.

In the end, the characters find resolution and true love, but not without learning valuable lessons about honesty, sincerity, and the importance of being true to oneself. Wilde's play remains a timeless classic, celebrated for its sparkling wit, memorable characters, and scathing critique of the social mores of the Victorian era.

 

Featuring: Rewards of Being Frank (2023) Photography: Mikki Schaffner

Oscar Wilde, born on October 16, 1854, in Dublin, Ireland, was a renowned playwright, novelist, and poet who boasted a prominent fixture on the literary world of the late 19th century. Known for his wit, flamboyance, and dedication to challenging societal norms, Wilde remains an enduring figure in both the realms of literature and history.

Wilde came from an intellectual and artistic family. His mother, Jane Wilde, was a poet and an Irish nationalist, while his father, Sir William Wilde, was a successful surgeon and archaeologist. Growing up in an environment that nurtured his creativity and intellect, Wilde showed early promise as a scholar and writer.

After completing his studies at Trinity College, Dublin, Wilde moved to London, where he quickly established himself as a prominent figure in literary and social circles. His plays, including Lady Windermere's Fan (1892) and An Ideal Husband (1895), showcased his talent for witty dialogue and his astute observations on the social norms of the Victorian era, a time characterized by rigid social norms and a prevailing sense of moral righteousness. Wilde challenged societal conventions through his provocative works and unconventional, dandy lifestyle.

One of Wilde's most significant contributions to English literature is his play The Importance of Being Earnest, first performed in 1895. The play satirizes the superficiality and artificiality of the upper-class society of the time, bolstered by witty dialogue and farcical situations.

However, The Importance of Being Earnest had a tumultuous journey to its success. Shortly after its debut, Wilde faced personal and legal turmoil when his homosexuality was exposed, leading to his arrest and imprisonment. In the wake of the scandal, Wilde's play was forced to close early, and it would take years for his work to regain respect and recognition.

Photo: Rewards of Being Frank (2023) Photography: Mikki Schaffner

Following his release, Wilde lived in France under the name Sebastian Melmoth and wrote The Ballad of Reading Gaol, a poem reflecting on his experiences in prison. However, his health deteriorated, and he passed away on November 30, 1900, at the age of 46.

Oscar Wilde, the brilliant wordsmith and social critic, remains an enduring figure in literary history. His works, including "The Importance of Being Earnest," continue to captivate audiences, reminding us of the power of satire to challenge societal norms and inspire change. Through his unique blend of wit and social commentary, Wilde continues to be celebrated as one of the most iconic figures of the late 19th century and a true master of his craft.

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, 2022 – June 30, 2023 or pledged to the 2022 – 2023 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.

 

Benevolent and Bold, $25,000+

ArtsWave

Bartlett Wealth Management

Mrs. L.L. Browning

Mr. Otto M. Budig

Charles H. Dater Foundation

Martin Chavez

Fifth Third Foundation

John A. Schroth Family Charitable Trust

The Limestone Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation

The Linnemann Family Foundation

Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund of the Greenacres Foundation

Debby and Jim Mason

National Endowment for the Arts in Partnership with Arts Midwest

Ohio Arts Council

P&G Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation

Don and Linda Tecklenburg

 

Gallant and Glamorous, $10,000 - $24,999

Blank Rome/Monteverdi Tuscany

GBBN Architects, Inc.

The Gumbleton Family

Johnson Charitable Gift Fund

John and Betsy LaMacchia

Martha Holden Jennings Foundation

The McElroy Family

Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation

Sue Ann and Judge Mark Painter

Cass and Glenn Plott

Patrick Points and Wijdan Jreisat

Rosemary and Mark Schlachter

Shubert Foundation

The Thomas J. Emery Memorial

Western and Southern Financial Group

Richard and Debbie Westheimer

George and Nancy Yund

 

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

Diane Adamec

Barnes Dennig

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

Marcie and Jim Kinney

Karen McKim

Messer Construction Co.

Whitney Owens

PNC Bank

Vicky and Rick Reynolds

Marc and Suzi Rubin

Alice Scovell

Pete and Ginger Strange Family Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Stock Yards Bank

Laura and Tayfun Tuzun

  1. James Williams and Carole Campbell Williams

Jay and Jodi Woffington

The Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation

Woodward Trust

 

Devoted and Daring, $2,500 – $4,999

1919 Investment Counsel

Arts Midwest

Cynthia and William Batte

Mr. Fred Berger

Mr. Scott Bischoff and Teresa Sedlack

Crosset Family Fund

Jennifer and Vito Damiano

Susan Esler and Steven Skibo

Dan Fales

Sarah and Matt Graber

Graeter's

The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Myron and Sherry Hughes

JP Morgan Chase & Co.

Steve and Shannon Kane

Steve Kenat and Heidi Jark

David Kern

Ms. Linda Klump

Stan Ladrick

Jean and Charles Lauterbach

Thomas P. Lee

Isabel Mendez

Maggie Muething

David and Lesley Nevers

Kathy and Mike Rademacher

Robbins, Kelly, Patterson & Tucker

Steve and Betty Robinson

Steven P. Sullivan

Taft Stettinius and Hollister LLP

Melanie Swick and Matthew Schottelkotte

Bob and Sue Trusty

Ms. Jo Ann Wieghaus

 

Ardent and Astounding, $1,000 - $2,499

Americana Arts Foundation

Jeffrey and Karen Anderson

William and Caroline Bahlman

Mary Baskett

Mary Ann and Doug Bell

Daniel and Kendra Braun

Charles Scott Riley III Foundation

Lee and Lisa Clapp

Mr. Phillip Clayton

Brian and Elizabeth Coley

Dr. Kristen Copeland and Steve Johns

Marjorie E. Davis

Dr. and Mrs. Stewart Dunsker

Joe and Kay Ellis

Joseph Giglia and Kathy Collins

Scott Goebel and Emily Detmer-Goebel

William J. Gracie, Jr. and Daniel J. Fairbanks

Gerald Greenberg and Pamela Meyers

John and Elizabeth Grover

Kevin and Libby Howard

Beverly Kinney

Susan Lauf

Ted and Molly Lucien

Paul and Anne Lucky

Scott and Monica Mahon

Chris Nare and Lori Rappold

David and Patricia Papoi

Rick Pender and Joan Kaup

Mitchell and Karen Rashkin

Becky and Ted Richards

Dr. Catherine Shackson

Ms. Ruth Sikorski

Sinclaire Family Office

David Smith

Target Circle

Ron Visscher

Ted and Mary Ann Weiss

Westheimer Rhodes Family Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation in honor of Richard Westheimer

William P. Anderson Foundation

 

Ebullient and Exhilarating, $500 - $999

Christine Adams

Frank Albi

Dr. Rubin Battino

M.C. Brennan

Jubilee Brown

Vikki Brown

Hon. James Cissell

Carol C. Cole, in memory of Leland M. Cole

Donald and Victoria Daiker

Kimberly and Dirk Doebereiner

Allyson Fleischer

Ellen Forte and Michael DiMaggio

Michelle Getz

Tom and Sarah Goodwin

Tony Hall

Amy Katz

Gail and Eric Kirchner

Geoff and Shellie Leder

Levy-Wall Family Fund

Norma Lewis

Arthur and Stephanie McMahon

Julie Metz

Kim Morrow

Mark Motley

Tom and Cindy Muething

Amy Paul and Jerry Newfarmer

John and Heidi O'Connor

Maddie Regan and Brian Lloyd

Joyce Rich

Rich Schultz

Saira and Rick Shahani

Dee and Tom Stegman

David Stull

Gordon and Mary-Anne Thompson

Kathleen Thornton and Dr. Robert Keith

Marty Tomb

Rosalie van Nuis

JoAnn and Mark Vella

Mrs. Donna Welch

Gabe Westheimer

 

Valiant and Voracious, $250 - $499

Paul Adam

Stuart and Sarah Aitken

John Batchelor

Tim and Lisa Beckelhimer

David and Elaine Billmire

Judith Briggs

John and Rebecca Bromels

Larry and Julie Chandler

Mr. Bradley Corey

Leslie and Leo Dahring

Mark Dauner

Rose Marie Deibel

Elizabeth End

Lindsey Faber

Sheila Hill

Karlee Hilliard

Keith and Farrah Jackson

Steve and Janet Jackson

Steve Karoly

Crystal Kendrick

Emily S. Kennedy

Rob and Ellie Lamb

Mr. David Lazarus

Jonathan and Nancy Lippincott

Mary Mahoney

Mike Marrero

Mark and Christa McAndrew

Mark E. McKillip

McCready-Shore Family Fund

Christine Mulvin

Teri Murphy

Drs. Nick Newman and Leila Saxena

Chandra Obie

Niamh J. O'Leary

Mr. Declan O'Sullivan

Alice M. Perlman

David Piatt Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Donna Pickard

Kay Puryear

Kelly Read

Barbara Norris

Patty Rosely

Mr. Louis Ross

Jessica Ruebusch

Robin Sargent

Jennifer Sauvey

Susan Schapiro

Suzanne Schindler

Shakespeare Reading Group, in honor of Nancy Lewis

Dr. William Spohn and Dr. Margaret Dunn

John Tergerson

Carrie Walsh

Judge Lawrence Walter and Ms. Christena Walter

Robert and Jean Willis

Bob and Rhonda Young

Justin Zimmerman

 

Grand and Gracious, $100 - $249

David Aaron

Alan Abes

Wayne Adams

Anonymous (16)

Bruce Allen

Lisa Allgood

Dr. Paule Asch, in honor of Lib Stone

Trish and Joe Baker

John Barjuca

David Beckett

Ms. Patricia Beresford

Jan Besl

Greg and Juli Bick

Gretchen Bloomstrom

David and Madonna Bowman

Chase and Karen Bramwell

Derek D. Brancheau

Curtis Brown

John and Peg Bruggeman

Kathleen Cail

Linda Cassidy

Elishia Chamberlain, in memory of Christian Ashlee Morris

Nancy Cisneros

Jon and Katie Clark

Heather Cole

Mr. Willard H Connor, Jr.

Jeff Cooper

James Corwin

Emilie and Dave Dressler

Nikki Drye

Christine Dye

Harriet Edwards

Deanna and David Eppers

Chris Farwell

Sarah Faulkner

Tom Fisher

Robert and Mary Fitzpatrick

Terri Gaither

Gail Ginther

Noah Goertemiller

Maria Gomez and Rich Hill

Richard L. Gruber

Mr. Fred Haaser

Richard Hague

Laura Leigh Hahn, in honor of Annabelle Magruder

Stew and Linda Hall

Catherine Hamilton Hicks

Petrina Hasinski

Sigrun Haude

Herrington Family Charitable Giving Fund

Michael and Janice Hess

Ms. Emily M. Hodges, in memory of Jim Bridgeland

Daniel J. Hoffheimer

Tom and Kathy Hogan

Doug Ignatius and Bruce Preston

Phyllis Jackson and Martin Murray

Shyamala and Prashant Jagtap

Andrea Johnson

Brett and Amy Johnson

Marilyn and Robert Johnson

Nathan Johnson, in honor of Scott B. Johnson

Jim and Mary Ann Kalla

Jason Katz

Charles Kichler and Nicole Bramesco

The Knuth Family

Bruce and Elizabeth Krone

Chris and Julie Kuhnhein

Rachel Larson

CiCi and Owen Lee

Ms. Betsy Leigh

Carol Leslie

Marthe Lewis

Mr. Joseph Link

Dan and Anne Lovell

John Peter and Mary Lund

Thom and Elizabeth Mariner

Ms. Sophia McAllister

Sherry and Steve McCamley

Colleen McCarthy Blair

JoAnn McCaughan

John McFerran

Carol McIlwain

Colleen and Mike McSwiggin

Julia Meister and Michael Schroeder, in honor of Doug Ignatius and Bruce Preston

Patrick and Melissa Melugin

Laverne Mitchell

Norah and Joe Mock

Jarrod Mohler

Ted Molinari

Ms. Melissa Morelli

Bridee Morris

Stan and Mary Morton

Robert and Andrea Morwood

Jack and Ruta Mueller

Fred and Barbara Norton

Susan Pace

Kira Palmer

Ms. Taina Pankiewicz

Kailyn Paolucci

Graham and Karen Paxton

Tim and Janet Peter

Greg Pinter

Margaret Polanski

Alexandra Pool

Phil and Susan Price

Catherine R.

Joe Ramsey

Rachel Ratliff

Brian Reilly

Mr. Dan Reynolds

Abigail Riddle

James W. Roberts

Don and Connie Roesch

Barbara Rothstein

Dr. and Mrs. Eric Ruby

James Russell

Georgia Rutschilling

Kimberly Saliba

Jacob Samad

Mark and Jan Sass

Jay and Kendahl Schloss

Kathryn Schnier

Don Semler

Stephanie Sepate

The Shakespeare Society of Zanesville Ohio

John Sikorski

Dr. Edward B. Silberstein and Jacqueline M. Mack

William David Smith

Christine Socwell

Carol and Annie Sostok

Carol Sparks

Bob and Laurie Sternberg

Ms. Mary Stier

Georgana Taggart

Sarah Tankersley and Geoff Vickers

  1. Thomas Terwilliger

Jude Tessel

TP&M

Sandra and James Uhrig

James Vachon

Nancy Wagner

Patricia Wagner

Catherine and Hugh Walsh

Todd Ward

Fred and Jo Anne Warren

Jessica Warren-Jones and Matthew Jones

Sarah Watson

William Watts

Amanda Weeks

Jim and George Ann Wesner

Laura West

Mike and Carolyn Wilkins

Beverly Williams

Bill and Kathy Winters

Leo Yakutis

Cary and Cathy Zalba

Karen Zaugg

 

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

Rob and Ellie Lamb

Colleen and Mike McSwiggin

Norah and Joe Mock

Susan Pace

Kathy and Mike Rademacher

Patty Rosely

Robin and Anna Sargent

Jennifer Sauvey

Suzanne Schindler

Mary Stier

Georgana Taggart

Kaitlyn Vanway

Christine Whittaker and Thane Thompson

 

In-Kind Donors

 

1215 Wine Bar and Coffee Lab

Bonbonerie

Chris Holloway

Cincinnati Ballet

Cincinnati Museum Center

Cincinnati Opera

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati

Graeter’s

Jay and Jodi Woffington

Know Theatre Cincinnati

Lightborne

Mercantile Library

Mikki Schaffner Photography

Pedal Wagon Cincinnati

Samantha Reno

Western & Southern Financial Group

 

COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Funding

 

Since 2020, CSC has been the grateful beneficiary of pandemic relief and recovery funds from the following federal, state, and local sources—the direct result of the advocacy of art supporters like you.

 

ArtsWave

City of Cincinnati

Economic Injury Disaster Loan

Employee Retention Tax Credit

Entertainment Venue Grant (State of Ohio)

FEMA

Hamilton County Commissioners (CARES Act)

Ohio Arts Council (CARES Act)

Ohio Department of Development (American Rescue Plan Act)

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant

The Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund (State of Ohio)

The SBA Paycheck Protection Program

 

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

altafiber

GE Aerospace

 

$250,000 to $499,999

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

The Cincinnati Insurance Companies

Western & Southern Financial Group

 

$100,000 – $249,999

Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation

Cincinnati Business Courier

Cincinnati Reds

Duke Energy

The E.W. Scripps Company and Scripps Howard Foundation

The Enquirer│Cincinnati.com

Great American Insurance Group

Greater Cincinnati Foundation

The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Trustee

The Kroger Co.

Messer Construction Co.

PNC

U.S. Bank

Importance of Being Earnest
Tap here for the mobile program information
Mobile Program

We love your feedback! Click here to take our survey

2023-2024 Season Sponsored by
The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation and The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation

Brian Isaac Phillips, Producing Artistic Director Presents:

Directed by Brian Isaac Phillips** 

August 4 - 20, 2023
Previews August 2 and 3

 

Scenic Design: Samantha Reno 
Costume Design:  Rainy Edwards 
Lighting Design:  Watson 
Sound Design:  Kevin Semancik 
Properties Design: Kara Eble Trusty 
Assistant Director: Lindsey Augusta Mercer
Intimacy Director: Gina Cerimele-Mechley
Production Stage Manager: Cole Sweasy* 

Cast 
Cecily Cardew: Tora Nogami Alexander* 
Reverend Canon Chasuble: Darnell Pierre Benjamin* 
Miss Prism: Burgess Byrd* 
Lane/ Merriman: Billy Chace* 
John “Jack” Worthing/ Ernest: Jeremy Dubin* 
Algernon “Algy” Moncrieff: James Evans* 
Gwendolyn Fairfax: Kelly Mengelkoch* 
Lady Bracknell: Christine Pedi* 

Production Staff 
Production Manager: Kate Bindus 
Production Stage Manager: Cole Sweasy* 
Assistant Stage Manager: Abby Sherr 
Technical Director: Chris Holloway  
Master Carpenter: Drew Homan  
Wardrobe Supervisor: Nathalie Gibson 
Costume Shop Manager: Lindsey Jones 
Carpenter & Master Electrician: Jared Earland 
Charge Artist: Samantha Reno 
Technical Director: Robert Carlton Stimmel  
Properties Supervisor: Kara Eble Trusty 
Wig Stylist: Amanda Winters

 

This production has two 10-minute intermissions.

 

*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

**Member of SDC 

Tora Nogami Alexander
Cecily Cardew

Tora Nogami Alexander (she/her) (2 Seasons) is so excited to be back at Cincinnati Shakespeare after performing with her fellow cast members in The Rewards Of Being Frank. Tora is an actor and musician based out of New York City. Some past credits include Twelfth Night with the Acting Company, The Heart of Robin Hood and Richard II at Hudson Valley Shakespeare Company and Aquila Theatre’s national tour of 1984 and The Odyssey. Tora’s TV credits include NBC’s series, Rise. She would like to extend her thanks to Cincinnati Shakespeare for having her back as well as her ever supportive friends and family especially her partner, Justin. Website: www.toraalexander.com

Darnell Pierre Benjamin*
Reverend Canon Chasuble

Darnell Pierre Benjamin (he/him) (13 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/

Burgess Byrd*
Miss Prism

Burgess C. Byrd (she/her/they) (4 Seasons) is delighted to be back at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Previously here, she was seen as Lena Younger in A Raisin in the Sun and Tillie in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. Recent credits: Cynthia in Sweat at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati; Headmistress Francis in School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; Florence Kennedy/Ensemble in Gloria: A Life, Human Race Theatre; Guest Artist at the University of Texas Austin as Shylock in Merchant of Venice. She can be seen in the films Inconceivable (2017), the upcoming Bones and All (2022), and the recently wrapped Challengers (2023). 

Billy Chace*
Lane/ Merriman

Billy Chace (15 Seasons) is happy to be returning to the Cincy Shakes Ensemble for a 14th season.  Past roles include Walter Jenkins in All The Way, Falstaff in The Merry Wives Of Windsor, Victor/Poche in Flea In Her Ear, Autolycus in The Winter’s Tale, Sir Toby in Twelfth Night, Richard in Richard III, Touchstone in As You Like It, Enobarbus in Antony and Cleopatra, Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing, Renfield in Dracula, Guildenstern in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Lucio in Measure For Measure, Berowne in Love’s Labors Lost, and Clown 1 in The 39 Steps. He is also proud to have been featured in The Other Place with Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati and as a voice actor in Cincinnati Ballet’s 2011 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He is blessed and very thankful for his loving and supportive family and friends.

Jeremy Dubin*
John “Jack” Worthing/ Ernest

Jeremy Dubin (he/him) (23 Seasons) originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, holds degrees from the University of Evansville and Ohio State University. For over twenty years, he has had the privilege of making and teaching theatre in Cincinnati and beyond. Some favorite CSC projects include Much Ado About Nothing (Benedick), Noises Off (Garry), Cyrano de Bergerac (Cyrano), The Hound of the Baskervilles (Sherlock Holmes), The Diary of Anne Frank (Director) ,Titus Andronicus (Director), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Director), and Every Christmas Story Ever Told (Director). Jeremy is also the co-founder of The Puzzle Crawl, a super-nerdy Cincinnati bar crawl for nerds. He would like to thank his family for their unabashed enthusiasm and Kelly for being the greatest.

James Evans
Algernon “Algy” Moncrieff

James Evans (he/him) (2 Seasons) previously appeared at CSC in The Rewards of Being Frank as Algernon. Previous theater credits include: The Rat Trap (The Mint Theater Company); The Woman in Black (The McKittrick Hotel and American Conservatory Theater); Salty (The Tank), The Spider’s Web (Bristol Valley Theatre). TV credits include: “The Food That Built America,” “The Booze, Bets and Sex That Built America.” MA from the University of Cambridge and AA from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. jamesevansactor.com.

Kelly Mengelkoch*
Gwendolyn Fairfax

Kelly Mengelkoch (she/her) (19 Seasons) is elated to return to playing with CSC this season. Having performed in Romeo and Juliet and The Comedy of Errors last season, she has also recently been seen at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati in Tiny Beautiful Things, The Human Race Theatre Company in Everything That's Beautiful, and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park for their annual presentation of A Christmas Carol. Film credits include Dark Waters, Perception, Old Man and the Gun, A Kind of Murder, Healing River, and C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America. She is grateful to the Cincinnati community for providing and supporting amazing art, and amazing careers for so many of us. Love to Jeremy. kellymengelkoch.com

Christine Pedi
Lady Bracknell

Miss Christine Pedi (she/her) (2 Seasons) is thrilled beyond articulation to be returning to CSC as Lady B having had the unbridled joy of breathing renewed life into this formidable dowager in the world premiere of The Rewards of Being Frank  (a rather cheeky sequel to The Importance of Being Earnest).  Beyond the realm of this fair city her fondest memories of trodding the boards on Broadway include Mama Morton in Chicago, Little Me, & Talk Radio.  She received the humbling distinction of a Drama Desk nomination for her work in the legendary satirical romp that is Forbidden Broadway.   While technically NOT royalty she IS known as   “Lady of 1000 Voices”  and  her impressions flourish on the Tube of YOU, Sir  Howard Stern’s program (on SIRIUS XM radio where she is also a daily presenter on the ON BROADWAY channel)  and beyond. On telly she boasts being a “dead SOPRANO” (Mrs Bobby Baccala, 5 lines, 3 scenes, “TA TA”)   ChristinePedi.com * Cameo.com

Brian Isaac Phillips*
Director

Brian Isaac Phillips* (Producing Artistic Director and Ensemble, 23nd Season) has been leading the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company since 2003.  During his tenure, Mr. Phillips has guided the organization to artistic and financial success, including the opening of The Otto M. Budig Theater, a $17.5MM world-class facility at the corner of 12th and Elm Streets in OTR, as well as the completion of Shakespeare's 38 play canon, making Cincinnati Shakespeare Company one of the first five theatres in the United States to accomplish this milestone.

Mr. Phillips, originally from Pittsburgh, PA, is a graduate of Morehead State University and has been a resident of Cincinnati for over two decades.  In that time he has collaborated with virtually every arts organization in the region.  He is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association and the Stage Director’s and Choreographer’s Society.

In 2020, Mr. Phillips was awarded the international Shakespeare Theatre Association's prestigious Sidney Berger Award for excellence in artistic direction and was also named as one of Cincinnati Magazine's 300 Most Powerful Business Leaders. Mr. Phillips was nominated in 2019 and 2016 for the SDCF Zelda Fichandler Award for outstanding artistic contribution to our region. Mr. Phillips was recognized by both Mayor John Cranley and Mayor Mark Mallory for service at CSC and to the city of Cincinnati. He was also selected for the 2014 Class of Forty Under Forty and a has been nominated for the Ohio Governors’ Arts Awards. In 2016, Mr. Phillips graduated from Cincinnati USA Chamber’s 39th Class of Leadership Cincinnati and is now happy to serve on one of the steering committees.  Also in 2016, Mr. Phillips was selected as a finalist for the Business Courier’s 2016 C-Suite Awards for Chief Executive Officer.

Most recent CSC directing credits include All the Way, The Merry Wives of Windsor, August: Osage County, 1984, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Dracula, A Midsummer Night’s DreamThe Tempest (Co-Director), The Elephant Man, Antony and Cleopatra, Death of a Salesman, Cyrano de Bergerac, One Man, Two Guvnors, Waiting for Godot, The Birds, and The Great Gatsby.

Brian is the lucky husband of one of the most amazing actors in town and the proud father of Holden and Annabel.

Samantha Reno
Scenic Design

Samantha Reno (she/her) (3 Seasons) is excited to be heading into another season at CSC! Recent favorite designs include "Romeo and Juliet," "Hamlet," "Comedy of Errors," and "Living Dead." In the last year, she has also enjoyed working with the Cincinnati Opera ("Fierce"), the Cincinnati Ballet (Bold Moves Festival), Northern Kentucky University ("Noises Off"), and B Street Theatre in Sacramento, California. The most gratitude and joy to her wonderful, supportive husband and two amazing kids!

Rainy Edwards
Costume Design

Rainy Edwards (she/her) (5 Seasons) is from Llano, Texas, and received her MFA in Costume Design at Florida State University. She has been with the company since 2018. Rainy 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. Rainey 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.

Watson
Lighting Design

Watson (she/they/y’all) (11 Seasons) is thrilled to be back in the Queen City! Having worked with CSC on over 50 MainStage productions some of their favorite credits are: Othello, King John, Long Days Journey into Night, Cymbeline, and Timon of Athens. They have designed theater all around the tri state and NYC. Watson is currently a Senior Designer with Studio RRD in NYC and LA. 

Kevin Semancik
Sound Design

Kevin Semancik (he/him) (4 Seasons) is a Theatrical Sound Designer, Audio Engineer, and Live Production Specialist based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. Kevin is well versed in audio system design and optimization - having completed advanced  training from Meyer Sound, d&b audiotechnik, Figure 53 and Rational Acoustics. As a Sound Designer, Kevin has worked on productions for the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Public Theatre, Theatre Row, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati and Memorial Hall of Cincinnati. He regularly works with The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company as a Sound Designer for their live productions and Recording Engineer Engineer for their Audio Dramas with WVXU. Kevin is currently the resident Sound Designer and Audio Engineer for the Children's Theatre of Cincinnati. He enjoys working in a supportive educational environment where he can help train students in professional design and engineering practices.
Read more about Kevin and his work at https://www.semanciksound.com/ 

Kara Eble Trusty
Properties Design

Kara Eble Trusty (she/her) (4 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 12 and is 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, The Carnegie, and 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.

Lindsey Augusta Mercer
Assistant Director

Lindsey Augusta Mercer (they/them) (5 Seasons) is a multi-hyphenate theatre artist passionate about queer, interdisciplinary, and reimagined works. Lindsey is thrilled to be returning to CSC for the first time since One Man, Two Guvnors in Season 21 on Race street. As a director, actor, musician, composer, and professional goober, some of their favorite credits include; Directing: Head Over Heels, Saint JoanGirlfriend, The Last 5 Years, Performing: The Bengson’s HUNDRED DAYS  (Know Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse/US Tour), [title of show]. Lindsey is a proud member of AEA & SDCF and is currently writing the book, music, and lyrics for a new musical adaptation of Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway. Co-founder Queen City Queer Theatre Collective, Lincoln Center Directors Lab ‘17, Baldwin Wallace University’13. Lindseyaugustamercer.com

Gina Cerimele-Mechley
Intimacy Director

Gina Cerimele-Mechley (she/her) (28 Seasons) a Cincinnati native, Gina 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.

Brian Isaac Phillips*
Producing Artistic Director

Brian Isaac Phillips* (Producing Artistic Director and Ensemble, 23nd Season) has been leading the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company since 2003.  During his tenure, Mr. Phillips has guided the organization to artistic and financial success, including the opening of The Otto M. Budig Theater, a $17.5MM world-class facility at the corner of 12th and Elm Streets in OTR, as well as the completion of Shakespeare's 38 play canon, making Cincinnati Shakespeare Company one of the first five theatres in the United States to accomplish this milestone.

Mr. Phillips, originally from Pittsburgh, PA, is a graduate of Morehead State University and has been a resident of Cincinnati for over two decades.  In that time he has collaborated with virtually every arts organization in the region.  He is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association and the Stage Director’s and Choreographer’s Society.

In 2020, Mr. Phillips was awarded the international Shakespeare Theatre Association's prestigious Sidney Berger Award for excellence in artistic direction and was also named as one of Cincinnati Magazine's 300 Most Powerful Business Leaders. Mr. Phillips was nominated in 2019 and 2016 for the SDCF Zelda Fichandler Award for outstanding artistic contribution to our region. Mr. Phillips was recognized by both Mayor John Cranley and Mayor Mark Mallory for service at CSC and to the city of Cincinnati. He was also selected for the 2014 Class of Forty Under Forty and a has been nominated for the Ohio Governors’ Arts Awards. In 2016, Mr. Phillips graduated from Cincinnati USA Chamber’s 39th Class of Leadership Cincinnati and is now happy to serve on one of the steering committees.  Also in 2016, Mr. Phillips was selected as a finalist for the Business Courier’s 2016 C-Suite Awards for Chief Executive Officer.

Most recent CSC directing credits include All the Way, The Merry Wives of Windsor, August: Osage County, 1984, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Dracula, A Midsummer Night’s DreamThe Tempest (Co-Director), The Elephant Man, Antony and Cleopatra, Death of a Salesman, Cyrano de Bergerac, One Man, Two Guvnors, Waiting for Godot, The Birds, and The Great Gatsby.

Brian is the lucky husband of one of the most amazing actors in town and the proud father of Holden and Annabel.

The Importance of Being Earnest is a witty and satirical play written by Oscar Wilde. Set in the Victorian era, the play follows the lives of two bachelors, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, as they navigate a web of mistaken identities and romantic entanglements.

Jack, who lives in the countryside, assumes the identity of his fictitious brother, Ernest, whenever he visits the city. Algernon, on the other hand, creates an imaginary invalid friend named Bunbury, whom he uses as an excuse to escape social obligations. Both men find themselves entangled in a series of humorous and chaotic situations when their fabricated lives begin to unravel.

Love and romance play a central role in the plot as both Jack and Algernon fall in love with women who have a peculiar preference for men named Ernest. Gwendolen Fairfax, the cousin of Algernon, is captivated by the name Ernest, while Cecily Cardew, Jack's ward, also desires a husband with the same name. This leads to comical misunderstandings and mistaken identities as the men try to fulfill the expectations of their prospective partners.

As the play progresses, secrets are revealed, and the characters confront the consequences of their deceptions. Lady Bracknell, Gwendolen's formidable mother, adds another layer of comedy and social commentary with her obsession for wealth, social status, and rigid adherence to societal expectations.

The Importance of Being Earnest uses humor, wordplay, and farcical situations to expose the hypocrisy and superficiality of the Victorian upper class. Through his sharp wit and clever dialogue, Wilde challenges the conventions of his time and satirizes the absurdities of societal norms, particularly regarding love, marriage, and identity.

In the end, the characters find resolution and true love, but not without learning valuable lessons about honesty, sincerity, and the importance of being true to oneself. Wilde's play remains a timeless classic, celebrated for its sparkling wit, memorable characters, and scathing critique of the social mores of the Victorian era.

 

Featuring: Rewards of Being Frank (2023) Photography: Mikki Schaffner

Oscar Wilde, born on October 16, 1854, in Dublin, Ireland, was a renowned playwright, novelist, and poet who boasted a prominent fixture on the literary world of the late 19th century. Known for his wit, flamboyance, and dedication to challenging societal norms, Wilde remains an enduring figure in both the realms of literature and history.

Wilde came from an intellectual and artistic family. His mother, Jane Wilde, was a poet and an Irish nationalist, while his father, Sir William Wilde, was a successful surgeon and archaeologist. Growing up in an environment that nurtured his creativity and intellect, Wilde showed early promise as a scholar and writer.

After completing his studies at Trinity College, Dublin, Wilde moved to London, where he quickly established himself as a prominent figure in literary and social circles. His plays, including Lady Windermere's Fan (1892) and An Ideal Husband (1895), showcased his talent for witty dialogue and his astute observations on the social norms of the Victorian era, a time characterized by rigid social norms and a prevailing sense of moral righteousness. Wilde challenged societal conventions through his provocative works and unconventional, dandy lifestyle.

One of Wilde's most significant contributions to English literature is his play The Importance of Being Earnest, first performed in 1895. The play satirizes the superficiality and artificiality of the upper-class society of the time, bolstered by witty dialogue and farcical situations.

However, The Importance of Being Earnest had a tumultuous journey to its success. Shortly after its debut, Wilde faced personal and legal turmoil when his homosexuality was exposed, leading to his arrest and imprisonment. In the wake of the scandal, Wilde's play was forced to close early, and it would take years for his work to regain respect and recognition.

Photo: Rewards of Being Frank (2023) Photography: Mikki Schaffner

Following his release, Wilde lived in France under the name Sebastian Melmoth and wrote The Ballad of Reading Gaol, a poem reflecting on his experiences in prison. However, his health deteriorated, and he passed away on November 30, 1900, at the age of 46.

Oscar Wilde, the brilliant wordsmith and social critic, remains an enduring figure in literary history. His works, including "The Importance of Being Earnest," continue to captivate audiences, reminding us of the power of satire to challenge societal norms and inspire change. Through his unique blend of wit and social commentary, Wilde continues to be celebrated as one of the most iconic figures of the late 19th century and a true master of his craft.

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, 2022 – June 30, 2023 or pledged to the 2022 – 2023 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.

 

Benevolent and Bold, $25,000+

ArtsWave

Bartlett Wealth Management

Mrs. L.L. Browning

Mr. Otto M. Budig

Charles H. Dater Foundation

Martin Chavez

Fifth Third Foundation

John A. Schroth Family Charitable Trust

The Limestone Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation

The Linnemann Family Foundation

Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund of the Greenacres Foundation

Debby and Jim Mason

National Endowment for the Arts in Partnership with Arts Midwest

Ohio Arts Council

P&G Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation

Don and Linda Tecklenburg

 

Gallant and Glamorous, $10,000 - $24,999

Blank Rome/Monteverdi Tuscany

GBBN Architects, Inc.

The Gumbleton Family

Johnson Charitable Gift Fund

John and Betsy LaMacchia

Martha Holden Jennings Foundation

The McElroy Family

Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation

Sue Ann and Judge Mark Painter

Cass and Glenn Plott

Patrick Points and Wijdan Jreisat

Rosemary and Mark Schlachter

Shubert Foundation

The Thomas J. Emery Memorial

Western and Southern Financial Group

Richard and Debbie Westheimer

George and Nancy Yund

 

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

Diane Adamec

Barnes Dennig

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

Marcie and Jim Kinney

Karen McKim

Messer Construction Co.

Whitney Owens

PNC Bank

Vicky and Rick Reynolds

Marc and Suzi Rubin

Alice Scovell

Pete and Ginger Strange Family Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Stock Yards Bank

Laura and Tayfun Tuzun

  1. James Williams and Carole Campbell Williams

Jay and Jodi Woffington

The Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation

Woodward Trust

 

Devoted and Daring, $2,500 – $4,999

1919 Investment Counsel

Arts Midwest

Cynthia and William Batte

Mr. Fred Berger

Mr. Scott Bischoff and Teresa Sedlack

Crosset Family Fund

Jennifer and Vito Damiano

Susan Esler and Steven Skibo

Dan Fales

Sarah and Matt Graber

Graeter's

The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Myron and Sherry Hughes

JP Morgan Chase & Co.

Steve and Shannon Kane

Steve Kenat and Heidi Jark

David Kern

Ms. Linda Klump

Stan Ladrick

Jean and Charles Lauterbach

Thomas P. Lee

Isabel Mendez

Maggie Muething

David and Lesley Nevers

Kathy and Mike Rademacher

Robbins, Kelly, Patterson & Tucker

Steve and Betty Robinson

Steven P. Sullivan

Taft Stettinius and Hollister LLP

Melanie Swick and Matthew Schottelkotte

Bob and Sue Trusty

Ms. Jo Ann Wieghaus

 

Ardent and Astounding, $1,000 - $2,499

Americana Arts Foundation

Jeffrey and Karen Anderson

William and Caroline Bahlman

Mary Baskett

Mary Ann and Doug Bell

Daniel and Kendra Braun

Charles Scott Riley III Foundation

Lee and Lisa Clapp

Mr. Phillip Clayton

Brian and Elizabeth Coley

Dr. Kristen Copeland and Steve Johns

Marjorie E. Davis

Dr. and Mrs. Stewart Dunsker

Joe and Kay Ellis

Joseph Giglia and Kathy Collins

Scott Goebel and Emily Detmer-Goebel

William J. Gracie, Jr. and Daniel J. Fairbanks

Gerald Greenberg and Pamela Meyers

John and Elizabeth Grover

Kevin and Libby Howard

Beverly Kinney

Susan Lauf

Ted and Molly Lucien

Paul and Anne Lucky

Scott and Monica Mahon

Chris Nare and Lori Rappold

David and Patricia Papoi

Rick Pender and Joan Kaup

Mitchell and Karen Rashkin

Becky and Ted Richards

Dr. Catherine Shackson

Ms. Ruth Sikorski

Sinclaire Family Office

David Smith

Target Circle

Ron Visscher

Ted and Mary Ann Weiss

Westheimer Rhodes Family Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation in honor of Richard Westheimer

William P. Anderson Foundation

 

Ebullient and Exhilarating, $500 - $999

Christine Adams

Frank Albi

Dr. Rubin Battino

M.C. Brennan

Jubilee Brown

Vikki Brown

Hon. James Cissell

Carol C. Cole, in memory of Leland M. Cole

Donald and Victoria Daiker

Kimberly and Dirk Doebereiner

Allyson Fleischer

Ellen Forte and Michael DiMaggio

Michelle Getz

Tom and Sarah Goodwin

Tony Hall

Amy Katz

Gail and Eric Kirchner

Geoff and Shellie Leder

Levy-Wall Family Fund

Norma Lewis

Arthur and Stephanie McMahon

Julie Metz

Kim Morrow

Mark Motley

Tom and Cindy Muething

Amy Paul and Jerry Newfarmer

John and Heidi O'Connor

Maddie Regan and Brian Lloyd

Joyce Rich

Rich Schultz

Saira and Rick Shahani

Dee and Tom Stegman

David Stull

Gordon and Mary-Anne Thompson

Kathleen Thornton and Dr. Robert Keith

Marty Tomb

Rosalie van Nuis

JoAnn and Mark Vella

Mrs. Donna Welch

Gabe Westheimer

 

Valiant and Voracious, $250 - $499

Paul Adam

Stuart and Sarah Aitken

John Batchelor

Tim and Lisa Beckelhimer

David and Elaine Billmire

Judith Briggs

John and Rebecca Bromels

Larry and Julie Chandler

Mr. Bradley Corey

Leslie and Leo Dahring

Mark Dauner

Rose Marie Deibel

Elizabeth End

Lindsey Faber

Sheila Hill

Karlee Hilliard

Keith and Farrah Jackson

Steve and Janet Jackson

Steve Karoly

Crystal Kendrick

Emily S. Kennedy

Rob and Ellie Lamb

Mr. David Lazarus

Jonathan and Nancy Lippincott

Mary Mahoney

Mike Marrero

Mark and Christa McAndrew

Mark E. McKillip

McCready-Shore Family Fund

Christine Mulvin

Teri Murphy

Drs. Nick Newman and Leila Saxena

Chandra Obie

Niamh J. O'Leary

Mr. Declan O'Sullivan

Alice M. Perlman

David Piatt Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Donna Pickard

Kay Puryear

Kelly Read

Barbara Norris

Patty Rosely

Mr. Louis Ross

Jessica Ruebusch

Robin Sargent

Jennifer Sauvey

Susan Schapiro

Suzanne Schindler

Shakespeare Reading Group, in honor of Nancy Lewis

Dr. William Spohn and Dr. Margaret Dunn

John Tergerson

Carrie Walsh

Judge Lawrence Walter and Ms. Christena Walter

Robert and Jean Willis

Bob and Rhonda Young

Justin Zimmerman

 

Grand and Gracious, $100 - $249

David Aaron

Alan Abes

Wayne Adams

Anonymous (16)

Bruce Allen

Lisa Allgood

Dr. Paule Asch, in honor of Lib Stone

Trish and Joe Baker

John Barjuca

David Beckett

Ms. Patricia Beresford

Jan Besl

Greg and Juli Bick

Gretchen Bloomstrom

David and Madonna Bowman

Chase and Karen Bramwell

Derek D. Brancheau

Curtis Brown

John and Peg Bruggeman

Kathleen Cail

Linda Cassidy

Elishia Chamberlain, in memory of Christian Ashlee Morris

Nancy Cisneros

Jon and Katie Clark

Heather Cole

Mr. Willard H Connor, Jr.

Jeff Cooper

James Corwin

Emilie and Dave Dressler

Nikki Drye

Christine Dye

Harriet Edwards

Deanna and David Eppers

Chris Farwell

Sarah Faulkner

Tom Fisher

Robert and Mary Fitzpatrick

Terri Gaither

Gail Ginther

Noah Goertemiller

Maria Gomez and Rich Hill

Richard L. Gruber

Mr. Fred Haaser

Richard Hague

Laura Leigh Hahn, in honor of Annabelle Magruder

Stew and Linda Hall

Catherine Hamilton Hicks

Petrina Hasinski

Sigrun Haude

Herrington Family Charitable Giving Fund

Michael and Janice Hess

Ms. Emily M. Hodges, in memory of Jim Bridgeland

Daniel J. Hoffheimer

Tom and Kathy Hogan

Doug Ignatius and Bruce Preston

Phyllis Jackson and Martin Murray

Shyamala and Prashant Jagtap

Andrea Johnson

Brett and Amy Johnson

Marilyn and Robert Johnson

Nathan Johnson, in honor of Scott B. Johnson

Jim and Mary Ann Kalla

Jason Katz

Charles Kichler and Nicole Bramesco

The Knuth Family

Bruce and Elizabeth Krone

Chris and Julie Kuhnhein

Rachel Larson

CiCi and Owen Lee

Ms. Betsy Leigh

Carol Leslie

Marthe Lewis

Mr. Joseph Link

Dan and Anne Lovell

John Peter and Mary Lund

Thom and Elizabeth Mariner

Ms. Sophia McAllister

Sherry and Steve McCamley

Colleen McCarthy Blair

JoAnn McCaughan

John McFerran

Carol McIlwain

Colleen and Mike McSwiggin

Julia Meister and Michael Schroeder, in honor of Doug Ignatius and Bruce Preston

Patrick and Melissa Melugin

Laverne Mitchell

Norah and Joe Mock

Jarrod Mohler

Ted Molinari

Ms. Melissa Morelli

Bridee Morris

Stan and Mary Morton

Robert and Andrea Morwood

Jack and Ruta Mueller

Fred and Barbara Norton

Susan Pace

Kira Palmer

Ms. Taina Pankiewicz

Kailyn Paolucci

Graham and Karen Paxton

Tim and Janet Peter

Greg Pinter

Margaret Polanski

Alexandra Pool

Phil and Susan Price

Catherine R.

Joe Ramsey

Rachel Ratliff

Brian Reilly

Mr. Dan Reynolds

Abigail Riddle

James W. Roberts

Don and Connie Roesch

Barbara Rothstein

Dr. and Mrs. Eric Ruby

James Russell

Georgia Rutschilling

Kimberly Saliba

Jacob Samad

Mark and Jan Sass

Jay and Kendahl Schloss

Kathryn Schnier

Don Semler

Stephanie Sepate

The Shakespeare Society of Zanesville Ohio

John Sikorski

Dr. Edward B. Silberstein and Jacqueline M. Mack

William David Smith

Christine Socwell

Carol and Annie Sostok

Carol Sparks

Bob and Laurie Sternberg

Ms. Mary Stier

Georgana Taggart

Sarah Tankersley and Geoff Vickers

  1. Thomas Terwilliger

Jude Tessel

TP&M

Sandra and James Uhrig

James Vachon

Nancy Wagner

Patricia Wagner

Catherine and Hugh Walsh

Todd Ward

Fred and Jo Anne Warren

Jessica Warren-Jones and Matthew Jones

Sarah Watson

William Watts

Amanda Weeks

Jim and George Ann Wesner

Laura West

Mike and Carolyn Wilkins

Beverly Williams

Bill and Kathy Winters

Leo Yakutis

Cary and Cathy Zalba

Karen Zaugg

 

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

Rob and Ellie Lamb

Colleen and Mike McSwiggin

Norah and Joe Mock

Susan Pace

Kathy and Mike Rademacher

Patty Rosely

Robin and Anna Sargent

Jennifer Sauvey

Suzanne Schindler

Mary Stier

Georgana Taggart

Kaitlyn Vanway

Christine Whittaker and Thane Thompson

 

In-Kind Donors

 

1215 Wine Bar and Coffee Lab

Bonbonerie

Chris Holloway

Cincinnati Ballet

Cincinnati Museum Center

Cincinnati Opera

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati

Graeter’s

Jay and Jodi Woffington

Know Theatre Cincinnati

Lightborne

Mercantile Library

Mikki Schaffner Photography

Pedal Wagon Cincinnati

Samantha Reno

Western & Southern Financial Group

 

COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Funding

 

Since 2020, CSC has been the grateful beneficiary of pandemic relief and recovery funds from the following federal, state, and local sources—the direct result of the advocacy of art supporters like you.

 

ArtsWave

City of Cincinnati

Economic Injury Disaster Loan

Employee Retention Tax Credit

Entertainment Venue Grant (State of Ohio)

FEMA

Hamilton County Commissioners (CARES Act)

Ohio Arts Council (CARES Act)

Ohio Department of Development (American Rescue Plan Act)

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant

The Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund (State of Ohio)

The SBA Paycheck Protection Program

 

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

altafiber

GE Aerospace

 

$250,000 to $499,999

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

The Cincinnati Insurance Companies

Western & Southern Financial Group

 

$100,000 – $249,999

Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation

Cincinnati Business Courier

Cincinnati Reds

Duke Energy

The E.W. Scripps Company and Scripps Howard Foundation

The Enquirer│Cincinnati.com

Great American Insurance Group

Greater Cincinnati Foundation

The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Trustee

The Kroger Co.

Messer Construction Co.

PNC

U.S. Bank