Note from the Producer Denizens of the Queen City and Visitors from Near and Far,
Welcome to the 14th Annual Cincinnati Fringe Festival! Hooray! It’s finally here/back again! Excessive exclamation marks abound!!! For those of you new to Cincy Fringe, yes, this is what it turns us into. And we strongly encourage you to join us here on the Kinda Weird side and dive deep into this refreshing pool of unending talents and artistic experiences. Fringe is the perfect time to realize the gobsmackingly large amount of worlds we’re able to create and explore using our thoughts and ideas — and have one heckuvah good time in the process. These 13 amazing days are an artistic onslaught unparalleled in the region and we take pride in the fact that here at Fringe there is something for everyone. For those who have been here before, thank you for joining us again! Prepare for a brand new version of the same ol’ Fringe; everything is different, but nothing has changed. We hope you embrace our updates and continue to help us realize how to make Fringe even better. Why do we do any of this? Know Theatre’s mission is to create an artistic playground where artists and audiences can come together to produce and experience work that could not be done anywhere else. Fringe, even in its pre-Know infancy, has always stood as a grand testament to those ideals and it continues to feel right at home as the perennial capper to our MainStage Season. From my first Cincy Fringe show as an audience member in Year One (It Pours Out: The Lake Years), to my first appearance on a Fringe stage (Wet Dream, 2007), to my transition from a Festival artist to a Know staff member, to now, as the Fringe Producer, my belief has never wavered: Fringe is a wholly unique and memorable experience in which every Cincinnatian should partake. We’re incredibly fortunate to have such an energized arts community in our region and Fringe exists so everyone can come together and bask in the marvelous amount of expression, creativity, and acceptance generated here, as well as share our passions with visiting artists from around the world.
To close out this note, I’d like to thank all the amazing and generous individuals and organizations credited on the next page. There are so many vital components to making this Festival run, but we simply couldn’t do any of it without the assistance of these beloved benefactors. To one and all, we thoroughly appreciate anything and everything you have given to us and to this city. Thank you for helping make this insane, beautiful, immense, glorious, and tiring, yet incredibly rewarding, occasion happen. You are all so wonderful. Laugh, cry, explore, immerse yourself, feel, expand, realize, and — as always — stay Kinda Weird. We’ll be right there with you.
Chris Wesselman
Fringe Festival Producer
on behalf of the entire staff of Know Theatre of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Fringe Festival
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
[especially Know’s Artistic Director Andrew Hungerford who was abroad during the print deadline and approved (in absentia) of Chris doing the Producer’s Note by himself this year]
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Fringe Sponsors Venue Sponsors
FESTIVAL SPONSOR
Know Theatre Charles King
Art Academy Auditorium Mark Bowen & Jennifer Verkamp
Memorial Hall Henrietta Barlag
Art Academy Studio Greg Schaper
Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation
Gabriel’s Corner Jeff Hungerford
Art Academy Commons Patrick Cusick
Know Theatre Season Sponsors
OTR Community Church Klara Apro Suzana & Randy Waterhous
Coffee Emporium Esperanza Tovar & David Gruber
William O. Purdy, Jr. Foundation Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
ADDITIONAL FEstival SUPPORT
1201 Main Street
Venue still available! For more info, contact twinters@knowtheatre.com.
VENUE PARTNERS The Mini Microcinema • MOTR Pub Over-the-Rhine Community Church The Woodward Theater • Urban Sites
David C Herriman
Box Office Sponsors
OTRimprov Tom McLaughlin
Print Media Sponsor
T-Shirt Sponsors
Out-of-Town Artist Hospitality SponsoR Patrick Cusick
FringeNext Sponsor
Volunteer HQ SPONSOR
Channel Fringe Hard-Hitting Action News Update Sponsor
See-it-All Sponsor Brian Griffin
Pick Of The Fringe Sponsor Larry Weber
Artist Workshop Sponsor
Thomas & Patricia Ruthemeyer
chris wesselman’s entire life Sponsor
Michele Wesselman
Food Partner
Award Frame Sponsor
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
Know Theatre and the Cincy Fringe are proud members of:
Scott Griffith
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Box Office Information “How can I buy tickets and passes electronically?” Easy! Visit cincyfringe.com or call 513-300-5669.
“How can I buy my tickets and passes in person?” A-ha! Good question. There are two ways:
1) Visit Fringe HQ (Know Theatre) between 11:00AM and 10:30PM. 2) At the venue. Venue box offices open approximately 30 minutes prior to scheduled showtimes; however, tickets are subject to availability at the door. Speaking of which...
FRINGE TIP #1: While tickets can be purchased online at any time as well at at the door, AVOID THE UNMERCIFUL STING OF REGRET AND PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE!
“Cool, thanks for yelling at me in print! Now, what are my ticket and pass options?”
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS
Single tickets to all Performance Lineup shows are $15. Simple as that.
MULTI-SHOW PASSES
Fringe allows you to experience multiple shows each day (and dozens of shows overall), so gorge on all that creativity with a multi-show pass.
Full Frontal All Access Pass: $250 - Non-transferable pass that
can be used to reserve a ticket for as many different shows as possible.
Voyeur Pass: $75 - Flexible pass good for six total entries, which can consist of any combination of people and performances.
Passes can be redeemed in two ways: 1) Book tickets in advance (over the phone, at HQ, or online with your passcode). 2) Use them for walk-up admission to shows; however, tickets are subject to availability at the door. Speaking of which...
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
FRINGE TIP #2: While tickets can be purchased online at any time as well at at the door, AVOID THE UNMERCIFUL STING OF REGRET AND PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE!
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“Wait...that was the same tip. You obviously think that’s pretty important. Anything else you think I should kn-”
MISSED PERFORMANCE POLICY
THERE IS NO LATE SEATING AT ANY PERFORMANCE. Venue houses open 15 minutes prior to showtime. Avoid disappointment and arrive early for your shows! Refunds are not granted and exchanges are not always possible.
Also remember that 50% of Box Office revenue goes directly to the artists! Thank you for all of your support!
Fringe Bar Series The Fringe Bar Series at Know Theatre (Fringe HQ) is the place to be each night. Starting with an installment of the Channel Fringe Hard-Hitting Action News Update, evenings feature a special theme or event that provides artists, patrons, volunteers, and staff a chance to join together and revel in their Fringe experiences over drinks, entertainment, and light bites. Come join us for all the Fringy fun, starting with...
The 2017 Cincy Fringe Kick-Off Party! Tue 5/30 @ 7:00pm
3...2...1...HAPPY NEW FRINGE! Music, laughs, treats, & drinks!
60-Second Previews
Wed 5/31 @ 10:15pm Get a taste of every show in the Performance Lineup.
Calm Before the Storm Thurs 6/1 @ 10:15pm
Take a deep breath. Relax. There’s still TONS of Fringe to go.
Fringe Olympics Fri 6/2 @ 10:15pm
Teams go for the gold by competing in feats of Fringe.
Fringe Prom: Ska-Jama Jam Sat 6/3 @ 10:15pm
Ska music + Pajamas = Prom. At least it does at Fringe.
Fringe-a-oke
Sun 6/4 @ 9:45pm
Potent potables permit plucky Pop performances!
Everyone’s an Artist Night Mon 6/5 @ 10:15pm
Artist Priced drinks at the bar for everyone? SAY WHAAAA?!!
Craft Cocktails with Molly Wellmann Tues 6/6 @ 10:15pm
Cincy’s celebrity mixologist joins us to sling some drinks. Come thirsty!
Wed 6/7 @ 10:15pm
Rock AND roll with live music and Segway lessons from The Garage OTR.
FringeCon
Thurs 6/8 @ 10:15pm
Cosplay any fandom and join us for D&D LIVE upstairs!
Fringtoberfest
Fri 6/9 @ 10:15pm
Cincy’s Deutsch erbe invades via beer and some general OOM PAH PAH.
Pick of the Fringe Awards Sat 6/10 @ 10:30pm
Who will win, who will get an Encore? Let’s find out!
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
Alternative Tunes and Transport
Closing Night Party Sun 6/11@ 8:30pm
BYE, Y’ALL.
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Fringe Staff PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Andrew Hungerford
TINY TARBELL ARTIST
ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Tamara Winters
BOX OFFICE STAFF Betsi Brockmeier Audrey MacNeil Robert Macke Brandon Robert Martin Michelle Robinson Amy Spille Emily Stant Kelly Cary Williams Paul Wilson and MORE!
MANAGING DIRECTOR Alice Flanders FRINGE PRODUCER Chris Wesselman PRODUCTION MANAGER Doug Borntrager TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Nick Koehlke RESIDENT STAGE MANAGER Emily Elizabeth James BAR SERIES MANAGER Sarah Beth Hall KNOW EDUCATION DIRECTOR Maggie Rader BOX OFFICE MANAGER Thomas McLaughlin SCRIPPS HOWARD MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS INTERN Hope Rice VOLUNTEER MANAGER Cait Riley BAR MANAGERS Kirk Keevert Erika Kate MacDonald
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
COVER IMAGE BY Sarah Beth Hall Mikki Shaffner GRAPHIC DESIGN Sarah Beth Hall Chris Wesselman GUIDE CONSULTANT Jacob Hammer VENUE TECHNICIANS Derek Kiefer Jason Stewart Sally Stewart Doug Stock Sara Tripp Swarthout and MORE!
(See Full Listing On Website)
FRINGE HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER Daniel R. Winters CINCYFRINGE.COM WEBHOST
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Shawn Mummert
Olivia Leigh
(See Full Listing On Website)
PERFORMANCE FRINGE JURY Alice Flanders, Alyssa Michaud, Andrew Hungerford, Andrew Ian Adams, Betsy Shank, Burgess Byrd, Buz Davis, Cal Harris, Chris Wesselman, Daniel Winters, Darnell Pierre Benjamin, Dave Levy, Derek Snow, Dylan Shelton, Eric Vosmeier, Heather Britt, John Bromels, Josh Steele, Julie Engebrecht, Justin McCombs, Kim Popa, Lissa Gapultos, D. Lynn Meyers, Maggie Lou Rader, Mia Vera, Mike Flohr, Mike Sherman, Miranda McGee, Patrick Phillips, Piper Davis, Rebecca Bowman-Bromels, Regina Pugh, Richard Hess, Shannon Rae Lutz, Tamara Winters, Ted Weil, and Torie Wiggins.
Visual Fringe
2017 Fringe Murals
Fringe isn’t just theatre. Boy, howdy, is it not. You’ll find info about all the unique, official Visual Fringe projects in the surrounding boxes BUT, as always, we want you to have MORE OPTIONS THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY HANDLE, so we’ve also included a list of local art galleries we suggest you check out during Fringe — or any other time: 1305 Gallery (1305 Main St) Sat & Sun: 1p-5p 21c Museum Hotel (609 Walnut St) Always open! 5th Street Gallery (W 5th St, inside Macy’s) Mon-Sat: 11a-7p, Sun: 12p-4:45p Alice F. and Harris K. Weston Art Gallery (650 Walnut St) Tues-Sat: 10a–5:30p, Sun: Noon–5p Art Academy of Cincinnati (1212 Jackson St) See website for gallery details. The Carnegie (1028 Scott St in Covington) Mon-Fri: 10a-5p Cincinnati Art Museum (953 Eden Park Dr) Tues, Wed, Fri-Sun: 11a-5p, Thur: 11a-8p Cincinnati Art Underground (1415 Main St) Wed-Sat: 12p-6p
Fringe Faces
from Dan R. Winters Photography Portable photobooth to capture Fringe portraits of Festival-goers.
Location: Around the Fringe
Contemporary Art Center (44 E 6th St) Wed-Fri: 10a-9p, Sat-Mon: 10a-4p Dick Waller’s Art Place (130 W Court St) Thur & Sat: 4p-7p, or by appointment Exposure 13 (126 E 13th St) Final Fri: 6p-9p, Second Sun: 2p-5p Gallery 708 (708 Walnut St) Tues-Sat: 11a-7p Iris Bookcafe and Gallery (1331 Main St) Mon-Thur: 8a-9p, Fri: 8a-7p, Sat: 9a-7p, Sun: 10a-7p Taft Museum of Art (316 Pike St) Wed-Fri: 11a-4p, Sat-Sun: 11a-5p WASH PARK ART (1215 Elm St) Thurs-Sat: 2pm-7pm Wave Pool (2940 Colerain Ave) Thurs-Sat: Noon-5pm
II bear
from Higher Level Art
Mini-murals abound on various vehicles.
Location: Fringe ARTing Lot For every year of the past decade, Higher Level Art has adorned a side of Know Theatre with one of their stunning mural projects. After the installation of last year’s permanent mural on the south wall, fears were immediately expressed over the assumed end of the north wall’s cherished “Looking Good” mural in 2017. Well, fear not, “Looking Good” lovers. This year, Higher Level Art will be tackling a handful of smaller mural projects on vehicles belonging to local businesses and Festival staff members. Patrons will be able to get right up in the face of artistic creation as artists tackle these projects in the Fringe ARTing Lot on the north side of Know Theatre.
Tiny Tarbells
from Noelle Wedig-Johnston & Brandon Johnston
This year’s Fringe image outtakes get arted on.
Refugee Crisis larger than life and in your face.
Location: The Know Theatre Underground
Location: Around the Fringe
from Mikki Schaffner & Olivia Leigh
On the Fence
Cal’s Kinda Weird Art
Sick Beet Stitch
An interactive art installation along the west side of the Fringe ARTing Lot fence.
Cal’s art is kinda weird. LOOK AT IT.
Showcasing hand embroidery inspired by all things weird and wonderful.
from Various Artists, and YOU!
Location: Fringe ARTing Lot Multiple panels will be installed along the fence just north of Know Theatre on Jackson Street, with some featuring original works of art and others featuring games or blank canvas for pedestrians to interact with. Connect the dots, fill in the blank, tell us why you’re Kinda Weird, and more with On the Fence.
from Cal Harris
Location: Venue Box Offices Cal Harris’ kinda weird art will be displayed near venue box offices to help provide an appropriate Fringe atmosphere for patrons no matter where they go. YOU CAN’T ESCAPE THE WEIRDNESS. DON’T. EVEN. TRY.
from Robyn Novak
Location: The Know Theatre Underground Sick Beet Stitch is displaying their favorite embroidery pieces in a collection that reflects Robyn’s turbulent thoughts and feelings of being a 20-something in 2017. This includes reactions to our current political environment, Robyn’s love/hate relationship with pop culture obsessions, and her constant search for clarity as she defines her adulthood.
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
Approaching the refugee crisis with large wearable sculptures: Confrontational, imposing, yet approachable through suggestive interaction. As they become less threatening and more humanized, they bring about challenges to the viewer’s’ initial perceptions. II bear will be featured as a co-component of Visual Fringe and Fringe on the Streets.
Mikki Schaffner supplied us with a plethora of amazing photos during our shoot for this year’s Fringe marketing materials with local celebrity Jim Tarbell. We asked Jim to pantomime several actions and then had local artist Olivia Leigh doodle in what he was doing. The resulting images will be featured throughout this year’s festival decor and will also receive a gallery at Fringe Headquarters where folks can bid to take home a Tiny Tarbell print of their very own.
Fringe Faces features a portable photo booth that will appear during specific Fringe events. Patrons can have their portrait taken by Dan Winters in no more than 5 minutes and a collection of the best photos will appear in a digital display at Fringe Headquarters, as well as online, as the Festival goes on. Fringe Faces captures the frantic joy of Fringe while keeping up with its frantic pace.
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Screen Printing + Independent Music
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
We print
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Records from
-Tee Shirts -Sweatsuits -Team Jerseys -Business Cards -Record/CD Jackets -Wedding Invitations -Bags/Aprons -Canvas/Posters -Etc...
-Pop Goes the Evil
-Lemon Sky -Bummers -Andy Cook -Reverse the Curse
Hand printed with ultra soft and environmentally friendly water-based inks.
“Rockstar shirts at garage band prices!� CincinNative.Com
CincinNative@gmail.com
513.620.4573
PERFORMANCE FRINGE Live performance is the backbone of the Cincy Fringe, so it’s no surprise that there’s a huge number of offerings for you to choose from. This year over 45 productions and 200 performances await your consideration in the Primary Lineup, FringeDevelopment, and Special Events, and we hope you can cram in as many of them as humanly possible. With a carefully calculated variety of genres, themes, styles, skills, and representations, there’s something for everyone!
Primary Lineup
Curated by our jury of local theatre professionals and educators from over 100 applications, the Primary Lineup features presentations from not only local artists but productions visiting us from across the country and the world. Primary Lineup shows are the only productions that are eligible for Pick of the Fringe awards — which now come with an Encore performance on Sunday, June 11th — so see as many as you can to make an informed vote!
FringeNext
Included in the Primary Lineup, FringeNext gives the opportunity to high school-aged artists to present original works — all on their own. For some, it’s their first taste of adult theatre-ing, and we’re always stoked to give them that chance. This year features a first in FringeNext history, as well, with an out-of-town Next production joining us from Lexington. Over the next 15+ pages, you’ll find information about all the productions taking part in this year’s Performance Fringe.
PRIMARY LINEUP 8 x 10
Anonymous
Balls of Yarns
from Solitary Project (Brooklyn, NY)
from T[HERE] (Cincinnati, OH)
from Paul Strickland Presents (Cincinnati, OH)
A one-man show about the effects of solitary confinement.
Faceless strangers. True stories. Compelling works of art.
A weird-larious one-man musical adventure. Songs! Yarns! Balls!
MOTR Pub Basement
Gabriel’s Corner
Art Academy Commons
Wed, May 31 @ 7:00PM Fri, June 2 @ 6:30PM Mon, June 5 @ 6:30PM Thur, June 8 @ 7:00PM Fri, June 9 @ 7:45PM
Wed, May 31 @ 7:00PM Sat, June 3 @ 6:30PM Wed, June 7 @ 7:45PM Fri, June 9 @ 8:30PM Sat, June 10 @ 6:30PM
Thur, June 1 @ 7:45PM Sat, June 3 @ 8:30PM Tue, June 6 @ 7:00PM Fri, June 9 @ 9:00PM Sat, June 10 @ 6:30PM
Imagine you’re locked inside an 8”x10” room twenty-three hours a day. You’re allowed to exercise for one hour a day in a small chainlink cage. You haven’t touched another person in decades. You don’t know when you’re getting out. This is the reality of solitary confinement in the U.S. An intimate and harrowing experience, 8x10 tells the story of one man’s path to solitary, and illuminates his fight against the invisibility he experiences there.
Anonymous uses the language of dance, poetry, and original music to explore challenges of identity and belonging in a city where it’s too easy to remain unseen. Directed and choreographed by Mandie Reiber with a script devised from hundreds of nameless letters written by citizens of Over-the-Rhine, Anonymous creates an honest, intimate window into the challenges and victories that make up this city.
4-time Best of Fest Winner Paul Strickland’s new hilarious one-man musical adventure! David Lynch meets The Wizard of Oz. Songs! Yarns! Balls! In a strange town where creaky doors sing with you, libraries are separate from truth-braries, and extraordinary stories are shared through yarn and tin can, an ominous lurking evil has threatened to make things normal. NOT ON PAUL STRICKLAND’S WATCH. Jokes! More Yarns! Again, Balls!
Length: 50 minutes
PG-13
Dance Dance, Play w/ Music, Storytelling
Length: 60 minutes
PG-13
Solo Performance Comedy, Storytelling, Play w/ Music
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
R
Solo Performance Drama, Political Themes, Social Justice
Length: 60 minutes
9
bed (a fever dream)
from Performance Gallery (Cincinnati, OH) Unique, funny, surreal theatre exploring the world of our beds.
A non-whiny solo show for anyone with a dad.
The organizer of the most influential strike in US history.
Art Academy Studio
Coffee Emporium
Thur, June 1 @ 9:00PM Sun, June 4 @ 6:30PM Mon, June 5 @ 7:45PM Fri, June 9 @ 8:30PM Sat, June 10 @ 6:30PM
Thur, June 1 @ 7:45PM Sat, June 3 @ 2:45PM Tue, June 6 @ 7:00PM Thur, June 8 @ 7:45PM Fri, June 9 @ 8:30PM
Wed, May 31@ 7:45PM Sat, June 3 @ 4:45PM Sun, June 4 @ 8:30PM Fri, June 9 @ 7:00PM Sat, June 10 @ 7:00PM
Sex or sickness? Laziness or comfort? Messy or well made? What does “bed” mean to you? You were probably born in bed and might be destined to die there. If you are lucky, you will sleep in one tonight. Beds are a strange mixture of comfort, pleasure, vulnerability, and pain. We live there in dreams or nightmares. Join us for this theatrical exploration in words and movement of this mysterious and intimate place – our bed.
We all have those friends who tell us every detail about their lives. That person isn’t usually your father. Told in entries taking place on the car rides to school, Busted Bumpers... is a heartfelt, funny one woman show about what it’s like to realize that maybe your perfect nuclear family isn’t exactly all it’s cracked up to be. So hop in the car with Alexx. There’s White Castle in here.
V. R. Dunne’s whole life and character had prepared him for the Minneapolis truck drivers’ strike of 1934. The workers knew him as a good organizer who smoked union-made cigarettes, was fond of the movies, didn’t get drunk, and was honest. He never raised his voice or wrote someone off without giving them a chance. The men followed his leadership and many of them, if the occasion offered, were willing to die for him.
PG-13
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
from Alexx Rouse (Cincinnati, OH)
Fight for 52₵
from Howard Petrick (San Francisco, CA)
1201 Main Street
Length: 50 minutes
10
Busted Bumpers and Other Metaphors
Theatre Comedy, Physical Theatre, Political Themes
Length: 55 minutes
Length: 55 minutes
PG-13
Solo Performance Dramaedy, Storytelling
PG-13
Solo Performance Drama, Political Themes, Social Justice
Check out this show’s listing on page 22
Check out this show’s listing on page 15
Check out this show’s listing on page 19
FloatBrilliance
Gen & Mabel
GOD OF OBSIDIAN
from dropshift dance (Chicago, IL)
from Caps Lock Theatre (New York, NY)
from Gideon Productions (Queens, NY)
An immersive dance experienced through vibrant and evocative imagery.
Two women trying to fall in love – and failing.
A dark fairytale about a gaslighting relationship.
Memorial Hall Ballroom
Art Academy Commons
Gabriel’s Corner
Wed, May 31 @ 7:00PM Sat, June 3 @ 3:30PM Sun, June 4 @ 4:45PM
Wed, May 31 @ 6:30PM Fri, June 2 @ 9:00PM Sun, June 4 @ 4:45PM Tue, June 6 @ 9:00PM Fri, June 9 @ 7:00PM
Wed, May 31 @ 9:00PM Fri, June 2 @ 7:45PM Sun, June 4 @ 2:45PM Mon, June 5 @ 7:45PM
FloatBrilliance explores honest physicality, how we embody fulfillment, and sense being whole. Movers combine in duet, trio, and quartet sequences to explore timelessness, a soft sternum and heart, and quirky gestural conversations between bodies. The work is performed with a dynamic tapestry of folk-inspired acoustic instrumentals, lo-fi electronica, and environmental sounds that place the artwork within its own germination.
From last year’s Producer’s Pick Award winner comes a heartbreaking queer dramedy! Gen and Mabel like each other. A whole lot. So why can’t this relationship seem to get off the ground? As they try to shortcut their way to intimacy by baring their souls, they break each other’s hearts repeatedly in tiny, devastating ways - and then come back together. A story about trust, lust, and the quest for connection.
You have to cross a bridge to get to Nathan’s house. Crossing in is tricky. But crossing out as Alice soon discovers - is almost impossible. From the writer of the global hit podcast The Message and the creative team behind CityBeat Critic’s Pick Ligature Marks comes a dark fairytale about a psychologically abusive relationship, as one woman seeks the story that will take her back across the bridge and set her free.
Length: 52 minutes
Dance Women’s Themes
PG-13
Theatre
Dramedy, LGBTQ Themes, Women’s Themes
Length: 60 minutes
PG-13
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
Family Friendly
Length: 60 minutes
Theatre
Drama, Mental Health Themes, Men’s Themes
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Home
Invisible Girl
Is That All There Is?
from Homegrown Theater (Cincinnati, OH)
from ImagiNation Incorporated (Cincinnati, OH)
from Cincinnati LAB Theatre (Cincinnati, OH)
A psychological thriller questioning the feeling and safety of home.
Black girl seeks sewer for rent and confronts societal specters.
Spotlights fade, music sours, wigs fray… so let’s keep dancing?
Art Academy Commons
Memorial Hall Ballroom
Art Academy Studio
Fri, June 2 @ 7:00PM Sat, June 3 @ 6:30PM Mon, June 5 @ 8:30PM Wed, June 7 @ 6:30PM Sat, June 10 @ 8:30PM
Thur, June 1 @ 6:30PM Sat, June 3 @ 8:30PM Sun, June 4 @ 7:45PM Tue, June 6@ 8:30PM Wed, June 7 @ 9:00PM
Fri, June 2 @ 6:30PM Sat, June 3 @ 4:45PM Mon, June 5 @ 7:00PM Wed, June 7 @ 7:00PM Sat, June 10 @ 7:45PM
Rachel struggles to write her next book after a home invasion leaves her unable to feel safe. Hoping to work in peace, she takes a job watching a vacationing couple’s apartment, but is distracted by a suspicious neighbor, Tasha. Slowly, both women become convinced something nefarious happened to the Coopers. From the artists responsible for Boo-Boo (2016) and Occupational Pleasures (2015) comes a psychological thriller told through text and live sound effects.
Sarah is the Invisible Girl; a fugitive who has taken residence in the bottom of the city sewer to avoid being bought and sold for currency in an alternate America. Her refuge, however, is short-lived as she is haunted by a series of specters that force her to confront her societal wounds. Loosely based on the Ralph Ellison novel, Invisible Man, Sarah’s invisibility is psychological rather than literal; a transformation through a series of vignettes.
Ronald Ryan, known professionally as cabaret star “Rita,” prepares for one final performance. Amidst the wigs and gowns are also regrets, booze, and broken relationships. Will this finale - and an encounter with his sister and former duet partner - provide the closure he’s looking for? Or will Ronald leave the stage wondering “Is That All There Is?” Written by Sara Mackie.
Length: 60 minutes
Interdisciplinary Drama, Mental Health Themes
R
Theatre
African-American Themes, Women’s Themes, Shadow Puppetry
Length: 55 minutes
PG-13
Theatre Dramedy, Play w/ Music, Sibling Rivalry
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
PG-13
Length: 45 minutes
12
Check out this show’s listing on page 21
More info on page 21
kates
from Cait Robinson (Cincinnati, OH) An Orkney Island fairytale reimagined in an Americana rock dreamscape.
Lady Macbeth and Her Pal, Megan
from Cornfed Productions (Iowa City, IA) Comedian uses Shakespeare to examine hilarious things like misogyny.
Larry 13:2
from Muwhahaha Productions (Cincinnati, OH) A blasphemous exploration into the power of choice.
1201 Main Street
Art Academy Auditorium
Art Academy Studio
Fri, June 2 @ 6:30PM Sat, June 3 @ 9:00PM Tue, June 6 @ 7:00PM Thur, June 8 @ 7:00PM Sat, June 10 @ 2:45PM
Fri, June 2 @ 8:30PM Sun, June 4 @ 4:45PM Wed, June 7 @ 7:45PM Thur, June 8 @ 9:00PM Sat, June 10 @ 7:00PM
Wed, May 31 @ 9:00PM Fri, June 2 @ 8:30PM Sat, June 3 @ 7:45PM Tue, June 6 @ 9:00PM Fri, June 9 @ 6:30PM
Accidentally given the same name, sisters Kate and Kate keep getting confused—until their power-hungry mother puts a stop to it by having one of them turned into a sheep. To find a cure, the two girls take to the sea, where they find redemption and romance come at a steep, Faustian price. kates is a world premiere retelling of an Orkney Island fairytale about sisterhood, dark magic, and the seductive power of forgetting.
When comedian Megan Gogerty is informed that she can’t play Lady Macbeth - because Lady Macbeth is a tragic figure of powerful darkness, and Megan is the human equivalent of a golden retriever - she sets out to prove them all wrong. Silly, theatrical, and complex, Megan attempts to answer the question, “What’s it like to be a woman comedian?” Spoiler: it’s murder.
On a stormy night, a man who isn’t a doctor waits in a hotel room that isn’t very nice for a girl who isn’t what she seems. Her request may threaten his understanding of choice and alter his world for better or worse. By turns playful and blasphemous, the conversation builds to a decision that hinges on belief in oneself and humanity’s ability to change. Larry, chapter 13, verse 2: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers...”
Length: 55 minutes
Theatre Multi-Cultural Themes, Physical Theatre, Women’s Themes
PG-13
Solo Performance Comedy, Political Themes, Women’s Themes
Length: 45 minutes
PG-13
Theatre Dramaedy, Women’s Themes, Religious Themes
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
Family Friendly
Length: 55 minutes
13
Mind Mechanics
from Hannah Scott/Western Kentucky University Dance Company (Bowling Green, KY) A look into the inner workings of the tormented mind.
mOTHER
My Darling Dilophosaurus
One woman’s journey of exploring and ultimately rejecting motherhood.
Being a parent is hard, especially to a baby dinosaur!
from Odds & Ends Productions (Pittsburgh, PA)
from Autumn Kaleidoscope (Cincinnati, OH)
Gabriel’s Corner
Art Academy Auditorium
Know Theatre
Thur, June 1 @ 7:00PM Sat, June 3 @ 8:30PM Sun, June 4 @ 4:45PM
Thur, June 1 @ 9:00PM Mon, June 5 @ 7:45PM Tue, June 6 @ 8:30PM Sat, June 10 @ 2:00PM
Wed, May 31 @ 6:30PM Fri, June 2 @ 9:00PM Sun, June 4 @ 2:00PM Wed, June 7 @ 6:30PM Sat, June 10 @ 4:00PM
What happens when you find yourself questioning a perceived norm and ultimately choose to step outside of it? This is the query that the solo show mOTHER examines through one woman’s first person journey of exploring and ultimately rejecting motherhood.
Amateur paleontologist, Artemis “Artie” Lattimer, is obsessed with dinosaurs. Her fiancée would like her to pay more attention to something that hasn’t been extinct for 115 million years. After some progress, Artie’s life gets unexpectedly turned upside down when she becomes the parent of a baby Dilophosaurus. To win back her fiancée and show that she can be responsible, Artie comes up with the only plan to save the relationship: Win the State Pet Competition!
Length: 45 minutes
Length: 60 minutes
Mind Mechanics is the product of ongoing research funded by a Faculty Undergraduate Student Engagement (FUSE) grant. Throughout the process of building the works featured, much time was spent investing in educating the dancers regarding the illnesses they represent and merging their own, individual movement interpretations with my outward understanding of the mental health field.
PG-13
Dance Social Justice, Mental Health Themes
R
Solo Performance Storytelling, Women’s Themes
Length: 55 minutes
Family Friendly
joe mock The Real Professional in Real Estate!
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
2015 CABR President | 2012 CABR REALTOR of the Year/Sales!
14
joe mock & the real pro team
513.703.0793 | jmock.CutlerHomes.com The REALTOR in “The Know” in Over the Rhine!
Theatre Comedy, Puppetry, Dinosaur Themes
More info on page 23
Nine Short Plays for the Theatre
from Joe Stollenwerk (Vermillion, SD)
Fast, fun, and eclectic collage of short pieces exploring performance.
pet fish are for killing by
Place/Setting
accident somehow it’s really quite inevitable
from Pones (Cincinnati, OH)
Pet fish exist to die. Just like love.
Discover true stories of local immigrants around the dinner table.
from Dehydrated Mermaid Productions (Cincinnati, OH)
Art Academy Studio
OTRCC
1201 Main Street
Wed, May 31 @ 7:00PM Mon, June 5 @ 9:00PM Wed, June 7 @ 9:00PM Sat, June 10 @ 4:45PM
Wed, May 31 @ 8:30PM Mon, June 5 @ 6:30PM Wed, June 7 @ 6:30PM Fri, June 9 @ 9:00PM Sat, June 10 @ 4:45PM
Thur, June 1 @ 7:00PM Sat, June 3 @ 2:00PM Tue, June 6 @ 9:00PM Fri, June 9 @ 6:30PM Sat, June 10 @ 8:30PM
Length: 50 minutes
PG-13
Theatre Comedy, Women’s Themes
Tabitha is questioning her relationship of nine years with Marc - with a “C.” Antioch is smugly secure in her relationship with grad school. And whiskey. Marla has a pet fish. Also, everything is terrible. What is love? Baby don’t hurt me.
PG-13
Theatre Dramedy, LGBTQ Themes, Women’s Themes
Length: 60 minutes
Food - it connects us all. But, where is your seat at the table? Performers from Pones Inc., visual artist Pam Kravetz, and documentarian Ian Forsgren invite you to sit down, share a meal and discover stories of local immigrants around our table. This fast-paced piece changes from family dinner to art gallery, cooking show to dance. Place/Setting breaks down barriers, diffuses stereotypes, cultivates empathy and challenges us to explore ideas of belonging and home.
PG-13
Interdisciplinary Dance, Drama, Multi-Cultural Themes
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
Nine Short Plays for the Theatre is a fast-paced and fun collection of short pieces that explore various facets of theatre, performance, and storytelling, ranging in topics from race and casting to falling in love with theatre, and from Henrik Ibsen to Shirley Bassey. It is an eclectic collage in a variety of styles from realism to meta-theatre, autobiography to absurdism, parody to poignancy, including group pieces and monologues.
Length: 55 minutes
15
Welcome to the centerspread schedule! Here you’ll find listed every presentation from the Performance Fringe lineup. Each production, listed chronologically, is followed by their running time (in minutes) and a venue code to tell you where the production is taking place (see the Venue Map on the back of this Guide.) If you have any issues, find a Fringe Staff or Volunteer to help you out!
Title of Show (Run Time in Minutes) VENUE CODE ACM - Art Academy Commons
KNOW - Know Theatre (1120 Jackson Street)
(1329 Main Street)
AAA - Art Academy Auditorium (1212 Jackson Street - 2nd Floor)
MAIN - 1201 Main Street
OCC - OTR Community Church
AST - Art Academy Studio
MHB - Memorial Hall Ballroom
(1212 Jackson Street - 1st Floor)
(1212 Jackson Street - 4th Floor)
(1225 Elm Street - Main Level)
CFE - Coffee Emporium (110 E Central Parkway)
MHS - Memorial Hall Studio
GCR - Gabriel’s Corner
MOTR - MOTR Pub Basement
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
(1425 Sycamore Street)
(1310 Race Street)
WRD - The Woodward
Sunday
6/3
6/4
Place/Setting (60) MAIN
FloatBrilliance (52) MHB Rumi’s Field (60) OCC Reaper (60) GCR
3:30 PM
Velveteen... (55) CFE
(1404 Main Street)
4:00 PM
(1225 Elm Street - Basement)
(1345 Main Street)
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
5/31
6/1
6/2
Lady Macbeth... (60) AAA Gen & Mabel (60) ACM Is That All There Is? (55) AST Mind Mechanics (45) GCR Fight for 52₵ (60) CFE Two Truths... (55) MMC FloatBrilliance (52) MHB Sa’idah (60) OCC Home (60) ACM The Great Invention (45) KNOW What She Found... (60) MHB bed (a fever dream) (50) MAIN Sa’idah (60) OCC The Monster Songs (60) CFE Anonymous (60) GCR
6:30 PM
Totally Untrue... (55) AAA Is That All There Is? (55) AST kates (55) MAIN 8x10 (50) MOTR
7:00 PM
Nine Short Plays... (50) AST FloatBrilliance (52) MHB Anonymous (60) GCR 8x10 (50) MOTR
White Privilege (50) AAA Place/Setting (60) MAIN Mind Mechanics (45) GCR
The Great Invention (45) KNOW Home (60) ACM Vapers at the Gate (55) MAIN The Pink Hulk... (60) MHB Wilderness Survival (59) MHS
7:45 PM
Balls of Yarns (60) ACM Totally Untrue... (55) AAA Play for Now (60) OCC Busted Bumpers... (55) AST The Disappearance... (60) MHS GOD OF... (60) GRC Wilderness Survival (59) MHS Fight for 52₵ (60) CFE The Monster Songs (60) CFE Two Truths... (55) MMC
8:30 PM
Reagachev (55) KNOW pet fish are for... (55) OCC
9:00 PM
My Darling... (55) KNOW What She Found... (60) MHB mOTHER (60) AAA SUMATRAN... (60) KNOW Gen & Mabel (60) ACM bed (a fever dream) (50) MAIN Larry 13:2 (45) AST White Privilege (50) AAA What She Found... (60) MHB GOD OF OBSIDION (60) GCR Reaper (60) GCR kates (55) MAIN The Disappearance... (60) MHS
60-Second Previews 10:15pm @ KNOW
2:00 PM 2:45 PM
Invisible Girl (45) MHB Rumi’s Field (60) OCC Velveteen... (55) CFE
and more!
My Darling... (55) KNOW
The Pink Hulk... (60) MHB Busted Bumpers... (55) AST Play for Now (60) OCC Velveteen... (55) CFE GOD OF... (60) GRC
My Darling... (55) KNOW Gen & Mabel (60) ACM Play for Now (60) OCC
BAR SERIES 16
(1201 Main Street)
MMC - Mini Microcinema
Saturday
SUMATRAN... (60) KNOW Sa’idah (60) OCC Spy in the House (55) CFE
Calm Before the Storm 10:15pm @ KNOW
Fringe Olympics 10:15pm @ KNOW
Family Fringe Fun! 11am-2pm @ KNOW Fringe Prom: Ska-Jama Jam 10:15pm @ KNOW
6:30 PM 7:00 PM
Larry 13:2 (45) AST Totally Untrue... (55) AAA The Disappearance... (60) MHS Invisible Girl (45) MHB Spy in the House... (55) CFE Reaper (60) GCR Two Truths... (55) MMC
Lady Macbeth... (60) AAA Balls of Yarns (60) ACM Larry 13:2 (45) AST Invisible Girl (45) MHB Vapers at the Gate (55) MAIN Mind Mechanics (45) GCR
4:45 PM
SUMATRAN... (60) KNOW Wilderness Survival (59) MHS Fight for 52₵ (60) CFE
7:45 PM 8:30 PM 9:00 PM
Fringe-a-oke! 9:45pm @ KNOW
BAR SERIES and more!
ACM - Art Academy Commons
MHB - Memorial Hall Ballroom
(1212 Jackson Street - 1st Floor)
(1225 Elm Street - Main Level)
AAA - Art Academy Auditorium (1212 Jackson Street - 2nd Floor)
MHS - Memorial Hall Studio
AST - Art Academy Studio (1212 Jackson Street - 4th Floor)
MMC - Mini Microcinema (1329 Main Street)
CFE - Coffee Emporium (110 E Central Parkway)
MOTR - MOTR Pub Basement
GCR - Gabriel’s Corner
OCC - OTR Community Church
KNOW - Know Theatre
WRD - The Woodward (1404 Main Street)
(1225 Elm Street - Basement)
(1345 Main Street)
(1425 Sycamore Street)
Saturday
Sun
6/10
6/11
Reagachev (55) KNOW mOTHER (60) AAA Where There Were... (50) AST kates (55) MAIN Spy in the House... (55) CFE
Zelda and Hadley... (50) ACM
(1310 Race Street)
(1120 Jackson Street)
My Darling... (55) KNOW Totally Untrue... (55) AAA
MAIN - 1201 Main Street (1201 Main Street)
Nine Short Plays... (50) AST The Monster Songs (60) CFE Vapers at the Gate (55) MAIN pet fish are for... (55) OCC
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
6/5
6/6
6/7
6/8
6/9
My Darling... (55) KNOW Home (60) ACM pet fish are for... (55) OCC Where There Were... (50) MHS
Comedy Sportz (60) MHS The Pink Hulk... (60) MHB Romeo + Juliet... (55) KNOW Velveteen... (55) CFE
White Privilege (50) AAA Larry 13:2 (45) AST Place/Setting (60) MAIN If a Tree Falls (60) GCR
Balls of Yarns (60) ACM Is That All There Is? (55) AST Busted Bumpers... (55) AST Is That All There Is? (55) AST The Pink Hulk... (60) MHB The Disappearance... (60) MHS The Monster Songs (60) CFE kates (55) MAIN
White Privilege (50) AAA kates (55) MAIN 8x10 (50) MOTR
The Great Invention (45) KNOW Romeo + Juliet... (55) KNOW Gen & Mabel (60) ACM Lady Macbeth... (60) AAA Sa’idah (60) OCC Fight for 52₵ (60) CFE Fight for 52₵ (60) CFE
bed (a fever dream) (50) MAIN GOD OF... (60) GRC Rumi’s Field (60) OCC mOTHER (60) AAA OTRi: IF Cincy... (60) WRD
Lady Macbeth... (60) AAA Vapers at the Gate (55) MAIN Anonymous (60) GCR Two Truths... (55) MMC
Zelda and Hadley... (50) ACM Busted Bumpers... (55) AST 8x10 (50) MOTR Play for Now (60) OCC Reaper (60) GCR
Is That All There Is? (55) AST Two Truths... (55) MMC
Romeo + Juliet... (55) KNOW The Great Invention (45) KNOW mOTHER (60) AAA Home (60) ACM Invisible Girl (45) MHB Play for Now (60) OCC Spy in the House... (55) CFE Saturday Night (55) WRD
Reagachev (55) KNOW Wilderness Survival (59) MHS Zelda and Hadley... (50) ACM Rumi’s Field (60) OCC
The Monster Songs (60) CFE What She Found... (60) MHB Where There Were... (50) MHS trueFRINGE 2017 (60) KNOW
Totally Untrue... (55) AAA Busted Bumpers... (55) AST bed (a fever dream) (50) MAIN Anonymous (60) GCR
Home (60) ACM Sa’idah (60) OCC Reaper (60) GCR Place/Setting (60) MAIN
SUMATRAN... (60) KNOW Balls of Yarns (60) ACM pet fish are for... (55) OCC Velveteen... (55) CFE
The Great Invention (45) KNOW The Disappearance... (60) AAA Wilderness Survival (59) CFE
Fringtoberfest 10:15pm @ KNOW
Pick of the Fringe Awards
8x10 (50) MOTR pet fish are for... (55) OCC SUMATRAN... (60) KNOW White Privilege (50) AAA Reagachev (55) KNOW The Pink Hulk... (60) MHB What She Found... (60) MHB Zelda and Hadley... (50) ACM
Gen & Mabel (60) ACM Nine Short Plays... (50) AST Lady Macbeth... (60) AAA Larry 13:2 (45) AST Nine Short Plays... (50) AST Place/Setting (60) MAIN Vapers at the Gate (55) MAIN Invisible Girl (45) MHB Where There Were... (50) MHS Everyone’s an Artist 10:15pm @ KNOW
(OTRi Improv Jam upstairs!)
Craft Cocktails with Molly Wellmann 10:15pm @ KNOW
Alternative Tunes and Transportation 10:15pm @ KNOW
FringeCon 10:15pm @ KNOW
bed (a fever dream) (50) MAIN Rumi’s Field (60) OCC Balls of Yarns (60) ACM Anonymous (60) GCR
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
Monday
FRINGE ENCORE PERFORMANCES! New this year (well, revived from long ago), we’ll be offering ONE MORE PERFORMANCE to each of our 6 Pick of the Fringe winners (if they’re available). Winners will be announced Sat 6/10 at .10:30 PM, which is also when tickets for these performances will go on sale! NOTE: Admission to Encore Performances will only be guaranteed via $15 Single Ticket purchase. Pass entries and comp tickets will be only issued when venue boxes open 30 minutes prior to showtime, if tickets are available.
Title of Show (Run Time in Minutes) VENUE CODE
17
[FringeNext]
Play for Now
[FringeNext]
[FringeNext]
from Blackburn & James (Cincinnati, OH) The Cold War gets hot, heavy, and (interestingly enough) musical.
from Blackbird Dance Theatre (Lexington, KY) An original dance concert about facing your fears.
Reagachev
from Unleash the Cookie Crew (Cincinnati, OH) A little boy deals with a sad part of life.
OTRCC
Know Theatre
Gabriel’s Corner
Wed, May 31 @ 6:30PM Fri, June 2 @ 7:45PM Sun, June 4 @ 2:45PM Mon, June 5 @ 8:30PM Thur, June 8 @ 7:45PM
Wed, May 31 @ 8:30PM Mon, June 5 @ 6:30PM Wed, June 7 @ 8:30PM Sat, June 10 @ 2:00PM
Thur, June 1 @ 9:00PM Sat, June 3 @ 3:30PM Sun, June 4 @ 7:45PM Thur, June 8 @ 7:45PM Sat, June 10 @ 8:30PM
Play for Now follows an eight-year-old named Sam and his best friend, Charlotte. These two have an unbreakable bond as Sam relies on Charlotte to protect him from the everyday bullies at school. However, a sudden accident changes Charlotte forever. After the accident, she starts morphing into a manipulate monster that wants nothing more than to control Sam’s life. He is then forced to realize the truth about her and finally accept what has happened.
The year is 1986, and both Russia and USA are desperate for an end to their Cold War tensions. When Ronald Reagan an Mikhail Gorbachev meet at the Reykjavik Summit, however, they discover that they share a different kind of tension...sexual. Reagachev is the historically inaccurate, musical, satirical chronicling of that very summit that some call “brilliant” and others call “just plain weird”. So join in the thrill, betrayal, and romance that is Reagachev.
Length: 60 minutes
PG-13
Length: 55 minutes
Theatre Drama, Death, Mental Health Themes
PG-13
Musical Comedy, LGBTQ Themes
CONGRtoATouUr ‘hLoAmTeItoOwNn’S! C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
troupes in
18
Reaper
FringeNext
An International Association for School Theatre
Thespian Troupe 415 Notre Dame Academy Covington, KY
Thespian Troupe 6398 Highlands High School Fort Thomas, KY
Shaping Lives Since 1929
Honoring student achievement, supporting educators, influencing public opinion
HEADQUARTERS
2343 Auburn Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219-2815
schooltheatre.org
Length: 60 minutes
Set in our hometown of Lexington, KY in the 1960s, Reaper is an original dance theatre piece about facing your fears and chasing after the things you want. To promote as much collaboration and creativity as possible, the show uses a script written by a student, an original score from local artists, a student-led production design, and student choreography.
Family Friendly
Interdisciplinary Dance, Drama, Dance Theatre
experimental__art_avant-garde independent_outsider_archival _documentary____diy_found____ local_national_international_ __expanded-cinema_performance animation____celluloid___16mm abstract_underground_foreign_ non-narrative_film/video/media
Romeo + Juliet + Anybodys
Rumi’s Field
Sa’idah
from The Functional Shoes (New York, NY)
from Lakshmi Sriraman (Lexington, KY)
from The Brink Theatre Co. (Cincinnati, OH)
There’s a place for us…but not for Anybodys.
Dance work exploring our relationship with the elements of nature.
Sa’idah, a Syrian refugee, is adopted by white celebrity couple.
Know Theatre
OTRCC
OTRCC
Tue, June 6 @ 8:30PM Thur, June 8 @ 6:30PM Sat, June 10 @ 7:00PM
Thur, June 1 @ 6:30PM Sat, June 3 @ 3:30PM Tue, June 6 @ 7:45PM Wed, June 7 @ 8:30PM Sat, June 10 @ 6:30PM
Thur, June 1 @ 8:30PM Sat, June 3 @ 6:30PM Sun, June 4 @ 4:45PM Fri, June 9 @ 7:00PM Sat, June 10 @ 8:30PM
Rumi’s Field is a dance-theater work that reaffirms our intimate connection the elements, earth, water, wind, fire, and space. Using a rich Indian classical and semi-classical soundscape as the backdrop, this work speaks of nature in close and intimate terms. Whoever has not heard of passion described in terms of fire? Don’t we all crave both closeness as well as ‘space’ in our relationships? Isn’t it true that we sometimes desire to feel more ‘grounded’?
In Arabic, the name Sa’idah means happy, lucky, or fortunate. In the aftermath of civil war and continuing violent conflict in Syria, families have been destroyed. The now orphaned Sa’idah fulfills her namesake and becomes one of the “lucky ones.” White A-list American celebrity couple, Kristen and Taylor, are on mission to change the world starting with the adoption of with Sa’idah.
Length: 45 minutes
PG-13
Theatre Play w/ Music, Women’s Themes
Family Friendly
Solo Performance Dance, Storytelling, Indian Themes
Length: 60 minutes
PG-13
Theatre Social Justice, Political Themes, Multi-Cultural Themes
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
She’s a loudmouth rascal with a wicked roundhouse kick. She puts the POW in Girl Power. And she could save those two dumb lovebirds—if somebody would just listen! Ladies and Gentlemen, the musical character you love to forget: Anybodys! Featuring original grunge folk music, this play will make you wanna laugh, squirm, dance, and burn the patriarchy to the ground.
Length: 60 minutes
19
Spy in the House of Men
from Hugo West Theatricals (Cincinnati, OH)
A One-Woman Show with Balls.
Would you continue the human race?
of Nicole Jacobs, part 1: The Sister from Queen City Flash (Cincinnati, OH) The town searched for Nicole. Her sister searched for strength.
Know Theatre
Memorial Hall Studio
Thur, June 1 @ 8:30PM Sat, June 3 @ 7:45PM Tue, June 6 @ 8:30PM Sat, June 10 @ 2:45PM
Thur, June 1 @ 8:30PM Sat, June 3 @ 9:00PM Sun, June 4 @ 8:30PM Tue, June 6 @ 6:30PM Fri, June 9 @ 9:00PM
Wed, May 31 @ 7:45PM Fri, June 2 @ 9:00PM Sat, June 3 @ 7:45PM Tue, June 6 @ 7:00PM
Forgo the frill, abandon pretension, and dig in for 50 minutes of humble and humorous insight as Penny Sterling relates the very true story of her fictitious life as a man, and her true life as a transgender woman. Rochester comedienne, parent, TV producer/director, improv artist, storyteller, and now informant, Penny will report the findings from her 54 years as a Spy in the House of Men.
At one time, the numbers of the Sumatran Rhinoceros were in the thousands. The count has now dwindled to under a hundred. Our conservation efforts are being met with criticism, as there are ethical concerns, and we would like an opportunity to answer them. Please attend our conference as we explore the aspects of these issues and explain why this species is so vital. Presented in partnership with Hugo West Theatricals.
PG-13
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
The Disappearance
Coffee Emporium Length: 55 minutes
20
SUMATRAN RHINO
from Penny: For Your Thoughts (Rochester, NY)
Solo Performance Dramaedy, LGBTQ Themes
Length: 60 minutes
R
Theatre Theatre of Cruelty
Length: 60 minutes
Art Academy Auditorium Sat, June 10 @ 9:00PM Everything in Crystal’s life has stalled since her sister, Nicole, disappeared in the woods behind their house. Since then, her family’s focus has been on running the Volunteer Center in charge of the search for Nicole. Now, months later, on the day the Volunteer Center closes, Crystal’s life is changing again as she searches for meaning in a life post-Nicole.
PG-13
Theatre Drama
More info on page 11
The Great Invention
The Monster Songs
from Panda Head Theatre (Cashiers, NC)
from Dr. Dour & Peach (Washington, DC)
Two gibberish speaking humanoids build a malfunctioning teleportation machine.
Two clowns sing songs about monsters.
The Pink Hulk:
One Woman’s Journey to Find the Superhero Within from Valerie David (New York, NY) Cancer diagnosis means only one thing: Time to get laid!
Know Theatre
Coffee Emporium
Memorial Hall Ballroom
Fri, June 2 @ 7:00PM Sun, June 4 @ 6:30PM Mon, June 5 @ 8:30PM Fri, June 9 @ 7:00PM Sat, June 10 @ 9:00PM
Fri, June 2 @ 7:45PM Sun, June 4 @ 6:30PM Wed, June 7 @ 7:00PM Thur, June 8 @ 8:30PM Sat, June 10 @ 4:45PM
Fri, June 2 @ 7:00PM Sun, June 4 @ 2:45PM Mon, June 5 @ 6:30PM Wed, June 7 @ 7:00PM Thur, June 8 @ 6:30PM
Dr. Dour pours forth tales both horrible and wondrous in a torrent of musical stylings. And Peach helps. Together they deliver never-beforetold tales of lovesick mummies, giant lizards, bargain-hunting zombies, and other hapless creatures of the night in a cabaret cocktail of original songs. The mysterious is scrutinized. The strange is eternalized. And the dangerous is epitomized in song. Dr. Dour (vocals, 10-string touch-guitar) and Peach (cello, banjo, cute) elucidate all.
What’s the first thing Valerie does when she’s diagnosed with cancer for a second time? She tries to get laid. Battling breast cancer after fighting off lymphoma, Valerie’s afraid she might lose “the girls” and takes them out for one last hurrah. Does she succeed? Come see it to find out! This sexy, adventurous solo show follows the triumphant journey of one woman seeking her own “hulk-like” strength to find her superhero within! Written and Performed by Valerie David; Directed by Padraic Lillis. Solo Performance Comedy, Drama, Women’s Themes
Length: 45 minutes
Family Friendly
Theatre Comedy, Puppetry, Physical Theatre
Family Friendly
Musical Comedy, Storytelling
Length: 60 minutes
R
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
Caught in an urban wasteland, two beings attempt to build a machine that will transport them to paradise. The Great Invention mingles object theatre with elements of Commedia dell’Arte, clown, and physical storytelling to create a quirky, heartwarming, and visually captivating adventure that celebrates the power of imagination.
Length: 60 minutes
21
Totally Untrue Stories-
Vapers at the Gate
Totally Unlike Any Nocturnal Flying Insect
from The Burying Beetles (Cincinnati, OH)
Hilarious, honest but untrue storytelling and comedy.
Refugees from Trump World kidnapped by Che Guevara’s Elvish twin.
from Lepp Fabrications (South Charleston, WV)
Velveteen:
Or How to be Real
from Thought Plane Theatre (Manchester, UK) A variety show of reality: how people become real.
Art Academy Auditorium
1201 Main Street
Coffee Emporium
Wed, May 31 @ 7:45PM Fri, June 2 @ 6:30PM Sun, June 4 @ 7:45PM Fri, June 9 @ 8:30PM Sat, June 10 @ 4:00PM
Fri, June 2 @ 8:30PM Sat, June 3 @ 7:00PM Wed, June 7 @ 7:45PM Thur, June 8 @ 9:00PM Sat, June 10 @ 4:45PM
Thur, June 1 @ 6:30PM Sat, June 3 @ 2:45PM Sun, June 4 @ 3:30PM Thur, June 8 @ 6:30PM Fri, June 9 @ 9:00PM
I lie. I started telling stories at the West Virginia Liars’ Contest. You can see why I’m chagrined that the sort of storytelling sweeping the nation is all about the Truth. Who cares about the Truth? I mean, there’s a time and a place for Truth, but in storytelling? Storytelling is about Truths- eternal, ephemeral, spiritual, societal- but that doesn’t mean it has to be true.
Three people: a survivalist, an artist, and a Silicon Valley bro – hunted refugees blown out of their comfortable lives by a universal catastophe. Hopeless, exhausted, they meet a “coyote” – a guerilla fighter with fashion sense who will take them to the New World only if they expose their true selves through Native ritual and Hollywood trivia: Ultimate Vetting at the end of the world.
Welcome to our variety show of reality, were we guide you through the struggle of adulting and help you discover how to be real. Presenting our most successful candidate at becoming real, the Velveteen Rabbit, we will take you through the most difficult challenges of realness. A piece of interactive devised theatre, based on the children’s book, The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams, we interrogate our obsession with the authentic self.
Length: 55 minutes
Family Friendly
Solo Performance Comedy, Storytelling, Alternative Facts
Length: 55 minutes
Length: 55 minutes
R
Theatre Comedy, Political Themes, Environmental Themes
PG-13
Theatre Comedy, Interactive, Devised
With Full Inclusion and Full Disclosure, Janice & Paul are with You all the way. Janice Flanagan, CFP®, CRPC®
Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor , Vice President - Investments sm
Human Rights Campaign 100% Corporate Equality Index 14 Years Running!
janice.flanagan@wfadvisors.com
Paul C. Listerman
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
Branch Manager Senior Vice President - Investment Officer
22
BEST PLACES TO WORK
2017 for LGBT Equality 100% CORPORATE EQUALITY INDEX TM
paul.listerman@wfadvisors.com
2400 Chamber Center Drive, Ft. Mitchell, KY - 859-331-6501 Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. Member SIPC CAR 0517-00367
Check out this show’s listing on page 12
What She Found There
Where There Were Woods from Samara Lerman (Seattle, WA)
from Mad Prophet of Doom (Cincinnati, OH)
Be bold, be bold, but not too bold…
A journey of survival, courage and the power of storytelling.
The Whitest Man in America comes clean about his white privilege.
from InBocca Performance (Cincinnati, OH)
White Privilege
Memorial Hall Ballroom
Memorial Hall Studio
Art Academy Auditorium
Wed, May 31 @ 9:00PM Fri, June 2 @ 9:00PM Sat, June 3 @ 6:30PM Tue, June 6 @ 6:30PM Thur, June 8 @ 8:30PM
Tue, June 6 @ 9:00PM Wed, June 7 @ 6:30PM Thur, June 8 @ 8:30PM
Thur, June 1 @ 7:00PM Sat, June 3 @ 9:00PM Tue, June 6 @ 6:30PM Thur, June 8 @ 7:00PM Fri, June 9 @ 6:30PM
Length: 60 minutes
R
Interdisciplinary Physical Theatre, Puppetry, Women’s Themes
Art Academy Studio Sat, June 10 @ 2:45PM What happens when your family lineage stops with you? What happens to the stories and memories of generations past? When the ghost of her grandmother starts visiting her at night, Samara is compelled to travel through interwoven family stories of survival. Where There Were Woods is a train-hopping, border-crossing story of danger, adventure, magic, loss, and the power of storytelling.
PG-13
Theatre Drama, Storytelling, Social Justice
Length: 50 minutes
White Privilege tells the story of a middle-age white man and what it took to finally wake him from his privileged slumber. A hard, humorous look at racial bias, and the uncomfortable conversation that White America needs to start having with itself.
R
Solo Performance African-American Themes, Men’s Themes, Social Justice
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
In What She Found There, a young woman opens the bloody chamber of her husband’s secrets. Will she suffer the fate of the wives that came before her? In this retelling of the French fairy tale of Bluebeard, we examine the danger in asking for what you have been shown you may not have and what happens when a woman shatters the masculine world of power with her refusal to obey the rules forced upon her.
Length: 50 minutes
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Wilderness Survival
from Jimmy Grzelak (Philadelphia, PA) An Eagle Scout’s doomsday prep for 2017.
Zelda and Hadley: Together At Last
from E Cubed Productions (Cincinnati, OH) A revenge dramedy radio show inspired by infidelity.
Memorial Hall Studio
Art Academy Commons
Thur, June 1 @ 7:45PM Fri, June 2 @ 7:00PM Sun, June 4 @ 8:30PM Wed, June 7 @ 8:30PM
Mon, June 5 @ 6:30PM Wed, June 7 @ 8:30PM Thur, June 8 @ 7:45PM Sat, June 10 @ 3:30PM
Length: 59 minutes
Coffee Emporium Sat, June 10 @ 9:00PM Jimmy Grzelak is an Eagle Scout, spiritual voyager, and “winningly offbeat imagination” (Washington Post). Sometime in the early 2000s, somewhere in rural America, young Jimmy was initiated into the ways of a world ruled by adolescent boys. In 2017, older Jimmy woke up and realized that knowledge is now nationally relevant. He comes to Cincinnati to do his duty as a scout – to serve as your guide into the wild. Solo Performance Comedy, Campfire, Political Themes
Zelda and Hadley: Together At Last - the entirely fictional, absolutely true story of what happens when F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway’s wives have had enough of their husbands’ philandering ways and get even using a radio drama. To begin, the audience decides which literary masterpiece to tackle. The ladies then improve that story by playing all the characters, creating all the sound effects, and reminding the audience that “hell hath no fury...” Also, there’s gin.
PG-13
Theatre Improv, Radio Drama, Women’s Themes
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
PG-13
Length: 50 minutes
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Check out this show’s listing on page 11
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
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FringeDevelopment For almost 10 years, FringeDevelopment has helped give everyone an opportunity to artfully experiment and broaden their horizons. While Fringe itself is a yearly dose of new experiences, Development programming looks to directly provide attendees with opportunities to learn something new or try out brand new ideas. There be a creative conglomeration at this here Festival - let’s take advantage, mateys! [“Why did you suddenly switch to pirate talk? Oh, right, ‘cause you guys are kinda weird.”] As always, this year’s FringeDevelopment features a theatrical production that will be workshopped during the Festival and topped off with a one-night-only performance. Artists and audience members alike will have a chance to attend an initial read-through of the production and then see where things go from there! Filling out the rest of Development programming are a series of Master Classes led by Festival artists. While most are for Artists Only (and therefore not listed here in the guide), you can check out the open-to-the-public offerings we have this year below!
Play with Joy
Fundraising Roundtable
Know Theatre Length: 90 minutes
Know Theatre Underground Length: 60 minutes
Sun, 6/4 @ 12:00pm
Sat, 6/10 @ 10:45am
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
from OTRimprov (Cincinnati, OH)
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hosted by Lissa Urriquia Gapultos and Jay B. Kalagayan
If a Tree Falls
from Tongue of the Mind (Cincinnati, OH) A fallen tree troubles a couple with communication issues.
Gabriel’s Corner
Length: 50 minutes
Wed, May 31 @ 4:00pm Free, public first reading! Fri, June 9 @ 6:30PM Ticketed performance!
Gayle and Arnisha are happily married, except they have nothing to talk about. When a tree falls through their home, Gayle hires Ann, an arborist, to remove it. Arnisha find herself drawn to Ann, being able to have conversations with the arborist that Arnisha once had with Gayle.
PG-13
Theatre Comedy, LGBTQ Themes, Women’s Themes
Tai Chi and More
from James Savage of 8 x 10 (Brooklyn, NY)
Know Theatre Length: 90 minutes Tues, 6/6 @ 3:00pm
Lissa (former Know Theatre Board and Jay (Know founder, current Board for an open discussion with fellow Fringe artists and patrons about how artists get contributed support for what they do, show appreciation for donors, and set realistic fundraising goals. Best, worst, and mediocre practices welcome!
In this workshop students will explore simple Tai Chi, Qigong, and Push Hands (if time permits) as a means for gaining more attunement with the body and mind. through this soft and subtle practice, participants will explore groundedness, letting go, moment to moment, emotional openness, and conflict in a safe and healthy way. Students will learn a complete 5 pose form.
Open to the public and any level of improv experience.
Open to the public.
Open to the public. 30 maximum students.
To reserve a spot or for more information, please contact OTRimprov at:
Donuts will be provided.
To reserve a spot or for more information, please contact James Savage at:
Please dress in comfortable clothes you can move in. Come ready to have fun!
No advanced sign-up required.
Wear clothes that you can move in and bring a water bottle.
Whether you are curious or confident, this improv workshop is perfect for you. Learn how to play simply and joyfully. Learn how making others shine makes you look good. Learn how much fun you can have when you let yourself. And learn it all while laughing your tuchus off.
OTRimprov.info@gmail.com
Join
Member) Member)
jjrsavage532@gmail.com.
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
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Check out this show’s listing on page 22
Special Events “Cincy Fringe, is it possible for you to provide us with even more productions to consider attending, making it truly impossible to see everything?”
YES. Yes, it is possible. Every year we have productions and offerings that don’t quite fit anywhere else in the Lineup for one reason or another — but we still want you to see them; so, now you can! Almost exclusively comprised of onenight-only offerings at unique venues, this year’s Special Events range from free concerts to storytelling, from improv to interdisciplinary new works. If you’ve got the time and energy, check out something special!
From Within 2
featuring Common Center (Cincinnati, OH) A multi-sensory concert experience on Jackson Street.
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
1100 Block of Jackson St
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(outside Know Theatre) Length: 20 minutes
Tue, May 30 @ 9:30PM Join us on Jackson Street for a multi-sensory live performance from Covington’s Common Center from within the Gateway Garage! Common Center is a group of individuals that gather to form a collection of sonic exploration. Their all-original material combines powerfully upbeat and tranquil themes with mystic, other-world intertwining melodic elements to create a unique sound previously unheard, but longed for, by the ear. Family Friendly
Interdisciplinary FREE, Music, Visual Art
Two Truths: Notes on the Cinematographer
from The Carnegie, Chase Public, The Mini Microcinema (Cincinnati, OH) Explore the relationship between cinema and theatre in real time.
The Mini Microcinema Length: 55 minutes
Thur, June 1 @ 7:45PM Sat, June 3 @ 7:45PM Sun, June 4 @ 4:45PM Wed, June 7 @ 7:45PM Sat, June 10 @ 7:45PM Two Truths: Notes on the Cinematographer is an avant-garde mixed media mashup of Robert Bresson’s celebrated book on film making. Audiences will choose between pairings of notes that probe the dividing line between film and theatre. For each note selected by the audience, a film or live scene created in response to that note will be shown. Every show will be different and every audience will have the opportunity to create a unique performance experience.
PG-13
Interdisciplinary Multimedia, Audience Participation
OTRimprov: The Fringe Show: Covenant from OTRimprov (Cincinnati, OH)
Inventive and interactive improv comedy.
Know Theatre
Length: 60 minutes
Tue, May 30 @ 8:00PM
OTRimprov presents an evening of pure Cincy Fringe: epic storylines, intriguing plottwists, and surprising emotional connections exploring the true nature of art. There is also the chance we explore the true nature of kindergarten. Or Bollywood. Or carpet salesmen. We’re doing improv, people! Starting from your suggestions, our talented actors create stories and characters never seen before and some, thankfully, never seen again. Join us for this special Cincy Fringe event and see what happens when we let loose the Fringe Mind.
PG-13
Theatre Pay-What-You-Can, Improv, Comedy
OTRimprov: IF Cincy Awakens
from OTRimprov (Cincinnati, OH) Inventive Improv Comedy with OTRi and Friends.
The Woodward Theatre Length: 60 minutes
Mon, June 5 @ 7:45PM
In just 4 short months, improvisors from all over the country will descend upon Cincinnati for one reason: no, not the World Series. NO, not the Grammys. It’s the 4th Annual Improv Festival of Cincinnati, lovingly known as IF Cincy (September 5th-10th). But since we don’t know what will happen between now and then, we thought you needed a sneak peek. Join our crew for short performances by some of our favorite local and visiting troupes, plus a headlining performance from OTRimprov. Keep checking back at ifcincy.com for details on this year’s festival!
PG-13
Theatre Improv, Comedy
Saturday Night
from The Infinity Ball (Cincinnati, OH) Musical story of friendship, psycho ex-girlfriends, tacos, and love.
ComedySportz Cincinnati from OTRimprov (Cincinnati, OH)
Competitive comedy improv for everyone.
trueFRINGE 2017
from True Theatre (Cincinnati, OH)
True stories from 5 Fringe artists from this year’s Festival!
The Woodward Theatre
Memorial Hall Studio
Know Theatre
Tue, June 6 @ 8:30PM
Thur, June 8 @ 6:30PM
Thur, June 8 @ 8:30PM
Musical story of a man, his friends, his psycho ex-girlfriend, tacos, and love lost and found. Guitar driven prog/pop/rock with catchy melodies and dry humor wrapped up in a multimedia presentation. Designed as a full story/album with a companion comic book, the live event incorporates images projected behind the band.
Two teams battle it out for laughs and points while improvising scenes based upon audience suggestions. The teams are under the command of the Referee and at the mercy of the fans, who control the outcome of the match! Our show is entirely improvised. A ComedySportz match only works with your suggestions. Just keep them clean or the Referee could call a foul and you’ll be wearing a bag on your head.
Length: 60 minutes
PG-13
Interdisciplinary Music, Multimedia
Length: 60 minutes
Family Friendly
Improv Comedy, Improv
Length: 60 minutes
See their shows, then come hear the true, personal, behind-the-scenes stories about their lives as artists and what makes them tick! 5 talented people from other shows in this year’s Festival will share their stories at the 7th installment of trueFRINGE. Make your Fringe experience complete with this one-night only annual Fringe tradition!
PG-13
Storytelling True Stories, Live Music
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Picks of the Fringe Audience Pick
The Audience Pick of the Fringe celebrates the outstanding performances you’ve seen during the Festival by letting you vote for your favorite. Ballots are available at every venue, but you can only vote once, so consider your choice carefully! Voting ends Saturday, June 10 at 10:00pm.
Critics’ Pick
The official Fringe Festival reviewers will gather in secret to decide the critical darling of this year’s Festival.
Dr. Robert J. Thierauf Producer’s Pick
The staff of Cincy Fringe gets a chance to pick their favorite show of the Festival for this award named in memory of a dedicated and beloved Fringe supporter.
FringeNext Audience Pick
Which of the FringeNext shows will walk away with this award? It’s all up to the audience! Same rules and procedures apply as with the regular Audience Pick.
The Linda Bowen Full Frontal Pick
The biggest diehards of the Fringe audience, Full Frontal pass holders will have a chance to choose their favorite show with this award named in honor of one of Cincy Fringe’s most devoted patrons.
Artists’ Pick
Each production participating in the Festival gets to vote for the show (not their own) that they found most extraordinary.
Pick of the Fringe Awards!
Saturday June 10, 10:30pm, in the Know Theatre Underground
Encore Performances on Sunday, June 11
C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
This year we’ll be offering each of our Pick of the Fringe winners ONE MORE SHOW. Winners will be announced Sat 6/10 at 10:30 PM, which is also when tickets for these performances will go on sale! NOTE: Admission to Encore Performances will only be guaranteed via $15 Single Ticket purchase. Pass entries and comp tickets will be only issued when venue boxes open 30 minutes prior to showtime, if tickets are available.
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Victoria Travel Supporting the Arts Since 1960
513-871-1100 800-626-4923 www.victoriatravel.biz 3330 Erie Avenue = Hyde Park Cincinnati, OH 45208 USA
Special Thanks Producing the Cincinnati Fringe Festival wouldn’t be possible without all the artists, volunteers, staff, and audience members that make up our community. We’d like to give a special shout out to the following folks who have helped make the festival possible: C i n C i n n a t i F r i n g e F e s t i va l
ArtsWave • CityBeat • Jack Hennen • Coffee Emporium • Emilie Johnson • Aaron Madrigal CincinNative • Jeff Syroney • Eric Vosmeier • Jay Kalagayan • Dan McCabe • Thomas McLaughlin Patrick Cusick • Jenny Fitzpatrick • Caroline Stine • Dan Luken • Jason Burgess • Lisa DeRoberts Pastor Ian Strickland • Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce • Dan Winters • OTRimprov Joe and Norah Mock • Mikki Schaffner • Noelle Wedig-Johnston • Brandon Johnston • Seemless Printing • The Carnegie • Sean P. Mette • Arnold’s Bar & Grill • Elizabeth Martin • Jacob Hammer Kristen Ruthemeyer-Hammer • Courtnie Wesselman • Liz, Eli, & Opal Borntrager • Klara Apro Randy & Suzana Waterhous • Common Center • Erika Kate MacDonald • Paul Strickland • Kim Popa Polly Benzing • Urban Sites • 3CDC • Josh Steele • Tony Tausch • Coffee Emporium • Kirk Keevert Sean P. Mette • Carolyn Guido Clifford • Annette Januzzi Wick and Mark Manley • Zach Robinson Mary Rita Dominic and Buddy Goose • Sara Tucker • 100s of volunteers, artists, and donors • and YOU!
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Venue Map
Cover Art - Photographer: Mikki Schaffner / Model: Jim Tarbell / Designer: Sarah Beth Hall