New Plays, New Voices, New Talents

2012 - 2012 - 2012

Always scroll down for updates . . .

SEE the latest NEWS about:

CPI New Voices Staged Readings

CPI Playwriting Salon

CPI Special Events

Newly Designed CPI Website

Announcing this makes me dance . . .

Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative (CPI)

Please continue to visit this website for comprehensive updates of all CPI’s activities.

This HOME PAGE will always feature the upcoming New Voices Staged Readings.

For a complete program, including CPI Board Monthly Business Meeting, Informal Cold Reading / Playwriting Salon, and any other relevant CPI venues, visit the CALENDAR PAGE.

For Informal Cold Reading / Playwriting Salon, visit PLAYWRITING SALON PAGE

If you are a playwright, send us your new work; we are looking for good manuscripts!

CPI’s New Voices Staged Readings are normally performed at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, Fifth-Third Bank Theater (Black Box), corner of Main and Seventh Streets. Occasionally they are performed at the Jarson-Kaplan Theater, 650 Walnut Street.

Tickets are only $ 8. Reservations may be made in advance at Aronoff Center Box Office, or by calling:

513-621-2787, or online at:

http://www.cincinnatiarts.org/index.jsp?eventDetail=1&event_id=1207

(Page address changes each season.)

To avoid surcharge, get your tickets at the box office at normal work hours.

CPI's NEW VOICES STAGED READINGS

2011-2012 season

September 13, 2011 - May 22, 2012

CPI New Voices Staged Readings

 

at the Aronoff Center

 

 

 

Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 7:30 PM –

Fifth-Third Bank Theater

Wrapped in Clover

Written by Tammy Brady

Directed by Mike Sherman

Experience the ultimate Christmas gift of true love between a young married pair. The couple lived in dysfunctional families in their past, which spawns discord in their present until an affair brightens their future.

Tickets are only $ 8

Reservations may be made in advance at Aronoff Center Box Office,

or by calling 513-621-2787, or online

http://www.cincinnatiarts.org/index.jsp?eventDetail=1&event_id=1207

 

CAST:

Ed Barzee (Peter), Bob McClain (Priest), Ginny Utz (Amanda), Kate Glasheen (Dee), Chuck Beatty (Craig), Mindy Heithaus (Andrea), Helen A Raymond (Nicole), Angela Nalley (Mother/Aunt Sarah), Chad Boggs (Eddie), Laura Boggs (Narrator), Brad Nicholas (Donnie).

 

About the Playwright – Tammy Brady

Tammy is a blooming playwright and published poet who resides in Cincinnati.   She has a successful career at Great American Insurance as Senior Business Analyst by day; and a rewarding membership at Village Player’s community theater by night where she serves as scenic artist, sound technician, and production assistant.  Her first acting debut will be in their production of Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean.   Tammy is also the proud mother of three adult children, Dustin (married to Jen), Zachary, and Erica who add joy to her life.

 

About the Directer – Mike Sherman

Mike is an actor, director, and teacher.  Acting credits include shows at The Carnegie Center, New Edgecliff Theatre, Ovation Theatre Company, and Cincinnati Landmark Productions.  He has been Drama Director at Colerain High School for the past four years, and was recognized by the Acclaim Awards as an outstanding theatre educator of the 2009-2010 school year.  Previous directing credits include: Romeo and Juliet, WASP, Much Ado About Nothing, Grease, Rumors, Oklahoma!, Alice in Wonderland, Godspell, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Mike would like to thank Tammy and everyone at CPI for the opportunity, as well as his fiancé, Lisa.

 

Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 7:30 PM –

Fifth-Third Bank Theater

Edge Walking

Written by Barbara M. Harkness

Directed by Patrick Downey

Mary and John Hopkins are suddenly confronted with a child who is claiming he is the reincarnation of their deceased oldest son who died in Vietnam as a prisoner of war.  Arousing long dormant feelings of grief, loss, and anger, the encounter allows each member of the Hopkins family to reexamine the ways, remembered but also surprising, how a son’s/brother’s death had affected their lives.

Tickets are only $ 8

Reservations may be made in advance at Aronoff Center Box Office,

or by calling 513-621-2787, or online

http://www.cincinnatiarts.org/index.jsp?eventDetail=1&event_id=1207

 

 

About the Playwright – Barbara M. Harkness

Barbara, Emeritus Professor of Anthropology from Kent State University in Kent, OH, has taken up writing since her retirement.  When professionally active she worked on archaeological teams in France, Ohio, Illinois, and Mexico.  With five children and their families, playwriting, and pulling weeds out of her garden, life is full, busy, and occasionally overwhelming. Barbara had her CPI debut with The Beautification of Billy Goat Gruff and I Am One Minute Play in 2009; the latter consequently was later produced in Stone Soups' Playwrights Festival in Seattle, Washington, and in Yellow Springs Corner Cone theatre in Yellow Springs, Ohio.  Barbara’s most recent New Voices presentation was Stairway to the Crown, in 2010.

 

About the Directer – Patrick Downey

A graduate of Cincinnati’s School for Creative and Performing Arts, Patrick has been directing, producing, performing and designing for theaters in and around the Greater Cincinnati area for over 30 years.  Some of his favorite directing projects have been City of Angels for Cincinnati Music Theatre, The Diary of Anne Frank (revised edition) for Ovation Theatre Company, and his recent two-and-half-year project, producing and directing a trilogy of plays for The Village Players of Fort Thomas.  Previous CPI associations: The Garden and One Freaky Afternoon in the Office Lunchroom.

 

Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 7:30 PM –

Jarson-Kaplan Theater

Al Dura: Truth or Deception?

Written & Directed by Kalman Kivkovich

Production Consultant: Cathy Springfield

Technical Director: Kyle Tieman

 

Loosely based on a tragic incident in the Middle East, and a follow-up notorious round of court battle in Paris, France.

On September 30, 2000, France 2 TV broadcast footage of a shootout in Gaza, zooming in on a Palestinian father and his 12-year-old son taking cover behind a concrete drum.  According to the report, filmed by a Palestinian reporter for the state-run French network, the boy, Mohammed al Dura, was gunned down by the Israeli forces . . . but was he really . . . ?   What you hear from the media is not always the truth, and too often the media become the NEWS. . . . 

Tickets are only $ 8

Reservations may be made in advance at Aronoff Center Box Office,

or by calling 513-621-2787, or online

http://www.cincinnatiarts.org/index.jsp?eventDetail=1&event_id=1207

 

 

CAST:

Ed Barzee [PHILIPPE KARSENTY], David Bezona [MARC LEVY - KARSENTY’S ATTORNEY], Clint Bramkamp [RICHARD LANDES], Angela Forbes [REPORTER 1/4/6], Dennis Blom [REPORTER 2/5], Chessie Vigran  [JUDGE, LOWER COURT / FRANCE 2’S ATTORNEY], Tobie Braverman [JUDGE, APPEAL COURT].  ENSEMBLE: Tim Bessler, Jay A. Goldfarb, and J. Lee Rasmussen [cameramen and photographer]. Voiceover: Adrianne Underhill and Joel Lind. Accordionist: Tom Deren. Moderator: Craig Boldman

Production Consultant: Cathy Springfield

Technical Director: Kyle Tieman

Stage Manager: Abby M. Bielski

About the Playwright – Kalman Kivkovich

Kalman is a retired architect, artist, author and playwright.  Born in Kazakhstan in 1945, Kalman has lived in Poland, Israel, Italy, and—since 1973, in the U.S.  His first nonfiction work was published in Italy in 1975.  His first novel, "In the Vise of Evils," was published early 2011.  To date, CPI has selected eight of his plays for staged readings. The first, In the Vise of Evils, based on his novel, was awarded an unprecedented two performances (2007) and set CPI’s highest attendance record in 5/3-Bank Theater. Embers from the Ashes: A Girl's Holocaust Diary, his second play, received a public staged reading in May 2008.  Kalman's recent play, From Auschwitz to Cincinnati: The Surviving Tunes, about the celebrated, world-renowned local violinist, Henry Meyer, had its debut to a sold-out house at the prestigious Jarson-Kaplan Theater on April 26, 2011.  Kalman was elected President of CPI in May 2010.  He is now working on another Holocaust-themed play, set in his father’s Polish hometown.  Kalman and his wife, Sandi, reside in Cincinnati, Ohio. http://www.kalmankivkovich.com/

About the Production Consultant – Cathy Springfield

Currently, Cathy is the President of the League of Cincinnati Theatres.  She has directed and produced over 200 productions with many regional premieres including the stage premiere in collaboration with Kenneth Branagh of his film, A Midwinters Tale, which debuted Xavier University’s new theatre facility.  Cathy was Director for Performing Arts at Xavier for over 20 years.  She was a professional actor for 12 years and was co-founder of American Repertory Theatre of Cincinnati.

About the Technical Director – Kyle Tieman

Kyle, an interactive media designer and videographer, is currently finishing up studies at The University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music where he studies Electronic Media.  He has always had a passion for live theater production and loves finding interesting ways to combine theater with media.  Kyle has also worked with other community theater groups, Brieabi Productions and Beechmont Players, doing sound and lighting design.  When not working in theater, he is a freelance photographer and videographer, locally and abroad.  Kyle loves to go wherever there is a story, and he loves to use media to tell that story to the world. 

 

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at 7:30 PM –

Jarson-Kaplan Theater

The Fool

Written by Fred Rothzeid

Directed by Charlie Goetz

In 2001 Enron collapsed. Congress reacted by writing hundreds of pages detailing new rules and regulations to avoid something like that happening in the future. In 2008 Leman Brothers collapsed. Congress reacted by writing thousands of additional pages detailing rules and regulations to avoid something like that happening in the future. But perhaps what’s really needed is to take a page from the past. The King’s Fool was free to ridicule the folly, absurdity and corruption of those in power. Could a Corporate Fool save today’s masters of the universe from themselves? More importantly could the Fool actually criticize a CEO without losing his headcount?

 

Tickets are only $ 8

Reservations may be made in advance at Aronoff Center Box Office,

or by calling 513-621-2787, or online

http://www.cincinnatiarts.org/index.jsp?eventDetail=1&event_id=1207

on sale soon

CAST:

TBA

About the Playwright  – Fred Rothzeid

Fred is a New York transplant who developed a passion for writing poetry while in college. After receiving his MBA he discovered he had a knack for composing songs late one night while taking a break from analyzing financial statements. He wrote a cabaret, Occupational Hazards and Other Aggravations, which was performed at regional theater on Long Island, NY.  More recently his musical New York in June for which he wrote book, lyrics and music was performed at Claremont McKenna College in California.  His play Irene (based on the book “The Longing Pier” written by Rose A. Adkins) received a public staged reading in April 2010.  Fred was elected Treasurer of CPI in May 2010.  He currently writes liturgy and composes songs for Congregation Beth Adam in Loveland, Ohio.  Fred maintains that any similarity between his previous corporate life and this play is purely intentional.  He can be contacted by anyone wanting to share a critique of his play or business acumen at: frothzeid@precisiontemp.com.

About the Director – Charlie Goetz

Charlie, after performing in theater, films and on TV for a half century, finds his first effort as a playwright, The Best Intentions, a Cincinnati Playwrights' Initiative "Best of New Voices" winner. Charlie's acting credits range from roles in Aaron Slick from Punkin Crick for Ruth (Tobacco Road) Hunter's New York summer stock company, to Shakespeare presentations in New York (his natal place) and in the Cincinnati region. Locally, he has worked with Cincinnati Playhouse, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati (ETC), Dayton's Human Race, the Cincinnati Opera, Showboat Majestic, and Kincaid Regional Theatre.  La Comedia audiences have seen him in 61 offerings there.  His TV portrayals in Multimedia Specials have earned him two Emmys.  For CPI, he directed Irene, another of Fred Rothzeid's plays, as well as A Play of Seeming Complexity, Beat the Bear, Brothers Keepers and Life Veil Find Veil.  

Meet CPI's New Elected Officers

Elected to a 2-year term (May 2010-May 2012)

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Kalman Kivkovich . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sandi Kivkovich . . . . . . . . . .Fred Rothzeid . . . . . . .Dennis Blom

President . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . Vice President. . . . . . . . . . . .Treasurer . . . . . . . . . .Secretary

Please visit the President's Corner to learn more about the team

         Please visit our PRESIDENT’S CORNER

CPI Playwriting Salon

I acknowledge

Dan Cohen and the folks at Cinstages.com

for the great job they do for the locale theater community and of course for CPI.

Kalman Kivkovich, CPI President

NEXT at the SALON:

Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 7 PM – Cold Reading

Public Cold Reading of a play by Miguel Trejo, read by actors

FREE!!! Call for Reservations. Chair Sandi Kivkovich, sandikivi2@cinci.rr.com, or call (513) 861-0004

We ask those who come, to bring an appetizer or beverage to share.

Location:

French Hall, University of Cincinnati, 2815 Commons Way, Cincinnati, OH 45219 (formerly 2824 Scioto Street), corner of W. University Ave. off Jefferson Ave, 2nd Floor, 2225 (ground floor); just follow our signs.

Sunday, March 25, 2012 at 7 PM – Cold Reading

Public Cold Reading of a play by Irvon Clear , read by actors

Sunday, April 29, 2012 at 7 PM – Cold Reading

Public Cold Reading of plays, read by actors TBA

Directions:

It is on the East side of West UC campus.  If you go on Jefferson Ave, park your car near intersection with University Ave. (Free parking on Jefferson Ave. / fee at the Garage).  Walk toward the campus. Turn left at the rotunda (circle) and go on Commons Way to the 1st building on the right French Hall.   Enter the lobby and just follow the signs to room 2225.

Important Note: At times, Campus Security might lock the doors on Commons Way.  If you find it to be the case, just go around the building, counterclockwise 180°, and use the other door.

Also, unless you display a UC decal, DO NOT park on any campus streets.

For MapQuest or Google:

French Hall’s actual address is 2815 Commons Way, but for MapQuest or Google enter the former address,

2824 Scioto Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219.

CPI Members' News Highlights

 

Congratulations to Tammy Brady and Angela Forbes

Tammy will play EDNA and Angela will play MONA in the upcoming production of Come Back to the 5 & Dime Jimmy Dean Jimmy Dean at Village Players in Fort Thomas, KY.

The director is Patrick Downey who also will direct CPI’s New Voices in March 2012.

Show dates are February 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25. For more information: http://www.villageplayers.biz/ or call (859)392-0500.

 

                            Please visit ABOUT US

                            Please visit our CALENDAR for upcoming events

                            Manuscripts Wanted.  Please visit SUBMISSIONS

                            Please visit our PRESIDENT’S CORNER

                            Please visit our MEMBERS’ NEWS

                            Please visit our NEW VOICES ARCHIVE

                            Please visit our PLAYWRITING SALON

          For more theater news go to:

Also, http://www.kalmankivkovich.com/