You don’t have to travel all the way to New York City for Broadway-level shows. A state-of-the-art show-stopping theater exists right here in your own backyard, maybe where you’re least likely to expect it. Our very own The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is a skilled, seasoned professional theatre that boasts the highest-level of performances, all presented at their glorious new home, the Emery Theater, right in the heart of Cincinnati in Over-The-Rhine.
Now in their 106th season, this isn’t the The Children’s Theatre’s first walk in the performance park. They are accomplished professionals with truly discerning standards for their shows (and proven resumes to match).
“People misunderstand and think that we put kids on the stage … but we’re a professional theater, just like Playhouse in the Park. It’s our audience that’s children, not our actors,” explains Kim Kern, President and CEO of the theatre.
The mission of The Children’s Theatre is simple. “To educate, engage, and entertain children of all ages through professional theatrical productions and arts education programming,” explains Kim.
And as both the oldest and largest professional theatre for young audiences in the United States, this is a program to be proud of. And not only that, but Cincy now boasts the most technologically advanced theater around ... and it’s just downtown on Walnut Street. “We opened the Emery Theater in October, and that was a $51.5 million project. Now, we are are not just the oldest children’s theater in the country, but also the largest with 1,500 seats. The next closest is Minneapolis, and they have 700 seats,” Kim states.
Up until this past October, The Children’s Theatre utilized space at the Taft Theatre for all of their performances, but were only allowed a 40-day window for their entire season. Now, with the renovation of the Emery, they’re able to do year-round performances, with multiple weeks for each show, as well as other performances that aren’t limited to theater availability.
But what makes the Emery Theater so special? That list is deep and meaningful. “The Emery, ironically, was also our very first home,” Kim explains. “We performed there starting in 1948, but then moved out in 1969.”
“In effect, we went home,” she continues. “Which is also why we picked The Wizard of Oz JR. as our opening production last year.”
Not only was the Emery their original home, but all construction was done with deliberate intention of keeping the theater as historically accurate as possible. “The assessment of the existing conditions showed that the bones of the building were good. There were no structural issues, everything was pretty much cosmetic. Only the new lobby and bathrooms required new construction,” Kim says. “We restored everything historically. It’s all original marble, all original brass handrails, original light fixtures … restored. It’s beautiful. Absolutely stunning.”
But keeping true to its history didn’t mean leaving the systems behind, too. “The Emery is the most technologically advanced theater in the country. We have a 20x20 turntable stage lift that was custom built for us, plus 7 projectors for video or static images. It’s BLINK-like inside the theater … where the audience feels like they’re part of the production,” Kim boasts of the new theater. “What I love is that when all of the technology is going, you feel like you’re at the Sphere in Las Vegas. But then, you turn it off, and it’s just a beautifully restored historic theater.”
What hasn’t changed is The Children’s Theatre’s commitment to connecting with children of all ages and backgrounds. “We offer the perfect first-time live theatre experience because we are inspiring them in an age-appropriate way. You don’t want a child to attend something that’s too long or too above their heads, because it could actually have the reverse effect,” Kim tells us. Often instead of putting on full-length performances, the The Children’s Theatre stages the perfect bite-sized “junior” versions of popular shows … designed and timed perfectly for kiddos. “For our shows that are only an hour, they have a beginning, a middle, and an end. You won’t ever feel like you’re missing anything.”
We’d be remiss not to also mention the tireless effort The Children’s Theatre dedicates to being fully inclusive in both their staffing, what their shows are about, and who they’re for. “We do a really good job of being an inclusive organization — our board and staff are 50% women or more, as is our Board Chair,” offers Kim, who is herself President & CEO. “And many of our productions are woman-focused. From shows about suffragettes and historical female figures to reimagining fairytales with strong women in the lead roles ... we encompass women with everything we do.”
In fact, the theater itself was started by Helen Schuster Martin in 1919 and continued through the Junior League of Cincinnati. “This whole organization wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for those very important women,” Kim offers with pride.
But how does this downtown theater space tie into Loveland, you might be wondering? Outside of being a Lovelander herself, Kim shared an impressive fact. “Our largest zip code for attending MainStage shows is 45140.” So, despite not being close to the theater itself, Loveland continually draws The Children’s Theatre’s biggest crowd. But there’s even more. Through their outreach programs in visiting Loveland-area schools, The Children’s Theatre is making a direct impact on our community and our children.
Though they are wrapping up their current season now with DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon The Musical JR., next season is one you definitely won’t want to miss! Mark your calendars now for Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins JR., Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical, and Peter Pan JR. With their final show, a North American premiere, and world-premiere adaptation straight from London’s West End, 101 Dalmatians The Musical.
The curtain rises again on The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. See you at the show!
“Not only in many cases are we a child’s first theatre experience, we’re often their only chance to see live theatre.”
“Our shows are flashy, bright, fun, and uplifting. And now with this immersive, digital element, we’re breaking the fourth wall and really engaging kids in the production ... it’s so much more than entertainment.”