Blogs

A program designed to build sustainable musical theatre programs in underserved middle schools that currently have none.

This is a series of monthly updates about the JumpStart Theatre pilot program launched in Cincinnati, Ohio. To view previous updates, click here.

Take a bow! The second annual JumpStart Theatre Showcase on May 2 at the Aronoff Center for the Arts was an exciting success. The moment the students stepped into the grand lobby of the Aronoff, there were gasps and squeals of excitement as they took in their impressive surroundings.

After getting familiar with the space and a quick rehearsal, the audience started filling up the Jarson-Kaplan Theater. Around 400 people took their seats, some visiting from as far away as California and New York. 

EdTA Executive Director, Julie Theobald, and iTheatrics Founder and CEO, Tim McDonald, kicked off the evening, followed by Showcase hosts, Bob Herzog and Jen Dalton, news anchors from Local CBS Affiliate Channel 12, who introduced each school and entertained the audience with their infectious energy and humor. 

Gamble Montessori (in orange) set the stage with selections from from Annie JR, followed by Finneytown (green) performing The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley, JR." Next came Holmes (red) and Dater (yellow) with songs from Schoolhouse Rock Live! JR. Felicity-Franklin (blue) followed with Honk! JR. Aiken (purple) completed the evening with Once on This Island JR.  

The audience burst into thunderous applause and reached for their tissues as the performances concluded and the students took a final bow. 

Next, everyone headed around the block to the 5/3 Theater after the performance for a reception, sponsored by Community Arts Initiatives. Attendees feasted on a variety on snacks and participated in theater games, led by local theatre professionals, Lauren and Michael Carr. 

A huge thank you to the Aronoff staff, JumpStart Theatre mentors, Dee Anne Bryll and Becca Kloha Strand, as well as iTheatrics staff: Tim McDonald, Marty Johnson, and Susan Fuller for working so hard to make sure everything ran smoothly.

This production was supported in part by a grant from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation Aronoff Center Rental Subsidy Fund. 

With two years of our pilot complete, we are eagerly anticipating the launch of the third year in 2017-18 with the full complement of nine schools!

Thanks to all of our partners and supporters on JumpStart Theatre:

• Allstate Foundation

• Eleanora C.U. Alms Trust, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee

• ArtsWave

• Barnes Dennig

• Benefits Network Insurance

• Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights Aids

• Cincinnati Arts Association

• Community Arts Initiatives

• Duke Energy

• The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

• The Donald C. and Laura M. Harrison Family Foundation

• Hilton

• iTheatrics

• The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation

• James and Lauren Miller

• Music Theatre International

• Ohio Arts Council

• The Daniel and Susan Pfau Foundation

• William O. Purdy, Jr.  Foundation Fund

• Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

• All of the individual donors