Welcome...

...to the official blog of The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati! We plan to use this page to provide updates about auditions, rehearsals, workshops, and shows--and much, much more!--in a forum where fans can read up on (and respond to) what's going on "behind the scenes." This blog is a part of our effort to spread the word about what it is we do at TCTC, one of the nation's most well-respected arts organizations, providing quality entertainment for children and families in the tri-state region.

My name is Chris Stewart, and I will be the main author of this blog. I'm an actor and arts integration specialist for TCTC, and the tour coordinator for ArtReach, a Division of TCTC. When Krista Katona Pille, our marketing and PR director, approached me and asked if I would start a blog for the company, I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity. I blog anyway; why not write about work, too? (I began one for ArtReach, our touring company, a few months ago while I was still an actor for the tour. That blog is now in the hands of one of the new actors in the group, and you can read it here.)

I hope to provide readers with a unique perspective on the process of making theatre--and specifically, children's theatre. To that end, I'll post about rehearsals and productions, with occasional shout-outs to our generous sponsors, supportive fans, and of course, our talented cast, crew, and staff.

Our hope is that in addition to showing off the vast network of people who have helped us attain and sustain our resplendent reputation, this blog will also create a sense of community. Theatres cannot survive without the help, support, and patronage people like you, folks who love the arts, folks who know that "good art" refers to quality rather than quantity, folks who understand that the performing arts are just as important to communities as they are to children. We firmly believe that any child who experiences a show at TCTC--be it as a singer, dancer, actor, or spectator--is better off for it. It's why we do what we do. It's why this organization exists.

Perhaps all of this is better expressed in our Mission Statement:

The Children's Theatre provides an opportunity to introduce young audiences in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, to the performing arts, through professionally staged productions, which appeal to parents and educators, while teaching morals and values.

The Children's Theatre develops opportunities for employment for theatre professionals and provides all its employees an understanding of aspects associated with a production, from administration to the final staging.

The Children's Theatre allows community advocates to participate in the education of children in the performing arts.

Yup. I think that pretty much sums it up.