Annual Report 2025-2026

Supporters and Friends,

As we celebrate the close of our 32nd Season, I want to thank you for believing in Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and for making another extraordinary year possible.

This season reminded us that the stories we tell continue to resonate in new and surprising ways. Across our stages, parks, classrooms, and communities, Shakespeare stood alongside new voices and fresh perspectives, proving once again that great theatre has the power to connect us across generations, backgrounds, and experiences.

Together, we continued to champion bold artistic work—from world premieres and inventive reinterpretations of classic plays to collaborations that extended the reach of Cincinnati artists across the country and around the world. Whether welcoming audiences into the Otto M. Budig Theater, bringing free performances to neighborhoods throughout the region, or creating meaningful educational experiences for thousands of students, every production and every program reflected our belief that theater should be ambitious, accessible, and deeply connected to the community it serves.

This season also affirmed something even greater: the future of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company has never been brighter. As we look ahead, we are preparing to take a transformational next step—one that will allow us to expand our educational programming, deepen our community partnerships, create more opportunities for artists, and welcome even more people into this remarkable organization.

That future is only possible because of you.

Thank you for being part of this journey and for helping us stage the next act for Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. We can't wait to share what's ahead.

See you at the theater,

Brian Isaac Phillips
Producing Artistic Director & CEO
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

Dear Friends,

Serving as Board President at this exciting moment in Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's history is both an honor and a privilege.

As Brian reflects on another exceptional artistic season, I'd like to reflect on something equally important: the strength of the organization you've helped build.

Because of your generosity and the disciplined stewardship of our staff and Board, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company concluded another successful fiscal year with an operating surplus—our fifteenth consecutive year of positive operating results. Today, CSC carries no long-term debt, maintains healthy operating reserves, and continues to invest responsibly in our artists, facilities, and mission. These are accomplishments few arts organizations can claim, and they provide a strong foundation for the future.

Financial strength has never been an end in itself. It is what allows us to dream bigger.

It allows us to commission new work, provide free performances across the region, serve tens of thousands of students each year, and remain a reliable cultural institution for Cincinnati. It also positions us to pursue the most ambitious initiative in our history.

In the months ahead, you'll hear much more about our vision for a new Community Arts and Education Center—a transformational investment that will expand our ability to educate, create, and serve our community for generations to come. This vision is possible because it is being built upon decades of careful planning, responsible governance, and the remarkable generosity of supporters like you.

As we enter this next chapter, our commitment remains unchanged: to steward every contribution with care, to make thoughtful investments in our mission, and to ensure Cincinnati Shakespeare Company remains artistically bold and financially resilient for generations to come.

On behalf of our entire Board of Trustees, thank you for your confidence, your partnership, and your belief in what this organization can accomplish. We are excited to build the future together.

With gratitude,

Jennifer Damiano
Board President
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

Season Funder:
ArtsWave

Operating Support Partners:
The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation
The Ohio Arts Council
The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation 
The Shubert Foundation

Shakespeare Season Sponsor:
The Linnemann Family Foundation

Education Season Sponsors:
Debby and Jim Mason,
Cindy Bridgeland Crilley, and
Maureen and John Bridgeland
In honor of Jim Bridgeland 

Creative Services Partner:
Lightborne

Mainstage Production Sponsors:
Monteverdi Tuscany/Blank Rome
Rance and Marilyn Duke
Marcie and Jim Kinney
KeyBank
Messer
PNC Bank
H. James Williams and Carole Campbell Williams, Mount St. Joseph University
RSL Architecture
Rhinegeist Brewery
Young Latino Professional Network 

Education Partners:
The Limestone Fund
The Charles H. Dater Foundation
Martin Chavez
The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank and Narley L. Haley, Co-Trustees
Louise Taft Semple Foundation
P&G Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Ohio Arts Council Arts Partnership
Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation
Andrew Jergens Foundation
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
Crosset Family Fund
Paul Sittenfeld, in memory of Eva Jane Romaine Coombe
Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation
Woodward Trust
William P. Anderson Foundation
Charles Scott Riley III Foundation

 FREE Shakespeare in the Park Sponsors:
Thomas J. Emery Memorial
Western & Southern Financial Fund

REVEL Sponsors:
EY
GBBN
Debby and Jim Mason
Tayfun and Laura Tuzun
Blue Rose Supply
Friends of Cincinnati Opera
Patrick Points and Wijdan Jreisat
Vicky and Rick Reynolds
Rosemary and Mark Schlachter
Dick and Debbie Westheimer
George and Nancy Yund
Lightborne
Redtree Coffee and Art
Revel Urban Winery
Rhinegeist Brewery

New Play Development Partners:
National Endowment for the Arts
Bob and Donna Welch 

Opening Night Partners:
Cass and Glenn Plott
Graeter’s 

Capital Support Partners:
Ohio Valley Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Agent 

Season Catering Sponsor:
eat well celebrations and feasts

YP Preview Night Sponsor:
ArtsWave YP Grant 

ShakesQueer Sponsor:
ArtsWave Pride Grant 

Sensory Friendly Performance Sponsors:
Cass and Glenn Plott

Community Partner Sponsors:
Richard and Debbie Westheimer

Production Manager Artist Sponsor:
Judge Mark Painter

World-Premiere Cast Album of Mrs. Dalloway: A New Musical made possible by:
Saira Shahani
Ed Givens
Jeff Landen

2025-2026 Season Sponsors:

Illustrious and Inspiring, $50,000+
Anonymous, in memory of our mom Kathy
ArtsWave
John Bridgeland and Maureen Fallon Bridgeland
Carol Ann and Ralph V Haile Jr Foundation
Cynthia Crilley
Estate of Henrietta Barlag
Estate of Mrs. L.L. Browning Jr.
The Linnemann Family Foundation
Debby and Jim Mason
Ohio Arts Council
Cassandra and Glenn Plott
The Robert C. and Adele R. Schiff Family Foundation
The Shubert Foundation
Don and Linda Tecklenburg
Jay and Jodi Woffington 

Benevolent and Bold, $25,000-49,000
Charles H. Dater Foundation
Martin Chavez
The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank and Narley L. Haley, Co Trustees
The Limestone Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Louise Taft Semple Foundation
Ohio Valley Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Agent
P&G Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
John and Judith Woffington

Gallant and Glamorous, $10,000 - $24,999
Diane Adamec
Andrew Jergens Foundation
Blank Rome and Monteverdi Tuscany
Ruth J. & Robert A. Conway Foundation
Sean and Tracie Conway
Rance and Marilyn Duke
Nancy and Edward Finke
Edward Givens
Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Gerald Greenberg and Pamela Meyers
The Gumbleton Family
Marcene and Jim Kinney
LaMacchia Family Foundation
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation
Patrick Points and Wijdan Jreisat
Marc and Suzi Rubin
Rosemary and Mark Schlachter
The Thomas J. Emery Memorial
Laura and Tayfun Tuzun
Donna and Robert Welch
Western & Southern Financial Group
Richard and Debbie Westheimer 

Avowed and Audacious, $5,000 - $9,999
Bob Amott and Janice Flanagan
Jennifer and Vito Damiano
Sally and Joel Davenport
Rick and Melissa Eder
Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Fund for Cincinnati Shakespeare Company of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation
EY
GBBN Architects
KeyBank
Joseph and Penny Landen
Susan Lauf
Jean and Charles Lauterbach
Messer Construction Co.
Chris Nare and Lori Rappold
Whitney Owens and Dave Eslinger
Sue Ann and Judge Mark Painter
PNC Bank
Mitchell and Karen Rashkin
Vicky and Rick Reynolds
George Roden
Dr. H. James Williams and Carole Campbell Williams
Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation
Woodward Trust
Nancy and George Yund

Devoted and Daring, $2,500 – $4,999
William and Caroline Bahlman
Mary Ann and Doug Bell
Mr. Fred Berger
Daniel and Kendra Braun
Mr. Otto Budig
Lee and Lisa Clapp
Crosset Family Fund
Friends of Cincinnati Opera
Elden Dale Golden
Sarah and Matt Graber
Graeter's
Myron and Sherry Hughes
Steve and Shannon Kane
Mark and Marcy Kanter
Heidi Jark and Steven Kenat
Linda U. Klump
Tom and Trish Lee
Isabel Mendez
Chris and Molly Milligan
David and Lesley Nevers
David and Pat Papoi
RSL Architecture
Jessica and Michael Ruebusch
Steven Skibo and Susan Esler
William P. Anderson Foundation
Jonathan and Nickole Winterkorn 

Ardent and Astounding, $1,000 - $2,499
Dobbs and Flemming Ackermann
Americana Arts Foundation
Anonymous
Katherine Berger
Dan and Sara Bick
William Borek
M.C. and Tom Brennan
Charles Scott Riley III Foundation
Philip T Clayton
Marjorie E. Davis
Ellen and Stewart Dunsker
Joe and Kay Ellis
Lindsey Faber
Allyson Fleischer
Ellen Forte and Michael DiMaggio
Jerome Glinka and Kathleen Blieszner
Scott Goebel and Emily Detmer-Goebel
Noah J. Goertemiller
Tom and Sarah Goodwin
Constance Graham
John and Elizabeth Grover
Adam and Karla Hall
David and Debbie Horn
Carl and Judy Jackson
Stephen and Janet Jackson
Robert Kluck
Thomas Kreinest
Pat and Randy Krumm
Becky and Ross Long
Mr. and Mrs. Luke Lovell
Ted and Molly Lucien
John Peter and Mary Lund
Mr. Ron Matson
Arthur and Stephanie McMahon
Lance and Lindsay Melching
Marshall Montrose
Jerry Newfarmer
Rene Paddags
Ricky Patel and Kristen Reilly
Rick Pender and Joan Kaup
Plonsker Financial Management Consulting
Rhinegeist Brewery
Becky and Ted Richards
Gates and Margaret Richards
Bob Roesbery in honor of Nancy Helwig
Kim Salit
Matthew Schottelkotte and Melanie Swick
Dr. Catherine Shackson
Ruth and John Sikorski
Bonnie Siverd
Stephanie Smith
Dr. William Spohn and Dr. Margaret Dunn
Sarah and Paul Tomes
Jessica Tribbe
Jeanna Vella and Denny Boehm
Mary Ann Weiss
Ms. Jo Ann Wieghaus
Teresa Wilkins
Carol and Rich Wilson
Young Latino Professional Network
Ms. Karen Zaugg
Justin Zimmerman 

Ebullient and Exhilarating, $500 - $999
Christine Adams
Charles and Karen Bramwell
Judith Jaspers Briggs
Prentice Carter
Carol C Cole
Bryan Cranston
Nicholas Dunigan
Gail Ginther
Mr. Jeffrey Goldman
Tom and Sarah Goodwin
Bill Gordon and Nancy Johnson
Richard Hague, in honor of Dick Westheimer
Mary Healy
Emily M. Hodges
Doug Ignatius and Bruce Preston
Phyllis Jackson and Martin Murray
Laura Jansen
Amy Katz
Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney and Eric H. Kearney
Rachel Kirley and Joseph Jaquette
Anne Laib
Bryanna Lindsey
Mrs. Amanda Louis
Jodi and Anthony Maieron, in honor of JC Coleman
Mark McKillip
David Mebius
Julie Metz
Evans Mirageas and Thomas Dreez
Norah and Joe Mock
Tom and Cindy Muething
The Patel-Curran Family
David M. Piatt
Irene and Daniel P. Randolph Family
Abigail Riddle and Braden Blankenship
Steve and Helen Rindsberg
Mark and Jan Rosenbaum Sass
Russell Lascelles and Janet Schultz
Rebecca Schultz
Rich Schultz
Saira Shahani and Rick Warm
Matt Singleton
Christine Socwell
Bob and Laurie Sternberg
Gordon and Mary-Anne Thompson
Elizabeth and Ronald Tinklenberg
Marty C. Tomb
Jenna and Nathan Washatka
Jennifer Watts 

Valiant and Voracious, $250 - $499
Stephanie Adamec
Anonymous
Robert Banks
Tony Barrett
Patty and Jim Beggs, in honor of Glenn and Cass Plott
David and Elaine Billmire
Paula Boggs and Brian Muething
Curtis Brown
Rebecca Campbell
Julie and Larry Chandler
Jeffrey Conner
Dr. Kristen Copeland and Steve Johns
Edmund C. Davis, Jr. and Maria Anderson
Carole Donnelly
Russell Durst and Kathryn Wekselman
Mr. George Dwight
Andrew Gay
Heather Gaynor
Jo Anne Gibbons and John Getz
Thomas C. Hase
Karlee L. Hilliard
Daniel J. Hoffheimer
Tom and Kathy Hogan
Mark Holtgrefe
Joanna Huh
Rebecca and Stephen Hussey
Farrah and Keith Jackson
Marilyn and Robert Johnson
Carl and Alice Kalota
Steve Karoly
Nicole Lashley
Nancy and Jonathan Lippincott
Sherwin Little
Steve Loftin, Cincinnati Arts Association
John Lorenz
Mary Mahoney
Karen and Michael Mason
Steven Massie
McCready-Shore Family Fund
Colleen and Mike McSwiggin
Julia Meister
Kim Morrow
Andrea Morwood
Ryan Moyers
Teri Murphy
Susan Murray
Christy Nageleisen
Niamh J. O'Leary
Ioanna Paraskevopoulos
Graham and Karen Paxton
Alice Perlman
Kay Puryear
Ms Stephanie Renny
John Rickert
Drs. Leila Saxena and Nick Newman
Jill and Kevin Schad
Suzanne Schindler
Kathryn Schnier
Monica and Matt Scott
Don Semler
David Vanderpool and Steven Smith
Stephanie Striet
Eric and Rachael Tayce
Bruce and Allison Tepper
Hugh and Catherine Walsh
Judge Lawrence Walter and Ms. Christena Walter
Jessica Warren-Jones and Matthew Jones
Pann and Terry Webb
Warren and Pam Weber
Robert and Jean Willis

Grand and Gracious, $100 - $249
Marjorie and David Aaron
Wayne Adams
Lisa Allgood
A&M Kanet Foundation for the Arts
J. Alvarez
Dr. Paule Asch in honor of Lib Stone
Detmar and Michael Atkinson
Peg Bach
Jennifer Barr, in honor of Steve Jackson
Juliette and Mike Bezold
David and Madonna Bowman
Luke Brewster and Thomasita Homan
John and Rebecca Bromels
Dawn and Doug Bruestle
Charlotte Bruewer
Dennis and Melinda Caldwell
David Carmichael
Elishia Chamberlain, in memory of Christian Morris
Anderson Christopher
Jon and Katie Clark
The Coburns
Lisa and Jeff Cooper
Don Daiker and Audrey Edwards
Ms. Janet Davidson
Stella Davies
David and Emilie Dressler
Thomas and Dale Due
N&R Dyson
Ren and Cristina Egbert
Dr. Lauren Erdman
Robert and Mary Fitzpatrick
Jillian Frasher
Jane Haas Friedman
Jill and Greg Fritz
GE Foundation Match Program
David Goist
Dr. William J. Gracie, Jr. and Daniel J. Fairbanks
Teddy Gumbleton, in honor of Cass and Glenn Plott
Hamilton Hicks Family
Haider Hamoudi and Sara Abdullah
Ms Stephena Harmony
Petrina Hasinski
Sigrun Haude
Kathleen Hibbard
Susan Hibbs and David Magruder
Laura Hobson
Kelly Holterhoff
Dorrian Horsey and Bret Isaac
Judy Jackson
Ann Jarboe
James and Rosemarie Jeffery
Janice Kagermeier
Jim and Mary Ann Kalla
Nina S. Key
Gary and Terri Kidney
Suzie Kleymeyer
Cecilia Kloecker
Barbara Kraemer and David Koehler
Owen and CiCi Lee
Catherine Lennon
Joseph Link
Jennifer Lockwood
Steve Long
Jacob Mahle
Katina Marathe
Bryant and Karma Martin
Doug and Joan McConnell
Kori and Charles McOsker
Patricia Miller
Ms. Mimi Moller
Murray Monroe
Peggy and Kevin Mosher
Karen Muldrow
Christine and Jason Mulvin
Dr. Thomas Murphy
Nancy Nolan
Ms. Courtney Norris, in honor of Stephen Jackson
Fred and Barbara Norton
Patricia and Robert Olexsey
Kyrié Owen
Mr. Caleb Payne
Robert Pepper
Gus and Jo Ann Perdikakis
Ronald Plybon
Mrs. Carol Points
Phil Price
Brian Reilly
Dr and Mrs Barry Robertson
Elizabeth Robson
Patty Rosely
Martha and John Sarra
Jonathan Sauer
Kate Brockmeier Schofield
The Shakespeare Society of Zanesville Ohio
The S Shepherd Family
Nancy McGaughey and Sally Skillman
Carol and Harry Sparks
Julia Stephen
Alicia Suguitan
Bryan Sweasy
Sarah Tankersley and Geoff Vickers
Greg Terhune
Suzanne Terwilliger
Jim and Sandy Uhrig
Rosalie van Nuis
Brent Vimtrup, in honor of Hugh Bacon
Buzz Ward
Fred and Jo Anne Warren
Chris Weber
Laura West
Jocelyn Wilson
Bill and Kathy Winters

Monthly Giving Circle

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company relies on the sustained commitment of a strong community of supporters to fuel our mission of bringing Shakespeare and the Classics to life for all. We send special thanks to our Monthly Giving Circle for their ongoing support of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company now and for seasons to come.

Curtis Brown
Jon and Katie Clark
Jillian Frasher
Scott Goebel and Emily Detmer-Goebel
Noah Goertemiller
Emily Hodges
Stephen Jackson
Lance Melching
Kyrié Owen
Patricia Plonsker
Patty Rosely
Jennifer Sauvey
Susan Schapiro
Suzanne Schindler
Mary Ann Weiss

In-Kind Donors

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company sends special thanks to the following individuals and organizations for their in-kind contributions.

American Legacy Tours
BellaVella Jewels
The BonBonnerie
The Children's Theater of Cincinnati
Cincinnati Art Museum
Cincinnati Men's Chorus
Cincinnati Museum Center
Cincinnati Public Radio
Cincinnati Zoo
Claire Rechnitzer
Dewey’s Pizza
Dr. Niamh O'Leary
eat well celebrations and feasts
Esquire Theatre
Friends of Music Hall
Gina Cerimele-Mechley
Graeter's
Jessica Ruebusch
KeyBank
King Arthur’s Court
King’s Island
Lightborne
Mark Denny Photography
Mercantile Library
Midwest Falconry
Paolo A Modern Jeweler
Red Tree Coffee and Art
REVEL Urban Winery
Rhinegeist Brewery
Western & Southern Financial Group 

Legacy Society

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is grateful to the generous donors who have remembered CSC in their estates, or have expressed their commitment to a future planned gift. If you have considered including Cincinnati Shakespeare Company in your estate plans and want to learn more, please reach out to Sara Clark, Director of Development, at Sara.Clark@cincyshakes.com. 

Cynthia Crilley
Estate of Henrietta Barlag
Estate of Dava Lynn Biehl
Estate of James R. Bridgeland, Jr.
Estate of Mrs. L.L. Browning
William Gordon and Nancy Johnson
The Gumbleton Family
Laura A. Hobson
Thomas P. Lee
Julie Metz

 ArtsWave Partners

 Cincinnati Shakespeare Company acknowledges the following partner companies, foundations and their employees who generously participate in the annual ArtsWave Campaign at the $100,000+ level. Thank you! 

$2 million +
P&G

$1 million to $1,999,999
Fifth Third Bank and Fifth Third Foundation

$500,000 to $999,999
GE Aerospace
Western & Southern Financial Group

$250,000 to $499,999
The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Trustee

$100,000 – $249,999
altafiber
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
The Cincinnati Insurance Companies
Cincinnati Reds
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
The E.W. Scripps Company and Scripps Howard Foundation
The Enquirer│Cincinnati.com
First Financial Bank
Great American Insurance Group
Greater Cincinnati Foundation
The Kroger Co.
Messer Construction Co.
Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP