Celebrate TCT’s 101st season as it comes to a close as we applaud and appreciate those who contributed to the organization’s magic throughout our century-long journey. During 10 weeks of recognition, we honor individuals who have been instrumental in the success of TCT, and who have not only helped TCT grow in mission, but also thrive, thanks to their passion. It is these people and their moments in our history that shaped TCT to become what it is today. We encourage you to consider giving a gift in their honor to ensure the sustainability of TCT’s mission for the next 100+ years.
Christine Jones and Ken Jones started working with The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati the same year that Susie and Jack Louiso took the reins at the organization more than 25 years ago. Since then, they have acted, directed and written shows for TCT, including 2019’s fairy tale/rock musical hit, SLEEPING BEAUTY.
Christine Jones is an award-winning poet and lyricist and an unabashed lover of fairy tales. After earning a BFA in Acting from Florida State University, she then continued her education at the University of Virginia, receiving her Masters of Fine Arts in Drama. Her writing partnership with Jamey Strawn and Ken Jones has produced the musicals BURGERTOWN, CHURCH GIRLS, LINCOLN: A PIONEER TALE, and The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s original musicals THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS, SNOW WHITE AND THE DANCING DWARFS, and SLEEPING BEAUTY. Jones also works professionally as an actress and producer. Her feature film roles include HEALING RIVER, CAROL, PROMISES TO KEEP, RETURN TO THE TRIBUNAL, NOTZILLA, and TRIANGLES AND TRIBULATIONS. For The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, Christine has performed the roles of the Queen from the musical HALF-PAST WEDNESDAY (RUMPLESTILTSKIN,) Mrs. Gloop from CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, Fa-Li from Disney’s MULAN, and Mrs. Teevee from a second CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. Her production company Table for Five Productions created and produced the award-winning film, DIVINE WILL available on UP: FAITH AND FAMILY CHANNEL, and in the summer of 2019 partnered with Cincinnati Landmark Productions to produce the hilarious musical, CHURCH GIRLS, at the Warsaw Federal Incline Theater. She recently co-wrote the screenplay for the feature, RELENTLESS which is now in pre-production. She is a member of the Dramatist Guild of America, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and SAG/AFTRA. Christine has received three Communicator Awards and six International awards for screenwriting and filmmaking. Her musical BURGERTOWN, THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS, SNOW WHITE AND THE DANCING DWARFS LINCOLN: A PIONEER TALE and SLEEPING BEAUTY: RISE AND SHINE are available through Heuer Play Publishing and have been produced nationally and internationally.
Ken Jones earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Acting/Directing from the University of Florida, a Master of Fine Arts degree in Playwriting from the University of Virginia and continued on to graduate in Playwriting from the Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University. Jones has had 27 professionally produced and published plays, 11 musicals, four CD’s of original soundtrack scores and listings in several anthologies and monologue books. Jones began his playwriting career with the Off-Broadway production of his play, A RED EAGLE FALLING, produced in New York City. His play, DARKSIDE, was chosen as TIME Magazine’s Critic Choice and was also recognized as one of the Best Plays of the 1980’s. Jones was a member of the prestigious Warner Bros. Television Writer’s Workshop and went on to serve as the Head of Development for Light Point Entertainment at Disney/MGM Studios for the development and creation of content for animation, television and film. As a performer, Jones performed in the Broadway workshop productions of the musicals FINDING NEVERLAND and STEEL. He has appeared in numerous productions at regional theatres including the American Repertory Theatre, Heritage Theatre, Commonwealth Theatre Company. For The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, he has performed the roles of Willy Wonka in three separate productions of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, the Wizard in two separate productions of THE WIZARD OF OZ and Rumplestiltskin in the musical Half-Past Wednesday (RUMPLESTILTSKIN.)
He has received a Telly Award, six Communicator Awards, the Post-Corbett award for Best Literary Artist, a Delauney Playwriting Award, the Kentucky Playwright’s Award, the Trailblazer Educator’s Award, seven Acclaim Awards, seven International awards for screenwriting and filmmaking, and two Emmy nominations.
Ken is an active member of the Dramatist Guild of America, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, and a member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Ken is the Rosenthal Distinguished Professor of Theatre and a Regent’s Professor at Northern Kentucky University. For six years, Ken served as a member of the Board of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones say: “Something that we remember from our time was the change within the children who came to the theatre. They come in a little shy and timid, but then by the end of the show they are laughing and cheering – fully engaged in the theatre experience. We loved experiencing this from the stage where you can hear the laughter and see the reactions of the children throughout the scenes. And with shows that we have written, we loved getting to hear the kids singing the songs from our shows as they are walking out of the Taft Theatre. Because of The Children’s Theatre, so many kids get to experience the joy of live theatre.”
Would you honor Christine Jones and Ken Jones with a gift to recognize the impact made on TCT?
