image of emery theatre

A Crown For The Queen City

Revitalizing an icon and bringing children’s theatre to everyone

Reimagining The Emery Theater

As the oldest professional theatre for young audiences in the country, TCT has created lifelong memories for children and families for more than a century. The Taft Theatre has been home to TCT’s MainStage productions for 52 years but comes with challenges. TCT has explored several other space options, but ultimately all roads lead back to our original performance home – The Emery Theater.

More than $28 million has been raised to date. Additional opportunity for Historic and New Markets Tax Credits, together with public funding, is estimated to provide at least another $11.5 million for the project.

Make a one-time gift here, or for a multi-year commitment, please contact Anne Venters at 513-569-8080 x22.

Moving to the Emery Means…

Year-Round Programming

Year-round programming as opposed to just 40 days at the Taft Theatre, TCT's current location

Increased Access

More school ticket subsidies and increased access to the arts for low-income students

Economic Growth

Participation in OTR revitalization, historic preservation, and economic growth as families dine and shop in conjunction with TCT productions

Welcoming All

Continuing an intentional focus on diversity in casting and within production crews, and programming inspiring creativity and opportunity for all

New Works

More original programming for younger children and teenagers, as well as premiere and newer works

Advanced Stage Magic

Utilizing a state-of-the-art theatrical lift, built-in turntable, and projection mapping technology

Once Upon a Time…

Mary Emery built the impressive and acoustically perfect Emery Theater.

Once home to legendary arts organizations, including The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, The Emery fell into a deep slumber, never to awake until its perfect match was found.

Ready For an Encore…

Over the last 53 years, the theater has fallen into disrepair. Opened in 1911 in Over-the-Rhine, this acoustically exceptional theater was once considered one of the top concert halls in the country. Sergei Rachmaninoff, Eleanor Roosevelt, John Philip Sousa, George Gershwin, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. all stood on the Emery stage at various points in its history.

The Emery was also TCT’s performance home until 1969, when TCT had to relocate its mainstage productions to the Taft Theatre.

Maximum Impact

TCT is planning to purchase the Emery Theater on Central Parkway and, using 21st century technology, transform it into a unique venue impacting the more than 100,000 children and families who come to our MainStage productions in downtown Cincinnati each year.

TCT is the Emery’s best hope to be restored to its former glory.

Through the Looking Glass

Watch a preview of the reimagined Emery Theatre with new technology like projection mapping and stage lift to expand the stage vertically.

Where is the Funding Going?

$43 Million

Theatre Reimagination

Restore the Emery Theater beyond its original glory, providing a permanent home for The Children’s Theatre and a state-of-the-art venue for the region.

$2.5 Million

Inclusive Programming

Unlock The Children’s Theatre’s potential to inspire diverse audiences with original works and innovative programming.

$2.5 Million

The Next Generation

Sustain and maintain the Emery and TCT’s impact for generations to come, so that The Emery is preserved forever.

Projection mapping will allow TCT to transform the theatre to match the production i.e. The Little Mermaid, audiences will enjoy an under-the-sea environment while the audience for Little Red Riding Hood will be surrounded by a forest.
Stage lift technology expands the stage vertically – solving a challenge of very small backstage space in the theatre. TCT has hired Auerbach-Pollack-Friedlander, a leading provider of stage lift technology for this project.
There are more parking spaces within walking distance to the Emery Theatre than to the Taft. Child-friendly amenities include a “cry room,” an immersive lobby experience and one-hour long performances to match child attention spans.

Giving Levels

GOLD LEVEL | $25,000
Naming opportunity at $25,000 level.
Family name plaque on a theater seat.
Name included in both digital and selected
event program listings.
————————————————-
6 tickets to the Private Opening
Reception.
————————————————
Invitation to Construction “hard hat” tour.
————————————————–
Exclusive, first access invitations to
theater openings & special events.
SILVER LEVEL | $10,000
Naming opportunity at $10,000 level.
Family name plaque on a theater seat.
Name included in both digital and selected
event program listings.
———————————————————-
4 tickets to the Private Opening
Reception.
————————————————————
Invitation to Construction “hard hat” tour.
————————————————————–
Exclusive, first access invitations to
theater openings & special events.
BRONZE LEVEL | $5,000
 Family name plaque on a theater seat.
Name included in both digital and selected
event program listings.
————————————————————
2 tickets to the Private Opening
Reception.
————————————————————
Invitation to Construction “hard hat” tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will TCT’s operating costs increase at The Emery?

A very important fact: annual operating expenses for the Emery will be essentially the same as the current 40 days rental of the Taft Theatre (a projected $8,000 difference). This projection does not factor in the additional days which will be used to extend popular shows and increase revenue.

Why is this project important?

In addition to a limited number of production days available, there is real danger of losing access to the Taft Theatre in the next few years, which would leave The Children’s Theatre with nowhere to perform.

WILL THE TCT 23-24 SEASON SHOWS HAPPEN AT THE EMERY THEATER?

TCT’s 23-24 shows (The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition; NARNIA The Musical; Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella: Youth Edition; and Disney’s Finding Nemo JR.) will still happen at the Taft Theatre.

Do You Want More Information?

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Campaign Co-Chairs

Lee Carter

Thomas J. Emery Memorial

Allison Kropp

Community Volunteer

Campaign Cabinet

Gregory Adams

Croswell & Adams, Co.

Molly Garber

Community Volunteer

Kitty Strauss Rosenthal

Community Volunteer

Jeanette Altenau

TriHealth

Katherine O. Jarnigo

Kirk’s Family of Natural Brands

Charlie Schiff

John J. & Thomas R. Schiff & Co.

Fran Carlisle

Community Volunteer

Florence Koetters

Community Volunteer

Robin Sheakley

Sibcy Cline, Inc.

Tricia Castellini Headley

The Sweat Shop

Darrell Miller

Fox Rothschild

Raven Thomas

Broadway Actress, TCT Alumna

Photos by Mikki Schaffner Photography, September 2022