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Leading Ladies

WHEN WOMEN LIKE YOU COME TOGETHER,GREAT THINGS HAPPEN!

Your Leading Ladies membership gives you a backstage pass to exclusive and exciting “girls’ night out” events, where you get an insiders’ look into what it takes to bring world-class theatre to life; meet the incredible professionals who create these experiences; and share these experiences with fellow theatre-loving women!

 
Rosenthal Shelterhouse Properties Crew Lead Deb Hildebrand demonstrates making faux alcohol at the August 2024 event.
Rosenthal Shelterhouse Properties Crew Lead Deb Hildebrand demonstrates making faux alcohol at the August 2024 event.

MISSION


The Leading Ladies build a welcoming and diverse community of women to support the Playhouse, using a framework of captivating events that incorporate education, entertainment and enjoyment of theatre, with the goal of sponsoring an annual Playhouse production.

 

MEMBERSHIP LEVELS AND BENEFITS

Grande Dame ($1,500)

JOIN
  • May bring three girlfriends to the “Big Event”
  • Invite to the Playhouse’s annual Season Announcement celebration
  • Invitation to the Playhouse’s Barbara M. Weyand Donor Lounge during the four 2025-26 subscription shows in Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre

Plus all the benefits of the Diva and Starlet levels.

Diva ($1,100)

JOIN
  • May bring two girlfriends to the “Big Event”
  • Invitation to a special tour of the Gilbert Scene Shop, where theatre magic is built
  • One (1) complimentary parking voucher for the 2025-26 season
  • Two (2) complimentary drink coupons for Al’s Bar at the Playhouse

Plus all the benefits of the Starlet level.

Starlet ($600)

JOIN
  • An invitation to four fabulous, in-person Leading Ladies events
  • May bring one girlfriend to the “Big Event”
  • A special 20% discount on single tickets for the 2025-26 season

Ingenue ($300)

JOIN
NEW! Young Professionals level for women 40 and under.
  • An invitation to four fabulous, in-person Leading Ladies events
  • A special 20% discount on single tickets for the 2025-26 season

 

Become a Leading Lady by clicking a JOIN button above or by printing a pledge card and mailing it to 962 Mt. Adams Circle, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please consult your tax advisor. The fair market value of benefits is: Grande Dame $400; Diva $250; Starlet $200; Ingenue $150.

 

 


 
  

  

TESTIMONIALS


LeadingLadies_02

Aug 18, 2020, 15:19 PM

"Leading Ladies is the perfect mix of socializing with friends, meeting actors and Playhouse staff and learning 'insider info' about the inner workings of the theater. They've discovered a winning formula for a really fun evening — that never feels like a 'fundraiser.' Thanks and keep up the good work!"

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2025-26 EVENTS


Mythic Meet-Up: Behind the Scenes with the Stars! | Monday, September 29, 2025

Get up close with the cast of Mythic, the new pop-rock musical comedy with Broadway ambitions! After winning over critics in London and selling out in Montreal, Mythic makes its highly anticipated U.S. premiere right here in Cincinnati. Join the stars for a lively conversation about bringing this modern spin on ancient mythology to the stage – complete with music, mischief, and a whole lot of heart.

 

Giving Thanks | Monday, November 17, 2025

Join us for an intimate and heartfelt exploration of gratitude in its many forms in a conversation with the cast of The Heart Sellers — a poignant and funny new comedy set on Thanksgiving Day, 1973. Centered on two immigrant women forging an unexpected bond in a new land, this touching story is a celebration of friendship, self-discovery, and what it means to find your place in the “land of opportunity.”

 

The Big Event: Mrs. Christie | Friday, February 27, 2026

This is the event you can share with your girlfriends! Enjoy a fun-filled reception before the final dress rehearsal of Mrs. Christie, a mystery about the curious, real-life disappearance of Agatha Christie – sponsored by the Leading Ladies! Starlets may bring one guest, Divas may bring two and Grande Dames may bring three for a great girls’ night out and an exclusive sneak peek at the theatre-making process.

 

Shop Talk – at the Scene Shop! | Monday, April 20, 2026

Go beyond the curtain and explore where the magic begins! Tour our scene shop, paint shop, props, and costume storage — and see how the world on stage comes to life. You might even pick up a paintbrush and join in on a hands-on activity. It’s a fun, creative evening filled with backstage secrets and a little theatrical flair!

 

  

MEMBERS


2025-26 LEADING LADIES

Thank you to these Leading Ladies. This list recognizes members as of August 5, 2025.

Whether you are a Grande Dame ($1,500), Diva ($1,100), Starlet ($600) or Ingenue ($300), you’ll enjoy exclusive events that feature signature experiences into unexplored facets of the Playhouse. Ladies are also recognized in Playhouse programs and on this page throughout the season. For more information, please contact Kendra Struthers at 513-977-2024 or kendra.struthers@cincyplay.com.

PROGRAM CO-CHAIRS

  • Lucy Lane Broderick
  • Jennifer Dorsey Powell

GRANDE DAMES

  • Mei Mei Burr
  • Karen L. Carnahan
  • Amelia Crutcher
  • Kelly M. Dehan
  • Karlee L. Hilliard
  • Kelly Lyle
  • Linda R. Muth
  • Rosemary Schlachter
  • Catharina Toltzis Ph.D.

DIVAS

  • Janet G. Banks
  • Denise M. Esteves-Hicks
  • Louise Head
  • Patti Heldman
  • Betsy Hendy
  • Susan Ingmire
  • Molly Katz
  • Madelynn Matlock
  • Patti Myers
  • Karen Neyer
  • Jennifer Dorsey Powell
  • Betty Prince
  • Digi France Schueler
  • Ronna K. Willis

STARLETS

  • Anonymous
  • Janice Amatulli
  • Molly R. Barber
  • Jan Bartel
  • Sue K. Blaney
  • Linda D. Brink
  • Jacklyn Bryson
  • Carol Campbell
  • Nancy B. Carrothers
  • Janet Castellini
  • Fran Christensen
  • Susan Cranley
  • April D. Davidow
  • Debora Del Valle
  • Marilyn Duke
  • Mary Anne Frey
  • Nancy J. Gaffney
  • Nancy Gollobin
  • Barbara Hahn
  • Brenda Hausterman
  • Nirvani Head
  • Robin Henderson
  • Judy Tondi Herd
  • Meg Hilmer
  • Dr. Linda M. Huntress
  • Diane Iseman
  • Anne Jaroszewicz
  • Sarah Raup Johnson
  • Kimberly King
  • Rachel Kirley
  • Patricia Krumm
  • Patricia Larsen
  • Lynn P. Larson
  • Terry Lemmerman
  • Glenda Lindsay
  • Nancy Lippincott
  • Sally A. Lloyd
  • Laurel Markley
  • Melisse May
  • Joann Mead
  • Kathy Merchant
  • Audrey Korn Miller
  • Diane Moccia
  • Mary G. Moran
  • Joy S. Nadler
  • Jeannie Niebuhr
  • Ildiko Pray
  • Audra Rance
  • Margie Rennie
  • Sara Repenning
  • Danielle Revelson
  • Buffie Rixey
  • Karina Rothzeid
  • Susan Brakers Schertzer
  • Jeanne Schmerler
  • Anita Schneider
  • Laura Skidmore
  • Martha Steier
  • Dr. Susan R. Strick
  • Glenda Suttman
  • Linda Trebbi
  • Dionn Tron
  • Susie Tweddell
  • Ellen G. van der Horst
  • Mary Beth Young
  • Sue Zimmerman

INGENUES

  • Lucy Lane Broderick