Children’s Theatre receives $2M gift toward Emery project

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati received a $2 million anonymous donation toward its capital campaign to renovate the historic Emery Theater. The gift reduces the funding gap for the $51.5 million project to $2 million, bringing the restoration of the Over-the-Rhine venue one step closer to completion. 

“We look forward to the completion of this historic new home for The Children’s Theatre, which will be another jewel in Cincinnati’s crown,” the donor said in a statement, noting they hoped the gift would inspire more donations to the project.

A historic homecoming

TCT’s “A Crown for the Queen City” campaign aims to restore the 113-year-old, Samuel Hannaford & Sons-designed building to its former glory. The company is a major part of the facility’s history. It served as its first performance home from 1947 to 1969. 

After decades of vacancy, TCT purchased the building in December 2023 and launched the restoration effort. The project includes converting the facility into a home for not only mainstage productions but also education programs and community events.  

Plans include a modern stage technology, a 40-by-60-foot LED video wall, an automated fly system, projection mapping and a stage lift with a built-in turntable, all while preserving the theater’s historic architecture. The project also involves structural upgrades intended to help TCT develop new productions and improve accessibility for all families, according to Kim Kern, TCT’s president and CEO.

TCT’s inaugural season at the renovated Emery Theater begins in October 2025 with “The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition.”

“We are enormously grateful for the generosity of this donor, and this gift is a testament to the community’s belief in our vision for The Emery Theater,” Kern said. “We hope (the donor’s) challenge inspires others to step up and join us in preserving this historic landmark and creating an extraordinary venue where future generations will experience the magic of live theater.”