Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati

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ETC ESSENTIALS

A free conversation series with local scholars and community members that explores our productions’ themes and contexts.

A close up of a row of people applauding

Theatre as community.

ETC Essentials is a free community conversation series that dives deeper into the context and themes of our main stage productions. Each event brings together local organizers, experts, and scholars to spark dialogue and create connections that extend beyond the stage.

Upcoming events

A lit birthday cake with white frosting and seven glowing candles sits on a table in front of an empty wooden chair. The scene is dimly lit with a bluish-purple hue, creating a moody and quiet atmosphere.

Next to Normal

Sun, Sep 28 at 1:00 pm

Family relationships are rarely simple—and when grief or mental health challenges are part of the picture, they can become even more complex. Join us for a thoughtful, down-to-earth conversation as a panel of experts shares real-life insights and connects the emotional journey in Next to Normal to the struggles many families face every day.

Register

A dirt road runs between a cornfield and a field of dried plants under a cloudy sky. A shadow of a person is cast on the road in the foreground.

Where We Stand

Sun, Feb 15 at 1:00 pm

How does storytelling empower us to raise our voices within our communities? Join us for an intimate conversation about the joys and challenges of living alongside others, and the impact of the choices we make. Together, we’ll explore how stories reveal truth, nurture healing, and hold communities accountable, while reminding us of their power to keep us connected.

Register

A vibrant display of large, circular flower arrangements is set against a pink wall with ornate paneling. The arrangements are made of a wide variety of colorful flowers, including roses, daisies, and gerberas in hues of red, yellow, orange, pink, blue, and purple. One arrangement stands out with a cooler palette of green and blue flowers, forming a wreath shape. The floor is a speckled stone surface, adding texture to the bright and cheerful floral scene.

Fourteen Funerals

Sun, Mar 29 at 1:00 pm

Though grief and laughter may seem like unlikely companions, humor has long been a powerful way to navigate pain, process loss, and reconnect with life after tragedy. Together, we’ll reflect on how comedy can offer emotional release, build resilience, create space for vulnerability, and foster connection.

Register

A staircase leads up to a glowing, magical yellow door framed by a small porch. Halloween decorations including carved pumpkins, a skeleton arm, a tombstone marked

The House on Watch Hill

Sun, May 24 at 1:00 pm

Shadows, whispers, and things that go bump in the night—why are we so drawn to the unknown? From haunted houses to ghost stories, fascination with the paranormal transcends culture and time, holding a powerful grip on our imaginations. This panel brings together experts to unravel why mysteries that defy explanation continue to spark our curiosity and feed our enduring obsession with the unseen.

Register

Photo credits | Ticket Discounts, Nick Cearley in Buyer and Cellar (Ryan Kurtz); Volunteer, Pamela Myers, Justin McCombs, Carter Bratton, & Dale Hodges in Ripcord (Ryan Kurtz); Gift Vouchers, Sara Mackie, Denise Devlin, Brooke Steele, & Mia Gentile in Winter Wonderettes.