What does it take to maintain an artist community that can regularly bring regional and world premiere theater works to Cincy audiences? As the proverb goes, it takes a village. But this village doesn't happen by accident.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is the region's second largest professional equity theater. The artists and staff of ETC deliver bold and compelling contemporary performances that challenge audiences to think critically about the world around them. What truly sets the theater apart is its commitment to nurturing the next generation of theatrical talent.

Through its Professional Apprenticeship Program, ETC offers young theater-makers a season-long, immersive experience where they participate in every aspect of production, from understudying and performing in mainstage shows to managing behind-the-scenes operations.

This investment in emerging artists has created a remarkable pipeline of talent that enriches our local arts ecosystem, well beyond the walls of ETC. Approximately 40% of apprentices over the past 30 or more years have chosen to make Cincinnati their artistic home, contributing to the vibrant cultural landscape we enjoy today.

ETC's commitment to community extends beyond its performances and apprenticeship program. The theater prioritizes investing in its own people, with many staff members having long-standing connections to the ETC family in various capacities.

This dedication to community building and artistic excellence wouldn't be possible without the generous support of ArtsWave donors. Their yearly contributions are instrumental in helping Ensemble Theatre maintain its talented staff — not just actors, but administrative personnel as well — ensuring that the organization can continue providing exceptional programming for our region.

"ArtsWave really is instrumental in helping us staff our theater," explains Torie Wiggins, artistic associate at ETC. "We're investing back into our community and our region in that way, so that we can provide all this really cool programming."

Through the continued support of ArtsWave donors, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati remains a vital cultural institution that enriches our community through powerful storytelling, talent development and a steadfast commitment to artistic excellence.

This blog post is based on content from "Better Know Cincy's Arts," featuring Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati.