The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati Breathes New Life Into Historic Emery Theater
WASHINGTON, DC, February 24, 2025: The National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC) is pleased to announce the successful financial closing for the revitalization of the historic Emery Theater to become the new year-round home of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT). The $52.1 million renovation will transform the Emery Theater into a state-of-the-art, 1,500-seat facility that will function as a hub for children’s theater performances and arts education while helping to preserve and revitalize a cultural landmark in the heart of Cincinnati.
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati Returns Home to Emery Theater
“We are beyond thrilled to begin this new chapter of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati as we return home to the iconic Emery Theater,” said Kim Kern, TCT President & CEO. “This transformative renovation will not only breathe new life into a piece of Cincinnati history, but will also significantly expand our ability to serve our community. The
new space will allow us to deepen our commitment to arts education, making the theater even more accessible to children of all ages and backgrounds.”
NTCIC provided an $8 million in New Markets Tax credit allocation and facilitated an equity investment in the $7.5 million in federal Historic Tax Credits anticipated to be generated by the project to support the revitalization of the iconic space and expansion of TCT’s arts programming for children and families in Cincinnati.
“We are incredibly grateful to all of our many supporters and to NTCIC for their role in making this renovation possible,” said Roderick Justice, TCT Artistic Director. “With the completed renovation of the Emery Theater, we will be able to impact more children through expanded programming, original and new works, and theatre for specific age groups such as children under the age of four and middle schoolers. This new space will help us nurture the next generation of young artists and future arts patrons in ways we never could before.”
Community-Driven Impact
For more than 50 years, TCT has been operating out of a rented location, limiting their productions to just 40 days throughout the year. The renovation of the Emery Theater will allow for year-round productions, expanding their schedule to nearly 150 shows annually. With a capacity to serve more than 200,000 patrons each year, the renovated theater will provide even more opportunities for arts education experiences for young people, presenting children’s theatre programming never before seen in Cincinnati. Over 97,000 Cincinnati public school students will have the opportunity to benefit from access to performing arts programs annually, with a special focus on Title 1 schools and low-income families.
“The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is an extraordinary organization that is doing vital work in their community, providing transformative arts education and access to the children and families who need it most,” says David Clower, CEO of NTCIC. “We are grateful to have played a part in helping the Children’s Theatre realize their dream of becoming a world-class performance venue that will serve generations to come.”
As the once-shuttered Emery Theater reopens its doors and welcomes TCT back home, it promises to become a hub of creativity and community, providing a space for families and students of all backgrounds to learn and grow while experiencing the magic of live theatre together.
Learn more about the project here.
About NTCIC
The National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC), a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is a mission-driven, impact investment asset management firm focused on the adaptive reuse of historic properties and renewable energy solutions across the country. Founded in 2000, NTCIC makes transformational impact investments in low-income & disinvested communities, promoting a brighter more equitable future by revitalizing historic properties and expanding our nation’s renewable energy accessibility through innovative community development & tax credit investment strategies.
About THE CHILDREN’S THEATRE OF CINCINNATI
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) has been creating lifelong memories for families with children and school audiences since 1919. TCT’s mission is to educate, entertain, and engage audiences of all ages through professional theatrical productions and arts education programming.
Image Credits: The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati