News

Sep 2, 2026 _ news

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Kicks off Capital Expansion Campaign

In 2017, after three years of visioning, planning, design, and construction, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (CSC) opened the Otto M. Budig Theater at the corner of 12th and Elm Streets in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. As their design partner for that facility, it has been enormously gratifying to see this organization expand their audiences, their educational programming, and their community impact from a building designed uniquely for them.

We are thrilled to once again be the chosen design partner for CSC as they embark on a new expansion to the Otto M. Budig Theater. The expansion will allow CSC to stage more than 15 productions annually across two venues, extending the runs of high-demand productions, improving the financial sustainability of its artistic portfolio, expanding year-round educational programming, and providing affordable gathering and performance space for community partners and arts organizations. This growth allows them to bring more positive impact for all, for all time.

The project will add 19,000 square feet to CSC’s facility and will include:

  • A 150+ seat Studio Theater designed as one of the most artistically flexible performance spaces in the region.
  • Three multi-purpose education and community spaces supporting year-round classes, camps, rehearsals, community events, and public programming.
  • Expanded operational and production facilities that allow both buildings to function as one integrated theatrical campus.

“Architecture creates the stage, but it’s the people who bring it to life,” says GBBN Director of Arts, Marcene Kinney. “Cincinnati Shakespeare Company has grown into a world-class theater with an impact that reaches far beyond Cincinnati. Through national and international co-productions, they are sharing the extraordinary theater they create here with audiences and artists around the world. We’re thrilled to continue our partnership as they expand both their facility and what’s possible—from this corner of Cincinnati to stages everywhere.”