WVXU to re-broadcast CCM Radio Theatre plays on Tuesday, Dec. 27

Cincinnati Public Radio (CPR) and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) will share the winning works of the inaugural CCM Radio Theatre playwright competition in a broadcast on 91.7 WVXU at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 27. Listen to the broadcast on the radio or via the WVXU website.

CPR and CCM named UC alumnus Cedric Rose winner of the CCM Radio Theatre playwright competition in spring 2022. The top three winners were awarded a cash prize for their work in addition to having their plays produced by CCM for broadcast on 91.7 WVXU.

Rose beat out a total of 16 other entries to claim the top prize of $2500 for his play, Ketchup. This intimate portrait of a promising musician centers on buskers at the Banks as they experience the intersections of race, privilege and music.

“As a librarian and writer who spends maybe too much time playing with stories in my own head, I’m just incredibly grateful and thrilled to have a play performed and broadcast out there in the world — and on WVXU of all places,” said Rose, who studied at UC’s College of Arts and Sciences (BA, ’01). “When I studied creative writing at UC oh-so-many years ago, I worked at a coffee house, Baba Budans, frequented by many CCM students. So having a script performed and recorded at CCM is extra exciting, and a little daunting!”  

The winning plays were produced by CCM Playwrights Workshop and performed by CCM student actors inside a WVXU recording studio. Learn more about the winning plays and playwrights below:

"Cincinnati Public Radio is excited to partner with the talented students at CCM and Brant Russell, Artistic Director of the CCM Playwrights Workshop to bring fresh, original radio dramas to our listeners," said Jenell Walton, Vice President of Content at Cincinnati Public Radio, home to 91.7 WVXU, 88.5 WMUB and 90.9 WGUC. "We get so much support from the community, and this is one way we’re giving back and supporting the arts in Greater Cincinnati. The contest will hopefully inspire the winners to pursue their passion for creative writing.”

CCM Acting Professor Brant Russell, playwright and director, said, "It was exciting to open this contest up to as many UC students, past and present, as we could. We recognize that some people face life or financial obstacles and maybe couldn't earn a college degree but still have a passion for playwriting. This contest gives them the opportunity to have their original play produced for radio and possibly a way for them to realize their dream of becoming a playwright.”

The committee that evaluated the submissions included: Brant Russell, CCM Acting Professor and Artistic Director of the CCM Playwrights Workshop; Jenell Walton, VP for Content at Cincinnati Public Radio; Liz Carman, Marketing and Communications Manager at Know Theatre; Brian Isaac Phillips, Artistic Director at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company; Lynn Meyers, Artistic Director at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati; Daunielle Rasmussen, Director of Artistic Engagement at Playhouse in the Park; Derek Snow, Founder of Missing Front Plate Productions; Gabriella DiVincenzo, Artistic Coordinator at Cincinnati Artists’ Theatre; Carol Brammer, Artistic Director at Liberty Exhibition Hall; Julia Greer, Co-Artistic Director at The Hearth NYC; Emma Miller, Co-Artistic Director at The Hearth NYC; Adam Tran, actor; and Lisa Ampleman, writer, Managing Editor of The Cincinnati Review.

Listen to the winning radio plays in the 91.7 WVXU broadcast at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 27.

Cincinnati Public Radio is home to news and information stations 91.7 WVXU and 88.5 WMUB, and classical music station 90.9 WGUC. Locally owned and operated, Cincinnati Public Radio provides the community with local, national and world news as an NPR member station, as well as the very best classical music along with broadcasts of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera, May Festival, and other local performing arts organizations.