CPI was formed in November 1996 and exists to serve the local Cincinnati community of playwrights, directors and actors who wish to pursue the art and craft of playwriting.
CPI’s goal is to enhance the cultural awareness of the community by offering new, original work by local playwrights in both an entertaining and educational setting.
We present low cost staged readings to the general public for playwrights to receive valuable feedback on their scripts and for audiences to be part of the creative process with the playwright.
CPI has been a resident company of the Aronoff Center for the Performing Arts since its inception as a 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code in July, 2001. All staged reading performances take place in the Fifth Third Theater.
What Might Have Been follows the trials and tribulations, successes and failures, happiness and sadness, of two men, one who follows a safe and conventional life and one who takes a riskier, more unconventional one. Both antagonists possess similar intellects, talents and interests which make the feasibility of either path attainable. Alternate scenes from both scenarios present narrative and dialogue revealing how choices affect all facets of life, especially family, relationships, careers, security, faith and ambition. After the choices are made, we often ponder what might have been?
Dr. Leo Bradley is a prolific writer of both fiction and non-fiction. In the fiction genre, Here’s to Living, is his second play. Bradley’s first, Bleachers presented, through music and dialogue, the parallels between the history of baseball and the story of America. He has also authored three novels, one with historical Civil War settings, a family saga of the 20th Century, and a contemporary tale set in Music City, USA. What Might Have Been is Leo’s third play with CPI.
Dr. Bradley is also a songwriter, musician, and singer having written and recorded three CD’s and having over forty of his songs recorded.
Fun and the unexpected connect with a lucky, lurking eyeball and Grandma’s estate riddle in this one-act play. After the colorful Grandma Maissey dies, how will the rest figure out the mystery? And where does the funky Eyeball land? The challenges and disputes are met with ‘a wink and a prayer’ …and, always, a heartfelt sense of care.
A retired professional, Paul enjoys writing stories—both meaningful and fun filled. This play represents the first time he has engaged with his son, Alan, and wife, Barb, in creating a script. They were able to help him find some clever, off-kilter instances with the characters in this heartwarming show. He dedicates this show to the ‘Bergman Team” and writers everywhere.
Two patients in different stages of knee replacement surgery engage in conversation while awaiting access to the treatment room. In the holding area, they engage in the friendly banter of sports, kindred lines and commonality of spirit. By the time they are called to physician interaction they are thrust into the commerce of anger and distrust.
Jonathan Singer, M.D. is Professor Emeritus Wright State University School of Medicine. He has published widely in scientific realms including 100 poems in Emergency Medicine periodicals. He authored an autobiography, anthologies of non-medical poetry and of short stories. He contributed 50 children’s books to print and electronic media. Three of his plays have had staged readings at the Aronoff.
Bigger and better than ever!
Lovefest 4 is back Valentine’s Day weekend!
CPI will present 8 ten-minute love stories in a fully produced stage production at the Bell Tower Pavilion in Evendale.
Lovefest 4 will be our first ever weekend of love and romance with proceeds to support the Cincinnati Save the Animals Foundation no-kill animal shelter.
Tickets are on sale NOW by clicking the purchase ticket button below.
Steve was transplanted to Cincinnati over 30 years ago, finding a new home on the Ohio River. Thanks to my beta readers Cathy and Katy, my indifferent critics Lady Jane Grey and Anne Bonnie, and my families of choice; both in and out of the theater!
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A carefree bachelor has the help of a slightly overinvolved GPS unit in driving to pick up his date.
The Pact is Doug’s 13th CPI play (6 full-length and 7 ten-minute). Doug has been produced at Village Players and the Know Theatre and has had two non-fiction books published. Doug’s next play, Behind the Scene, co-written with his lovely wife Susan, will be staged by CPI on April 27th.
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Matt struggles with losing out on a dream or losing out on a chance for love.
Susan began her playwriting odyssey at the first CPI Lovefest in 2019 with Denise’s Do-Over which was also produced in June 2019 at TDW as part of Homebrew 4. Buy the Book was produced at the Know Theatre in 2021. Since then she’s had 2 additional ten-minute plays at CPI with Tiny Dancer in 2023 and It’s the Ecology, Stupid, in 2024.
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When Paula starts dating again in her sixties she realizes that you’re never too old to be sexy.
Wendy is a veterinarian, author, board game writer, and cancer warrior. Plays include During/After, which premiered at Falcon Theatre in 2024. Her shorter works have been featured in festivals throughout the country, including the Louise Wigglesworth New Play Awards at the Laboratory Theater in Fort Myers, Florida.
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When nursing home resident Rogers gets a visit from a Hospice worker, he reminisces about his life and his lost love.
Tammy is a local playwright who has had plays produced at Fort Thomas Village Players, The Drama Workshop, and the Kentucky State Fair. She is not new to CPI for having a script selected for a staged reading, but she is always grateful to get the opportunity to showcase her work. Tammy has volunteered for community theater over the past fifteen years and has demonstrated her passion for not only writing, but as a backdrop artist. Off stage, Tammy is an IT Business Analyst Specialist at Great American Insurance. She enjoys fishing with her husband, Neil, and all their mini adventures.
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When a scripted action in a hostage situation involves manipulation, jealousy, and shifting power for that desired kiss.
Originally from the New York area, Mike is a tenured professor of law at Northern Kentucky University. He has written a book and over two dozen articles for academic journals on topics far less interesting than the human condition. This is his first produced play. Ever. So please be kind.
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When two old friends meet and reminisce about their law school days, they wonder whether they could have been more than just friends.
Roger is Professor Emeritus of Education at the University of Cincinnati where he received the Cohen Award for Excellence in Teaching. His short fiction has appeared in literary journals, and his stage plays have been produced locally, in NYC, and Berkley, CA.
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Insights unfold as a therapist and her atypical assistant counsel an atypical couple.
Camilla is an Associate Professor of Psychological Science at Miami University. Her teaching and research interests focus on developmental psychology, including social and cognitive development throughout the lifespan. Heads or Tails? is her third short play with the Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative. She participated in Lovefest 2 and Lovefest 3.
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A young couple faces an important decision about their relationship and future together.
An Artist/painter dies. His European collector, Executor, and live-in meet in NYC. The live-in reveals a private notebook in a locked desk the painter has shared with no one. Its contents unleashes a cascade of moral challenges and destructive events.
Michael Defrancesco graduated in English and Theater Arts. He taught high school a few years. He fell into work with developmental disabilities and founded a residential housing program for the DD population. After attending a summer drama program at the University of Cincinnati, Michael was awarded a Rockefeller grant to UC’s Theatre Arts program, where he earned a Master’s degree. He began writing plays several years ago. Arc of Luminescence is his fifth play selected for a reading at CPI.Michael has previously had CPI staged readings of his plays, The Circle, The Car Ride, The Hound and Thump.
In 1933, the movie industry was about to enact new censorship standards. Young Helen who dreams of becoming a movie star, runs a lodge with her boyfriend, George. When a Hollywood film crew checks in to shoot their first “talkie” on location before these movie restrictions take effect, things go right and wrong in the midst of everyone involved seeking hope, love and redemption.
Susan and Doug became a writing team after their marriage in 2018. They’ve co-written 3 full-length plays, Unfinished Business, a 2020 Austin Film Festival second round selection and Screencraft finalist in addition to Martha’s Will, which was also an Austin Film Festival second round selection in 2025. They also collaborated on Lovestruck, a compilation of 8 ten-minute plays inspired by their own love story. All 3 plays were performed at the Aronoff. Behind the Scene is their 4th CPI staged play together.
The Decaturs are also National Senior Games athletes. Doug won a Silver and Gold medal in Basketball and Susan won a Silver Medal in the 50-meter Track and Field event. They also enjoy playing tennis, ballroom dancing, hiking and eating dark chocolate.
Send us your scripts for possible inclusion in our next season of New Works!
We are now accepting full-length (90 minutes), One-Acts (45 minutes), and/or a compilation of short ten-minute plays (4 ten-minute plays or 8 ten-minute plays) that equate to 40 or 80 minutes of theater run time. Multiple script submissions are accepted but only one is eligible for selection per season.
Visit our Submissions page for requirements on how to send us your work.
Deadline for submissions for next season will be on Friday, May 28, 2027 at 5 p.m. EST.
Address:
CPI
P.O. Box 40
Terrace Park, OH 45174-0040
Email:
cincyplaywrights@gmail.com