I recently went to the Greater Columbus Arts Counsel's - Big Art Nights Celebration at the Southern Theatre. I happened to sit next to Christy Farnbauch who is the executive director of The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio (formerly known as CATCO). Here is some information about Christy, the theatre, upcoming shows and more!
From Christy:
I have a BA in music performance and business administration from Otterbein University and have been an arts administrator for much of my career. I’ve worked for and with nonprofit arts organizations, a public funder of the arts, a large suburban school district, and a statewide association for women business owners. I accepted the executive director position at The Contemporary (formerly CATCO) on March 13, 2020, the day the theatre closed for the pandemic. However, my connection to CATCO had started many years earlier as an audio describer of performances for people with
blindness or other visual disabilities. And my family subscribed to Phoenix Theatre for Children for 10 years. Phoenix Theatre for Children merged with CATCO in 2010. I’m one-half of our senior leadership team, working with Leda Hoffmann our Artistic Director who joined the company in August of 2020. I manage our work in operations, strategy, fundraising, marketing, accounting, HR, IT, and ticketing. My goal is to create a path that allows our actors, directors, designers, and technicians to make their best work that is personally meaningful to our patrons.
I have a BA in music performance and business administration from Otterbein University and have been an arts administrator for much of my career. I’ve worked for and with nonprofit arts organizations, a public funder of the arts, a large suburban school district, and a statewide association for women business owners. I accepted the executive director position at The Contemporary (formerly CATCO) on March 13, 2020, the day the theatre closed for the pandemic. However, my connection to CATCO had started many years earlier as an audio describer of performances for people with
blindness or other visual disabilities. And my family subscribed to Phoenix Theatre for Children for 10 years. Phoenix Theatre for Children merged with CATCO in 2010. I’m one-half of our senior leadership team, working with Leda Hoffmann our Artistic Director who joined the company in August of 2020. I manage our work in operations, strategy, fundraising, marketing, accounting, HR, IT, and ticketing. My goal is to create a path that allows our actors, directors, designers, and technicians to make their best work that is personally meaningful to our patrons.
An interview with Christy Farnbauch
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The name change from CATCO to The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio.
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We spent nearly two years working to refine and clarify our vision and purpose as an organization. Our guiding question was “what differentiates us from all the other theatre companies in central Ohio?” We collected feedback from a wide variety of stakeholders and synthesized all the input with our Board and with guidance from a professional consultant. Once we agreed on our purpose – to harness the transformational power of theatre that engages with our current moment to inspire a community of empathy – we worked with another firm to finalize our visual identity. Changing our name after 38 years was not something we took lightly. We took our time
and were very intentional in the choices we made. Many professional regional theatres include their state or region in their name, so we are following that naming structure. This is a recognizable naming pattern in the industry for arts organizations of a certain size and impact, so it helps us plant a flag and puts us on the map in a bigger, bolder way. Our name provides the foundation to support us as we continue to increase our
reputation locally, regionally, and nationally. When new plays start at The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio, people all over the country will know they started right here in Columbus, Ohio!
and were very intentional in the choices we made. Many professional regional theatres include their state or region in their name, so we are following that naming structure. This is a recognizable naming pattern in the industry for arts organizations of a certain size and impact, so it helps us plant a flag and puts us on the map in a bigger, bolder way. Our name provides the foundation to support us as we continue to increase our
reputation locally, regionally, and nationally. When new plays start at The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio, people all over the country will know they started right here in Columbus, Ohio!
The word “contemporary” speaks to our unique point of view: our productions are contemporary and so are our ideas. We bring forward topics and ideas that matter to our community. Our productions and education programs engage with the current moment, they are connected to the now. While “contemporary” was in our former name, it got lost in the acronym, so we’re highlighting it now. Our new name gives a nod to our roots and embodies our future.
We’re very excited to produce a one-woman adaptation of the holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol” with Angela Ianonne. This one-hour show is modeled after Charles Dickens’ 1867 storytelling tour. And, after the show, folks can take a stroll through the light display at the Columbus Commons or have dinner at a nearby restaurant.
In late January, we will produce the world premiere production of “The Worries of Wesley.” This show is for children and their families with the goal of helping them copewith anxiety. With funding from PNC Arts Alive, we will make a broadcast level recording to extend the reach across the community. Digital viewing kits (a link to the recording and additional resources) will be available after the in-person performances close.
Next up will be “Skeleton Crew” in late February. This play is about four auto workers who from an unbreakable bond in the break room and takes a deep dive into the complexities of factor work in America.
We’ll wrap up our 23-24 Mainstage series with “Ride the Cyclone.” This is a hilarious, quirky musical about a tragic rollercoaster accident that claims the lives of several high school choir students. They find themselves in the afterlife at a dilapidated carnival, face-to-face with the mechanical fortune teller, The Amazing Karnak. In his crystal ball,Karnak sees that only one student can be returned to the land of the living, and it is up to them to decide which among them is most deserving.
And all year long, we work with young people in the Columbus City School District and in our own Saturday Morning Musical program to help them learn in and through theatre.
More information about all our productions and education programs can be found on our website at: www.thecontemporaryohio.org
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We produce professional theater that is, by, and for Ohio. We hire more than 100 actors, technicians, directors and playwrights, designers, staff, and other creative people from across Ohio and the region. Your neighbors! In addition, we select works that cover the topics that people in Ohio care about. In these ways, our work elevates pride in Ohio theatre like Ohio sports or Ohio-made products.
The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio is making news non-stop with plays, musicals, events, and more. For more information about our company or to set up interviews with any of our actors, directors, and creative staff, please contact Christy Farnbauch at 614-453-4601, or [email protected].
