We began in 2008 as part of the Madisonville Arts Center, transformed from a forgotten building into a fully renovated, multi-use arts and education venue. Our goal was to promote and support community arts through performances, classes and exhibitions on every level.
It soon became clear that the demand for the arts was best served directly in the schools and communities. With transportation issues negated and logistics simplified, we had a growing and receptive after-school audience–and convenience for parents, students and educators.
We quickly saw a dramatic increase in demand: what began as a single school being served in 2009 steadily increased each year. CAI was recognized as the go-to source for free-of-charge-after-school arts programming.
Unfortunately, the pandemic changed all this. With after-school programming halted, we looked for new ways to reach the underserved. The Kaleidoscope Project was created to bring theater arts to adults with mental and physical challenges. A pilot project, the first of its kind in the United States, was launched with a collaboration with Metzcor in 2020. What started as a weekly theater arts program for 23 participants has grown to now reaching over 200 participants on a regular basis!
Brooke Steele has been teaching for Community Arts Initiatives since 2010. Brooke is a local performer singing and acting around Cincinnati. Brooke has appeared on many local stages, including Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati and The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Brooke loves to share the arts with the students in CAI’s classes. She believes that all the arts, visual and performance, are vital to boosting self-confidence and expression. Brooke is grateful to be a part of this program which allows her to share these methods of expression with so many. Community Art Initiatives brings the arts into underserved communities, creating opportunities for all. Brooke is currently working with the Kaleidoscope Project co-directing a musical created for performers with all abilities.
When not teaching or performing Brooke spends time with her daughters, husband, and pets in Kennedy Heights, Ohio.
Brooke Steele
Theater Practitioner
Becca relocated to Cincinnati from NYC in 2014 and loves calling this city home. Having grown up in Ashland, KY., Becca moved away from home at the age of 15 in order to train pre-professionally as a ballet dancer at the Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts in Torrington, CT. While in Connecticut she realized her love for musical theatre, which led her to attend Webster University, where she holds a BFA in Musicial Theatre. She has worked both nationally and internationally with award winning directors and choreographers. Most notably, she performed on the Broadway National Tour of Wicked. In Cincinnati, Becca works in both the commercial industry and as a teaching artist. In addition to raising her 3 beautiful daughters with her husband, Ryan; Becca loves every opportunity she has to create and bring stories to life with other wonderful humans!! She’s so grateful to be a part of this very special show.
Becca Strand
Choreographer
Brie was born and raised in Cincinnati and currently resides on the East Side with her two young sons. Brie's brother Brian, taught her how to use a sewing machine when she was 11. He showed her the mechanics of it and from there she figured out how to use it.
She then started altering her own clothes and her sisters. Brie took 2 years of fashion design while in high school but switched to photography in college and received her degree.
Brie spent the next twenty years working outside of the arts. In the midst of the pandemic, Brie had to find a creative way to make money from home. She returned to her sewing skills and has never looked back. Brie absolutely loves to create and alter clothing.
Brie Mitchell
Costume Designer
Rose Quackenbush
Website Designer
Rose Quackenbush is a student at Clark Montessori High School. They are involved in the entirely student-run theater program at the school. The program, EPIC, is the only fully student-run theater program within this school district. They have assistant stage managed 3 shows, co-stage managed 1 show, and staged managed 1 show.