2009-2010 Rising Star:
STEPHANIE BRAIT

Stephanie Brait has been a stand-out on the CCM Drama stage since her freshman year. CCM Music Drama chair Richard Hess calls her "a devoted, hard working, talented actress who always creates characters that are complex, well crafted, and entertaining.

"She has had a distinguished four-year career at CCM and has embraced the artistic life in Cincinnati with relish." Brait has appeared in Cincinnati Fringe Festival, Know Theatre and Cincinnati Playwright's Initiative, as well as in many locally shot films and commercials. She also played Rosalind in "As You Like It" in Eden Park last summer.

"She has played a huge range of roles in CCM Drama, from Wendla in "Spring Awakening" to Calista in "Anon(ymous)" to Carol Cutrere in "Orpheus Descending."

2009-2010 Rising Star:
LAUREN SPRAGUE

Lauren Sprague has been making an impression on Cincinnati audiences since, as a Lakota West High School student, she stole Cincinnati Music Theatre's "42nd Street" playing a gonna-be-a-star ingénue.

Equally adept at playing an ingénue, a musical comedienne or a siren, as a junior at CCM Sprague was a show-stopper as Hedy LaRue in "How to Succeed in Business"; she won an Acclaim Award for her lead musical performance in "Two Gentlemen of Verona."

"Lauren is a great all-around performer who sings, dances and acts with equal aplomb," applauds Roger Grodsky, associated professor of musical theater at CCM. "It has been a pleasure to have her in class and she is a delight to work with in a show. And she's from Cincinnati!"

2009-2010 Rising Star:
MATT BOHNERT

Matt Bohnert has been a stand-out in musicals (including "Cats") and dramas (George in "Of Mice and Men" at Northern Kentucky University.

Ken Jones, chair of NKU's theater and dance department, says, "I first met Matt Bohnert when he was a child, and I cast him as Winthrop in the Downtown Theatre Classics version of "The Music Man," which starred, a then out-of-town actor, Mark Hardy.

"Matt was a spunky, overly-energetic, hilarious 10-year-old kid, and, except for his age, that description has not changed in 11 years!

"Matt's determination to succeed and his over-achiever work ethic will help him to make it in this crazy business of theater…Matt is definitely a rising star, but he might be better classified as a fireball meteor rocketing toward Broadway!"

2009 Rising Star:
Alison Vodnoy

Alison is both a playwright and a performer, and winner of multiple Acclaims for her one-woman 2008 Cincinnati Fringe show, “In Rehearsal” and as part of the student ensemble of CCM’s “On the Verge.” 

CCM Drama chair Richard Hess says, “Alison is an electric performer, and from the moment she auditioned for our program five years ago I knew she was something special. Her work in Cincinnati has been varied and constant, and I’m so proud of her growth as an artist.”

2009 Rising Star:
Rachel Perin

Rachel has been a stand-out actor and dancer throughout her NKU career. She is a veteran of dance concerts, outreach tours, the Comedy Improvisation Touring Troupe and is the go-to dance captain for many NKU musicals, including “Once on This Island” and “Working” which she also helped choreograph.

Theatre and Dance department chair Ken Jones says Rachel is “a wonderful young actor, and a gifted choreographer. She is fun and funny. Her imagination is strong, and she excels at taking chances with her art.”

University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Drama chief Richard Hess calls the senior "a thrilling talent." Her admirable work on campus includes "Charley's Aunt" and "Hedda Gabler."

She's also lifted every show she's been part of in the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. Hess adds that Carter "is an artist who possesses that X factor which I predict will continue to bring her success. She possesses depth, maturity and range coupled with a wicked sense of humor."

If you go to Know Theatre, you know Holt, who has been an onstage anchor in a range of roles, including Acclaim-winning work in "See What I Wanna See."

She's been a costumer, point-person on Cincinnati Fringe, a creative force in the holiday shows – she's been an MVP in the development of Know.

If you've missed her this season it's because she's been a member of the Playhouse in the Park intern company, where she earns raves for preparation and hard work, as well as her acting ability.

Quinlan has popped on the Cohen Studio stage at CCM since his freshman year, in "Floyd Collins." His performances include "The Robber Bridegroom," "Cabaret" and a chilling Lee Harvey Oswald in "Assassins."

Quinlan started as a child actor; musical theater department chair Aubrey Berg says Quinlan "retains his childlike sense of creativity and enormous physical energy." Acclaim loves his rich character performances, genuine charm and a voice that fills the theater.

SAMANTHA RENO

Reno a graduating senior at Northern Kentucky University whose scenic design (and magical way with props) has done great things for Over-the-Rhine theaters.

Her NKU work includes "Elephant Man" and "The Taming of the Shrew." She's designer of the current "Bug" at New Stage Collective and an Acclaim winner for "The Last Sunday in June" at Know Theatre.

NKU's Ken Jones says Reno "has that special ability to add magic to the stage, and she knows how that magic will affect the audience."

MIKHAIL ROBERTS

His stand-out work at CCM drama has included a wonderful, funny and gymnastic performance as "Charley's Aunt"; he sang in "Thrill Me" for Know and "Radiant Baby" for New Stage – and he's brought his guitar and percussion abilities on stage.

Hess says Roberts "shows passion and courage in every role he tackles. I predict a fantastic career for him in film, television, and theater. His combination of vulnerability and youthful rebellion is pure gold."

Darnell "definitely has a big career in front of him," says Know Theatre artistic director Jason Bruffy. "It's fun to work with him before he takes off."

The 2007 CCM drama grad has been a standout on campus and off.

Local theater audiences first saw him in 2005 doing compelling supporting work for New Stage Collective in "Kimberly Akimbo." He was a core company member last summer with New Stage and returns this summer in "Hello, Again." Darnell will be assistant director "Radiant Baby." Artistic director Alan Patrick Kenny calls Darnell "a true theater artist ... who wants to grow and learn with every project."

This season Darnell has been a key onstage player with Know Theatre, in "Gompers," "Hamlet" and "After Ashley," opening April 19.

"He has natural talent and he puts all his energy into it," Bruffy observes.

Every fan of NKU theater knows Roderick Justice has been a key player since his freshman year. NKU theater-dance department chair Ken Jones says Justice has "it." If "it" means Justice is committed and watchable in every role, from the largest (the title role in "The Elephant Man") to the smallest (a hot dog vendor in "On the Town"), then he is an "it" guy.

Jones says Justice has been "the heart and soul of so many productions." Those include an hilarious turn as a fussy robot in "Wild Women of Planet Wongo" and Judas in "Jesus Christ Superstar."

Justice created the role of the hamburger flipping hero of the original musical "Burgertown" and capped his NKU career in a stand up-and-cheer performance in "Urinetown" earlier this year. He starred in "Aladdin" for Children's Theatre of Cincinnati earlier this season.

Montgomery "has a remarkable theatrical imagination," says Terrell Finney, head of CCM's Division of Opera, Musical Theatre, Drama, Arts-Administration, Theatre Design and Production. It's Montgomery's ability to "bring a remarkably grounded presence to every character he plays, even the ones that are larger than life," that has charmed audiences, most recently lighting up his scenes as an efficiency expert in "The Pajama Game" and an accountant in "The Full Monty."

"Everything he does is believable," Finney adds.

Off campus, La Comedia Dinner Theatre audiences delighted in Montgomery as the prince (charming again) in "Sleeping Beauty."

CCM musical theater department head Aubrey Berg calls Montgomery "a leader in his class."

After "working tirelessly" on the senior showcase, Montgomery is packing for New York and a reprise of the showcase in mid-April.

All three Rising Stars, eligible Cincinnati theater artists under 25, receive a $1,000 cash award.

Rising Star Awards will be presented at the annual Enquirer Acclaim Awards at the Carnegie Center for Visual and Performing Arts on May 21. The Acclaims celebrate excellence in the Cincinnati area theater season.