Director of Memorial Hall
Joshua Steele serves as the Director of Memorial Hall, a historic, beautifully restored 550-to-600-seat performance venue located in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Appointed to manage the hall for the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC), Steele has been praised by local media as "the definition of a contemporary impresario" and "Cincinnati theatre's most impressive multitasker" for his dynamic work across arts administration, vocal performance, and production.
Historic theaters and auditoriums can serve as powerful anchors for neighborhood revitalization, preserving community identity while generating new cultural and economic activity. Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood offers two compelling examples in the Emery Theater and Memorial Hall. This panel will explore the rehabilitation and current operations of these historic venues, including approaches to preserving historic character while accommodating contemporary performance, accessibility, building-system, and operational requirements. Panelists will also examine how successful historic theaters can generate foot traffic, strengthen community identity, and catalyze continued investment in surrounding neighborhoods. Attendees will gain insight into how preservation, cultural programming, and long-term operations can work together to support community revitalization. This session is approved for 1.00 AIA LU credit.