Jack Rouse, Director of Cincinnati’s Playhouse in the Park

Jack Rouse is widely recognized as one of the industry’s premier planners, designers and producers. His firm JRA operates from here and boasts global reach.

Mr. Copeland takes an unusually hands-on approach to his shows as well as being an in-demand lecturer and panelist for ULI, AZA and other professional groups.

Early Life and Education

Rouse’s passion for theater led to leadership roles with Playhouse in the Park, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and chamber music presenter Concert:Nova. Additionally, he served on ArtsWave and Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati boards for many years and led the search committee that brought back conductor Louis Langree.

Kellner noted that the Columbia Archives housed in American City building at Wilde Lake can help historians tracing Rouse Co’s land purchases and planning efforts that contributed to Columbia’s establishment.

Keith James, president of JRA and former employee of Rouse, recalls how an unconventional boss like Rouse always seemed to enjoy himself whether designing scenery for a musical at the Playhouse or riding motorcycles through Colorado snowstorms. James recalls how they all were “blown away” by his all-inclusive “can-do attitude”.

Professional Career

Rouse has dedicated much of his professional career to crafting pleasurable community moments. He has designed theme parks, museums and other attractions worldwide as well as being in high demand as a lecturer, panel member or charrette participant; having addressed audiences at ULI, AZA, IAAPA, TiLE LIW events among many other industry conferences.

David was one of the founding trustees of both Cincinnati Central City Development Corporation and Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, and has played an instrumental role in numerous significant local projects – from revamping The Banks riverfront park to efforts to save Music Hall and Cincinnati Museum Center.

Rhinegeist Brewery counts JRA among its founding investors and was one of the first buyers when its stock began trading publicly. JRA provides creative visitor experiences throughout the globe.

Achievement and Honors

Jack Rouse Associates (JRA), under his direction as founder and chairman, has won many honors, such as this year’s Thea Lifetime Achievement award from TEAM (an international organization of themed entertainment designers, architects and technical artists). Furthermore, he serves on USA Today’s CEO business advisory panel where he serves as an information conduit about industry trends and leadership issues.

Moe Rouse, Rouse’s wife and an in-demand communication consultant and arts philanthropist is more well known among Cincinnatians than Rouse himself. Playhouse in the Park recently named their mainstage theater complex after them: Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre will open its doors this fall at this 530-seat venue named in their honor. Moe serves on multiple boards including CSO, Ballet Cincinnati and WGUC as a trustee.

Personal Life

After his brief pre-med stint at Washington & Lee College (which he refers to with humor as “a school for gentlemen”), Rouse transferred to the University of Michigan, where he quickly immersed himself into student musical shows – first backstage then leading major productions such as The Boy Friend, Wonderful Town and West Side Story as director.

Jack Rouse Associates was also founded and helped establish Taft Broadcasting’s Kings Entertainment division which included an amusement park north of Cincinnati and also helped found Taft Broadcasting’s Kings Entertainment division containing it, as well as becoming an expert designer of theme parks worldwide.

Pauline Correll was his wife, and they had two children together. Since he preferred keeping his personal life private, not much is known about them or their family life. He was an active DeMolay and 32nd Degree Freemason as well as Shriner.

Net Worth

Rouse remains actively engaged with his community through volunteering and fund-raising efforts for retiring the Marx Theatre at Playhouse on the Square and helping find a director for Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

As an investor in Roush Fenway Racing – an NASCAR team which has won multiple races and championships – as well as having his own freelance engineering firm and being involved with numerous businesses as an investor, Mr. Lear also owns multiple freelance engineering firms and holds shares in other ventures.

His net worth is estimated to be in the region of $200 million due to his success as both a businessman and NASCAR team owner. Through hard work and smart decisions he has amassed his fortune. Enter an employee name here to search and verify emails, phone numbers and social links associated with them.