University of Cincinnati
07/16/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/16/2026 13:10
From DAAP to the spotlight
From DAAP to the spotlight
Aaron Whitehead's lifelong love of theater
4 minute read July 16, 2026 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share on Reddit Print Story Like
The grant administrator balances his role at DAAP with an enduring commitment to theater and performance.
Aaron Whitehead has been at the University of Cincinnati for just over a year, but his directing and acting career has been a part of his life for decades.
With a background in human services and nonprofits, Whitehead joined DAAP as a grant administrator to help faculty with research performance. But Whitehead's work doesn't stop when he leaves campus - that's when the bright stage lights are just being turned on.
Whitehead has been involved in theater since he was 6 years old, and he knew instantly it was something he wanted to do for the rest of his life. His parents participated in small performances in his hometown, which led to his first acting role in a church play.
"They were doing a church play in my hometown, and they needed someone to play baby Jesus," he said. "Someone suggested me, and that was my first acting performance. I was 6 years old, and I fell in love. I was in love with it."
He now acts in and directs plays for local organizations, including Mariemont Players, Village Players and Falcon Theater. While he is paid for some of his roles, he primarily acts and directs for his own enjoyment.
"I never really had the desire to try to pursue theater professionally, just because of how difficult it can be in a number of ways, but I've always known that whatever job I ended up having, I would still want to do theater," he said.
A photo from the Mariemont Players' performance of "Moon Over Buffalo," directed by Aaron Whitehead in 2025.
Whitehead has been part of a plethora of plays, but some stand out from the rest. As a director, his favorite show came last year with "Moon Over Buffalo," a farce featuring quick-moving parts and actors running all over the stage. The show follows George and Charlotte Hay, fading Broadway actors touring upstate New York who are looking for their big break. When they learn director Frank Capra is coming to their matinee to cast them in a Hollywood film, backstage chaos, including secret pregnancies, drunken benders and mistaken identities, threatens to ruin their opportunity.
"This one is just a lot of fun and gets a lot of huge laughs," he said. "I was thrilled that we got a great reaction from the audience because comedy really is my preference over drama. I like both, but I do prefer comedy over drama."
As an actor, Whitehead points to his performance in "Betrayal," a compelling drama told in reverse chronological order that tracks a nine-year entangled relationship filled with lies and emotional betrayals from the end of an affair back to its beginning. Whitehead played the husband who was cheated on, and he said he enjoyed every second of the role.
"It was tremendously challenging, but also tremendously fulfilling," he said. "That's probably the most proud I've been of a role that I've played on stage."
Cincinnati is our city
Cincinnati is our extended classroom, lab, career network and a place to explore, learn and serve. UC's urban location gives students unmatched access to real-world learning, artistic inspiration and vibrant culture. Our research and community engagement continually benefit the city we call home.
Interview conducted and article written by Austin Bass.
Photos provided by Aaron Whitehead.
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