Website design and Spektrix integration
for an iconic theatre
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
The challenge
For over 30 years, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company—fondly known as Cincy Shakes—has brought Shakespeare and the Classics to life through its resident ensemble company, making timeless stories accessible to all. Recently, Cincy Shakes opened the brand-new $17.5 million Otto M. Budig Theatre in Cincinnati, Ohio.
To support its growing audience and evolving needs, Cincy Shakes needed a new website that could better reflect its unique offering and serve its wide range of stakeholders—from loyal theatre-goers to community partners and funders. We were appointed to design and develop the new site, complete with a seamless Spektrix integration to support ticketing, donations, and engagement.
The strategy
Through a stakeholder strategy workshop and insights gathered from a comprehensive customer survey, we defined a set of key objectives to guide the new website project:
A Clear Value Proposition
We set out to define and communicate what makes Cincy Shakes unique—ensuring the brand’s purpose and impact are front and centre.
A Better User Experience
We focused on improving the site’s design, navigation, and user journey, with a special emphasis on optimising the mobile experience.
Seamless Spektrix Integration
A key priority was ensuring a smooth and intuitive Spektrix integration to support ticketing, memberships, and donations.
An Immersive Digital Experience
The new website needed to feel dynamic and engaging—reflecting the energy of a live performance and drawing users in.
Richer, Deeper Content
From detailed event listings and class information to profiles of team members and donor acknowledgements, we set out to expand the depth of content throughout the site.
Accessibility for All
Meeting accessibility standards was essential—ensuring that the website is inclusive, usable, and welcoming to every visitor.
Driving Ticket Sales and Donations
The site was designed to support key conversion goals, with clear calls-to-action and a frictionless donation and booking journey.
Strengthening Community Connections
Finally, the new website aimed to deepen engagement with the wider community—supporting education, outreach, and ongoing support from patrons and partners.
The deliverables
Planning & Strategy
We began with in-depth discovery sessions and stakeholder alignment to define objectives, audience needs, and technical requirements.
User Journey Mapping
We mapped out key user flows to ensure an intuitive experience for every visitor—from first-time users to returning patrons.
Sitemap & Wireframing
A clear and logical site structure was developed, supported by wireframes that laid the foundation for a smooth and engaging experience.
UX Design
We crafted a clean, accessible, and visually rich design that reflects the energy and creativity of Cincy Shakes.
Website Build
Our development team brought the site to life with a robust, responsive build—optimised for performance across all devices.
CMS Implementation
A flexible and easy-to-use content management system was integrated, empowering the team to keep content fresh and relevant.
Spektrix Integration
We delivered a seamless integration with Spektrix for ticketing, memberships, and donations—ensuring a smooth experience for users and staff alike.
The result
"The results were game-changing and exceeded our expectations. By actively listening to our audience and working closely with Hotfoot, we've not only maintained the flexibility our patrons love but also streamlined the experience, making it more intuitive and user-friendly and offering options for new subscribers. This has fueled both our growth and audience satisfaction and we're excited to keep innovating with our patrons and community. Thank you."
Jeanna Vella, Director of Marketing
