In a white tent on an experimental stage set up next to the church on the campus of Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT), friends and family gathered to celebrate the year that’s passed, and to welcome in a new season. Saturday, July 17, 2021 ushered in the excitement of a continued era of excellence with food, drink, gratitude, and joy.
Today’s official release of the season to the public is special – it’s time to re-welcome the community in person back to the experiences of CPT.
“This year we have lovingly entitled our season “Evolve.” Cleveland Public Theatre brings people together. The strength of our programming is not only in the power of each project and production, but how they weave together,” says Executive Artistic Director Raymond Bobgan. “We don’t present to the community, we want to be a convergence of communities.”
CPT has been busy during the pandemic, and has never stopped programming. Because of this, some amazing things have happened leading up to this moment. Just this past year:
– Raymond Bobgan was awarded the The Father Frascati Neighborhood Champion Award by the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization for leadership in the community
– CPT was awarded the National Theatre Conference’s Outstanding Theatre Award for CPT’s longevity, breadth and diversity of programming, and commitment to its neighborhood and artists
– CPT’s 2020 Pandemonium / WKYC television special “Awakenings: A Celebration of Cleveland Public Theatre” (which reached 36,000 people) won a Telly Award, and was nominated for a Regional Emmy Award
“15 or 16 months ago, a lot of organizations and individuals were sort of in retreat, and pulling back trying to decide what [to do]. The exact opposite was true for Cleveland Public Theatre. Under Raymond’s leadership, immediately, urgently, without missing a beat Cleveland Public Theatre served its stakeholders, its audiences, and this community in a way that makes all of us deeply proud,” says CPT Board President Philip Oliss.
A full year of shows, events, and education are on the horizon. Regarding CPT’s education programs, Education Director Nicole Sumlin notes that “it is so wonderful to be part of an organization that values the transformative nature of educational artistic programming as well as artistic programming that’s provided by older folks.” The robust nature of performances and learning opportunities is what continues to make this organization shine both locally and nationally.
Of the Dark Room series, Mindy Childress Herman says, “You will be introduced to other artists. You will have a safe space to make really giant mistakes. And you’ll instantly be accepted into whatever rag-tag group of writers and actors that have gathered together at once. You’ll find it to be the most welcoming, low-risk, accessible, friendly place in town. Whether you are a new writer, a Broadway playwright, and Actors’ Equity member, or a college student… I encourage you to come.”
And this open feeling of belonging and freedom to make theater is present in all facets of CPT’s performances and programming, truly making CPT a community destination for the art within us all. Here’s a summary of the excitement coming this season. Please join in the celebration of the return of live theater!
PANDEMONIUM 2021: THE BREAK OF DAWN
One Night Only. Saturday, September 18, 2021.
Annual fundraising extravaganza. This year’s honoree – Randell McShepard, Vice President of Public Affairs and Chief Talent Officer for RPM International Inc.
Cleveland Public Theatre, various locations; 7:00pm; Tickets $180 ($100 tax deductible).
BREAKOUT SESSION (OR FROGORSE)
Runs October 28 – November 13. Preview October 28.
Gordon Square Theatre. Written by Nikkole Salter. Directed by Beth Wood.
10 MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT: 9 QUIRKY PLAYS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Runs December 2 – 18.
Gordon Square Theatre.
Directed by Caitlin Lewins. Short plays by local & national creators.
TEST FLIGHT
Winter 2022.
James Levin Theatre.
A New Play Development series featuring works-in-progress by local & national artists.
MASRAH CLEVELAND AL-ARABI مسرح كليفلاند العربي WINTER PRODUCTION
Winter 2022.
Gordon Square Theatre.
Created by the ensemble members of Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi with Raymond Bobgan & Faye Hargate. Directed by Raymond Bobgan.
PANTHER WOMEN: AN ARMY FOR THE LIBERATION
Runs February 4 – 26. Previews February 4, 5, & 10.
Gordon Square Theatre.
Written & Directed by India Nicole Burton.
DANCEWORKS 2022
Winter 2022.
James Levin Theatre.
Featuring Northeast Ohio choreographers.
TEATRO PÚBLICO DE CLEVELAND (TPC) SPRING PRODUCTION
Spring 2022.
James Levin Theatre.
HOW THE BABY DIED
Runs March 18 – April 9. Previews March 18, 19, & 24.
Gordon Square Theatre.
Written by Tori Keenan-Zelt. Directed by Beth Wood.
THE ABSOLUTELY AMAZING AND TRUE ADVENTURES OF MS. JOAN SOUTHGATE
Runs April 22 – May 14. Previews April 22, 23, & 28.
Gordon Square Theatre.
Written & Performed by Nina Domingue, 2019 Nord Family Foundation Playwright Fellow. Directed by Nathan Henry.
CANDLELIGHT HYPOTHESIS
Spring 2022.
Text by Raymond Bobgan, Candlelight Hypothesis jointly created by Raymond & Cleveland CORE Ensemble.
Directed by Raymond Bobgan.
STATION HOPE 2022
May 28.
St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ohio City.
A Celebration of Hope. A Dialogue for Change.
OTHER EVENTS AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS
– CATAPULT SERIES for playwrights and creators
– THE DARK ROOM open mic for playwrights on the first Tuesday of every month
– DÍA DE MUERTOS – Saturday, October 30, 2021. 11:00am – 10:00pm
– Y-HAVEN THEATRE PROJECT – November 18 – November 20, 2021
– CMHA CAN (formerly Brick City Theatre) for CMHA residents and families
– CAN Academy for young teens and youth
– STUDENT THEATRE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (STEP) creative job training for teens 14-19 years old
– Y-HAVEN THEATRE PROJECT with the local YMCA and those in transitional housing and recovery programs
TICKETS & MORE INFORMATION
Full production single tickets are $15 – 35, with premium pricing for CPT’s holiday show and other special events. New Play Development pricing ranges from $10 – $25. Student and senior discounts are available for all Friday and Saturday nights.
For more information including show descriptions, go to www.cptonline.org or call the CPT Box Office at 216-631-2727 ext. 501. Tickets will go on sale August 2021.
Kate Klotzbach 