“The Drowning GIrls” Directed by Melissa Crum, Photo by Steve Wagner

Cleveland Public Theatre has a variety of fellowship programs that support local, early-career artists. Applications for these fellowships will be posted here when available (usually during the winter months), and will be sent out through NeOhioPal, as well as our e-newsletter. Sign up here to receive important information directly to your inbox.

the nord family foundation playwright fellowship

Now in its fourth year, the Nord Family Foundation Playwright Fellows program is funded by a three year grant from the Nord Family Foundation. This three-year grant was recently renewed for the Nord Family Foundation for another three years. The fellowship program was initiated by CPT to support early-career playwrights residing in Northeast Ohio who have demonstrated ability and extraordinary potential. Each fellowship year is crafted to best serve the needs of the fellows and CPT. Past fellows have experienced office/rehearsal hall space for writing and creating, table readings, staged readings, workshop productions, and access to professional directors, dramaturgs, designers and actors. In addition, CPT offers all fellows mentorship, logistical support and opportunities to become involved in other projects throughout their fellowship year.

Past Nord Playwrighting Fellows:

Juliette Regnier / 13/14 season / S Plays
Andrew Kramer / 14/15 season / Cut it Out
Arwen Mitchell / 14/15 season / (Style Is) The Answer to Everything—A (Subversive) Women’s Programme (Across the Century)
Gail Nyoka / 15/16 season / The Waters
Stuart Hoffman / 15/16 season / Canon Fodder
Greg Vovos / 15/16 season /  Well Beings

The Nord Family Foundation, a private family foundation located in Amherst, Ohio, endeavors to build community through support of projects that bring opportunity to the disadvantaged, strengthen the bond of families and improve the quality of people’s lives.

the kulas foundation theatre composer initiative

The Kulas Foundation Theatre Composer Initiative is a nine month fellowship providing early-career composers with first-hand experience creating music and sound design for theatre. This initiative engages composers in a collaborative process under the guidance of the show producer and director to compose and produce original music for at least one full production in CPT’s professional season. Composers gain learning experiences and play an integral role in the creative process. The program is intended to significantly grow CPT’s capacity for developing original music and supports the growth of local artists.

PAST Kulas Composer FELLOWS:

Sam Fisher / 13/14 season
Patrick Stoops / 13/14 season
Sean Hussey / 13/14 season
Sam Fisher / 14/15 season
Daniel McNamara / 15/16 season
Matthew Ryals / 15/16 season

the joan yellen horvitz director fellowship

The Director Fellows Program is a season-long residency that provides mentoring, formal classwork and practical work. Fellows assistant direct, create new work, and direct at least one production in CPT’s season. “The intent of this new initiative is to address Cleveland’s limited pool of directors with experience creating new theatrical work” said Raymond Bobgan, CPT’s Executive Artistic Director. Each Director Fellow receives an award of $3,000 and full underwriting of all of their learning and artistic activities during the fellowship, culminating in a production in Spring.

This year, CPT selected two early-career directors as Assistant Director Fellows. The Assistant Director Fellows will receive mentorship, formal classwork, assistant directing opportunities, and will create short, original work for CPT events. In addition, they will have the opportunity to gain experience in guiding a production from idea to fruition.

Joan Yellen Horvitz is an admired couture designer whose work was based in Cleveland. Joan Yellen Couture Designs can be viewed in the permanent collections of the Kent State Museum Costume collection; The Western Reserve Historical Society, The Chisolm Halle Costume Wing; Ursuline College Historical Costume Study Collection. Ms. Horvitz has designed costumes and sets for dance and theatre. At CPT Ms. Horvitz’s stunning work was seen in Fefu and her Friends, Between Life and Death, and most recently Insomnia: the Waking of Herselves. Many local arts organizations and individual artists have benefitted from Ms. Horvitz’s generosity.

PAST JOan Yellen Horvitz Directing FELLOWS:

Pandora Robertson / 12/13 season
Renee Schilling / 12/13 season
Denise Astorino-Brown / 12/13 season
Melissa Crum / 13/14 season
Caitlin Lewins / 13/14 season
Tecia Delores Wilson / 15/16 season
Jaclyn Vogel / 15/16 season