GUEST EXPERIENCE MANAGER

Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) is seeking a Guest Experience Manager to join our team. Reporting directly to the General Manager, the Guest Experience Manager leads all patron-facing operations for Cleveland Public Theatre, ensuring every audience member experiences the welcoming, inclusive, and adventurous spirit that defines CPT. The Guest Experience Manager is a core member of the CPT staff and contributes significantly to the success of our patrons, productions, and organizational culture.

Reviews of candidates will begin immediately. To apply for the position, send an email to careers@cptonline.org  by end of day Friday, July 31, 2026. Subject line should read: YOUR LAST NAME, Guest Experience Manager. Your email should include two attachments: a resume, and a one-page cover letter giving examples of your related experiences and explaining why you are interested in this position. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning immediately, with priority given to applications received by Friday, July 31, 2026. The position will remain open until filled. No phone calls, please.

Position Overview

CPT is looking for an upbeat, welcoming, and highly organized individual who is enthusiastic about creating exceptional guest experiences.

The Guest Experience Manager is responsible for overseeing Box Office and Front of House operations for both the Gordon Square Theatre and James Levin Theatre spaces on CPT’s campus. This role ensures that every patron’s interaction with CPT is positive, professional, and reflective of our mission and values.

The position manages a team of part-time front-of-house staff, including box office personnel, house managers, and concession bartenders. Responsibilities include hiring, training, scheduling, supervision, and creating systems that support a high-quality guest experience. The Guest Experience Manager also provides administrative and operational support to ensure the smooth execution of performances, events, and daily operations. The position will oftentimes fill one of the roles listed above, including the House Management and Box Office roles.

The ideal candidate is a strong communicator, collaborative team member, and natural problem-solver who thrives in a dynamic environment and enjoys working directly with the public.

Reporting Structure

The Guest Experience Manager reports directly to the General Manager and works collaboratively with staff across all departments, including Production, Artistic, Development, Marketing, Education, and Operations.

The position directly supervises CPT’s part-time Front of House team, including:

• House Managers
• Box Office Staff
• Concession Bartenders
• Other guest services personnel as assigned
• And volunteers

During performance periods, the Guest Experience Manager serves as the primary on-site leader for Front of House operations and is responsible for ensuring a safe, welcoming, and efficient experience for patrons, artists, staff, and community partners.

Key Responsibilities

Guest Experience & Front of House Operations

• Lead all Front of House and Box-Office operations for CPT performances and events.
• Ensure a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible experience for all guests.
• Resolve patron concerns with professionalism, empathy, and discretion.
• Maintain high standards of customer service and hospitality at all times.
• Collaborate with artistic, production, and administrative staff to ensure seamless event execution.

Staff Management

• Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise part-time Front of House staff.
• Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise volunteers (ushers).
• Foster a positive and supportive team culture.
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and performance support.
• Ensure staff are informed about productions, policies, procedures, and guest service expectations.

Financial & Administrative Operations

• Manage daily cash and credit card transactions.
• Complete financial reconciliations and report accurately and in a timely manner.
• Maintain concession inventory and ordering systems.
• Support operational planning and administrative projects as assigned.
• Manage ticketing systems, patron databases, and Box Office CRM functions.

Event & Performance Support

• Coordinate Front of House logistics for performances, special events, rentals, and community activities.
• Anticipate operational needs and solve problems proactively.
• Support event planning and implementation alongside various CPT departments.
• Serve as an on-site manager during performances and special events.
• Continue to grow processes to maximize impact of staff on safety and positive experiences of patrons, artists, and staff.
• Maintaining permits, legal requirements, and safety training.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Previous experience in box office operations, front-of-house management, theatre administration, hospitality, or a related field.
• Demonstrated supervisory or management experience preferred.
• Strong customer service and people skills.
• A love of performance and community work.
• Experience handling cash, credit card transactions, and financial reconciliations.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities while maintaining attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and other business software.
• Comfort learning and utilizing ticketing, CRM, and point-of-sale systems.
• Bartending experience is a plus.
• Event planning experience is a plus.

• Ability to remain calm, professional, and solution-oriented in high-pressure situations.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and move throughout performances and events lasting several hours.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 40–50 pounds.
• Ability to navigate multiple levels of CPT facilities during performances and events.

Compensation & Benefits

The Guest Experience Manager is in a full-time salaried position with an average of 45 hours a week. The flow of hours for the season may result in short weeks of 30 hours and long weeks of 50+ hours. The two weeks leading up to Pandemonium may involve working as many as 65 hours.

Compensation: $44,000-$50,000/Annually

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The PILOT Project  

The PILOT Project is a creative cohort program guided by Cleveland Public Theatre’s Executive Artistic Director & CEO, Raymond Bobgan, with the goal of exploring innovations in theatrical performance and preparing the artists to apply for the upcoming SoftLaunch festival on January 28-30!

The PILOT Project brings together a cohort of artists to research new approaches to performance, inspire one another, and develop ideas for SoftLaunch. SoftLaunch is a new work development festival intended for theatrical work that is NOT theatre—think performances for one, seances, installations, immersive performances, participatory performances, and more.

Through engaging in the PILOT Project, the artists will prepare themselves to PILOT a project for SoftLaunch. This work will include engaging in conversations and guided creative explorations, sharing theatre-inspired performance practices, and ideating around new forms and fresh possibilities!

To be considered, Artists/PILOTs must commit to attending all workshops (one absence can be permitted) on Saturdays: Oct. 3, 10, 17 at 10am -1pm, and Sunday, Nov. 1 from 2pm – 5pm.

To apply for The PILOT Project, send an email with the following criteria to artistic@cptonline.org:  

• Email subject should be your last name followed by The PILOT Project. 

• Name.   

• Phone Number.   

• Attach resume. Provide links to any relevant work samples.   

• Answers to the following questions: 

1. Why do you want to be a part of The PILOT Project?
2. What experience do you bring in making plays and/or in making “not-plays”?
3. Do you already have some ideas about the kind of work you want to make?   
4. What strengths do you bring into the room?  
5. Where is your learning edge at? In what ways do you hope to grow and learn?   

Applications for The PILOT Project are due no later than September 2, 2026. 

If you have any questions, contact Line Producer Anastasía Urozhaeva aurozheva@cptonline.org  

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Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi
مسرح كليفلاند العربي

FREE THEATRE WORKSHOPS

Experience acting and theatre creation!
For people who identify as coming from Arabic-speaking communities.

WORKSHOP DATES

Monday, July 27 from 6:00-9:00pm
Wednesday, July 29 from 6:00-9:00pm
Thursday, July 30 from 6:00-9:00pm
Sunday, August 2 from 3:00-6:00pm
Tuesday, August 4 from 6:00-9:00pm

WHO: This program is for adults (18+) who are interested in theatre performance and curious about being a part of an Arabic-speaking theatre company. Arabic or English fluency is not needed for workshops, but workshops will be offered in English with some translation assistance from the group.

WHERE: Cleveland Public Theatre, 6415 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH.

WHAT: The purpose of Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi مسرح كليفلاند العربي
is to share the rich diversity and perspectives of Cleveland’s Arabic-speaking cultures and to fulfill CPT’s core mission: to raise consciousness and nurture compassion through groundbreaking performance and life-changing education programs.

WHAT’S NEXT: People who take the workshop have the extra option of being a part of the next Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi مسرح كليفلاند العربي
play! Rehearsals begin after the workshop.

To attend please RSVP to Anastasía Urozhaeva, aurozhaeva@cptonline.org. 

Click here to learn more about Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi مسرح كليفلاند العربي

Leaders have a gift for seeing our world as it could be, and the best leaders have the passion and dedication to bring that future into being. Deb Janik has dedicated over 35 years to transforming Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio through her extensive work in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Her career is marked by a range of leadership roles that have shaped the region’s growth and development. 

Deb recently launched CivicPoint Development Partners LLC, where, as President and Founder, she continues her lifelong commitment to advancing real estate, business, and workforce development investments both within Ohio and across the country. 

Prior to founding CivicPoint, Deb was Senior Vice President of Business Development for Bedrock, overseeing the implementation of the company’s Cleveland real estate development projects and programs. At Bedrock, she led major initiatives such as the Cuyahoga Riverfront Master Development and the Rock Block property in the Gateway District, drawing upon her longstanding cross-sector relationships to propel Bedrock’s developments in Cleveland’s central business district and contributing significantly to the city’s growth and prosperity. 

Before joining Bedrock, Deb served as Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Business Development at the Greater Cleveland Partnership. She managed the organization’s real estate, business, and economic development programs, spearheaded regional collaboration efforts, and facilitated catalytic economic development projects throughout Greater Cleveland. 

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Cleveland Public Theatre and Teatro Público De Cleveland

Announce Auditions for “Jardín Salvaje”

By Karen Zacarías

Translated into Spanish by Gustavo Ott

Directed by Juliana Frey-Méndez

AUDITIONS…

Thursday, 6/25 — 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Saturday, 6/27 — 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Monday, 6/29 — Callbacks from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Auditions are by appointment only and will be scheduled in individual 10-minute slots.

LOOKING TO CAST THE FOLLOWING ROLES…

CHARACTERS:

NOTE: The show will be performed in Spanish. Actors who are interested in speaking roles will need to have Spanish language proficiency. Actors cast in the ensemble roles will need to be familiar with, but not necessarily be fluent in, Spanish.

Tania Del Valle– female, early thirties, intelligent, friendly, positive, passionate, brimming with energy, doctoral student, 8 months pregnant and a gardener. Comenzando los treinta. Inteligente, simpática, positiva, apasionada, en forma, con mucha energía, candidata a doctorado. Embarazada y jardinera.

Pablo Del Valle– male, early thirties, intelligent, likable, ambitious. Junior lawyer hoping to make senior partner. Comenzando los treinta. Inteligente, simpático, ambicioso, inteligente. Joven abogado

Virginia Butley– female, 60’s-mid 70’s, an engineer—intelligent, likable, assertive, direct, and sensible. Entre sesenta y mediados de los setenta. Ingeniera, inteligente, simpática, asertiva, directa y sensata.

Frank Butley– male, 60’s-mid 70’s. Retired Federal employee. Gardener. Intelligent, likable, excitable, affectionate, and thoughtful. Entre sesenta y mediados de los setenta. Empleado federal jubilado. Jardinero. Inteligente, simpático, excitable, cariñoso y detallista.

Ensemble (2-4 actors/actores) Additional actors to play the silent roles of landscapers, the surveyor, building examiner, additional neighbors etc., creating theatrical vignettes between scenes. They are the witnesses and the transformers of the play and of situations, helping bring the world of the story to life.

Los extras desempeñan papeles silenciosos del TOPÓGRAFO, PAISAJISTAS, e INSPECTOR. Hay breves viñetas teatrales entre escenas que pueden ayudar a transformar el jardín. Estos actores exudar personalidades únicas mientras trabajan. Son los testigos, y los transformadores, tanto de la obra como de las situaciones.

ABOUT THE PLAY…

Tania, a pregnant doctoral student who loves natural landscapes, and her husband Pablo, a high-powered junior lawyer, are realizing the American dream when they purchase a house next door to community stalwarts Virginia and Frank. But a disagreement over a long-standing fence line soon spirals into an all-out war of taste, class, privilege, and entitlement. The hilarious and heart-warming results invite us to think about the nature of border wars, the cost of assimilation, and what it means to be a good neighbor.

Tania, una estudiante de doctorado embarazada y apasionada de los paisajes naturales, y su esposo Pablo, un ambicioso abogado en ascenso, parecen haber alcanzado el sueño americano al comprar una casa junto a Virginia y Frank, una respetada pareja que son los pilares de la comunidad. Sin embargo, un desacuerdo en torno a los límites de una cerca que ha delimitado ambas propiedades durante años pronto desencadena un conflicto cada vez más intenso, en el que afloran cuestiones de gusto, clase social, privilegio y sentido de pertenencia.

Esta guerra entre vecinos resulta en situaciones tan divertidas como conmovedoras, invitándonos a reflexionar sobre las causas de las disputas fronterizas, el precio de la aculturación, y lo que realmente significa ser un buen vecino en la sociedad contemporánea.

ABOUT THE PROCESS…

Rehearsals are 5-6 times a week, with evening weekday rehearsals and some daytime weekend rehearsals. Rehearsals will take place in Spanish and English. This production will adhere to the CLEan House Standards. This is a paid opportunity.

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Test Flight RFPs are due june 26, 2026

Test Flight, our multi-week play development series — a unique blend of education and creative incubation — returns, offering artists the opportunity to take bold risks and elevate their work like never before.

This year, we’re continuing our innovative cohort model, where you’ll learn from and be inspired by fellow artists and experienced producers in a supportive environment. In an attempt to try to better serve our artistic community, we’ll open Test Flight applications twice this season! This will be the first. Another application round will open after Pandemonium. Whether you’re looking to refine your self-production skills or explore fresh ideas, Test Flight is the perfect launchpad for your creative journey.

Participants will enjoy a full week in the vibrant James Levin Theatre, splitting time between rehearsals and performances, ensuring your project gets the spotlight it deserves. Plus, all the beloved elements of Test Flight remain — intimate workshops, engaging audiences, and the thrill of bringing your vision to life!

Encouraging entrepreneurial spirit, Test Flight includes workshop performances of theatre, dance, performance art, and genre-defying performances.

A Few Test Flight Artist Perks

• On-site rehearsal space for one week, prior to the load-in to James Levin Theatre
• Assistance from Tech Director/shop staff during your load-in, if you need it
• Some programming time with a lighting technician.
• A stage manager.
• Front-of-house and box office support.
• Some marketing support.
• A $1,200 advance to each single-bill, plus an additional 50% of the gross box office revenue or $500, whichever is greater.

Click to apply

Three-Day “Poetic Theatre Research” Workshop with Raymond Bobgan May 15–17

This Spring, Executive Artistic Director Raymond Bobgan will hold a free, three-day Poetic Theatre Research Workshop to share his process, further develop his ongoing creative work, and broaden the pool of artists for future projects. This workshop will serve as an introduction (or reintroduction for past collaborators) to Raymond’s unique approach to physical, experimental theatre—what he calls “Poetic Performance.” Read More ›

Pandemonium 2026 Request for Proposals:
Deadline May 22

On Saturday, September 19, 2026, Cleveland Public Theatre will open its campus into a labyrinth of theatre, dance, visual arts, music, and performance for Pandemonium 2026: Under Construction! We’re seeking self-producing artists and creators to help us make the best party of the year a roaring success!

For the 24th year, Pandemonium builds up, featuring local food, free valet, and complimentary drinks served all night long. A feast for the eyes, mind, appetite, and imagination—Pandemonium proceeds benefit CPT’s groundbreaking artistic work and life-changing education programs.

This year’s theme—Under Construction—is a special (literal) one for us! Pandemonium will hit this year as we’re wrapping up our renovation. Some spaces will be newly finished, while some are still in-progress. However, we’re thinking about this theme organically, as it relates to the natural world—think beehives, a chrysalis, etc. We look forward to your interpretations of nature’s builders! Read More ›