The goal of Big Box is to support new work and local artists.

CPT provides:
– The James Levin Theatre
– Basic production staff, stage management, box office support
– Marketing and advertising support

The artists provide the rest!

The writers, directors, actors, and designers selected for Big Box dedicate themselves to creating new and original work, or stretching their artistic powers by working in new disciplines.

Week #2, SOLD OUT

February 13 – 15

Funnel Cakes Not Included

Written by Deena Nyer Mendlowitz
Directed by Mitchell Fields

A darkly humorous look at suicidal depression through the mixed up lens of an amusement park, featuring such “attractions” as Psych Facility Land and Electro-Shock Wonder Village. An illuminating, entertaining and deeply personal excavation of how depression colors a person’s day-to-day existence. Please note that this production contains adult content and language.

Artist Bio:
Mitchell Fields has been a teacher for 50 years and a member of Actors Equity Association for 42. As a teacher Mitchell has taught at every level of Education in multiple disciplines. Presently Mitchell is an adjunct Professor at Baldwin Wallace University where he has taught film and theatre since 1996. Mitchell also teaches at the Academy for the Performing Arts, a high school program for aspiring actors. As an actor Mitchell has appeared in most of the professional theatres in Cleveland. His most recent appearance as Robert in Proof won him rave reviews. In earlier years Mitchell has performed in both upstate New York and Off Broadway in New York City. He lives in Beachwood, Ohio with his wife, Barbara and has two adult children, Matthew and Joanna.

Deena Nyer Mendlowitz is honored to be part of Cleveland Public Theater’s Big Box series, especially working alongside Mitchell and Anne. Deena trained at The Second City Cleveland and with the acclaimed Second City and Annoyance Theaters in Chicago. She has performed with a number of comedy groups on stage and for corporate brainstorms, non-profit events and festivals. Deena is also the creator of This Improvised Life, a part improvised, part written story-telling hour. She lives in Chesterland, OH with Leon, Rafi, and a whole mess of animals.

Two Kinds of Light

Choreographed by Megan Lee Gargano & Rebecca J. Nicklos
Produced by The Movement Project

Sifting through the depths of a human soul, this new dance work reveals the inner struggle of one’s conflicting halves. Table lamps, industrial work lights and headlamps adorn the stage, shedding light on the moments of rawness, comfort and uncertainty that litter one’s path of rediscovery.

Artist Bio:
Megan Lee Gargano is a native of Cleveland, Ohio where she began her training in 2003 at the Royal School of Ballet under the direction of Joanne Hughes Morscher. In addition, Megan studied at The Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts, BalletMet, performed with The Pennsylvania Ballet in their Nutcrackers, and participated in several Northeast Ohio and OhioDance Festivals.

In 2012, Megan received her BFA in Performance and Choreography from Ohio University School of Dance where she developed her own artistic voice under the mentorship and direction of Madeleine Scott, Marina Walchli, Mickie Geller, Travis Gating, Tresa Randall, Gladys Bailin. While studying at OU, Megan performed the reconstruction of Alwin Nikolais piece Noumenon Mobilus, under the direction of Alberto (Tito) del Saz, the artistic director of the Murray Louis and Nikolais Dance Company. She has performed in faculty works by Mickie Geller, guest works by Adriana Durant, Stefanie Batten Bland, and Sean Curran. July 2010 Megan studied at the Laban Centre in Greenwich, London where she furthered her studies in Limon and Release techniques, choreography and contact improvisation.

Since 2008 Megan’s presented her work in numerous Ohio University Dance Concerts, OhioDance Festival, and in 2010 set original work as a guest artist at Hathaway Brown in Shaker Heights. In 2011 Megan’s work Formally Phrased, with the exception of a few was selected for adjudication at the American College Dance Festival held at Grand Valley State University, Michigan.

Currently, Megan is the Co-Artistic Director and Choreographer, alongside sister Rebecca J. Nicklos, of the Cleveland based modern dance company The Movement Project. In 2013, their company shared a double bill in Cleveland Public Theatre’s Big Box Series, where they premiered a new work The Mechanical Monster: Misunderstood.

Rebecca J. Nicklos graduated from Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts in Connecticut with her degree in Ballet and Modern Dance Performance. Rebecca has also studied at the Alvin Ailey School, School of American Ballet and the Harkness Dance Center. She has performed with the Kirov Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Ohio Dance Theatre, MOMIX Dance Theatre, Doug Elkins and Friends, MorrisonDance, and Verb Ballets. In addition to performing Rebecca is currently teaching dance throughout northeast Ohio and is an adjunct dance professor at Baldwin Wallace University. Rebecca is the Co-Artistic Director of The Movement Project; along side her sister Megan Lee Nicklos. The Movement Project is a modern dance company located in Cleveland, Ohio. The company believes in the importance of authentic and creative movement as well at the collaborative efforts of their dancers.

Thursday, February 13 at 7:00pm
Friday, February 14 at 7:00pm
Saturday, February 15 at 7:00pm