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 #5

March 6 – 8

Illuminated Lizard

Written and Directed by Carol Laursen

The true story of one woman’s quest for a way forward-the RIGHT way forward-when her world crumbles in the face of a cancer diagnosis. But as she delves into science, Quakerism, Buddhism, yoga, she finds herself more fragmented than ever… until the Lizard emerges to lead the way forward. Can the ancient and modern tales we tell ourselves bring our lives into balance and hope?

Artist Bio:
Carol Laursen has always been interested a multidisciplinary approach to the world. After having tried to convince her undergraduate advisor that she should be a Math-Biology-Dance major, he explained that contained one hyphen too many and she contented herself with a Math-Biology degree. She then worked several years managing a population genetics laboratory and taking performing intensives on the side, and then returned to academic life to earn an MFA in Acting from Ohio University. While in graduate school she met and later married a talented young Actor-Playwright and has spent the last twenty years intimately observing the process of play making. Several years ago the format of a work of her own fell into her mind and she has been developing it ever since.

Sisters

Written by Juliette Regnier, 2013-14 Nord Family Foundation Playwright Fellow
Directed by Beth Wood, CPT’s Associate Artistic Director

Three women ostracized by society meet and form a unique sisterhood on a blasted heath in Scotland. Sisters imagines Shakespeare’s witches before they encountered Macbeth, and explores the early events that formed their motivations. This is the third piece in Regnier’s trilogy about the suffering of women and their strength in the face of adversity.

Artist Bio:
Juliette Regnier, a local professional actress turned playwright, studied with the Moscow Art Theatre at Harvard University and taught undergraduate acting at Case Western Reserve University for nine years. She has performed throughout the area regionally and nationally. Most recently seen as Bananas in The House of Blue Leaves at The Beck Center and in her newest cabaret, Elsewhere at Cain Park. She will appear in the Mamai Theatre ‘s production of Heartbreak House this June and is in process of preparing to take Elsewhere to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August. In the last several years, Juliette has been focusing on a play trilogy. The first of which, Shorn, debuted in 2007 at Dobama Theatre. Soiled and Sisters will begin their life as the second and third pieces here at CPT. She is deeply grateful to have the opportunity of this residency to devote time and energy to the trilogy with the support of Cleveland Public Theatre.

Thursday, March 6 at 7:00pm
Friday, March 7 at 7:00pm
Saturday, March 8 at 7:00pm