Archives by Year: 2015

CPT is now Requesting Proposals for the 16/17 Season

IMG_4024Dear Northeast Ohio artists,

CPT is planning the 2016-2017 Season, and once again we are reaching out to you for great ideas.

CPT is focused on new work that is surprising, unexpected and somehow outside the realm of conventional theatre.

CPT is looking for proposals from Northeast Ohio artists for complete projects. Proposals may be for world premieres, second or third US productions, radical re-envisionings of classic plays or other projects. The show could be your own show or a script you would like to work on.

Based on the success of past co-productions and our Big Box series, we are also interested in creating opportunities for artists and groups that would like to retain greater ownership of projects and who can share risk with CPT. Read More ›

“CPT pulls plug on Big Box 2016; construction delays are cause”

“CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland Public Theatre has canceled Big Box 2016, the annual centerpiece of CPT’s eclectic season, citing delays in the renovations of the James Levin Theatre.

Designed to showcase and develop new work, Big Box is one of the theater’s most popular events and the sort of grassroots nurturing of artists CPT brass rightly says sets it apart from other Cleveland theaters.

Christine Howey built “Exact Change,” her one-woman show about her gender journey from man to woman at Big Box before taking it to CPT’s mainstage, Playhouse Square and then on to New York’s acclaimed Fringe Festival this summer. Read More ›

CPT Seeking Graphic Design Intern

Job Title: Graphic Design Intern

Job Description: Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) is seeking a graphic design intern to perform design and layout of marketing materials to support the theatre’s 2015‐2016 season. The ideal candidate will be available 15 hours per week on site at CPT, with some periods of increased or decreased workload during special events. Design and/or layout projects will include:

  • Postcards, Flyers, Brochures
  • Posters
  • Programs (show, season and annual fundraiser)
  • Advertisements (CPT and sponsor)
  • Image formatting for web and social media

Applicants for this position should be fluent in the principals of layout and print production. Other duties may include hanging, framing and mounting of posters and display materials as needed. Read More ›

STATION HOPE // ROAD TO HOPE Request for Proposal

Station Hope // Road to Hope

Deadline for submissions is Tuesday, December 15th.

Cleveland Public Theatre is planning the third annual STATION HOPE, a one night event of entertainment and art inspired by the history of St. John’s Church and the Underground Railroad, the repercussions of oppression, and contemporary struggles for social justice on April 30, 2016.

ROAD TO HOPE is a series of performances and art projects that will be programmed in various sites in the Cleveland area. Road to Hope expands our work to include other neighborhoods in our community and will offer additional opportunities for artists and audiences February-April, 2016.

Station Hope Format

Audiences explore the St. John’s campus on the corner of W 26th St and Church Ave. With 30+ performances to choose from, attendees will encounter choirs, dance, theatre, intimate solo performance, and interactive art – all happening at the same time in multiple indoor and outdoor venues.

Most Station Hope performances are 10 – 15 minutes in length, presented multiple times throughout the evening. Art installations will range from large to small, depending on the individual needs and space available.

Road to Hope Format

Road to Hope is a new program in development. This will be an experiment as we learn about the best way to support artists and have the maximum impact on the community.

Currently we are envisioning a wide range of possibilities:

  • full length works
  • a sort of “truth vaudeville” format with a variety of acts
  • a mini-Station Hope event with multiple short acts in multiple spaces
  • community participatory performance events (like Parade the Circle)
  • installation and duration pieces
  • and a variety of other permutations.

Read More ›

Cleveland Public Theatre Announces a New Staff Position: Education Assistant

Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) produces groundbreaking performances and life-changing educational programs to raise consciousness and nurture compassion. CPT seeks an Education Assistant interested in joining its hard-working team with the ambitious goals of growing the organization and changing the community.

Description of Position

The Education Assistant works with the Education Staff at CPT, and works closely with and reports directly to the Education Manager/Brick City Theatre Program Director. This position is a year-round, salaried, staff position.  Salary range: 23,000-26,000/annually, with some benefits.


The position requires a highly motivated and organized individual who will take on administrative, creative and teaching responsibilities in support of the continued expansion of Brick City Theatre and CPT’s Family Collective, the family component of Brick City Theatre and CPT’s other core education programs.  In addition, all positions at CPT work across departmental lines on multiple organization-wide events such as Station Hope, a neighborhood festival focusing on the triumphs of the Underground Railroad and challenges of current issues of inequity and social justice.

The successful candidate will be collaborative, eager to learn, obsessed with working in the theatre, and have experience in administration, education, and performance. Ideal candidates will have experience in program management, curriculum planning, and teaching theatre, both to children and to adults with little or no previous exposure to the arts.  Candidate must possess excellent logistics skills, and have the creativity to create warm, exciting, empowering community experiences for our programs’ participants and families. CPT education staff members are expected to maintain their own artistic work, while also contributing their skills, energy, and talents to the larger organization.

CPT cares passionately about reflecting our community and pursuing diversity at all levels of the organization. CPT has an intense working environment with long working hours (10-14 hour days during tech weeks), but we have fun and love what we do. We value hard work, kindness, generosity, passion, and grace-under-pressure.

Responsibilities

Education Assistant will be responsible for assisting, inventing, and facilitating Brick City Theatre and Family Collective programming. This includes – but is not limited to – family workshops; guardian-teacher conferences; creating curriculum for Brick City classes; facilitating and teaching adult-only workshops for CMHA residents; organizing and managing family field trips; conducting program evaluations; providing teaching and administrative support to CPT’s other core education programs; and providing as-needed support to CPT initiatives and events.

CPT’s core Education programs:

Brick City Theatre A partnership with Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority that offers afterschool and summer theatre arts activities for children 5-14 who live in public housing.

Student Theatre Enrichment Program (STEP) Arts education and job training for teens, who create and perform an original play that is toured to public parks across Cleveland.

Y-Haven Theatre Project A theatre program for residents of Y-Haven, a transitional facility for homeless men in recovery. The men learn performance and technical theatre skills and create an original play based on their life experiences.

Deadline to Apply is November 20th.

Review of candidates will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled. To apply for the position, send email to careers@cptonline.org  Please put your last name as the subject header followed by Education Assistant. The email should include two attachments: a resume, and a cover letter describing your history, passion, why you are interested in this position, and what you have to offer (up to two pages).

CPT Station Hope Artist Informational Meeting: Call for Artists!

Dear Northeast Ohio Artists,

This year, Station Hope will be bigger and better than ever. With support from the National Endowment for the Arts’ Our Town grant, Station Hope 2016 will include ROAD TO HOPE: smaller, pop-up performances and community events that will span 4-5 neighborhoods across Greater Cleveland occurring over a 2 month span, culminating in a massive community celebration at and surrounding Ohio City’s historic St. John’s Church – Cleveland’s only authenticated Underground Railroad site, and CPT would like to invite you to be involved. Station Hope 2016 will take place on April 30th, 2016.

We are beginning to plan the third annual Station Hope event – a free multi-arts event that celebrates the triumphs of the Underground Railroad, Cleveland’s social justice history, and contemporary struggles for freedom and justice. The format of Station Hope includes multiple stages with 10-15 minute pieces performing simultaneously throughout the evening.

CPT is looking for artists, performance groups, choirs and organizations to create original work and perform at this powerful event and in various neighborhoods throughout Cleveland during Road to Hope. Performances can range from site-specific plays, actors in character wandering through the event, or your church choir singing. We are also seeking visual artists who are interested in creating community generated art and installations.

If you are interested in learning more about Station Hope, you are invited to an informational meeting on Saturday, November 14th at 10am at Cleveland Public Theatre. We will be discussing how Station Hope worked the past two years, how it will grow this year and sharing information about the application process.

If you would like to attend, please RSVP by November 11th to clewins@cptonline.org.

Thank you for your consideration and attention. We hope you can be a part of this incredible event.

Calling for Haiku Volunteers!

Calling for Haiku Volunteers!

The Haiku Mistress is returning to CPT for the Gordon Square Fall Fest: TEST FLIGHT on October 17th and we are looking for volunteers!

This is not your typical volunteer experience. You will work in teams on a scavenger hunt to get people to write haiku with you. Yes. Haiku, the ancient Japanese form of verse with a line of five syllables, a line of seven syllables and a final line of five syllables.

Here are the logistics:
Training: Friday, October 16th from 6-7:30pm or Saturday October 17th from 2:00-3:30pm
Event: Saturday, October 17th

Email Caitlin Lewins at clewins@cptonline.org with the following information:
Name
Address
Phone Number
Shirt Size (Unisex Sm-XXL and women’s cut S-XL)

What shift would you prefer?
4pm-6:30pm
6:30pm-9pm

Short Answer:
Do you have any past experience with haiku or Cleveland Public Theatre?
Why are you interested?
Do you have any special needs (limited mobility, etc.)?
Is there any other relevant information you wish to share?

Want more info? Check out these sites for more details about how it works.

What is Guerilla Haiku? Biography & Photos. http://www.ghm575.com/?page_id=2

Video Guerilla Haiku’s event in 2013 at CPT: http://www.ghm575.com/?page_id=364

Cleveland Public Theatre announces Auditions for Nord Family Foundation Playwright Fellowship Readings

Cleveland Public Theatre announces

Auditions for
Nord Family Foundation Playwright Fellowship Readings

Cleveland Public Theatre is looking to cast 3 plays for a series of readings for our Nord Family Foundation Playwright Fellows. We are looking for a diverse group of all ages and types interested in originating roles in three new plays. The Nord Family Foundation Playwright Residency Readings consist of 3 readings for each play written by 3 local writers. Each play will have two private readings and one fully staged reading open to the public.

When: Saturday, September 26th from 1:00-4:00pm
Where: CPT’s Campus (6415 Detroit Ave)

Auditions are by appointment only and will be scheduled in one hour increments. Actors will be given sides at the audition for cold readings. They should also come with one prepared contemporary monologue that they may be asked to perform. Please bring 3 copies of your headshot and resume, if available. Actors should be prepared to stay for the entire hour.

The Nord Readings will need the following commitment:

  1. First Reading: a private, invitation-only cold read with no prior rehearsals that will take place the weekend of October 22nd – 24th
  2. Second Reading: a private, invitation-only reading with 10 hours of rehearsal. Performance will take place the weekend of November 12th – 14th
  3. Final Reading: 2 fully staged-reading performances open to the general public with 20 hours of rehearsal (similar to CPT’s SpringBoard series from previous seasons). Performances will take place the weekend of January 6th – 10th

Read More ›

CPT announces Auditions for “The Loush Sisters Love Dick’ns: Great Expectations

Cleveland Public Theatre announces Auditions for

The Loush Sisters Love Dick’ns: Great Expectations

Created by Liz Conway, Michael Seevers, Jr. & Beth Wood

Directed by Beth Wood

Looking to cast…

2 – 3 funny women (over the age of 18) who can sing/carry a tune, move/shake your maracas, and don’t take themselves too seriously, to join the dysfunctional Loush Sisters. Specific characters will be created based on the actors cast.

About the play…

Holly and Jolly Loush (aka The Loush Sisters) return to the stage for a bawdy, boozy holiday cabaret. Fueled by song, sidekicks and a hefty dose of “holiday cheer,” the Loush Sisters reinterpret A CHRISTMAS CAROL as you’ve never, ever seen it before. World Premiere.

About The Loush Sisters…

Originally created in 2003 for a Cleveland Public Theatre special event, The Loush Sisters have become a favorite of CPT audiences, performing in 2011 at Playhouse Square’s 14th Street Theatre and in 2013 at CPT with The Loush Sisters DO the Nutcracker to critical acclaim. The brain children of Liz Conway, Michael Seevers, Jr. and Beth Wood, The Sisters are an unapologetically raunchy, lounge-singing duo. (Imagine Saturday Night Live’s Sweeney Sisters (1980’s) but raunchier & more inappropriate.)

About the process…

There may be a workshop period to develop material from September 16th – October 21st. There may be 1 – 2 rehearsals a week during this period for some cast members.

Full rehearsals will begin October 26th with 5 – 6 rehearsals a week. Performances are November 27th through December 19th; Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in CPT’s Gordon Square Theatre.

Auditions…

Saturday 8/15: 1p-3p

Auditions are by appointment only and will be conducted in a group setting. Auditioners must attend the full session.

What to prepare…

  • 1-2 minute contemporary comedic monologue
  • 16 bars of a POP song; bring sheet music in your key (a cappella and CD accompaniment are acceptable)
  • Be ready to improvise as a member of the Loush Family
  • Dress appropriately for shimming-ing and movement
  • Bring your sense of humor and be prepared to play and have fun!

To schedule an audition appointment, please email New Play Associate, Caitlin Lewins at clewins@cptonline.org. Be sure to include your name, email address, phone number and preferred audition date & time in your email. No phone calls please.

CPT Announces auditions for Mr. Burns

Cleveland Public Theatre announces Auditions for

Mr. Burns

Written by Anne Washburn.
Score by Michael Friedman. Lyrics by Anne Washburn.
Directed by Matthew Wright.

About the play…

A post-apocalyptic tale of survival, passion, and… the enduring power of Bart Simpson. Across a devastated landscape, gangs of survivors band together to keep the pilot light of civilization burning, exchanging memories for currency as society rebuilds itself one Simpsons episode at a time. Told over three acts and several decades, Mr. Burns culminates in a DIY musical spectacular, suggesting that humanity’s path to redemption is as unexpected as it is inevitable. Regional Premiere. Read More ›