Archives by Month: July 2026

CPT is Hiring Part-Time Supporting Teaching Artists

CPT is HIRING PART-Time Supporting Teaching Artists 

Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) is seeking passionate, collaborative Supporting Teaching Artists to join our nationally recognized Education Department beginning this fall. 

Working alongside experienced Teaching Artists, you’ll help young people create original theatre through storytelling, movement, ensemble-building, music, writing, and performance. You’ll become part of a collaborative team that believes the arts can strengthen communities, nurture empathy, and inspire young people to imagine new possibilities. 

We’re looking for artists who are excited to mentor youth, embrace collaboration, and contribute to CPT’s ongoing commitment to racial and economic justice. 

 About Our Program 

CMHA Cleveland Act Now (CMHA CAN) 

CMHA Cleveland Act Now (CAN) is a free after-school performing arts program offered in partnership with the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority. Programs take place within CMHA community centers, where young artists devise and perform original theatre inspired by their own stories and experiences. 

Students explore acting, movement, music, poetry, creative writing, visual art, and ensemble creation while developing confidence, communication skills, creativity, and community. 

CMHA CAN currently serves youth at: 

  • Lakeview Terrace 
  • Outhwaite Homes 
  • Riverside Park 

Each ensemble presents an original production each year along with additional smaller sharing opportunities throughout. 

 What You’ll Do 

Supporting Teaching Artists play an active role in every rehearsal and classroom. This is a highly collaborative position that combines artistic mentorship, classroom support, and creative problem-solving. 

Responsibilities include: 

  • Building positive relationships with young artists 
  • Supporting theatre games, warm-ups, and ensemble activities 
  • Assisting students as they create original performances 
  • Encouraging creativity, confidence, and collaboration 
  • Helping prepare performances and community events 
  • Supporting classroom organization and daily logistics 
  • Collaborating closely with Teaching Artists, Site Coordinators, and Education staff 
  • Participating in training, meetings, and ongoing professional development 
  • Assisting with communication, documentation, and other program needs 

 We’re Excited to Meet Artists Who Have Experience In: 

  • Acting 
  • Directing 
  • Playwriting 
  • Movement or physical theatre 
  • Dance 
  • Music 
  • Devised theatre 
  • Poetry or spoken word 
  • Creative writing 
  • Puppetry 
  • Storytelling 
  • Visual arts 
  • Other performance-based disciplines 

You don’t need experience in every area. We value artists with curiosity, generosity, and a willingness to learn. 

Successful Supporting Teaching Artists Tend To Be:

  • Collaborative and dependable 
  • Excellent communicators 
  • Creative and adaptable 
  • Comfortable working with children and teens 
  • Organized and proactive 
  • Excited by devised, ensemble-based theatre 
  • Committed to equity and community-centered artistic practice 
  • Positive role models who help young people feel seen, heard, and empowered 

 CMHA CAN Schedule

  • Two afternoons each week (Monday–Thursday depending on site assignment) 
  • Approximately 3:30–6:00 pm 
  • Weekly staff meetings and planning (approximately 1–2 hours) 

 Compensation: $16–18 per hour, based on experience. 

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CPT Improves Customer and Donor Experience

CPT Improves Customer & Donor Experience

Renovations to the Cleveland Public Theatre campus are not the only improvements underway!

To enhance our customer and donor experience, the theatre has migrated to a ticketing and fundraising system called CueBox. This customer relationship management software is designed to help improve your online and mobile ticketing experience by making the process smoother and more efficient.

Through the system, you’ll be able to easily access mobile wallet tickets through Apple or Google.

The most noticeable change is what you’ll see when you click on the “Donate” or “Ticket” buttons when you purchase a ticket or make a donation. Please see the screenshots below for examples. The circled images show an example of an “event” page and “donation” page, and the images to the right of each show what patrons will see when they click on those buttons.

We hope that you enjoy the changes and look forward to hearing your feedback.

Note that Pandemonium 2026 tickets will go on sale in August, and an email with the exact date will be sent at that time. Thus, the images below are an example of what the pages will look like.

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Announcing SoftLaunch + The PILOT Project

Announcing SoftLaunch and The PILOT Project!

Cleveland Public Theatre announces two interconnected opportunities for performance creators:

SoftLaunch and the PILOT Project

SoftLaunch 2027

SoftLaunch is a performance festival dedicated to bold experimentation, innovation, and the reinvention of what performance can be. Think installation art, immersive experiences, audience-interactive work, performances for intimate audiences, and work that pushes beyond traditional performance formats!

This weekend-long festival takes place on January 28, 29 & 30 at 7:00pm. Audiences receive a festival pass and journey throughout the theatre, encountering a variety of performance experiments and works in development.

SoftLaunch features work at various stages of development, from early workshops to fully produced, focusing on pieces (or experiences) that don’t fit within typical theatrical structures. SoftLaunch is specifically interested in work that reimagines the relationship between audience, performer, space, and story. The festival is less interested in work presented within a conventional theatre structure (even if that piece is radical) and more interested in projects that explore unconventional forms and new possibilities for what live performance can be!

For example:
Sleep No More an immersive, audience-driven performance in which audiences move through the environment and construct their own experience of the work? YES

Recent Sankai Juku performance conceptually & visually rich, proscenium-based performance presented for seated audiences? NO

*SoftLaunch is open to out-of-state applicants. However, there is no additional financial support for out-of-state artists. If you are traveling, please plan to cover your own travel and take care of all accommodations yourself (housing, per diem, etc.).

CPT provides the following SoftLaunch benefits:

  1. Access to the performance space as early as possible, with additional rehearsal space accommodations when available
  2. Access to available CPT lighting, sound, props, costumes, and scenic inventory (upon request)
  3. Stage management for the festival event
  4. Front-of-house and box office support
  5. Direct mail piece advertising the series
  6. Program/schedule for the event
  7. A project fee between $400-1000, determined by scale, scope, and level of completion
  8. The value of CPT’s investment in each individual project as part of this event is $3,500-7,500

Lead Artists MUST:

  1. Be present on site at all showings of their work (even if they are not performing): Jan. 28, 29 & 30
  2. Attend four cohort meetings on Saturdays: Dec. 5 at 2:30pm-4:30pm, and Dec. 12, Jan. 2 & 9 at 10am-noon
  3. Attend the following Tech/Dress Rehearsals, which are required for all participating artists. This schedule reflects feedback from artists over the past two years requesting additional opportunities to experience each other’s work.-Tech Rehearsals: Wed. Jan. 20, Thurs. Jan. 21 & Fri. Jan. 22 (all tech work must be completed by Jan. 22).

    -Tech/Dress Weekend: Sat. Jan. 23 & Sun. Jan. 24 (artists will experience one another’s work & run projects simultaneously) 

    -Final Dress Rehearsals: Tues. Jan. 26 & Wed. Jan. 27, 6:00pm–11:00pm (both days required) 

  4. Ensure all artistic content is owned by the artist, or the artist must have authority to use material (in case of adaptation or inclusion of other content).
  5. Lead their own independently contracted creative teams (performers, designers, technicians, etc.).
  6. Attend wrap-up meeting on Sat. Feb. 13 at 1pm

There are three ways artists can get involved in SoftLaunch:

  1. Apply with your piece through the Google Form Application here.
  2. Apply for The PILOT Project by Sept. 2nd, 2026: PILOT Project
  3. If not currently attached to a project, express interest in being considered for collaboration (acting/tech/volunteer), and CPT will share that interest with SoftLaunch creators. Please send your resume and headshot to aurozhaeva@cptonline.org with the subject line: “Collaborators for SoftLaunch.”

SoftLaunch applications are due no later than November 3, 2026.

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Cleveland Public Theatre is looking for a Guest Experience Manager

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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