Announcing CPT’s “Ever Emerging”2026/2027 Season

Cleveland Public Theatre’s (CPT) Executive Artistic Director & CEO Raymond Bobgan announces the “Ever Emerging” 2026/2027 season which features a mix of devised works, presented works, festivals of new work, annual programming, and new offerings by CPT’s Community Ensembles, Teatro Público de Cleveland, Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi مسرح كليفلاند العربي and Cleveland CORE Ensemble.

There will also be unique programming around the holidays and exciting new collaborations including one with Seat of the Pants Productions. The new season kicks of next month with
Dia de Muertos in its 22nd year at CPT, the return of Chris Webb’s masterpiece The End of Black Excellence, and a new piece in partnership with the Educational & Cultural Ukrainian American League (ECUAL) called Train: Ukrzaliznytsia (English and Ukrainian words for “Train”).

We can’t wait for you to check out our newly renovated Gordon Square Theatre and Joan Yellen Horvitz Performance Gallery (the former church). Also, patrons will be able to access the James Levin Theatre through the main box office lobby outside of the Gordon Square Theatre.

“Cleveland Public Theatre’s 2026–2027 season celebrates what is rising, opening, and becoming visible. As our campus transforms, so does the work we make and the ways we gather. There’s much more to come.”—Raymond Bobgan, Executive Artistic Director & CEO

The End of Black Excellence
November 19 – November 22, 2026
By Chris Webb
Gordon Square Theatre
ON SALE NOW!

Returning after its 2025 sold-out run, The End of Black Excellence follows a man who just may be the first Black person born without “Black excellence.” In his attempt to prove this theory wrong, he puts on an (ever-failing) solo show to prove his worth, value, and connection with the elusive excellence he craves.

A Premiere Workshop by Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi مسرح كليفلاند العربي
December 4 – December 6, 2026
James Levin Theatre

A workshop production of a new piece celebrating the Arabic-speaking communities of Cleveland. The piece will share vital, life-affirming stories celebrating family, dignity, and freedom of expression. These stories affirm a rich heritage and seek to move Cleveland to shed preconceptions and stereotypes and grow empathy and understanding.

SOFTLAUNCH
January 28 – January 30, 2027
The CPT Campus

SoftLaunch is back in its third year to engage audiences in an immersive theatrical experience that encompasses the CPT campus. SoftLaunch includes interactive performances, intimate shows for 1-3 people at a time, performance installation, and other works that defy expectations of what theatre can be.

DANCEWORKS
February 11 – March 7, 2027
Gordon Square Theatre

Cleveland Public Theatre’s popular multi-weekend showcase of Northeast Ohio’s most innovative dance groups featuring different styles of dance each week.

TEST FLIGHT
February 18 – March 27, 2027
James Levin Theatre

Test Flight is a multi-week series that showcases new work by new and seasoned playwrights on the path to full production. The series provides artists with the keys to the theatre and the opportunity to co-produce original works-in-progress. It also encourages risk-taking and an entrepreneurial spirit towards creating new work while offering artists a structured support system.

Y-Haven Theatre Project
Created and performed with participants of Y-Haven
a branch of the YMCA of Greater Cleveland
March 2027
Gordon Square Theatre

Y-Haven Theatre Project is a 28-year partnership between Cleveland Public Theatre and Y-Haven. Through the program, CPT collaborates with the clients of Y-Haven to create an original theatre production that shares powerful stories of recovery and personal triumph, capturing authentic and emotional power as the cast shares their true-to-life experiences.

Jardín Salvaje
(Native Gardens)
By Karen Zacarías with Spanish translation by Gustavo Ott
Directed by Juliana Frey-Méndez
Co-produced by Cleveland Public Theatre and Teatro Público de Cleveland
April 1 – April 17, 2027
Gordon Square Theatre

In this brilliant comedy, cultures and gardens clash, turning well-intentioned neighbors into feuding enemies. In Spanish with English supertitles.

CPT AT THE HOLIDAYS…
Cleveland Public Theatre is known to present out-of-the-box holiday programming, and this year will be no different.

Tease the Season
Conceived and produced by Bella Sin,
presented by Cleveland Burlesque & Cleveland Public Theatre
December 10 – December 12, 2026
Gordon Square Theatre

“Cleveland Burlesque Queen” Bella Sin and friends are back for another adult-only evening of burlesque, drag, aerials, live singers, comedy, and… more burlesque. This show is for 18+ only!

Cleveland Vs. Winter
Presented by Cleveland Public Theatre
Produced by Experts in a Dying Field
Directed by Jonathon Morgan
Written by Jeanne Madison, Kari Barclay, Eric Coble,
Maggie Cregan, John Busser, and Greg Mandryk
Music by Zach Palumbo
December 10 – December 13, 2026
James Levin Theatre

“A hilarious, magical holiday adventure that could only happen in Cleveland.”

Somebody broke winter. A once-in-a-century blizzard is burying Cleveland, the city’s ancient magic is unraveling, and one determined City Hall employee is its last hope. With help from the Ghosts of Dead Man’s Curve, the Lake Effect Spirit, and a motley crew of supernatural misfits, she’ll have to save the season before Cleveland freezes for good.

The Light of Kinara: In the Spirit of Kwanzaa
By Djapo Cultural Arts Institute
December 17 – December 20, 2026
Gordon Square Theatre

More than a celebration of Kwanzaa, The Light of Kinara is a powerful reminder of the enduring light within us all, a light that shines brightest when we come together as a community, honoring our heritage and illuminating a future grounded in shared values. The celebration features spoken word, music, African drumming and dance.

OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS

Día de Muertos
Saturday, November 7, 2026
CPT campus, 11:00am–10:00pm
Presented by Cleveland Public Theatre/Teatro Público de Cleveland & Día de Muertos Ohio.
Artistic Director: Héctor Castellanos Lara
Reserve your free ticket now! Suggested $10 donation.

For over two decades this celebration of the dead inspired by the Mexican holiday has become an iconic CPT event attended by thousands locally and nationally. A vibrant cultural celebration for all ages and walks of life, the event includes music, dance, a pop-up market, and a chance to view the beautiful ofrendas (altars) and the highly anticipated Parade of Skulls that shuts down Detroit Ave. each year.

Due to a loss in funding for this beloved celebration, we are suggesting at least a $10 donation to help offset the costs of producing the event. Tickets also help us to provide important data to potential funders. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Train: Ukrzaliznytsia
Presented by Cleveland Public Theatre
Directed & written by Kseniia Lysiuk
November 27 & November 28, 2026
Gordon Square Theatre

A Mystical Fantasy Drama
Four Ukrainian women. One mysterious train. A journey beyond time and reality.
Written and directed by Kseniia Lysiuk and co-produced by the Educational and Cultural Ukrainian American League (ECUAL), Train — Ukrzaliznytsia (the English and Ukrainian words for “Train”) follows four women traveling toward an unknown destination. As memories blur and secrets awaken, the boundaries of reality begin to dissolve. Is the train taking them somewhere new—or back to something they have forgotten?

Cleveland Public Theatre Presents
The Sparrow’s Fortune’s The Books That Found Us
December 4 – December 6, 2026
James Levin Theatre
A community workshop production in celebration of Toni Morrison.

Through The Books That Found Us, seven Clevelanders encounter a novel written by Toni Morrison at a pivotal point in their lives. Each book gives them language for the experiences they struggle to communicate. Over time, the characters intersect in a shared space within the Cleveland arts/community scene.

Cleveland Public Theatre Presents
Seat of the Pants Production’s
All The Emilies In All The Universes
By Ian August
Directed by Scott Esposito
April 9 – April 25, 2027
James Levin Theatre

Emilie is struggling with the loss of her stillborn child in four parallel timelines. But when an unexpected bend in the space- time continuum brings these four versions of herself together, they realize that infinite possible realities mean that somewhere, their lost son was born alive. The Emilies vow to travel through multiple dimensions, risking permanent erasure from the multiverse, to find the baby they thought they’d lost. April ’27 brings a science fiction tale about coping with grief, pursuing self-acceptance, and finding the truth hidden in yourself.

NEW! ACT (Amplify, Connect & Transcend)
Coming Spring 2027
In the renovated Joan Yellen Horvitz Performance Gallery (former church)

CPT is launching an exciting new program that will change the Cleveland Arts Ecology. The program will offer classes, workshops, art-in-development and public forums. Look for information in the coming weeks.