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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The PILOT Project  

The PILOT Project is a creative cohort program guided by Cleveland Public Theatre’s Executive Artistic Director & CEO, Raymond Bobgan, with the goal of exploring innovations in theatrical performance and preparing the artists to apply for the upcoming SoftLaunch festival on January 28-30!

The PILOT Project brings together a cohort of artists to research new approaches to performance, inspire one another, and develop ideas for SoftLaunch. SoftLaunch is a new work development festival intended for theatrical work that is NOT theatre—think performances for one, seances, installations, immersive performances, participatory performances, and more.

Through engaging in the PILOT Project, the artists will prepare themselves to PILOT a project for SoftLaunch. This work will include engaging in conversations and guided creative explorations, sharing theatre-inspired performance practices, and ideating around new forms and fresh possibilities!

To be considered, Artists/PILOTs must commit to attending all workshops (one absence can be permitted) on Saturdays: Oct. 3, 10, 17 at 10am -1pm, and Sunday, Nov. 1 from 2pm – 5pm.

To apply for The PILOT Project, send an email with the following criteria to artistic@cptonline.org:  

1. Email subject should be your last name followed by The PILOT Project. 
2. Name.   
3. Phone Number.   
4. Attach resume. Provide links to any relevant work samples.   
5. Answers to the following questions: 

• Why do you want to be a part of The PILOT Project?
• What experience do you bring in making plays and/or in making “not-plays”?
• Do you already have some ideas about the kind of work you want to make?   
• What strengths do you bring into the room?  
• Where is your learning edge at? In what ways do you hope to grow and learn?   

Applications for The PILOT Project are due no later than September 2, 2026. 

If you have any questions, contact Line Producer Anastasía Urozhaeva aurozheva@cptonline.org  

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Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi
مسرح كليفلاند العربي

FREE THEATRE WORKSHOPS

Experience acting and theatre creation!
For people who identify as coming from Arabic-speaking communities.

WORKSHOP DATES

Monday, July 27 from 6:00-9:00pm
Wednesday, July 29 from 6:00-9:00pm
Thursday, July 30 from 6:00-9:00pm
Sunday, August 2 from 3:00-6:00pm
Tuesday, August 4 from 6:00-9:00pm

WHO: This program is for adults (18+) who are interested in theatre performance and curious about being a part of an Arabic-speaking theatre company. Arabic or English fluency is not needed for workshops, but workshops will be offered in English with some translation assistance from the group.

WHERE: Cleveland Public Theatre, 6415 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH.

WHAT: The purpose of Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi مسرح كليفلاند العربي
is to share the rich diversity and perspectives of Cleveland’s Arabic-speaking cultures and to fulfill CPT’s core mission: to raise consciousness and nurture compassion through groundbreaking performance and life-changing education programs.

WHAT’S NEXT: People who take the workshop have the extra option of being a part of the next Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi مسرح كليفلاند العربي
play! Rehearsals begin after the workshop.

To attend please RSVP to Anastasía Urozhaeva, aurozhaeva@cptonline.org. 

Click here to learn more about Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi مسرح كليفلاند العربي

Leaders have a gift for seeing our world as it could be, and the best leaders have the passion and dedication to bring that future into being. Deb Janik has dedicated over 35 years to transforming Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio through her extensive work in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Her career is marked by a range of leadership roles that have shaped the region’s growth and development. 

Deb recently launched CivicPoint Development Partners LLC, where, as President and Founder, she continues her lifelong commitment to advancing real estate, business, and workforce development investments both within Ohio and across the country. 

Prior to founding CivicPoint, Deb was Senior Vice President of Business Development for Bedrock, overseeing the implementation of the company’s Cleveland real estate development projects and programs. At Bedrock, she led major initiatives such as the Cuyahoga Riverfront Master Development and the Rock Block property in the Gateway District, drawing upon her longstanding cross-sector relationships to propel Bedrock’s developments in Cleveland’s central business district and contributing significantly to the city’s growth and prosperity. 

Before joining Bedrock, Deb served as Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Business Development at the Greater Cleveland Partnership. She managed the organization’s real estate, business, and economic development programs, spearheaded regional collaboration efforts, and facilitated catalytic economic development projects throughout Greater Cleveland. 

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Cleveland Public Theatre and Teatro Público De Cleveland

Announce Auditions for “Jardín Salvaje”

By Karen Zacarías

Translated into Spanish by Gustavo Ott

Directed by Juliana Frey-Méndez

AUDITIONS…

Thursday, 6/25 — 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Saturday, 6/27 — 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Monday, 6/29 — Callbacks from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Auditions are by appointment only and will be scheduled in individual 10-minute slots.

LOOKING TO CAST THE FOLLOWING ROLES…

CHARACTERS:

NOTE: The show will be performed in Spanish. Actors who are interested in speaking roles will need to have Spanish language proficiency. Actors cast in the ensemble roles will need to be familiar with, but not necessarily be fluent in, Spanish.

Tania Del Valle– female, early thirties, intelligent, friendly, positive, passionate, brimming with energy, doctoral student, 8 months pregnant and a gardener. Comenzando los treinta. Inteligente, simpática, positiva, apasionada, en forma, con mucha energía, candidata a doctorado. Embarazada y jardinera.

Pablo Del Valle– male, early thirties, intelligent, likable, ambitious. Junior lawyer hoping to make senior partner. Comenzando los treinta. Inteligente, simpático, ambicioso, inteligente. Joven abogado

Virginia Butley– female, 60’s-mid 70’s, an engineer—intelligent, likable, assertive, direct, and sensible. Entre sesenta y mediados de los setenta. Ingeniera, inteligente, simpática, asertiva, directa y sensata.

Frank Butley– male, 60’s-mid 70’s. Retired Federal employee. Gardener. Intelligent, likable, excitable, affectionate, and thoughtful. Entre sesenta y mediados de los setenta. Empleado federal jubilado. Jardinero. Inteligente, simpático, excitable, cariñoso y detallista.

Ensemble (2-4 actors/actores) Additional actors to play the silent roles of landscapers, the surveyor, building examiner, additional neighbors etc., creating theatrical vignettes between scenes. They are the witnesses and the transformers of the play and of situations, helping bring the world of the story to life.

Los extras desempeñan papeles silenciosos del TOPÓGRAFO, PAISAJISTAS, e INSPECTOR. Hay breves viñetas teatrales entre escenas que pueden ayudar a transformar el jardín. Estos actores exudar personalidades únicas mientras trabajan. Son los testigos, y los transformadores, tanto de la obra como de las situaciones.

ABOUT THE PLAY…

Tania, a pregnant doctoral student who loves natural landscapes, and her husband Pablo, a high-powered junior lawyer, are realizing the American dream when they purchase a house next door to community stalwarts Virginia and Frank. But a disagreement over a long-standing fence line soon spirals into an all-out war of taste, class, privilege, and entitlement. The hilarious and heart-warming results invite us to think about the nature of border wars, the cost of assimilation, and what it means to be a good neighbor.

Tania, una estudiante de doctorado embarazada y apasionada de los paisajes naturales, y su esposo Pablo, un ambicioso abogado en ascenso, parecen haber alcanzado el sueño americano al comprar una casa junto a Virginia y Frank, una respetada pareja que son los pilares de la comunidad. Sin embargo, un desacuerdo en torno a los límites de una cerca que ha delimitado ambas propiedades durante años pronto desencadena un conflicto cada vez más intenso, en el que afloran cuestiones de gusto, clase social, privilegio y sentido de pertenencia.

Esta guerra entre vecinos resulta en situaciones tan divertidas como conmovedoras, invitándonos a reflexionar sobre las causas de las disputas fronterizas, el precio de la aculturación, y lo que realmente significa ser un buen vecino en la sociedad contemporánea.

ABOUT THE PROCESS…

Rehearsals are 5-6 times a week, with evening weekday rehearsals and some daytime weekend rehearsals. Rehearsals will take place in Spanish and English. This production will adhere to the CLEan House Standards. This is a paid opportunity.

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Test Flight RFPs are due june 26, 2026

Test Flight, our multi-week play development series — a unique blend of education and creative incubation — returns, offering artists the opportunity to take bold risks and elevate their work like never before.

This year, we’re continuing our innovative cohort model, where you’ll learn from and be inspired by fellow artists and experienced producers in a supportive environment. In an attempt to try to better serve our artistic community, we’ll open Test Flight applications twice this season! This will be the first. Another application round will open after Pandemonium. Whether you’re looking to refine your self-production skills or explore fresh ideas, Test Flight is the perfect launchpad for your creative journey.

Participants will enjoy a full week in the vibrant James Levin Theatre, splitting time between rehearsals and performances, ensuring your project gets the spotlight it deserves. Plus, all the beloved elements of Test Flight remain — intimate workshops, engaging audiences, and the thrill of bringing your vision to life!

Encouraging entrepreneurial spirit, Test Flight includes workshop performances of theatre, dance, performance art, and genre-defying performances.

A Few Test Flight Artist Perks

• On-site rehearsal space for one week, prior to the load-in to James Levin Theatre
• Assistance from Tech Director/shop staff during your load-in, if you need it
• Some programming time with a lighting technician.
• A stage manager.
• Front-of-house and box office support.
• Some marketing support.
• A $1,200 advance to each single-bill, plus an additional 50% of the gross box office revenue or $500, whichever is greater.

Click to apply

We’re about to break ground on our multi-million-dollar renovations to our Gordon Theatre space and the Romanian church on our site, and we want you to be a part of it!  Please join us for our FREE tours to see firsthand what all the fuss is about and meet some of the key players on this project including CPT Executive Artistic Director Raymond Bobgan and Director of Development Melissa Waddell.

“Marous Brothers Construction is mobilized. Equipment is on site. We have the first of two building permits. It’s happening! CPT is beginning its important renovations that will transform the neighborhood, support audience and artists, and create the financial foundation for CPT to continue its vital work in our communities.”

—Executive Artistic Director Raymond Bobgan

Upcoming Tour Dates

February 11th (5pm) RSVP by February 10

March 9th (6pm) RSVP by March 6th

April 16th (5:30pm) RSVP by April 14th

May 14^th (5:30pm) RSVP by May 13th

Event Schedule

Tour of properties.

Learn more about the renovations.

Light appetizers will be served!

Tours take place at Cleveland Public Theatre, 6415 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44102.

RSVP to Development Associate Jen Shepard at jshepard@cptonline.org or 216-631-2727 Ext. 226.

 If by chance you didn’t know this was happening, and/or if you’d like to contribute, click here.

Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) is hiring seasonal FULL-TIME and PART-TIME Pandemonium Production and Technical Staff. These roles are integral to the creation & implementation of all artistic & technical components for CPT’s annual fundraiser gala, Pandemonium! Positions can begin as early as July 5th and can last through October 15th. The hourly rate for full and part-time work ranges from $19-$23. CPT will be accepting applications on an ongoing, first-come, first-served basis.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Every September, Cleveland Public Theatre hosts its one and only fundraising spectacular: Pandemonium which takes place this year on Saturday, September 6^th. It takes over six months to plan; hosts over 1,400 guests; while 300 artists and 150 volunteers donate their time for the event which raises between $300,000 and $400,000 annually for our programming. The Pandemonium Production Staff members are an integral part of the success of this event as they transform the CPT campus into an explosion of art & color creating indoor & outdoor performance spaces & art installations that cover the entire space of the event. During the event, the staff acts as a go-to team of stagehands & technicians, fixing any issues that should arise & helping the stage/area managers as needed. In the weeks following the event, the production staff will strike & restore the campus to prepare for the 2025/26 season!

Compensation: $19-23/hour

Anticipated Start & End Dates: We will add team members as the summer goes on July 1, August 1, and August 15^th. Employment may end early to accommodate schedules but ideally between September 15^th and October 15^th
*Must be available ALL DAY on September 5 ^th  and  6^th and daytime on 7 ^th

Hours: Full-Time Staff will work 35-40 hours a week in July and increase hours including overtime with overtime pay in the last few weeks before pan (not to exceed 60 hours a week)

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

BASE SKILLS

• Positive attitude and ability to collaborate and be a team player
• Technical skills in at least one of the following areas:
  • Sound
  • Lighting
  • Scenic Construction
  • Rigging
  • Visual Art
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50lbs

QUALITIES & PERSONALITY

• Ability to work efficiently and calmly in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to shift and change with process
• Highly organized and self-motivated
• Energetic, enthusiastic, and sees projects to completion

Review of candidates will begin immediately, and continue until all available positions are filled. To apply, send an email to careers@cptonline.org. Subject line should read: [LAST NAME], PAN Production Staff. The email should include two attachments: a resume, and a one-page cover letter describing your history, passion, why you are interested in this position, and what you have to offer. Candidates may be asked to provide additional materials after the original application.

ABOUT CPT

CPT is a nationally recognized center for contemporary performance. Its mission is to raise consciousness and nurture compassion through groundbreaking theatre and life-changing education programs. CPT implements this mission through its annual theatrical season, featuring between eight to ten adventurous professional productions and a robust series of new play development programs that support writers and devisers at multiple points in the creative process. CPT’s acclaimed education programs engage communities in devising new works that speak to contemporary issues and empower participants to work for positive change in our community. CPT is home to resident community ensembles Teatro Público de Cleveland and Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi, and CPT annually presents Station Hope, a large-scale community arts festival. CPT’s annual budget is around $1.8 million a year. CPT has 23 full-time staff members.