Cleveland Public Theatre/ Teatro Público de Cleveland Announces Auditions for EL COQUÍ ESPECTACULAR and the Bottle of Doom

Cleveland Public Theatre/ Teatro Público de Cleveland announces Auditions for 

EL COQUÍ ESPECTACULAR and the Bottle of DooM


By Matt Barbot

Directed by Fabio Polanco 

LOOKING TO CAST THE FOLLOWING ROLES… 

ALEX, mid to late 20s, Nuyorican. A comic book artist from Sunset Park, Brooklyn, who has taken to dressing as a superhero of his own creation. Actor will engage in some parkour/superhero like movement and fight choreography. Actor may briefly appear shirtless (if so, staging will be developed within the actor’s boundaries.) 

JOE, 30s. Alexs brother. Works at a marketing startup. 

PATRICIA, mid to late 50s. Joe and Alex’s mother. A widow. Actor will engage in some fight choreography. 

YESICA, mid to late 20s to early 30s. Dominican/Colombian. A photographer and artist from Sunset Park. 

EL CHUPACABRA, ageless. A supervillain. El Coquí’s archenemy and a manifestation of Alex’s anxieties. Any gender. Actor will engage in some parkour/superhero like movement and fight choreography. 

JUNIOR, mid to late 20s. Nuyorican. A former school bully of Alex’s. Currently a rapper. Doubled with El Chupacabra. 

* We are open to seeing both AEA and non-AEA actors for these auditions. 

ABOUT THE PLAY… 

The play follows the journey of a struggling comic book artist, Alex, who grapples with self-doubt and the allure of a steady job in advertising alongside his brother Joe, when fate brings him to take on a secret identity of his own. Now Alex finds himself encountering challenges and finding his way through the uncertainty of what it means to become a hero… Not only on the page… But also, off the page… 

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Cleveland Public Theatre Announces Auditions for THE BODY PLAY

Cleveland Public Theatre announces Auditions for

THE BODY PLAY

By Madison Wetzell

Directed by Paige Conway

Looking to cast the following roles…

  • Amy: Amy’s mind, disembodied. Female, 20s-30s
  • The Body: Amy’s body. Just the body. Female, 20s-30s
  • Ensemble: Between 1 and 3 actors to play various roles each. Female and nonbinary, varying ages

We are open to seeing both AEA and non-AEA actors for these auditions.

About The Play…

Something is very wrong with Amy’s Body. One protagonist is played by two actors, a detached, neurotic mind, and her chaotic, screaming Body. The Mind submits her Body to the scrutiny of experts—doctors, therapists, yoga teachers—and ultimately explores what it might mean to BE a body. A meditation on chronic illness and the absurdity of being embodied.

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CPT IS HIRING FRONT OF HOUSE STAFF

CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE IS HIRING FRONT OF HOUSE STAFF

Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) is hiring Front of House (FOH) staff, key members of the CPT team who make meaningful contributions to the CPT Patron Experience. This is a part-time, seasonal position from January to May, with options to renew employment for the following season based on performance.

Hours depend on production schedules but will typically involve Thursday-Saturday and Monday evenings for approximately 3-6 hours per night. Sunday afternoon and Wednesday evening shifts also occur on occasion. FOH staff also work special events outside of the general season (Pandemonium, Station Hope, event rentals, etc.).

Pay is $15.00/hour. Anticipated start date is January 20th, 2025. Application deadline is Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

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Auditions for “Showin’ Up Black” Take Place Nov 16 & 18

CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR Showin’ Up Black

Written by Jeanne Madison 

Directed by Jimmie Woody

LOOKING TO CAST THE FOLLOWING ROLEs: 

CLAIRE HOPEGOODE: Affluent, elegant, African American, early 50s, member and Cotillion Ball Chair of the elite African American sorority, Gamma Zeta Epsilon. Married to Louis since college.  

LOUIS HOPEGOODE: Affluent, elegant, African American, early 50s, attorney and partner in the prestigious law firm Minor Gray and Carter, married to Claire since college.  

EVVIE HOPEGOODE: African American, 17-year-old debutante, senior at Boston Preparatory Academy, an exclusive boarding school affiliated with Boston University, and daughter of Claire and Louis Hopegoode.  

MARIE DEADWYLER: Affluent, elegant, African American, early 50s, Claire’s friend, neighbor, and sorority sister.  

KWAN RICHARDSON: African American, 19 years old, sophomore at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and grassroots organizer from The Points, a fictional low-income neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio, the “hood.”

*Accepting auditions from any equity & non-equity actors 

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Cleveland Public Theatre is hiring an Associate General Manager

Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) is hiring an Associate General Manager (AGM) which is a core part of the CPT staff and will make a meaningful contribution to life at CPT and its success.

Review of candidates will begin immediately. To apply for the position, send an email to Marguerite Hannah, general manager, at careers@cptonline.org by end of day Friday, November 15th. Subject line should read: YOUR LAST NAME, Associate General Manager. Your email should include two attachments: a resume and a two-page cover letter giving examples of work that illustrates the experience required in the job description and an explanation of why you are interested in this position. No phone calls or emails please.

Associate General Manager Job Description

CPT’s Associate General Manager (AGM) role is focused on supporting the day-to-day work of the General Manager and reports directly to the role. The AGM role requires flexibility, initiative, and curiosity about how things work. This role has day-to-day responsibility for payroll and Human Resource logistics including hiring and on-boarding process of new employees. The AGM is also responsible for assisting with office management & equipment. Equally important, the role provides day-to-day support to the GM at their direction and includes project-based assignments.

As an operational role, this position will interact and provide support to all staff members and should have a strong “customer service” attitude and communication skills. Candidates should be excited about solving problems with limited direction, self-teaching new skills, conducting research and communicating the results, and recommending courses of action. Constant re-prioritizing is a key skill.

CPT is primarily interested in candidates with 2 to 4 years of theatre administration experience but will consider applications from candidates with professional stage management, front of house, or production experience who are interested in making a career change. CPT will also consider exceptional early career candidates who may be well-positioned to make a leap forward.

Salary range is $43k to $50k based on work experience. Benefits include:

  • 50% contribution to medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401K plan.
  • 29 days of Paid Time Off (including 9 holidays).
  • 100% contribution to Short-term and Long-term disability and Life insurance.
  • Free tickets to Pandemonium, CPT’s annual fundraiser.
  • Free tickets and reimbursements for tickets to other local theatres.
  • An inspiring view of Lake Erie from our rooftop deck!

Associate General Manager Responsibilities

Areas of Responsibility

  • Payroll Management
  • Hiring & On-Boarding Processes and other Human Resource Management
  • Oversee office operations
  • Assist in facilities management
  • Act as liaison with outside I.T. vendor
  • Assist the General Manager on routine tasks and special projects

Payroll and Human Resources

  • Manage and execute weekly & twice monthly payroll disbursement through Paychex
  • Prepare and process letters of employment and all employment paperwork for new hires
  • Assist in the management and assessment of employee benefits
  • Assist in management of on-boarding scheduling and hiring

Other Duties

  • Assist in the management of staff meeting and staff events
  • Act as the GM’s representative as required
  • A commitment to centering anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices in their work
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

Skills

  • Strong writing and communication skills, especially around email correspondence and follow-up
  • Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
  • Microsoft Windows “Power-User”
  • Comfort with a range of standard office equipment
  • Paper and electronic filing skills
  • Formal training in theatre arts management, theatre production, communications field, or a writing discipline is not required, but preferred.

Experience (Your cover letter should speak to experience in these areas.)

  • Demonstrated project management or project management-like experience: For example, coordinating schedules and deadlines between people, assigning tasks, maintaining task lists, following up with people on assignment progress and holding them accountable, assessing project completion.
  • Experience moving between different types of projects and tasks in the course of a day.
  • Notable and demonstratable experience in at least two of the following three areas:
    • Facilities management or home maintenance and repair
    • Information Technology (that is, computer and network use and management)
    • Office operations oversite
  • Experience assessing and negotiating with outside vendors
  • Theatre administration experience will be given special consideration

Qualities and Personality

  • Curiosity about how things work and ability to self-teach
  • Attention to detail and accuracy while working on multiple projects and tasks
  • Able to work efficiently and calmly in a fast-paced environment
  • Able to re-prioritize tasks as they arise
  • Genuine interest in the arts and knowledge of live theatre
  • Highly organized and self-motivated
  • Energetic, enthusiastic, and always willing to see projects to completion

Remote Work Policy

Staff are required to work in-office at least 32 hours per week. On average there would be an additional 5-10 hours of work per week, with the option to work from home when the needs of the position allow.

About the CPT Staff

CPT employs a full-time staff of 25 people and nearly 100 temporary positions. Staff cares passionately about reflecting our community and pursuing diversity at all levels of the organization. We value hard work, and strive to center courage, humanity, integrity, representation, respect, and joy while challenging each other to do and be our collective best. CPT has undertaken work to accelerate and formalize its growth to becoming a fully anti-racist organization, engaging all staff, board, and artists in that work.

For applicants considering relocation to Cleveland: our city is an excellent community to live in with top-notch arts and culture, a vibrant theatre scene, beautiful public parks, a great lake, and affordable housing.

About Cleveland Public Theatre

CPT is a nationally recognized center for contemporary performance, the theatre’s 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 6-12 adventurous professional productions and a robust series of new play development programs that support writers and devisers at multiple points in the creative process. Historically, many plays produced at CPT are by BIPOC artists and women. 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 community ensembles Teatro Público de Cleveland and Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi; and CPT presents Station Hope, an annual large-scale community arts festival. CPT’s annual budget is around $2.5 million a year.

 

Apply Now for DanceWorks 2025!

Cleveland Public Theatre presents

DanceWorks 2025

Request for Proposals – Deadline: November 22nd

CPT seeks local dance companies for DanceWorks 2025! For consideration, please fill out this form by November 22, 2024 at 5pm.

DanceWorks offers an opportunity for emerging and established Northeast Ohio dance companies and choreographers to present world premiere works in a series with other local dance companies as an important part of Cleveland Public Theatre’s 2024-2025 Season. Read More ›

Announcing Test Flight 2025

Deadline for submissions is Friday, November 15, 2024. Apply here!

Following the incredible success of last year’s Test Flight, we’re thrilled to invite you to be part of an exciting new chapter! Our 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. 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!

WHAT WILL IT LOOK LIKE THIS YEAR?

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Announcing SoftLaunch and The PILOT Project!

UPDATE: This post reflects the extended deadlines for both programs. The PILOT Project deadline is now October 7, 2024, and the SoftLaunch deadline is October 14, 2024.

Cleveland Public Theatre announces two interconnected opportunities for performance creators: SoftLaunch and The PILOT Project.

SoftLaunch

SoftLaunch is a new performance festival that seeks bold experimentation, innovation, and complete reinvention of what theatre can be. (Think installation art, immersive performance, shows for one or two people, and way beyond all that—we don’t know what all this can be!) 

SoftLaunch is a weekend-long festival/conference, January 23-26, 2025. Audience members get a pass and can wander as they wish to see different performance experiments. This is a beta test, and we are seeking work that ranges from workshop to fully produced.  

We are only interested in projects that do not fit the normal theatre mode─not plays that are produced in a normal theatre setting even if that play is radical.  Read More ›

Marguerite Hannah Joins CPT as General Manager

Cleveland Public Theatre is excited to welcome Marguerite Hannah to its management team as General Manager. She succeeds Denis Griesmer, who will be exclusively focusing on financial management and leadership as CPT’s Director of Finance.  

“Marguerite brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from years of work in the corporate and nonprofit theatre sectors, but the greatest asset she brings to CPT is her wisdom and experience. She understands the big picture from the technical (e.g. accounts payable) to the personal (e.g. working with artists). Plus, Marguerite is a great performer, director, and dramaturg!  We are thrilled not only for CPT but for the Cleveland theatre community.” 

─ Executive Artistic Director Raymond Bobgan 

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Cleveland Public Theatre’s “Cultivate” 2024/2025 Season

Cleveland, OH – Cleveland Public Theatre’s (CPT) Executive Artistic Director Raymond Bobgan is proud to announce the 2024/2025 Season aptly named “Cultivate.”

The theme is a nod to the theatre’s ongoing dedication to the expansion of new work partly supported by a generous grant from Mellon Foundation as part of the Future of American Theatre Cohort that was announced earlier this year.

“This is an incredible time of reinvention and of planting new seeds and appreciating the fruition of some projects we have been working on for years! CPT is one of the few theatres in the country to produce seasons of virtually all brand new plays, and we are thrilled to continue this work, while also looking for reinvention across the field and nurturing great local and national talent.”

―Executive Artistic Director Raymond Bobgan

Highlights this year include the World Premiere of the non-profit workplace comedy not-for-profit (or the equity, diversity and inclusion play) by francisa da ilveira (can I touch it?)*, the return of Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi’s The Outstretched Hand, the world premiere of Jeanne Madison’s Showin’ Up Black, and three holidays shows!  Also, cultivating this season, is the launch of a brand-new play development program called Soft Launch.

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