STUDENT THEATRE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (STEP) 2025: TO SHAKE THE SLEEPING SELF (INSPIRED BY DON QUIXOTE)

July 24, 2025 - August 03, 2025

Times and locations vary, see below. Be sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket to our outdoor performances!

FREE

Inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote, To Shake the Sleeping Self explores the blurred lines between dreams and reality. Caught in the monotony of daily routines, a weary janitor longs for adventure and meaning. When a band of Guides arrive, wielding mops and brooms like wands, they spark a fantastical journey—transforming the mundane into the magical. Daring to envision a life beyond the ordinary, a Dreamer and a trusty Sidekick, embark on quests filled with humor, bravery, and imagination. Incorporating music, song and dance, this new work by the 2025 STEP Ensemble takes the audience on a journey about the magic that lies just beyond the horizon.

Tour Schedule

Thursday, July 24, 7pm — Herman Park, 6198 Herman Ave.
Friday, July 25, 1pm — Woodhill Station West, 9511 Buckeye Rd.
Sunday, July 27, 3pm — Romanian Cultural Garden, 870 MLK Jr. Blvd.
Monday, July 28, 7pm — Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus, 3649 E. 65th St. Due to inclement weather, tonight's performance will be held indoors in the church's social center basement at 6601 Baxter Ave. (the building is not wheelchair accessible).
Tuesday, July 29, 7pm — Halloran Park, 3550 W. 117th St.
Thursday, July 31, 6pm — Riverside Park Community Ctr., 17800 Parkmount Ave. This performance will be indoors due to inclement weather.
Friday, August 1, 6pm — Outhwaite Homes Community Center, 2452 E. 46th & Quincy
Saturday, August 2, 7pm — Lincoln Park (Arts in August), W. 14th St. & Starkweather Ave.
Sunday, August 3, 7pm — Cleveland Public Theatre, 6415 Detroit Ave.

Ensemble Members:

PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLE: Javion Battle, Aleena Brown, DeAndré Chapman Jr., Paradise Craig, Ashley-Tatum Delaine, Sasha Godfrey, Arihsay Gonzalez Rivera, Terrence Johnson, Takiya Long, Fernando Martinez, Ailene McCluney, Lakarrion McNeal, Gabrielle Muleba, Jordyn Patterson, Chante'l Roberts, Gabriella Silva, Nico Smith, August Sumlin, Makayla Taylor, Nathan Thorpe, Eva Vergez, Lynx Vergez, Aaliyah Wagner, Jaybriona Wells, William Willis Jr., Tah’V’yheer Zuber

TECH TEAM: Shantieliz Capeles, Amirr Edmonds, Joseph Edwards, Nate Griffith, Arland (AJ) Jackson, Faith McClellan, Naelah Moore, Avery Mosley, Skylar Noire, Sampson Parker

The Creative Production Team Includes:

CLICK HERE for bios!

STEP in the News

https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2025/07/cleveland-teens-bring-don-quixotes-spirit-to-life-in-summer-theater-program.html

Photos by Steve Wagner (click to enlarge)

Very special thanks to:

Council President Blaine A. Griffin and Councilpersons, Kerry McCormack, Stephanie Howse-Jones, Kevin Conwell, Danny Kelly, Rebecca Maurer, Jenny Spencer, and Charles J. Slife.

Made possible through the generous support of:

Cleveland City Council and the Mayor’s Office of Prevention, Intervention, and Opportunity for Youth and Young Adults; Brewer-Garrett; Dollar Bank Foundation; First Federal Lakewood; Martha Holden Jennings Foundation; David & Inez Myers Foundation; PNC Bank; United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland; William M. Weiss Foundation

Special thanks to these Community Partners: Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc., City of Cleveland Department of Community Development, City of Cleveland Division of Special Events, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, Northwest Neighborhoods CDC, Slavic Village Development, Tremont West Development Corporation, The Iron Ward, Westown Community Development Corporation, and West Park Kamm’s Neighborhood Development

STEP 2024: CARVED, AN ADAPTATION OF CARLO COLLODI’S PINOCCHIO

What is STEP?

CPT’s Student Theatre Enrichment Program (STEP) is a rigorous, arts-based program that provides hands-on job training, engaging Cleveland youth from families defined as low-income in a powerful learning experience that develops job skills, academic achievement, and interpersonal skills. As part of this eight-week summer program, youth ages 14–19 work together to create, produce, perform, and tour their own play. This program is the longest-running arts-based workplace development program in Cleveland and is an international model for engaging youth. Since its beginning in 1994, STEP has received multiple awards and recognitions, including those from the City of Cleveland, The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Through STEP, teens see themselves as a positive and inspirational force and watch as their work has an impact on the larger Cleveland community.