The End of Black Excellence

Presented by Cleveland Public Theatre
Written and performed by Chris Webb

November 19, 2026 - November 22, 2026

Gordon Square Theatre Performances are Thurs., Fri., & Sat., at 7:30pm, and Sun. at 3pm.*

60 Minutes

Adult: Thu & Sun $30/ Fri & Sat $45
Senior: Thu & Sun $20/ Fri & Sat $35
Student: Thu& Sun $15/ Fri & Sat $25
VIP seats $60

Tickets will be on sale in Mid-October.

All ticket exchanges are made at CPT's discretion and are not guaranteed. Exchange requests must be made at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled performance time by calling or emailing the box office. Exceptions to this rule may be made at CPT's discretion for valid circumstances.

Back by popular demand after sold-out performances last year! 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 that he craves.

CONTENT DISCLOSURE: This production contains the use of haze.

*Community Care Performance: out of consideration for our patrons with Long COVID and compromised immune systems, N95, KN95, or surgical face masks are required for all attendees during this performance. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community safe. CPT will have masks available.

The Gordon Square Theatre is ADA-compliant featuring a patron elevator and an all-gender, wheelchair accessible restrooms.

Ensemble Members:

Voiceovers by: Sam Cocco, Mary Francis, Kvne, Sierra Delaine Robinson

The Creative Production Team Includes:

Producer: Raymond Bobgan
Graphic Designer: Sarah Beth Morgan

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT

Chris Webb is a globally recognized spoken word artist, an Emmy-winning journalist, and a filmmaker from Cleveland, Ohio. From 2015-2020, he toured with the world’s largest spoken word tour, Poets in Autumn, where he performed original pieces annually for 50 U.S. cities and international dates, including London, Kenya, and the Caribbean. From 2020-2025, he joined WKYC 3 to document powerful perspectives from Cleveland’s marginalized and emerging communities, ultimately earning a 2021 Emmy. As a filmmaker, Chris has been featured on MTV, BET, and the Tribeca Film Institute among others. Chris is a Cleveland School of the Arts graduate and trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, Scotland before earning his degree from the California Institute of the Arts in Los Angeles. As an ad director, Chris has produced ad work for the White House, the Essence Festival, the National Civil Rights Museum, and other local and national vendors. His ad work has earned Telly, Webby, and Promax recognition. As a storyteller, Chris is a 2025 finalist of the International Storytelling Centre’s “Story Slam,” set to compete in Jonesborough, Tennessee this year. In The End of Black Excellence, Chris merges all of his practices into a piece that reflects on survival, self-acceptance, and the power of mentorship in life’s most critical moments. This play is dedicated to the memory of Bill Cobbs, Dr. Scott Miller, Gwen Norfleet-Rodgers, Jacquie Gillon, and many other mentors who have helped guide the way.