Barclay Leathem: Barclay Leathem was an educator at Case Western Reserve University who formed CWRU's Department of Theatre and Drama, obtained a Rockefeller Foundation Grant to build the Eldred Theatre, and developed important working relationships with Cleveland Play House and Karamu House. In the summer of 1931, Frederic McConnell and Leathem developed the first program where an educational institution and a professional theatre joined together to teach courses for college credit.  He served as the first chair of CWRU’s Theatre Department until 1970 and shaped the course of theatre education at Case Western Reserve University and theatre education across America.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gHF91BSKrA

Dee Hoty: got her start in theatre at Cleveland Play House. She has since earned three Tony Award nominations for starring roles in Footloose, The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public, and The Will Rogers Follies. She starred on Broadway and in eight major U.S. cities as Donna in Mamma Mia! Additional Broadway credits include Bye Bye Birdie at Roundabout Theatre Company, City of Angels (Outer Critics Circle Nomination), Me and My Girl, Big River, The Five O’Clock Girl and Shakespeare’s Cabaret. Other highlights include playing Diana Vreeland in Full Gallop, tours of 9 to 5 as Violet, Barnum, Doctor Dolittle, Phyllis in Follies (Paper Mill, cast recording), and Kay Thompson in Stormy Weather (Barrymore Award, L.A. Ovation Award nomination). Film and television includes Smash, Elementary, Law & Order(s), the soaps, commercials, voiceovers, recordings and cabaret work. Hoty is a graduate of Otterbein College with an honorary doctorate from same. Proud to be a member of Actors’ Equity Association, she will soon be inducted into CPH’s Hall of Fame.

View video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4pxYPbhFp8 

http://www.deehoty.com

Frank and Dorothy Draz: Francis K. Draz was the architect of the iconic theatre building on East 86th Street in 1927 and, 20 years later, the conversion of a Christian Science church into the 77th Street Theatre with its innovative “thrust” stage and the original Play House Club.  Dorothy Draz was active on the Women’s Committee from its earliest days.  She became a “Den Mother,” cooking meals in the staff dining room and providing midnight suppers during “strike nights.” For many a Play House actor or technician, friendship with the Drazes was an important part of their Cleveland experience.   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfzfR2ExoWI

Jack Weston: Jack Weston began acting at the age of 10, when he joined Cleveland Play House’s Children’s Theatre, the Curtain Pullers.  In 1950, he made his Broadway debut as Stewpot in the long-running musical, South Pacific. After that, he quickly became a regular as a character actor in a variety of 1950’s television shows.  He also had a long film career including pictures such as The Four Seasons, Wait Until Dark, and The Ritz. While achieving great success as a film actor, he never abandoned his love for the stage, and he was a loyal supporter of Cleveland Play House.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qShbbA9P_fM