Dom DeLuise: In 1952, actor/director/producer/author and sometimes chef, Dom DeLuise began his showbiz career as an apprentice painting scenery, stage managing and doing other production tasks at CPH. He stayed on to join the acting ensemble for two years appearing in such productions as Bloomer Girl, Stalag 17, The School for Scandal, Night Must Fall, Best Foot Forward, Hamlet, and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. From Cleveland he went to New York, where he was discovered and signed to Garry Moore’s TV variety show. Dom’s remarkable career comprised of hundreds of television appearances and motion pictures and later as a children’s book author and chef.

Evie McElroy: Evie McElroy was a leading lady in the Cleveland Play House resident company for 20 years, from 1968 until 1988, and she made CPH history in the 1972-73 season by becoming the first female staffer at the theater to direct a major production, Harold Pinter’s Old Times. One of her most storied acting roles, performed in her third season, was that of a self-loathing, child-abusing, drug-addicted mother in the world premiere of The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, which went on to win a Pulitzer Prize. She was much beloved by actors with whom she shared the stage and, particularly, whom she directed.

Richard Gould: For 34 years Richard Gould was an important and formative part of the Cleveland Play House community. In 1954 Richard came to the scenic staff under the leadership of Paul Rodgers, where he honed his skills in stage design, scene painting, and stagecraft. In the 60s during his off-season from his theatre job in Michigan , Richard worked with CPH each summer as lighting designer and technical director for the Chautauqua season. In 1971 Richard was invited to join Richard Oberlin’s staff as the Head of Design at CPH until 1988, all while being a mentor and teacher to young designers in town and all over the country.

Stanley and Barbara Meisel: Stanley and Barbara “Bobby” Shiffman Meisel have been a powerful and dedicated couple for many arts institutions in Cleveland. For countless years, Stan and Bobby have been generous supporters of CPH through both their time and financial resources.  In great part, they have supported children’s programming and education, and the Case Western Reserve University-Cleveland Play House MFA Acting Program.  Stan served as Board Treasurer, on the Executive Committee, and was President of the Play House Club and of the Men’s Committee. Bobby was always the “”go-to” person who chaired many groups for the Women’s Committee. After several years of dedication, Bobby was elected their President and served from 1982-84.