CPH Theatre Academy

For more than eight decades, Cleveland Play House (CPH) has offered educational programming as varied as the stories on its stages. Motivated by a community of spirited, inquisitive, and creative theatre makers, CPH Theatre Academy provides opportunities for engagement on a variety of levels. Classes welcome working adult professionals, preschool children with big imaginations, and everyone in between. Faculty from Tony Award recipient CPH excite creative potential, fortify aptitude, and nurture the passion necessary for artistic excellence.

All classes take place at the CPH rehearsal halls and classrooms located in downtown Cleveland. The courses span ages three through adult and provide all levels theatre training. No prior experience is necessary.

Discounts are available for multiple classes, same-household participants, current CPH Theatre Academy students, and CPH subscribers.

YOUTH OPEN DIVISION

These courses are for youth and teens who are passionate about drama and would love to learn more. Professional theatre educators and artists provide high-quality and developmentally –appropriate theatre instruction to students at all age levels.

YOUTH PRE-PROFESSIONAL DIVISION

These courses are geared toward youth and teens wanting to pursue a career in the performing arts. Professional theatre educators and artists provide high quality, year-long instruction in theatre, while guiding students in a complete rehearsal and performance experience.

ADULT OPEN DIVISION

Whether you are looking to hone your communication skills, audition for that community theatre role, or simply make theatre, our artistic and educational staff will engage and immerse adult learners in the love of theatre, while developing skills needed to enhance your vocal and physical abilities.

ADULT PROFESSIONAL DIVISION

For those already practicing their craft, Cleveland Play House artistic, education, and guest artists provide opportunities for professional theatre artists to sharpen their existing skills, while building a network of artists. Teachers include Laura Kepley, Robert Barry Fleming, and actors and directors from our mainstage season.

Spring Class Registration Opens November 15!

This fall, join Cleveland Play House for our second full year of CPH Theatre Academy! Students ages 3 and up will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of theatre classes, organized by America’s first regional theatre. Course offerings will range from creative drama, to scene-study, to movement, to devised work, musical theatre, to playwriting. Classes are available for students of all abilities.

All tuition prices below include a $25 registration fee.

Questions? Contact: academy@clevelandplayhouse.com

YOUTH OPEN DIVISION

AGES: 3-5
Songs, Stories and Me
Young participants will engage in head to toe learning through a gentle exploration of acting and song that will explore emotions and theatrical techniques such as movement, voice, and storytelling as they adapt beloved stories and fairytales.
Saturdays / Jan 19-May 4 / 9-9:45am / $200

AGES 5-7
Creative Drama
Theatre is about all about collaboration. In this fun and collaborative offering, participants will use short scripted scenes that will encourage the students to listen to their peers, share ideas, and work as a team. This process will also introduce vocal and movement skills to the young actors who will begin a journey of developing their own characters. Families will watch their young performers participate in a collaborative showcase in one of our rehearsal halls at the end of the session.
Saturdays / Jan 19-May 4 / 11am-noon / $255

AGES 7-9
Devised Theatre
Here, we’ll create a short new play! Through repetition and self-review, young performers will build the necessary theatre skills of concentration, focus, memorization, and adaptability. They will have the opportunity to showcase their plays in a collaborative final performance for friends and family in one of our rehearsal halls.
Saturdays / Jan 19-May 4 / noon-1pm / $255

AGES 10-12
Acting II
“Tween” actors will enhance their acting and develop the essential skills of focus and concentration as they learn to be a part of the collaborative process. The session culminates with everyone being cast in a 10-minute scripted play. Basic design elements such props, costumes, and sound will be utilized in rehearsal and performance. Families will watch their performers participate in a showcase at the end of the session.
Saturdays / Jan 19-May 4 / 2:30-4pm / $275

AGES 12-14
Acting III
Teen actors take the next step and begin to develop authentic characters through scene study and exploration using theatrical techniques such as vocal, physical, and psychological choices. Props and costumes will be integrated into the rehearsal and final performance. Families will watch their performers participate in a showcase at the end of the session.
Saturdays / Jan 19-May 4 / 1-2:30pm / $275

AGES: 13-18
Everyone's a Critic
Theatre Criticism Masterclass
Instructor: Sarah E. Wansley, CPH Artistic Directing Fellow
In this class, students will attend five productions at Cleveland Play House and engage with the plays as theatre journalists – conducting interviews with artists and writing features and reviews. In pre-show workshops, students will participate in hands-on theater making activities, learn more about the careers available in theater, and develop their voices as writers through peer-edited writing projects. As a culminating project, the class will collaboratively design and create their own theater blog and publish their writing from the semester.

Enrollment is open to all students on a first-come, first-served basis. All tickets to CPH productions will be provided. Attendance is a key part of this course; please only sign-up if you can attend at least 5 of the 7 workshops.

Saturdays / Jan 12, May 18 / noon-2pm
Saturdays / Feb 2, Feb 23, Mar 30, Apr 6, May 11 / noon-2pm with 2:30 pm show
Tuition-free

YOUTH PRE–PROFESSIONAL DIVISION

AGES 7-13
Advanced Curtain Pullers
Actors will be cast in a commissioned work that will highlight each of the ensemble member’s strengths and skill sets. During this opportunity, the actors will work with a director and playwright and will develop the techniques of advanced script analysis, create authentic characters, and refine their acting techniques. Ensemble performs on CPH’s Outcalt Stage in May.
Twice per week, plus technical rehearsals
Saturdays / Jan 19-May 11 / 9-11am
Wednesdays / Jan 23-May 7 / 6-8pm
4 monthly payments of $253.75

AGES 12+
Musical Theatre Ensemble
Participants will be cast in a musical that will highlight each of the ensemble member’s specific strengths and skill sets. Ensemble members will work with a director, choreographer and music director. Ensemble performs on CPH’s Outcalt Stage in May.
Saturdays / Jan 19-May 11 / 3-5pm
Mondays / Jan 21-May 6 / 6-8pm
4 monthly payments of $342.75

AGES 14+
Teen Performance Ensemble
The Teen Performance Ensemble will give the actors an opportunity to work with a director, dramaturg (script consultant), and playwright as they develop and rehearse a new play. During this year-long process, actors will be cast in multiple roles and develop the techniques of advanced script analysis, create authentic characters, and refine their advanced acting skills. Ensemble performs on CPH’s Outcalt Stage in May.
Saturdays / Jan 19-May 11 / 1-3pm
Thursdays / Jan 24-May 9 / 6-8pm
4 monthly payments of $253.75

ADULT OPEN DIVISION

Step Right Up: Intro to Acting and Scene Work
This class will cover the basics of acting technique and will provide a solid foundation for adults interested in pursuing the craft of acting. The class will give actors an opportunity to learn through a variety of exercises, games, improvisations, and scene work. Actors will participate in a showcase for friends and family.
Thursdays / Jan 17-Apr 25 / 7-9pm / $275

Intro to Acting and Scene Work II
This is an essential course for any actor ready to take the next step in their career. This offering will focus on scene analysis, character development, and breaking down a text into actable beats. A wide variety of scenes from both contemporary and classic theatre will be utilized in the class as the students learn valuable techniques that will serve them well as they continue their development. Actors will participate in a showcase for friends and family.
Thursdays / Jan 17-Apr 25 / 7-9pm / $275

Action! The Fundamentals of Screen Acting
Acting for the stage and acting for the camera are two entirely different disciplines; this class will enable actors to establish a working understanding and appreciation of the TV/film medium. Actors will be filmed and provided with immediate feedback by the instructor throughout the class. They will also gain insights into the world of agents, self-marketing, and the professional opportunities for film actors in Northeast Ohio and beyond. Actors will participate in a showcase for friends and family.
Tuesdays / Jan 15-Apr 23 / 7-9pm / $275

ADULT PROFESSIONAL DIVISION

The Actor's Gym
This offering is geared toward working professional actors and provides an opportunity to “work-out” their acting skills for a nominal fee in a wide variety of disciplines, including monologue/audition work, scene study, voice and speech, and classical text. Class members participate in a series of masterclasses featuring an amazing variety of Cleveland’s top artists, including members of CPH artistic and education departments and guest artists from our mainstage productions.
Mondays / Jan 28-May 13 / 7-9pm
5-class card $75 / Full course $175