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.

Registration is now open, and classes begin September 2018.

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.

Fall Class Registration Now Open!

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.
Once per week for 15 weeks / Saturdays / Sept 8-Dec 15 / 9-9:45am / $200

AGES 6-8
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, sharing ideas, and working 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 enjoy watching their young performers participate in a collaborative showcase in one of our rehearsal halls at the end of the session.
Once per week for 15 weeks / Saturdays / Sept 8-Dec 15 / 11am-noon / $255

AGES 9-11
Acting I
In this class for pre-teen performers, participants will discover and develop basic acting fundamentals like listening, responding, collaboration, and characterization through a 10 minute project. Basic design elements such as props and costumes will be utilized in rehearsal and performance. Families will watch their performers participate in a showcase at the end of the session.
Once per week for 15 weeks / Saturdays / Sept 8-Dec 15 / 1-2:30pm / $275

AGES: 11+
Advanced Acting
Actors will begin to develop authentic characters through scene study, research, and script analysis while exploring a variety of vocal, physical, and psychological choices. Props, costumes, and sound will be integrated into rehearsals and the final performance. Families will be invited to enjoy a showcase offered by the actors at the end of the session.
Once per week for 15 weeks / Saturdays / Sept 8-Dec 15 / 2:30-4:00pm / $275

YOUTH PRE–PROFESSIONAL DIVISION

AGES 7-10
Curtain Pullers
Actors will be cast in a one act play that will highlight each of the ensemble member’s specific strengths and skill sets. The actors will work with a director to develop critical analysis, evolve creative ideas and refine a variety of acting techniques.
Twice per week for 30 weeks
Saturdays / Oct 6-May 11 / 9-11am
Wednesdays / Oct 10-May 8 / 6-8pm
Cost: $2,030 (includes all performance and production fees and one student ticket to a chaperoned mainstage production)

AGES 10-13
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 year-long 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. Audition required*
Twice per week for 30 weeks
Saturdays / Oct 6-May 11 / 9-11am
Tuesdays / Oct 9-May 7 / 6-8pm
Cost: $2,030 (includes all performance and production fees and one student ticket to a chaperoned mainstage production)

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. Audition required*
Twice per week for 30 weeks
Saturdays / Oct 6-May 11 / 3-5pm
Mondays / Oct 8-May 6 / 6-8pm
Cost: $2,750 (includes all performance and production fees and one student ticket to a chaperoned mainstage production)

AGES 14+
Teen Performance Ensemble
The Teen Acting Ensemble will give the actors an opportunity to work with both a director and a 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. Audition required*
Once per week for 30 weeks
Saturdays / Oct 6-May 11 / 1-3pm
Thursdays / Oct 11-May 9 / 6-8pm
Cost: $2,030 (includes all performance and production fees and one student ticket to a chaperoned mainstage production)

*Auditions for Pre-Professional courses will take place Saturday, September 29, from 11AM-12PM on the 5th Floor of the Middough Building.

ADULT OPEN DIVISION

Step Right Up: Intro to Acting and Scene Work
This is an essential course for any actor ready to take the next step in their career. This offering will focus on scene analysis 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.
Once per week for 15 weeks / Thursdays / Sept 13-Dec 20 / 7-9pm / $275

Movement for the Theatre
An essential for the actor or for any performer, this class will cover everything from instilling an effective warm-up for the participants to more detailed studies and exploration of mask work, Alexander technique, Laban and Suzuki. Scene-work will also be covered in this course as the participants integrate the physical skills they have learned to the exploration of texts.
Once per week for 15 weeks / Thursdays / Sept 13-Dec 20 / 7-9pm / $275

ADULT PROFESSIONAL DIVISION

The Director's Gym
This new initiative will be co-taught by CPH Artistic Director Laura Kepley and Associate Artistic Director Robert Barry Fleming. Created with the professional director in mind, participants will work with a variety of texts and genres and will approach the craft from both a philosophical and practical perspective gaining new appreciation and insight for their work with actors and collaborators. Application required
Once per week for 15 weeks / Tuesdays / Sept 11-Dec 17* / 7-9pm / $150

Scene Study
The next step for the serious actor, this session will provide the participants with a number of scenes to explore from both contemporary and classical texts. Taught by working actor and director David Vegh, this initiative will both challenge and empower the students as they develop and refine their approach to the craft. Application required
Once per week for 15 weeks / Wednesdays / Oct 3-Dec 19 / 6-9pm / $150