CPH Theatre Academy

For more than eight decades, Cleveland Play House 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 and same-household participants.

SPRING CLASSES

Spring classes are currently underway. Students ages 3 and up participate in a variety of theatre classes, ranging from creative drama, to scene-study, to movement, to devised work, musical theatre, to playwriting. Classes are available for students of all abilities.

It's not too late to register! For help or more information, contact: academy@clevelandplayhouse.com

SUMMER ACADEMY

Registration is now open for summer classes! Aftercare, where students will engage in fun, enriching activities, is available 3–5pm for $10/hour. All listed prices include a $25 registration fee:

AGES 4-7
Oh, The Thinks You Can Think!
In this delightful introduction to acting and storytelling, young performers will focus on the works of the incomparable Dr. Seuss: Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, The Lorax, and more! Parents and friends will be invited to a special performance at the end of the session!
June 3–7 / 9am–noon / $125

AGES 4-7
Where The Fun Things Are!
Maurice Sendak is one of the world’s most beloved children’s authors. In this unique and engaging class, young performers will read his classic stories and create performance pieces based on Sendak’s classic works including Where the Wild Things Are, Outside Over There, and Higglety Pigglety Pop!

Option 1: June 10–14 / 9am–noon / $125

Option 2: July 8–12 / 9am–noon / $125

AGES 4-7
Mojo with Mo!
Children’s author and cartoonist Mo Willems has written a number of wildly popular children’s books including Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale. In this one-week camp, children will be able to let their imaginations soar as they create a theatre piece inspired by Mo’s stories. The piece will be performed for friends and family on the final day!
Option 1: June 17–21 / 9am–noon / $125

Option 2: July 15–19 / 9am–noon / $125

AGES 4-7
Keep it in Idle!
Molly Idle is a wildly popular children’s author and illustrator. Her works include Camp Rex, Flora and The Flamingo, and Circus Fantastico! Molly’s words and vivid illustrations provide the perfect inspiration for young performers to create their own short plays based on her books that will be shared with friends and family on the final day!
June 24–28 / 9am–noon / $125

AGES 8-12
Musical Theatre Intensive
A fun and highly interactive offering where participants will immerse themselves into the amazing world of musical theatre! Learn the music and choreography from this time-honored genre while building confidence. The end of this two-week intensive culminates in a final presentation for family and friends!
June 3–14 / 9am–3pm / $500

AGES 8-12
Front and Center!
This class is for the younger performer who is starting out. Participants will gain an appreciation for the world of theatre and gain invaluable training in characterization, focus, and ensemble-building all in a safe, fun-filled atmosphere. The young actors will showcase their new acting skills for friends and family on the last day of class!
June 17–28 / 9am–3pm / $500

AGES 8-12
Who Needs A Script?
Improvisation is a tremendous skill to have as a performer at any age! It builds self-assurance and team-building and improves listening and observation skills—plus it’s a whole lot of fun! Participants will be able to demonstrate their improvisation skills in a final presentation for friends and family!
Option 1: July 8–12 / 9am–noon / $125

Option 2: July 15–19 / 9am–noon / $125

AGES 13-18
Teen Scene
The possibilities for stage roles abound for students in Northeast Ohio, and film and television opportunities are on the rise. Teen Scene participants gain valuable experience working on stage and on camera in a variety of exercises, including scenes from film and television, as well as commercials. Students will share a demo reel of camera work, as well as live performances, with friends and family on the final day!
June 3–14 / 9am–3pm / $500

AGES 13-18
Musical Theatre Intensive
For the experienced musical performer, this session gives teens an opportunity to delve more deeply into the musical theatre songbook, perform solos, and learn choreography of full-scale dance numbers. This fun and collaborative experience will culminate in a presentation of the students’ work on the last day of class.
June 17–28 / 9am–3pm / $500

MASTERCLASS OFFERINGS

Explore specific facets of the theatrical world with these new, focused masterclass sessions:

Dance, Dance Intervention
Dance Audition Masterclass
Instructor: Caitlin Elizabeth Reilly, Actor, Choreographer
This masterclass is open to musical theater performers with varying degrees of dance experience and aims to provide insight and practical experience for the musical theater artist’s personal path to a successful dance audition. During this session, performers will explore the basics of a dance call, will receive insight from behind the table, and will collect techniques to tap into an effective mindset for success. Students will also receive written feedback from their participation in a simulated, professional dance call.

AGES 12-17
Saturday, Feb 9 / 11am -1pm / $25

AGES 18+
Saturday, Feb. 16 / 11am-1pm / $25

AGES 18+
Stage Combat Survival Skills
Stage Combat Masterclass
Instructor: Kevin Inouye, CWRU Assistant Professor, Resident Movement and Stage Combat Specialist; Movement Faculty, CPH/CWRU MFA Program
Arm yourself with the basic skills necessary to begin the journey of safe engagement in unarmed physical performance. In this masterclass, students will explore the foundations of illusion as it relates to combative physicality in storytelling. Students will learn the technique necessary to execute basic slaps, punches, falls, and rolls for the stage.

Saturday, Feb 23 / 11am-1pm / $40

Your Best 32
Musical Theatre Vocal Audition Masterclass
Instructor: Helen Todd, soprano
In this masterclass, students will learn how to choose music appropriate for specific auditions, will gain insight on how to select a memorable 16 and 32 bar cut, will receive professional feedback on offerings, as well as headshots, resumes, and audition books. Artists will build and refine the techniques necessary to craft authentic characters and deliver honest storytelling through song.

AGES 12-Adults
Saturday, Mar 2 / 4-6pm / $40

Session for Adult Professionals
Saturday, Mar 9 / 4-6pm / $40