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. Fall, spring, summer, and year-long programs are available.

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 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 actors and directors from our mainstage season.

Sign up for a full year of courses (fall and spring semesters) for significant savings on tuition! Discounts will be applied once both registrations are processed.

FALL: October 5 - December 14, 2019 (10 weeks)
SPRING: January 13 - May 2, 2020 (17 weeks)

All tuition prices below include a $25 registration fee. Pro-rated tuition and payment plans are available.

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 / 10-10:45am
Full year: $375 / Fall: $160 / Spring: $272

AGES 6-7
Creative Drama
Theatre is a collaborative effort! In this fun offering, participants will use short scripted scenes that will encourage the students to listen to their peers, to share ideas, and to 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 and stories. Families enjoy watching their young performers participate in a showcase in their classroom space at the end of the session.
Saturdays / 11-11:45am
Full year: $375 / Fall: $160 / Spring: $272

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 final performance for friends and family in one of our classroom spaces.
Saturdays / Noon-1pm
Full year: $375 / Fall: $160 / Spring: $272

AGES 8-12
Musical Theatre I
Students will dive into the world of musical theatre and build vocal technique for singing and speech while gaining confidence in dance technique that helps tell a story. Students will share a classroom performance with friends and family at the end of the semester.
Mondays / 6-8pm
Full year: $745.50 / Fall: $296.10 / Spring: $503.37

AGES 8-12
Acting I/II
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 classroom performance at the end of the session.
Saturdays / 1-2:30pm
Full year: $550 / Fall: $225 / Spring: $382.50

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 in the presentation of 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 classroom performance at the end of the session.
Tuesdays / 6-7:30pm
Full year: $550 / Fall: $225 / Spring: $382.50

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 classroom performance at the end of the session.
Mondays / 6-7:30pm
Full year: $550 / Fall: $225 / Spring: $382.50

YOUTH PRE-PROFESSIONAL DIVISION

AGES 11-13
Advanced Curtain Pullers
Pre-teen actors who wish to hone their performance skills in preparation for the professional stage will be cast in a play that allows them to explore advanced script analysis, to create characters through body and voice work, and to build ensemble skills. Students will present a spring studio performance (Date TBA) and attend additional rehearsals during the week of the performance.
Saturdays / Oct 5 - May 2 / Noon-2:30pm
7 monthly payments of $121.43

AGES 13+
Musical Theatre Ensemble
Students will dive into the world of musical theatre and build vocal technique for singing and speech while gaining confidence in dance that helps tell a story. 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. Students will present a spring studio performance (Date TBA) and attend additional rehearsals during the week of the performance.
Saturdays / Oct 5 - May 2 / 2:30-5:30pm
7 monthly payments of $157.15

AGES 14+
Teen Performance Ensemble
During this year-long process, The Teen Performance Ensemble actors will be cast in a play and challenged to develop and refine techniques of advanced script analysis, to create honest characters, and to present successful solo, partner, and ensemble work. Students will present a spring studio performance (Date TBA) and attend additional rehearsals during the week of the performance.
Saturdays / Oct 5 - May 2 / 2:30-5:30pm
7 monthly payments of $146.43

ADULT OPEN DIVISION

Courses are designed for students to complete multiple semesters of each course, per instructor recommendation.

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, improvisation activities, and scene work. Actors will participate in a showcase for friends and family.
Thursdays / 7–9pm
Full year: $700 / Fall: $280 / Spring: $442

Intro to Acting and Scene Work II
This course is essential 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.
Wednesdays / 7–9pm
Full year: $700 / Fall: $280 / Spring: $442

The Art of Improvisation I
Creating characters and telling stories on the fly is an invaluable skill for any actor. With the strategies and techniques acquired in this class, students will able to build confidence in improvisation with skills that can be applied to scripted and non-scripted work alike.
Wednesdays / 7–9pm
Full year: $700 / Fall: $280 / Spring: $442

Intro to Stagecraft I
Explore the technical aspect of theatre in this hands-on offering! Design and artisanship meet as students expand their skills as theatre artists. This survey course will explore the basics of scene design, construction, painting and prop making. Intro to Stagecraft II, offered spring semester, will focus on the processes of lighting, sound, digital projection, and costume design for the stage.
Thursdays / 7–9pm
Full year: $700 / Fall: $280 / Spring: $442

ADULT PROFESSIONAL DIVISION

The Business of the Actor
This course will provide the knowledge and allow professional actors to build the skills needed in order to present all of their assets (headshot, resume, reel, website, social media presence, etc.) in a way that makes directors and casting agents take notice. This course will also provide insight into video submissions and self-producing. Application required.
Tuesdays / 6-8pm
Fall only: $280

Scene Study: Contemporary Works
The next step for the serious actor, this course will provide the participants with a number of scenes to explore from contemporary texts. This course will both challenge and empower the students as they develop and refine their approach to the craft. Application required.
Wednesdays / 7– 9pm
Full year: $700 / Fall: $280 / Spring: $442

Attention, All Students

Sign up for an Academy class and audition to be part of the CPH Theatre Academy production of Getting Near to Baby by Y York, adapted from the Newbery Honor Book by Audrey Couloumbis and produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.

Register and participate in a fall or spring Academy course and audition for our fully-produced intergenerational CPH Theatre Academy production in the Helen Theatre presented in February.

GETTING NEAR TO BABY
Twelve-year-old Willa Jo Dean and 7-year-old Little Sister Dean are reeling from the death of their baby sister, Baby. Little Sister's torment is so profound that she has stopped talking. The girls have come to stay with Aunt Patty so that their mom can recover, but Aunt Patty is unused to the messy human ways of little girls and finds Little Sister's silence intolerable. Aunt Patty's rules and regulations finally drive the sisters to the roof, where they hope to escape her laws while at the same time getting nearer to their departed baby sister.

Auditions:
Sunday, Oct. 20 / 1pm
1901 E. 13th Street, Cleveland
Fifth Floor, Classroom A
No preparation necessary. Actors will read sides from the play for the audition.

Rehearsals: (select days)

January 6 – February 1

Tech Rehearsals:
February 2–5
Additional rehearsals may be scheduled for cast/potential understudies.

Performances:
February 7 & 14 / 7:30pm
February 8 & 14 / 2:30 & 7:30pm
February 9 / 2:30pm