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The Allen, Outcalt, and Helen
Theatres are all located at
1407 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115
CPH is dedicated to serving diverse audiences with nationally acclaimed education programs.
in your school:
at Cleveland Play House:
Karamu House, the centerpiece of Cleveland’s historic Fairfax neighborhood and the oldest Black theatre in the country, presents the soul-stirring, gospel celebration, Black Nativity.
Ease on down to Playhouse Square’s Allen Theatre for the dynamic and electrifying Black Nativity. Written by Langston Hughes, especially for Karamu House, the heartwarming story has been reimagined with new sets, costumes and choreography.
If you’ve seen it before, you’ve never seen it like this!
Download the Program
Welcome to Inside CPH for Black Nativity. Click the icons and verbs below for some ideas on how you can engage more deeply with the themes and ideas of the play beyond the performance.
Special THANKS to our Productions Partners for our 2023-24 Season!
Our partners include:
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(Dancer) is a Cleveland native who started dancing under the tutelage of Errin Weaver. He also danced under the tutelage of Jessica Spurlock at the Tri-C Arts Academy, where he performed with many artists and dancers. He had the privilege of dancing under Elane Gibs-Redman, LaVerne Wilcox, and Dianne more
(Vocal Ensemble) graduated from Cleveland School of the Arts and Cuyahoga Community College in 2019, and Kent State University in 2023. They hold an Associate Arts Degree and a Bachelor’s of Music with a concentration in Voice Performance. Jinle held a two year internship as a vocalist in the more
(Vocal Ensemble) is a Cleveland native singer, who has been singing since the age of 4. She starred in her very first stage play in the 5th grade and it was there that she was smitten by the desire to perform on stage. While spending time in Chicago, Bonita more
(Narrator/Griot) is a native Cleveland Singer, stylist, songwriter, visual artist and poet. Since her very first stage performance, as a child, in Geminia- a Space age Cinderella, the arts have become more than the performance but a catalyst for learning, peace, and balance. Christina has been a part more
(Mary) is a Cleveland native and alumni of Cleveland School of the Arts; where she studied as a dance major. Kailyn received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Wright State University. During college Kailyn trained with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC2). She has been featured in the more
(Vocal Ensemble) A graduate of Notre Dame College with a BA in Theatre Entrepreneurship; where they were a key point in building NDC’s Theatre department and program. MAXX has been performing since they were five years old and were determined to make their passion a career. They had their more
(Dancer) was born and raised on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio. She began taking dance classes at Karamu House, while also dancing for both her church and high school. She went on to dance in various productions in the city like Cleveland Dance Project and How I Got more
(Vocal Ensemble) is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art with a Bachelor’s in Video, and he is the CEO of AlyNova Productions. Joshua got started in theatre over a decade ago as the Director of the Shaker Heights Improv Team. He’s been a part of Case Western more
(Vocal Ensemble) is a Psalmist, actress, performer, singer, songwriter, praise leader, and Karamu Alumna. At Karamu House her resume includes Black Nativity, The Colored Museum, God’s Trombone, The Color Purple, and Waiting to End Hell. Recently, she collaborated with Mojuba Dance Collective in “Where The Light Enters” at Cleveland more
(Vocal Ensemble) is excited to be making her professional debut at Karamu House this year. She has a background music at her father’s church, Higher Hope Ministries. Her main job is being an educator at a charter school on the west side Cleveland. She is grateful for her brothers more
(Vocal Ensemble) is a storyteller and author from Cleveland, OH, telling stories through mediums including: acting, poetry, music, and playwriting. Acting: Tantrum Theater, Cleveland Play House, Playhouse Square, Great Lakes Theater, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Cleveland Public Theatre, Dobama Theatre, and Karamu House. Playwriting: Horizon Theatre Company, Dobama Theatre, more
(Dancer) is a talented dancer and choreographer originally from Cleveland, Ohio. She first began her dance, theatre, and capoeira journey at Rainey Institute. She is a graduate from Cleveland School of the Arts and was a participant in All-City dance ensemble in her youth. She has trained and performed more
(Vocal Ensemble) is an actor, singer, dancer and educator from Cleveland, Ohio. After studying Theatre at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland he decided to teach for Baltimore City Public Schools and teach Arts Education for the U.S. Dream Academy, which is an after-school program for the youth in more
(Dancer) has a passion for dance that has allowed him to pursue a successful career as an artist, choreographer, and producer. He has experience in a wide range of dance styles, including hip hop, Afro-fusion, Step, and modern dance. As the founder and artistic director of Blakk Jakk Dance more
(Vocal Ensemble Understudy) was born in Mississippi, has lived all around the country, but calls Cleveland home. You may have recently seen her as Camae in Karamu House’s production of The Mountaintop and Greenwood: An American Dream Destroyed as Della. Notable credits include Amina (Alternate) in Dance Nation at more
(Vocal Ensemble) realized his passion for music while singing in the church choir of his father’s church. He later joined the John F. Kennedy high school choir which won numerous competitions under the direction of Patricia Connors. His first singing debut on stage was singing “Be A Lion” from more
(Vocal Ensemble) is extremely excited to be back working with Karamu on this wonderful production! She was last seen on Karamu’s stage in The Bubbly Black Girl Who Sheds Her Chameleon Skin (Miss.Pain/Nilda). Some of her other credits include Insurrection: Holding History (Octavia/Katie-Lynn), Panther Women: An Army for more
(Joseph) is an award-winning professional dancer and choreographer from Cleveland. Nehemiah attended Cleveland School of the Arts, where he studied dance. Through overcoming the hardships of poverty, and as a Black male dancer, Nehemiah followed his dreams to attend Juilliard School and earned a bachelor's in fine arts in more
(Dancer) began her dance training in Cleveland, OH. She recently graduated cum laude from the Ailey/Fordham BFA program. She had the immense honor of being the inaugural recipient of the Ballet in Cleveland Misty Copeland Scholarship in 2015. She has performed works by choreographers such as Jeffrey Page, more
(Vocal Ensemble) began singing at the age of 4 in his church adult choir. He attended Central State University and also studied in Salzburg, Austria. Steven also served as administrative assistant and interim conductor to the Grammy nominated CSU Chorus, participated in Master Classes; including one with George Shirley, more
(Playwright) Famed poet and playwright, Langston Hughes was commissioned in 1961 to create a gospel drama to be staged that Christmas. In November of that year, Langston began a gospel play based on the theme of the Nativity. One idea above all guided him; he would attempt to make more
(Co-Director) is the President + CEO of Karamu House, Inc., America’s oldest Black producing theatre. Under Sias, Karamu stabilized finances, raised over $10 million for restoration, and increased attendance. Prior to Karamu, Sias served in roles for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District including Director of Arts Education and Artistic more
(Co-Director/Choreographer) is a choreographer, community activator, and the Executive Artistic Director of Mojuba! Dance Collective (@mojubadance), an African contemporary dance company based in Cleveland, Ohio. Errin attended Tennessee State University on a performing arts scholarship. While living in Chicago, she performed with the renowned Muntu Dance Theatre, under the more
(Music Director/Composer) was born in Youngstown and relocated to Cleveland after touring with Dizzy Gillespie, Albert Ayler, Jean Carne, Major Harris formerly of The Delfonics, and Rose Royce. David was listed in Who's Who in America and Who's Who in American Education and received two Jazz Legend awards. David more
(Scenic & Digital Media Designer) is a Cleveland-based projection, scenic and lighting designer. Recent designs include Egress at Cleveland Play House; Sherlock Holmes: The Baker Street Irregulars, Ella Enchanted, The Nether, Airness, and Kill Move Paradise at Dobama Theatre; Black Nativity, Greenwood, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom at Karamu more
(Costume Designer) Commercial design for Krylon, Bryant & Stratton, Footlocker, The West Virginia Lottery’s national campaigns, Ohio Lottery, Microsoft, Under Armor, McDonalds, TroyBuilt, Meijer, and The Original Mattress Factory, Cleveland Cavaliers’ 1970-80’s themed videos, and national spots. Concert and festival design include Machine Gun Kelly’s US/European Tours, ESTFEST and more
(Lighting Designer) is a lighting designer and photographer living in Northeast Ohio. She designed for convergence-continuum, Cleveland Opera, Playhouse Square, Great Lakes Theater in collaboration with Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland Institute of Music, Beck Center, The Fine Arts Association, Heights Youth Theatre, True North Cultural more
(Sound Designer) Richard is a freelance sound designer, educator and audiovisual systems consultant having worked at numerous theatres, schools and attractions in the Cleveland area and throughout the US including: Ashland University, Beck Center for the Arts, Baldwin–Wallace University, Cain Park, Carnegie-Mellon University, Chagrin Falls Performing Arts Academy, The more
(Props Manager) is a production designer for IBG Designs and specializes in properties, costumes, and sets. He lives and Works in the Northeast Ohio area and focuses mainly on theater, film and art installation." more
(Wig Designer/Costume Coordinator ) is a Cleveland Native who has worked in wardrobe since 2012. She is a proud alumnus of the CMSD All City Art’s program and is now Wardrobe Supervisor for the program. Brielle is the resident Costume Shop Manager/ Wig Artisan for Karamu. She is also more
(Stage Manager & Production Manager) is thrilled to be returning to Playhouse Square with Karamu House again! She spent two years in the Berkshires working for Capital Repertory, Shakespeare & Company and WAM Theatre. She has been working professionally in Cleveland for four years with other wonderful companies including more
(Assistant Stage Manager) is a Cleveland based stage manager and Artist with his BFA in Stage Management from Wright State University. His recent stage management credits include: Everybody (CWRU/CPH), Passage (CWRU/CPH), Irma Bombeck (CPH), The Tempest (CWRU/CPH), Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (Karamu House), Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Here Chameleon more
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Education
Allen Theatre
Helen Theatre
Outcalt Theatre
The Allen, Helen and Outcalt theatres are located at Playhouse Square
1407 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH 44115
Administrative Offices and Education Center
1901 E. 13th Street, Suite 200 Cleveland, OH 44114 (216) 400-7000
Production Center
7401 Detour Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44103
