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February 21 - March 2, 2024 , The Helen

CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program

Middletown

written by Will Eno
directed by Don Carrier

Run time: TBD

Welcome to Middletown, USA. Population: Stable. Elevation: Same. It’s an ordinary small town. With ordinary people. All living seemingly ordinary lives. And yet, from all this ordinary emerges the extraordinary—the absurd, the comedic, and the beautiful moments of lives being lived. Told with humor and deep compassion, this spiritual successor to Our Town shows us the joy, sadness, small victories and defeats we experience as we go through the ups and downs of being human. This production will introduce the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program’s Class of 2026 to local audiences.

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Artists

Madalyn Baker

Madalyn Baker

(Mechanic/Auntie) is an actor, playwright, and musician from Northern California. She earned her BA in Theatre from Fordham University in NYC, where she hopes to return after completing her masters! Recent acting credits include Emily in Mary Zimmerman's Our Town (Cleveland Play House), Lyubov Ranevskaya in The Cherry Orchard (CPH/CWRU) more(Mechanic/Auntie) is an actor, playwright, and musician from Northern California. She earned her BA in Theatre from Fordham University in NYC, where she hopes to return after completing her masters! Recent acting credits include Emily in Mary Zimmerman's Our Town (Cleveland Play House), Lyubov Ranevskaya in The Cherry Orchard (CPH/CWRU) Hero/Watch in Much Ado ABout Nothing (CPH/CWRU), Mechanic/Aunt in Middletown (CPH/CWRU), Sally Bowles in Cabaret (CWRU), and Cathy in The Last Five Years (Soft Belly Theatre). In addition to being an actor, she has her own illustrative art brand called Maddle Baddle, and her play Lunchtime! premiered in Cleveland last summer. To learn more about Madalyn, you can check out her work at madalynbaker.com, @madmaddybaker, and @maddlebaddle.

Byron Johnson

Byron Johnson

(Public Speaker/Male Tourist/Male Doctor/Freelancer) is a Louisiana native born in the great city of New Orleans. He made a bold shift to acting following his time as a student-athlete at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana. Finding his start in film and television, his notable credits include a recurring guest more(Public Speaker/Male Tourist/Male Doctor/Freelancer) is a Louisiana native born in the great city of New Orleans. He made a bold shift to acting following his time as a student-athlete at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana. Finding his start in film and television, his notable credits include a recurring guest star on American Rust (Showtime), as well as roles in Young Rock (NBC), and Walker (CW). His recent theatre credits include George Gibbs in Our Town (CPH, dir. Mary Zimmerman), Lopahkin in The Cherry Orchard (CWRU/CPH, dir. Eleanor Holdridge), and Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing (CWRU/CPH, dir. Terri McMahon). He is also co-lead for the upcoming short film Korikosun, directed by Melissa Eno Effa. Following his graduation from the Case Western Reserve University/ Cleveland Play House MFA Acting Program, Byron plans to move to New York City to continue his relentless pursuit to develop his craft and his desire to become one of the most impactful people in the world. "To God be the glory, only the mistakes were mine." - Malcolm X. Instagram: @bjohnsonofficial

Brendan Lowry

Brendan Lowry

(Astronaut/Tour Guide/Male Date/Landscaper/Attendan) is an actor and singer originally from the rugged (tamed & suburban) hills of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Recent credits include: Motel in the historically successful production of Fiddler on the Roof at Cleveland Playhouse, Valere in Tartuffe (Cleveland Playhouse), Borachio in Much Ado About Nothing (CWRU/CPH), Petya more(Astronaut/Tour Guide/Male Date/Landscaper/Attendan) is an actor and singer originally from the rugged (tamed & suburban) hills of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Recent credits include: Motel in the historically successful production of Fiddler on the Roof at Cleveland Playhouse, Valere in Tartuffe (Cleveland Playhouse), Borachio in Much Ado About Nothing (CWRU/CPH), Petya Trofimov in The Cherry Orchard (CWRU/CPH), and Jamie in The Last Five Years (Soft Belly Theatre). When Brendan is not in a windowless rehearsal room he loves to explore whatever city he happens to be in. He loves to take copious pictures of pretty buildings and nature settings; often pointing out these mundane beauties to his friends several times a minute to their slight annoyance. He's also both an Andy Warhol enthusiast and serial Pittsburgh appreciator (pretty buildings!). Brendan received his BFA in Musical Theatre from Colorado Mesa University and his MFA in Acting from Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Playhouse. He plans to move to NYC this September and to begin forming a community of like-minded people and artists who strive for the authentic and the kind. He's also excited to look at the pretty buildings there. Check out Brendan's other works and interests: @bkylowry / bkylowry.com

Christina McSheffrey

Christina McSheffrey

(Female Doctor/Female Tourist/Sweetheart/Ground Con) is in her final year of the Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House MFA in Acting program. She is originally from Kharkiv, Ukraine and grew up in the Czech Republic and Croatia before moving to the U.S. at 10. She Got her BA in Theatre at more(Female Doctor/Female Tourist/Sweetheart/Ground Con) is in her final year of the Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House MFA in Acting program. She is originally from Kharkiv, Ukraine and grew up in the Czech Republic and Croatia before moving to the U.S. at 10. She Got her BA in Theatre at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, where she also started working professionally. Some favorite acting credits include: Adriana in The Comedy of Errors, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and Maria in Twelfth Night (Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival); Miranda in The Tempest (Southwest Shakespeare Company). She also trained at The Second City in Hollywood where she completed the first few levels of improv training. Some of her recent credits since moving to Cleveland include: Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing (CWRU/CPH), Woman in the Balcony in Our Town (Cleveland Playhouse), and Bielke in Fiddler on the Roof (Cleveland Playhouse). When she is not acting, she loves to go to dance classes and/or run and train for races. She hopes to eventually get into triathlons! Much love to her friends and family. Insta/Website: @chefboyartina, christinamcsheffrey.com

Calder Meis

Calder Meis

(John/Janitor) is an actor, singer, writer, trivia aficionado, and soon-to-be Master of Acting. In his time with the CWRU/CPH MFA program. he has appeared as Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing, Yepikhodov in The Cherry Orchard, and John Dodge in Middletown. At CPH, he has joined the companies of Tartuffe more(John/Janitor) is an actor, singer, writer, trivia aficionado, and soon-to-be Master of Acting. In his time with the CWRU/CPH MFA program. he has appeared as Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing, Yepikhodov in The Cherry Orchard, and John Dodge in Middletown. At CPH, he has joined the companies of Tartuffe (Cleante), Fiddler on the Roof (Mordcha), Our Town (dir. Tony-winner Mary Zimmerman) , and Pride & Prejudice. Calder is a proud Texan, and the beauty of Big Bend made him passionate about our national parks and spending time in the Great Outdoors. After graduation, Calder will move to the D.C. area, and marry his beautiful fiancée, Payton. Soli Deo gloria.

Brianna Miller

Brianna Miller

(Mary/ Cop Voice Over) is a third year in the CWRU/CPH acting program. You may have seen her in the CWRU/CPH productions of Much Ado About Nothing (Beatrice), Season’s Greetings (Phyllis), The Cherry Orchard (Anya), or Middletown (Mary). She also appeared in the CPH production of Our Town. Some of more(Mary/ Cop Voice Over) is a third year in the CWRU/CPH acting program. You may have seen her in the CWRU/CPH productions of Much Ado About Nothing (Beatrice), Season’s Greetings (Phyllis), The Cherry Orchard (Anya), or Middletown (Mary). She also appeared in the CPH production of Our Town. Some of her favorite roles include Gwendolyn Fairfax in The Importance of Being Earnest (Santa Cruz Shakespeare), Miriam in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding (Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati), and Camae in The Mountaintop (Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center). She was an ensemble member at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company before starting her MFA. While there, she performed in Trouble in Mind, The Living Dead, Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She would like to thank her friends and family for their support, especially Nathan Sullivan, who is often the sole reason she is off-book for shows.

Meredith Nelson

Meredith Nelson

(Librarian / Female Date / Intercom Voice) is an actor, director, and educator originally from Denver, Colorado. She received her undergraduate degree from The University of Evansville and is thrilled to be pursuing her master's with CWRU/Cleveland Play House. Some favorite roles she's played include Mrs. Soames in Our Town, more(Librarian / Female Date / Intercom Voice) is an actor, director, and educator originally from Denver, Colorado. She received her undergraduate degree from The University of Evansville and is thrilled to be pursuing her master's with CWRU/Cleveland Play House. Some favorite roles she's played include Mrs. Soames in Our Town, Belinda in Season's Greetings, Dunyasha in The Cherry Orchard, and the Librarian in Middletown. She is also the co-founder and artistic director of Soft Belly Theatre: a local Cleveland theatre company dedicated to producing accessible, courageous art with an open mind and a soft belly. You can find more information about her work at meredithgnelson.com.

Adam Ortega

Adam Ortega

(Cop/Ground Control) is a Cuban American actor and grad student at the Case Western Reserve/Cleveland Play House MFA Acting Program.Originally from South Florida, Adam graduated from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) with his BFA in Acting. While living previously in New York City, he performed in the Off-Broadway show more(Cop/Ground Control) is a Cuban American actor and grad student at the Case Western Reserve/Cleveland Play House MFA Acting Program.Originally from South Florida, Adam graduated from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) with his BFA in Acting. While living previously in New York City, he performed in the Off-Broadway show Drunk Shakespeare. He’s also performed regionally with Cleveland Play House and Great River Shakespeare Festival. Other favorite roles include Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing (CWRU/CPH), Howie in Our Town (CPH), Gayev in The Cherry Orchard (CWRU/CPH), Don Armado in Love's Labour's Lost (Great River Shakespeare Festival). When he graduates, Adam plans to move back to New York City. When not performing, Adam is usually playing Dungeons & Dragons, re-watching The Sopranos, and slowly but surely learning to play the harmonica.

Donald Carrier

Donald Carrier

(Director, Director of CWRU/CPH Acting Program) is an actor, teacher, and director who has worked extensively in theatre and film across North America. For the Cleveland Play House, his credits include Shakespeare in Love, All the Way, Luna Gale, The Crucible, The Little Foxes, Lincolnesque, Noises Off!, Ten Chimneys, In more(Director, Director of CWRU/CPH Acting Program) is an actor, teacher, and director who has worked extensively in theatre and film across North America. For the Cleveland Play House, his credits include Shakespeare in Love, All the Way, Luna Gale, The Crucible, The Little Foxes, Lincolnesque, Noises Off!, Ten Chimneys, In The Next Room, or The Vibrator Play, and Yent. He spent nine seasons at the Stratford Festival, three at the Old Globe, and two at the Shaw Festival. Other favorite credits include The Duchess of Malfi (Helen Hayes Nomination), Shining City, Gross Indecency, and The School for Scandal. Selected directing credits include: The Misanthrope, Too True to be Good, Clybourne Park, Fifth of July, Middletown, The Liar and Passage (CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program); Othello (Texas Shakespeare Festival); Becky Shaw (Dobama Theatre); The Violins of Hope (CPH/CWRU MFA Program and the Cleveland Orchestra); A Doll’s House Part 2 (Beck Center).

Ben Needham

(Scenic Designer) (he/him) serves as the Program Director for the Academy For the Performing Arts, overseeing the technical theatre and film aspects of the Academy for the past 16 years.Ben holds an MFA from the University of Georgia in Theatre Design and a BA from Case Western Reserve University in more(Scenic Designer) (he/him) serves as the Program Director for the Academy For the Performing Arts, overseeing the technical theatre and film aspects of the Academy for the past 16 years.Ben holds an MFA from the University of Georgia in Theatre Design and a BA from Case Western Reserve University in Theater Arts. He has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Georgia, Case Western Reserve University, Lakeland Community College, Lake Erie College, and Kent State University.He is the Owner and Principal Designer of Digital Squirrel Studio (www.digitalsquirrel.net), a full-service animation, design, and architectural illustration studio. He has designed over 900 theatre productions in the past 25 years. His film and television design credits include Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln, Killing Lincoln, Killing Kennedy, Killing Reagan, Meg Ryan’s Ithaca, and AMC’s Turn: Washington’s Spies. Ben was most recently a set designer on the films The Outpost and Son of the South.

Jeffrey Van Curtis

(Costume Designer) is Cleveland Play House’s Costume Shop Manager. CPH design credits include A Carol for Cleveland, My Name is Asher Lev, Bill W. and Dr. Bob, Doubt, I Am My Own Wife, Rounding Third, Proof, Dinner with Friends, and Art. CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program design credits include Angels in more(Costume Designer) is Cleveland Play House’s Costume Shop Manager. CPH design credits include A Carol for Cleveland, My Name is Asher Lev, Bill W. and Dr. Bob, Doubt, I Am My Own Wife, Rounding Third, Proof, Dinner with Friends, and Art. CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program design credits include Angels in America, Fifth of July, She Stoops to Conquer, A Philadelphia Story, The Winter’s Tale, An Orchard, and others, along with several CPH Theatre for Children productions. Other design credits include Singin’ on the Ohio and The Goblins Will Git You at The Lantern Theatre, productions at Coconut Grove Playhouse and Studio Arena Theatre, and work on the film Kansas City. He has also created wigs for a number of CPH productions. He holds his Master of Fine Arts, Costume Design and Technology from University of Missouri–Kansas City. Jeffrey thanks CPH's Costume, Wardrobe and Wigs staff for their creativity, enthusiasm and support.

Catherine L. Albers

(Acting Coach) is a professional actress and Professor Emeritus at Case Western Reserve University, where she was a master teacher in the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program. She has performed throughout the country and does film and commercial work. She is a founding member of Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium, a more(Acting Coach) is a professional actress and Professor Emeritus at Case Western Reserve University, where she was a master teacher in the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program. She has performed throughout the country and does film and commercial work. She is a founding member of Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium, a producing and teaching organization. Since her retirement she has continued to work on stage and on camera. She will be seen this May at Dobama in Significant Other.

Eliza Ladd Schwarz

Eliza Ladd Schwarz

(Movement Coach) is a performer, director, stage writer, composer, and choreographer from NYC. She is thrilled to join the faculty at CWRU / Cleveland Playhouse MFA after 10 years teaching at the FSU / Asolo Conservatory. Eliza has created original multi-disciplinary work in NYC at PS 122, Dixon Place, Movement more(Movement Coach) is a performer, director, stage writer, composer, and choreographer from NYC. She is thrilled to join the faculty at CWRU / Cleveland Playhouse MFA after 10 years teaching at the FSU / Asolo Conservatory. Eliza has created original multi-disciplinary work in NYC at PS 122, Dixon Place, Movement Research, the Knitting Factory, and Joyce Soho, and performed at La Mama, the Kitchen, NY Theater Workshop, St. Ann’s Warehouse and with Shakespeare and Company in MA. Notable recent works include Agridulce / Bittersweet, an Andrew W Mellon Foundation funded project; Work / Play / Work, a theatrical ensemble zoom response to the 2020 call for social justice; and, her solo works Gravity and Levity and Autobiography of the Human Species. Eliza holds a BA in Comparative Religion from Harvard University and an MFA in Theater: Contemporary Performance from Naropa University. www.elizaladd.com

Beth McGee

(Voice Coach) is a member of Actor’s Equity and a voice, speech, and dialect coach. She is one of the co-founders of Cleveland’s immersive theater company Shadow of the Run LLC, and was the playwright for their first immersive piece, Wanderlust. She was the on-set dialect coach more(Voice Coach) is a member of Actor’s Equity and a voice, speech, and dialect coach. She is one of the co-founders of Cleveland’s immersive theater company Shadow of the Run LLC, and was the playwright for their first immersive piece, Wanderlust. She was the on-set dialect coach for Cinemax’s 2016 television series Quarry, directed by Greg Yaitanes. She has acted as dialect coach for many Cleveland area theaters and dialect coached the 2002 film Welcome to Collinwood starring George Clooney, and directed by the Russo Brothers. She has coached and/or acted in productions at numerous Cleveland area theaters. She is a Professor of Voice and Acting at CWRU. Devotees of folk music can find her 1980 Folkways album Love is Teasing housed in the archives of the Smithsonian Institution. McGee is an active member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Jeffrey Ullom

(Dramaturg) is an Associate Professor of Theater at Case Western Reserve University where he teaches theatre history and dramaturgy. He is the author of several books and articles focusing on regional theatre, including his most recent book on Cleveland Play House America’s First Regional Theatre. As a dramaturg, more(Dramaturg) is an Associate Professor of Theater at Case Western Reserve University where he teaches theatre history and dramaturgy. He is the author of several books and articles focusing on regional theatre, including his most recent book on Cleveland Play House America’s First Regional Theatre. As a dramaturg, he worked with notable playwrights including Tony Kushner, David Henry Hwang, John Patrick Shanley and others at the Humana Festival of New American Plays, and he has served as a dramaturg for several Cleveland Play House productions. He is currently working on two books—a broad history of regional theatre and a murder mystery involving theatre history.

Lisa O'Brien

(Assistant Director) is currently a fourth-year Theatre and International Studies major at CWRU. You may have seen her act as the Moor-Hen in the undergraduate production of The Moors this past fall, but now she is taking on a role on the other side of the table. After graduation she more(Assistant Director) is currently a fourth-year Theatre and International Studies major at CWRU. You may have seen her act as the Moor-Hen in the undergraduate production of The Moors this past fall, but now she is taking on a role on the other side of the table. After graduation she hopes to follow her passions of doing all things theatre and entertainment. This is her first time assistant directing a full length production, and she would like to thank Don and the theatre department for giving her this opportunity.

Santino Garofalo

(Stage Manager) is happy to be here again at CPH. Santino graduated from the University of Dayton in 2020 and started his stage managing career at CPH in the fall of 2021 with the CPH/CWRU production of Twelfth Night. Santino’s most recent gig was a concert for the American Music more(Stage Manager) is happy to be here again at CPH. Santino graduated from the University of Dayton in 2020 and started his stage managing career at CPH in the fall of 2021 with the CPH/CWRU production of Twelfth Night. Santino’s most recent gig was a concert for the American Music Abroad at the Maltz Performing Arts Center in which he received a certificate of appreciation from the United States Department of State. Santino would like to thank his friends and family who have continued to support his stage managing in the greater Cleveland area.

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Our Theatres

Allen Theatre

Allen Theatre

Helen Theatre

Helen Theatre

Outcalt Theatre

Outcalt Theatre

Box Office Phone Hours:
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

(216) 241-6000 • boxoffice@clevelandplayhouse.com

Outside of these hours:
Send an email to the Playhouse Square box office, and we will get back to you within 1-2 business days. More info here.

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 Shoreway Commerce Parkway, Cleveland, OH 44103

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