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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) Madalyn is an actor, playwright, and musician from Northern California. She earned her BA in Theatre from Fordham University, and is in her third and final year of the CWRU/CPH MFA program. Recent credits include Lyubov Ranevskaya in The Cherry Orchard (CPH/CWRU), Sally Bowles in Cabaret (CWRU), more(Mechanic/Auntie) Madalyn is an actor, playwright, and musician from Northern California. She earned her BA in Theatre from Fordham University, and is in her third and final year of the CWRU/CPH MFA program. Recent credits include Lyubov Ranevskaya in The Cherry Orchard (CPH/CWRU), Sally Bowles in Cabaret (CWRU), Mechanic/Aunt in Middletown (CPH/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. Her new play, Lunchtime! premiered in Cleveland this past June. To learn more about Madalyn, you can check out her work at Madalynbaker.com, @madmaddybaker, and @maddlebaddle. Much love to her parents, who have given her many wonderful birthdays.

Byron Johnson

Byron Johnson

(Public Speaker/Male Tourist/Male Doctor/Freelancer) is a Louisiana native born in the city of New Orleans. As a former collegiate student-athlete, he made a bold shift to acting in 2018. His notable television credits include roles in Young Rock on NBC, Walker on CW, and a recurring guest star more(Public Speaker/Male Tourist/Male Doctor/Freelancer) is a Louisiana native born in the city of New Orleans. As a former collegiate student-athlete, he made a bold shift to acting in 2018. His notable television credits include roles in Young Rock on NBC, Walker on CW, and a recurring guest star in SHOWTIME's American Rust. Born to the late Byron Johnson and Trudy Johnson, with a sister named Destiny, he remains deeply connected to his roots. Most recently, Byron played the exciting role of Neville in the CWRU/CPH production of Seasons Greetings . He continues his relentless pursuit to develop his craft and his desire to become one of the most impactful people in the world. Instagram: @bjohnsonofficial

Brendan Lowry

Brendan Lowry

(Astronaut/Tour Guide/Male Date/Landscaper/Attendan) is a proud CWRU/CPH MFA Acting student in third and final year of study. You may have recently seen him in the CPH production of Fiddler on the Roof (Motel Kamzoil) or in the CWRU/CPH production of Season's Greetings (Clive Morris). Other favorite credits include Floyd more(Astronaut/Tour Guide/Male Date/Landscaper/Attendan) is a proud CWRU/CPH MFA Acting student in third and final year of study. You may have recently seen him in the CPH production of Fiddler on the Roof (Motel Kamzoil) or in the CWRU/CPH production of Season's Greetings (Clive Morris). Other favorite credits include Floyd Collins (Floyd Collins), Guys and Dolls (Sky Masterson), and Godspell (John/Judas). Originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado, he received his BFA in Musical Theatre from Colorado Mesa University. Along with being a performer Brendan is an avid photographer, especially focusing on the local sights and architecture in the city. Brendan looks forward to another year exploring and living in Cleveland. Check out and follow Brendan's other works and interests: @bkylowry / bkylowry.com

Christina McSheffrey

Christina McSheffrey

(Female Doctor/Female Tourist/Sweetheart/Ground Con) is a proud member of the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program. She was previously seen in Fiddler on the Roof in May as Bielke. Other credits include Rachel in Season’s Greetings and Varya in The Cherry Orchard (CWRU/CPH). She got her BA in Theatre at Grand more(Female Doctor/Female Tourist/Sweetheart/Ground Con) is a proud member of the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program. She was previously seen in Fiddler on the Roof in May as Bielke. Other credits include Rachel in Season’s Greetings and Varya in The Cherry Orchard (CWRU/CPH). She got her BA in Theatre at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, where she also worked at Southwest Shakespeare Company, Flagstaff Shakespeare Company, The Phoenix Theatre Company, and Childsplay as an actor and teaching artist. Love to her friends and family. @chefboyartina

Calder Meis

Calder Meis

(John/Janitor) is a member of the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting program and has appeared as Yepikhodov in The Cherry Orchard, John Dodge in Middletown, and Bernard in Season's Greetings. At CPH, you may have seen him in the companies of Fiddler on the Roof (Mordcha) and Pride & Prejudice. For more(John/Janitor) is a member of the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting program and has appeared as Yepikhodov in The Cherry Orchard, John Dodge in Middletown, and Bernard in Season's Greetings. At CPH, you may have seen him in the companies of Fiddler on the Roof (Mordcha) and Pride & Prejudice. For Payton, always.

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 Middletown (Mary), The Cherry Orchard (Anya), or Season’s Greetings (Phyllis). Some of her favorite roles include Gwendolyn Fairfax in The Importance of Being Earnest (Santa 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 Middletown (Mary), The Cherry Orchard (Anya), or Season’s Greetings (Phyllis). 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) 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 Belinda in Season's Greetings, Dunyasha more(Librarian / Female Date / Intercom Voice) 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 Belinda in Season's Greetings, Dunyasha in The Cherry Orchard, the Librarian in Middletown, and Prospera in The Tempest. She is also the co-founder and co-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 third-year graduate student in the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program. Hailing from South Florida, he earned his BFA in Acting at The University of Michigan. His other theatre credits include, Gayev in The Cherry Orchard (CWRU/CPH), Harvey in Season's Greetings (CWRU/CPH), Cop in Middletown (CWRU/CPH), more(Cop/Ground Control) is a third-year graduate student in the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program. Hailing from South Florida, he earned his BFA in Acting at The University of Michigan. His other theatre credits include, Gayev in The Cherry Orchard (CWRU/CPH), Harvey in Season's Greetings (CWRU/CPH), Cop in Middletown (CWRU/CPH), Don Armado in Love's Labour's Lost (Great River Shakespeare Festival), and Drunk Shakespeare (Off-Broadway). He would like to thank family, friends, and loved ones for all their constant support. IG: @adamaortega | adamalexisortega.com

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, 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 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 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, 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, 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 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 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 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 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.

Meet CPH Managing Director Rachel Fink

Meet CPH Managing Director Rachel Fink

MEET RACHEL FINK, CPH’S NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR! By Craig Joseph, Literary Director What are you looking forward to as you return to Cleveland...

Read the full story

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Our Theatres

Allen Theatre

Allen Theatre

Helen Theatre

Helen Theatre

Outcalt Theatre

Outcalt Theatre

Box Office Phone Hours:
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The Allen, Helen and Outcalt theatres are located at Playhouse Square
1407 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH 44115

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7401 Shoreway Commerce Parkway, Cleveland, OH 44103

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