Lifestyle and Special Interests
Theatre
Home to the second largest theatre district outside of New York's Lincoln Center, Clevelanders strongly support the theatre scene where on any given night you can see a Broadway musical, Shakespeare play or an original production in a thousand seat theatre or an intimate black box show house. To keep the legacy going, many of the community theaters offer stage and class time for children.
Did you know that Tom Hanks had his first professional acting job in Cleveland? In 1977 he was an intern at the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival. In addition to Tom, Halle Berry, Phil Donahue, Tim Conway, Vanessa Bayer, Teri Garr, Margaret Hamilton, Arsenio Hall, Kathryn Hahn, Drew Carey all got their start here.
Karamu Performing Arts Theatre
Karamu is the Swahili word for “a place for joyful gathering.” Located in Cleveland's Fairfax neighborhood, it is the oldest African American theater in the US. It has two newly renovated theaters where they also offer classes for children and adults in drama and theater, vocal…
East
Aurora Community Theatre
Typically offer four shows each year; summer production youth-focused
Cain Park
In Cleveland Heights, this outdoor summer amphitheater is in a wooded ravine and has mix of shows from musical theater to concerts
Insiders' Notes: Easiest Parking is on Lee Road but it is a 7-10 minute walk and an uphill climb after the show
Chagrin Valley Little Theater
At age 90, it's one of the country’s oldest community theaters. Located in Chagrin Falls. Intimate 240-seat theater, hosts Chagrin Falls Documentary Film Festival every October. Musicals, comedies, improv for adults and youth theater. Active all year.
Insiders' Notes: Parking can be tight. Arrive early, have dinner in Chagrin, then the show.
Dobama Theatre
Located in the Cleveland Heights Library complex in the Cedar/Lee neighborhood. Offers contemporary plays by established and emerging playwrights in professional productions; classes available
Ensemble Theater
Community theater in…
West
Beck Center/Lakewood Little Theater
Professional theater in Lakewood. Founding home of the Great Lakes Festival. Classes for kids and adults for visual and performing arts.
The Cassady Theater
Community theater in Parma Heights with about six shows each year
Clague Playhouse
Community playhouse in Westlake. It offers traditional and youth shows. Shows tend to be lesser known with smaller casts serving the broader community.
Cleveland Public Theater
Cutting edge new works in the Gordon Square Arts District. Offers classes, performances at public housing complexes and a theater project for residents of Y-Haven, a transitional housing facility for men recovering from substance abuse issues.
Insiders' notes: Free parking within walking distance. See website for directions. Make a night of it and enjoy local restaurants. Don't miss their annual benefit!
The Liminis (Convergence-Continuum)
Intimate 60-seat theater with cutting edge shows in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood
Near West Theater
Inclusive, transformational, mission-rich theatre arts experience for rich community engagements; family friendly performances as well as a pay-what-you-can performance
Akron/Canton
Akron Civic Theater
Prominent theater in Akron area with over 90 years of history, offering different kinds of performances throughout the year including theatrical arts, performance arts, and music concerts. The Civic Theater partnered with the City of Akron to program and operate Lock3 Live!, a new outdoor performance…
EJ Thomas Performing Arts Hall at the University of Akron
On the campus of the University of Akron the 3,000 seat venue offers Broadway shows in partnership with Cleveland’s Playhouse Square. Home to Akron Symphony Orchestra.
Hudson Players
Performing at the Barlow Community Center in the heart of Hudson, a group of all kinds – professional and amateur, young and old, united with the common goals of offering good shows, making good friends and…
Downtown Cleveland and University Circle
Playhouse Square
The second largest performing arts district in the US, second to New York’s Lincoln Center, with almost 40,000 season subscribers (largest in the nation) for 3-week runs of each touring Broadway show; many different genres of performances at its 11 performance spaces situated…
