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.

Downtown Cleveland and University CirclePlayhouse 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 along Euclid Avenue; Only dark day is Monday, Resident companies that perform here include Cleveland Play House, Great Lakes Theater and Cleveland Ballet.

Insiders' Notes: A small annual donation gets patrons preferred seating and access to a ticket concierge. It offers Children's Theater series, strong sensory friendly programs, Broadway summer camps for teens.

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 performance and music.

Maltz Performing Arts Center Formed through a partnership between Case Western Reserve University and The Temple-Tifereth Israel, the center is home to music, lectures and other forms of cultural enrichment, and home to Case Western Reserve's music department and to 'Think Forum', the University's lecture program.

Cleveland Play House The name is confusing, but the Cleveland Play House  is the resident company at Playhouse Square. This is the country's oldest regional theater. Their productions are all held in the Allen Theater downtown at Playhouse Square.

Insiders' Notes: There are typically Pre-Play introductions 45 minutes before a performance

EastAurora 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 Cleveland Heights

Eldred Theater Case Western Reserve University's student theater for undergrad and graduate students, and for the community to enjoy

Heights Youth Theatre Youth theater for 5-18 yr olds; classes and workshops available. Very active and popular.

Stagecrafters Dramatic arts program through the city of Orange's recreation department, offering after school and Saturday classes in fall and winter for acting and voice. Produceseight main stage productions each year.

Playmakers Jewish youth theater program located in Mandel JCC offering community-based youth productions such as Freaky Friday, Frozen and other youth favorites.

West

Akron/Canton 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 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 venue.

Canton Civic Theater Canton's home for sports, music, and entertainment since 1951.  The Civic Center has capacity for 3,500 permanent and 1,700 floor seats so a large venue that in the past few years has been host to Bob Dylan, Jason Aldean, the Harlem Globetrotters, and Big Bird. Most notable is its annual Nutcracker performance put on by its own production company.

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 providing good times.

Porthouse Theater Summer theater offered through Kent State University

Weathervane Playhouse Akron community-based playhouse with live shows and theater workshops and summer camps and private lessons Photo Credits Preview modal-

Photo Credits

1. Stu_Spivack CC BY-SA 2.0)

2. Tim Evanson CC BY-SA 2.0