Cleveland Play House Launches New CPH Theatre Academy

Cleveland Play House today announced the new CPH Theatre Academy, an ambitious lineup of educational classes being offered to the public, including an updated variation of the renowned youth theatre troupe, the Curtain Pullers. Alumni of prior education classes include Academy Award®-winner Paul Newman, Academy Award- and Tony Award®-winner Joel Grey, and Toy Story 3 Director Lee Unkrich, among many other successful film and theatre talents.

CPH Artistic Director Laura Kepley states,"Cleveland Play House is elated to add the CPH Theatre Academy to its innovative suite of nine theatre education programs. While a new program, the Academy is really a modern version of our decades-long tradition of actor training for children and adults." Kepley adds, "With courses for all ages and skill levels ranging from novice to professional, the CPH Theatre Academy is the perfect choice for anyone looking to introduce their children to the theatre, enhance their communication and presentation skills, hone their craft as a professional actor, or just have a great time engaging with this wonderful art form."

For more than eight decades, CPH has offered educational programming as varied as the stories on its stages. Motivated by a community of spirited, inquisitive, and creative theatre makers, CPH Theatre Academy provides opportunities for engagement on a variety of levels. Classes will welcome working adult professionals, preschool children with big imaginations, and everyone in between. Faculty from Tony Award recipient Cleveland Play House will excite creative potential, fortify aptitude, and nurture the passion necessary for artistic excellence.

All courses will take place at the CPH Administrative Offices, located in Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland. The courses span ages four through adult, provide all levels of theatre training, and no prior experience/training is needed. Registration is now open and inaugural classes begin September 2017. Early bird discount and priority placement in future classes for all those registered before May 31st. Discounts are also available for multiple classes, same-household participants, and CPH subscribers.

Course Descriptions

YOUTH COURSES

Songs, Stories, and Me

Age: 3 - 4 years old

Cost: $200 total, 15-week course

45-minute class once a week

Through storytelling, movement, and song, young performers will explore various emotions and engage in head-to-toe learning in this gentle introduction to acting. Students and their families will participate in an in-class share at the end of the session.

Dramatic Play

Age: 4 - 6 years old (parent/guardian supervision required)

Cost $255 total, 15-week course

1-hour class once a week

Beloved children's stories are adapted by young performers as they begin to explore theatrical techniques such as movement, voice, and storytelling. Students and their families will participate in an in-class share at the end of the session.

Creative Drama

Age: 5 - 7 years old

Cost: $255, 15-week course

1-hour class once a week

Using short scripted scenes, young performers are introduced to the collaborative process of theatre, encouraging them to listen to their peers, share ideas, and work as a team. Vocal and movement skills are now used in the beginning of character development. Families enjoy watching their young performers participate in a collaborative showcase in one of our mainstage rehearsal halls.

Devised Theatre

Age: 7 - 9 years old

Cost $255, 15-week course

1-hour class once a week

Young performers will collaborate in the creation of a new short play. Through repetition and self-review, necessary skills such as concentration, focus, memorization, and adaptability will be built. Families enjoy watching their young performers participate in a collaborative showcase in one of our mainstage rehearsal halls.

Theatre One

Age: 9 - 11 years old

Cost: $275, 15-week course

90-minute class once a week

Performers will be cast in a 10-minute scripted project where they will discover and develop acting fundamentals. These include listening, responding, collaboration, and characterization. Basic design elements such props, costumes, and sound will be utilized in rehearsal and performance. Families enjoy watching their performers participate in a showcase in the Allen Theatre Complex.

Theatre Two

Age: 11 - 13 years old

Cost: $275, 15-week course

90-minute class once a week

Performers will be cast in a 10-minute scripted play where they enhance their acting skills while demonstrating focus, concentration, and building of the collaborative process. Basic design elements such props, costumes, and sound will be utilized in rehearsal and performance. Families enjoy watching their performers participate in a showcase in the Allen Theatre Complex.

Theatre Three

Age: 13 - 15 years old

Cost: $275, 15-week course

90-minute class once a week

Through scene study and exploration, performers will develop authentic characters using theatrical techniques such as vocal, physical, and psychological choices. Fully realized props and costumes will be integrated into the rehearsal and final performance. Families enjoy watching their performers participate in a showcase in the Allen Theatre Complex.

Theatre Four

Age: 14+

Cost: $275, 15-week course

90-minute session once a week

Through script analysis, research, and complex scene study, performers will create work relevant to today's world. Fully realized props and costumes will be integrated into the rehearsal and final performance. Families enjoy watching their performers participate in a showcase in the Allen Theatre Complex.

Arts in Action: A Specialized Theatre Integration Course for Home Schools

Section 1: Age 6 - 9 years old

Section 2: Age 10+

Cost: $255 plus $100 Curriculum Development Fee; $355 total, 15-week course

In consultation with home school parents, customized curriculum will be developed to integrate theatre into English, Science, Social Studies, or Math.

ADULT COURSES

Step Right Up!
Adult Acting
Cost: $275, 15-week Course

90-minute session once a week

This class will cover the basics of acting technique and will provide a solid foundation for adults interested in pursuing the craft of acting. The class will give actors an opportunity to learn through a variety of exercises, games, improvisations, and scene work. Actors will participate in a showcase for friends and family in the Allen Theatre Complex.

Action! The Fundamentals of Screen Acting
Adult Screen Acting
Cost: $275, 15-week Course

90-minute session once a week

Acting for the stage and acting for the camera are two entirely different disciplines; this class will enable actors to establish a working understanding and appreciation of the TV/Film medium. Actors will be filmed and provided with immediate feedback by the instructor throughout the class. They will also gain insights into the world of agents, self-marketing, and the professional opportunities for film actors in Northeast Ohio and beyond. Actors will participate in a showcase for friends and family in the Allen Theatre Complex.

The Actor's Gym
Acting for Professional Artists
Cost: $150, 15-week course

90-minute session once a week

This offering is geared toward working professional actors and provides an opportunity to "work-out" their acting skills for a nominal fee in a wide variety of disciplines, including monologue/audition work, scene study, voice and speech, and classical text. In addition, class members will be eligible to participate in a series of masterclasses featuring an amazing variety of Cleveland's top artists, including Artistic Director Laura Kepley, members of CPH artistic and education departments, and guest artists from our mainstage productions. Actors will participate in a showcase for friends and family in the Allen Theatre Complex.

Teaching Artist Training

Cost: $150, 15-week course

90-minute class once a week

Working artists will be mentored by highly qualified classroom teachers and faculty from the CPH Education Department as they undergo a rigorous 15-week training program designed to expand the roster of qualified CPH teaching artists. Participation in course does not guarantee employment at CPH.

PERFORMING ENSEMBLES

Senior Performance Ensemble

Age: 65+

No Audition Required

Cost: $550, 15-week course

Meets four hours total, twice a week

Includes all performance and production fees

Actors will work with a director and dramaturg to develop advanced script analysis, create an authentic character, and refine advanced acting techniques. Actors will be cast in multiple roles in a 10-minute play festival. Participation in a week-long technical rehearsal and ticketed performances at the Allen Theatre Complex are required.

Musical Theatre Ensemble

Age: 12+

Audition Required

Cost: $10 audition fee; $2750, 30-week course

Meets 4 hours total, twice a week

Includes one student ticket to a chaperoned mainstage production

Includes all performance and production fees

Actors will work with a director, choreographer, and music director to develop and refine artistic choices relevant to musical theatre. Actors will be cast in a musical highlighting specific strengths and skillsets of each ensemble member. Participation in a week-long technical rehearsal and ticketed performances at the Allen Theatre Complex are required.

Curtain Pullers

Age: 9 - 13 years old

Audition Required

Cost: $10 audition fee; $2030, 30-week course

Meets 4 hours total, twice a week

Includes one student ticket to a chaperoned mainstage production

Includes all performance and production fees

Actors will work with a director to develop critical analysis, evolve creative ideas, and refine a variety of acting techniques. Actors will be cast in a one-act play highlighting specific strengths and skillsets of each ensemble member. Participation in a week-long technical rehearsal and ticketed performances at the Allen Theatre Complex are required.

Teen Performing Ensemble

Age: 14+

Audition Required

Cost: $10 audition fee; $2030, 30-week course

Meets 4 hours total, twice a week

Includes one student ticket to a chaperoned mainstage production

Includes all performance and production fees

Actors will work with a director and dramaturg to develop advanced script analysis, create an authentic character, and refine advanced acting techniques. Actors will be cast in a full-length play highlighting specific strengths and skillsets of each ensemble member. Participation in a week-long technical rehearsal and ticketed performances at the Allen Theatre Complex are required.

PARKING

There are many parking options available in downtown Cleveland near the CPH Administrative Offices. Details depend on class selected and are available when registering.

To enroll or for more information, visit clevelandplayhouse.com.

Cleveland Play House, recipient of the 2015 Regional Theatre Tony Award® and founded in 1915, is America's first professional regional theatre. Throughout its rich history, CPH has remained dedicated to its mission to inspire, stimulate, and entertain diverse audiences in Northeast Ohio by producing plays and theatre education programs of the highest professional standards. CPH has produced more than 100 world and/or American premieres, and over its long history more than 12 million people have attended over 1,600 productions. Today, Cleveland Play House celebrates the beginning of its second century of service while performing in three state-of-the-art venues at Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Cleveland Play House with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. We also thank the residents of Cuyahoga County for supporting Cleveland Play House through Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.

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