Cleveland Public Theatre Announces Launch Of Cleveland Act Now, Intensive Arts Program For Youth Ages 10-14

Cleveland Public Theatre is proud to announce the launch of Cleveland Act Now, an audition-based youth theatre program onsite at CPT. Summer 2018 Session, July 9-August 3, geared for youth ages 10-14 years old, is offered at no cost thanks to the support of the Cleveland Foundation and other generous supporters. Cleveland Act Now is led by Faye Hargate, CPT's Director of Community Ensembles and Program Director of CPT's celebrated Brick City Theatre, with CPT Teaching Artist staff. This program is for youth interested in a creative theatre training focusing on acting fundamentals, storytelling, and playwriting. Cleveland Act Now has a priority to serve Cleveland residents, but youth who live outside of Cleveland are welcome to audition.

According to CPT Executive Artistic Director Raymond Bobgan, "As part of the Brick City Theatre expansion, enabled by the Cleveland Foundation mastery-based arts initiative grant, CPT is thrilled to pilot a sixth education site, lovingly nicknamed 'the mothership.' As with each CPT Education Program, youth participants will receive high-quality arts education from core CPT artists performing on our stages, creating original work in our rehearsal rooms, and organizing our community-wide events. Rigorous curriculum along with access to top-level artistry will allow youth participants of Cleveland Act Now to grow in the ways we know the arts engender-advancing personal confidence, setting and achieving goals, using imagination to problem-solve-onsite in Cleveland Public Theatre's rehearsal and performance spaces."

ABOUT CLEVELAND ACT NOW

Cleveland Act Now is an intensive summer arts program for young artists that is fun and challenging. Youth will learn acting fundamentals, storytelling methods, and ensemble play creation. Under the dedicated guidance of CPT Teaching Artists, children learn how to create and perform their own theatrical works. This rigorous training also supports academic skills, interpersonal and personal skills, and helps to instill empathy and responsibility while building character and enhancing creative thinking.

AUDITION AND PROGRAM SPECIFICS

Enrollment is by audition only. Three open audition calls will be held for participation in the program. Youth who have successfully participated in Cleveland Public Theatre's Brick City Theatre program are ensured an invitation and placement in the program upon successful audition. All youth must participate in an audition to be eligible. Enrollment is capped at 25 participants. This program is offered at no cost thanks to the support of the Cleveland Foundation and other generous supporters.

Summer 2018 Session will take place at Cleveland Public Theatre's main campus, located at 6415 Detroit Avenue in the heart of Gordon Square Arts District. Off-campus field trips will take place at Herman Park, 6198 Herman Avenue.

Auditions will take place at Cleveland Public Theatre Saturday, May 26 from 9:00am-12:00pm; Saturday, June 2 from 9:00am-12:00pm; and Sunday, June 3 from 1:00pm-4:00pm. A legal guardian must be present at auditions.

Classes will take place July 9-August 3, Monday through Friday from 1:00pm-5:00pm.

To schedule an audition contact Faye Hargate, CPT Director of Community Ensembles and Brick City Theatre / Cleveland Act Now Program Director, 216.631.2727 x207

ABOUT BRICK CITY THEATRE AND EXPANSION

Brick City Theatre engages children ages 5-14 who reside in public housing in a year-round afterschool, intensive summer arts program that improves academic skills, instills empathy, and responsibility, builds character, and enhances creative thinking. Under the dedicated guidance of CPT Teaching Artists, children learn how to create and perform their own plays, choreography, poetry, music compositions, and visual art. These works are then crafted into original performances presented annually at CMHA community centers and arts festivals throughout Cleveland. Formed in 1999, the program reached around 300 youth each year in two public housing locations, but thanks to a grant from the Cleveland Foundation, Brick City Theatre is currently undergoing a threefold expansion. By 2018, CPT will have added four new sites, serving approximately 1,000 youth each year across all six sites.