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<p align="center" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:center">
<strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Gotham Bold"">CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY/<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p>
<p align="center" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:center">
<strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Gotham Bold"">CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE MFA ACTING PROGRAM<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p>
<p align="center" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:center">
<strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Gotham Bold"">ANNOUNCES INCOMING CLASS</span></strong><span style="font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><br>
</span><em><span style="font-family:"Gotham Bold"">8 Students Selected from Over 800 Candidates</span></em><i><span style="font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book"">CLEVELAND, OH
</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book"">(<i>July 18, 2017</i>) –<b>
</b>The Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House MFA Acting Program today announced its Class of 2020. The four women and four men represent eight different undergraduate programs from across the United States.
</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book"">“After seeing a record number of candidates in New York, Chicago and here in Cleveland with outreaches in Atlanta and Washington, DC,” says
<b>Donald Carrier,</b> Interim Director of CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program, “we are thrilled to welcome a new group of talented, dynamic, curious, and collaborative young artists who will grow and thrive here in Cleveland, supported by our two great institutions:
Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Play House<i>.” </i><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book";color:red"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book";color:windowtext">Both institutions are excited to welcome this dynamic new class that will continue the strong tradition the program has established over the course of the past 22 years</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book";color:red">.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book";color:red"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book"">”On the audition tour, we met incredible young artists and are thrilled to be welcoming a unique and promising class,” says Cleveland Play House Artistic Director<b> Laura Kepley,
</b>“I am confident that with the excellent training in the CWRU/CPH studios and by working side-by-side with top professionals on Cleveland Play House mainstage productions these talented young theatre makers will make a significant impact on the future of
American theatre.”<b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book"">Jerrold Scott,
</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book"">Chair<b>, </b>
CWRU Department of Theater<i>, </i>says, “As the Department of Theater at CWRU enters our third decade in partnership with Cleveland Play House, it's very exciting to welcome the Class of 2020. Every class brings new insights and opportunities, and we look
forward to working with them to develop their skills and artistry as the new generation of actors we have helped to nurture.<i>”</i><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><em><b><span style="font-family:"Gotham Bold"">CWRU/CPH MFA Program Class of 2020</span></b></em><em><span style="font-family:"Gotham Bold";font-style:normal"><o:p></o:p></span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book";color:black">Alex Brightwell</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book";color:black"> is beyond thrilled to be joining the CWRU/CPH MFA program! He was born
in West Virginia and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2012 Alex graduated from the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater BFA Actor Training Program and has since continued living and working in Minneapolis, appearing onstage at Yellow Tree Theater,
Minnesota Jewish Theatre, Walking Shadow Theatre, Public Theater of Minnesota, the Strange Capers, and the Guthrie. Alex looks forward to life and theater in Cleveland, and could use suggestions of local bookstores and coffee shops to fulfill his penchant
for reading and caffeine. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book"">Conor Canning</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book""> was born and raised in Alford, Massachusetts and is a 2016 graduate of Georgetown University,
where he majored in Political Economy with a minor in Theater and Performance Studies. While at Georgetown, Conor acted with the University’s Theater Department as well the student-run organizations, Nomadic Theatre and the Mask and Bauble Dramatic Society.
Notable past roles include Joe Cooper in <i>Killer Joe</i>, George Deever in <i>
All my Sons</i>, Stacey Kinsella in <i>The Metal Children</i>, Eduardo in <i>Happy</i> and Angelo in
<i>Measure for Measure. </i>Outside of acting his interests include reading, playing soccer and supporting the New York Mets and Liverpool Football Club. Conor is very excited to move to Cleveland and begin the next phase of his education.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book"">Kacey Connolly</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book"">
</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book"">originally hails from Indiana but has spent the past 6 years living in New York City. She received a BA from the Gallatin School of Individualized Study at NYU, with a concentration in The Actor's
Artistic Agency within the Creative Process. She explored the question of what it means to be an artist in a collaborative paradigm where one does not also act as the curator. When she isn't pondering such lofty questions, Kacey can be found oogling every
dog she passes on the street, trying to incorporate tap dance into Shakespeare plays, and working on her yoga practice. </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book"">Comfort Dolo</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book""> was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee and raised in friendly Fridley, Minnesota.
She graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN back in 2014 with double majors in Honors Theatre and Communication Studies. Since graduating, she has been performing around the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Favorite credits include:
<i>To Kill a Mockingbird</i> (The Guthrie Theatre), <i>TOUCH</i>, a remake of the 1984 Emmy Award winning film project (Illusion Theatre), and various commercials ranging from the
<i>Minnesota State Lottery</i> to hand modeling for KeyBank. She is a big fan of theatre for social justice, the German language, and gummy bears!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book";color:#222222;background:white"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book";color:#222222;background:white">Gregory James</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book";color:#222222;background:white"> is a Buffalo, NY native with
a BFA in Theatre Performance from the University at Buffalo. He is overjoyed to be joining CWRU and Cleveland Play House for his graduate studies. Gregory has been living in Los Angeles for the past six years where he has worked as an actor, writer, and director.
Recent credits include John in <i>Summer and Smoke</i>, and Jack in <i>Hound of the Baskervilles
</i>with the Actors Co-Op Hollywood. Gregory was also a resident member of the Whitefire Theatre for two years appearing in numerous Seasonal and Hollywood Shorts. GregoryJamesActing.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book";color:#222222;background:white"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book"">Abdul Seidu</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book""> is very excited to join the Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House Family. Abdul
grew up in the Cleveland area and is glad to represent his home town. He received his undergraduate degree at Kent State University where he also competed in Track & Field. Abdul realized his passion for acting in his teenage years and is thrilled to be accepted
at such a prestigious MFA program. He is ready to pursue all the teachings that the program has to offer and is humbled to be an ambassador of the CWRU/CPH name.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book"">Courtney Stennett</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book""> is a native of Eagle, Idaho. She graduated with her BFA in Performance from Baylor University
and has since been living and working in Chicago. Favorite recent professional credits include <i>Agnes of God</i> with Aleatoric Theatre, <i>A Little Princess </i>with Windy City Music Theatre, and <i>Seminar</i> with Spartan Theatre Company. Courtney enjoys
membership in the League of Chicago Theatres Young Professionals Circle and is on the board of Voice of the City Theatre which is an arts alliance group connecting the community to theatre. She could not be more thrilled for this next adventure in Cleveland!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book"">Elisabeth Yancey</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book""> hails from eight different states reaching all four corners of the U.S. She is a recent
graduate of Wellesley College where she received a B.A. in Theatre Studies. She holds a certificate of classical acting from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, and a certificate of literature from Cambridge University. Elisabeth has worked with
Wellesley Repertory Theatre, ACT 1 Nashville, and the Wellesley Shakespeare Society. She is currently embarking on an adventure to Bali where she will receive her 200-hour yoga teaching certification. Elisabeth is thrilled to join the CWRU/CPH class of 2020!</span><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Gotham Bold"">ABOUT THE CWRU/CPH MFA PROGRAM<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book"">Since 1996, Case Western Reserve University has partnered with Cleveland Play House. Every two years, eight actors are chosen from the hundreds who audition nationwide to join
this rigorous three-year conservatory program. </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book"">The CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program admits committed and bold
</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book"">young artists who possess a love of language, empathy for the human experience, a vivid imagination and the desire to develop the necessary physical and vocal skills for a successful and sustained
career in the ever-evolving performing arts scene. All three years are spent in residency at Cleveland Play House, providing students with unique access to its new downtown Cleveland state-of-the-art facilities and the professional expertise of its staff.
Program graduates include Rich Sommer (<i>Mad Men, Buried Child</i>), Elizabeth A. Davis (<i>Once –
</i>Tony Award Nomination), AJ Cedeno (<i>Z: The Beginning of Everything</i>), Tom Degnan (<i>Limitless</i>), and Stephen Michael Spencer (Oregon Shakespeare Festival).</span><span style="font-family:"Archer Book""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Gotham Bold"">ABOUT CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE</span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:"Gotham Bold""><o:p></o:p></span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book"">Recipient of the 2015 Regional Theatre Tony Award® and founded in 1915,
<b>Cleveland Play House</b> is America’s first professional regional theatre. Throughout its rich history, Cleveland Play House 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. It 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 CPH productions. Today, Cleveland Play House
looks toward its centennial while performing in three state-of-the art venues at Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland.
</span><a href="http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book"">www.clevelandplayhouse.com</span></i></a><span style="font-family:"Archer Book""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Archer Book";color:black">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Ryan Lucas</span></b><b><span style="color:black"><br>
</span></b><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Marketing Associate</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><br>
Cleveland Play House<br>
1901 E. 13th Street, Suite 200<br>
Cleveland, OH 44114<br>
216.400.7004<br>
<a href="mailto:rlucas@clevelandplayhouse.com"><span style="color:blue">rlucas@clevelandplayhouse.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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