<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="">CPT ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR </span><b class=""><span style="font-size: 18pt; color: red;" class="">S</span></b><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="">TUDENT<b class=""> <span style="color: red;" class="">T</span></b>HEATRE<b class=""><span style="color: rgb(84, 130, 53);" class=""> </span><span style="color: red;" class="">E</span></b>NRICHMENT<b class=""><span style="color: rgb(84, 130, 53);" class=""> </span><span style="color: red;" class="">P</span></b>ROGRAM<b class=""><span style="color: rgb(112, 48, 160);" class=""> </span></b>(STEP)</span><o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><b class=""> </b><o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: red;" class=""><a href="outlook-data-detector://0" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);" class=""><b class=""><span style="color: red;" class="">Wednesday, February 16 from 6:00-8:30pm</span></b></a></span><b class=""> OR <u class=""><span style="color: red;" class=""><span dir="ltr" class="">Sunday, March 6 from 1:30-4:00pm</span></span></u><span style="color: red;" class=""> </span>on Zoom!</b><o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><b class="">cleveland PUBLIC theatre</b><o:p class=""></o:p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </p><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><b class=""><span style="color: red;" class="">S</span></b><span style="color: red;" class="">tudent <b class="">T</b>heatre Enrichment <b class="">P</b>rogram </span><b class="">(STEP)</b><o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">CPT’s STEP is a summer arts-based job training program that engages Cleveland teens in a powerful 8-week intensive that focuses on excellence in performance, play creation, physical theatre, writing, production, and set design/construction. Youth ages 14-19 work together to create, produce, perform, <b class=""><span style="color: red;" class="">and tour</span></b><span style="color: red;" class=""> </span>an original piece that they create as an ensemble. <o:p class=""></o:p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </p><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">This program is the longest-running performing arts-based, workplace development program in Cleveland and is an international model for successfully engaging youth. Since its beginning in 1994, STEP has received multiple awards and recognitions, including those from The City of Cleveland, The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Through STEP, teens see themselves as a positive and inspirational force, and watch as their work has an impact on the larger Cleveland community.<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""> <o:p class=""></o:p></div><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" class=""><li class="xmsonormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(41, 41, 41); background-color: white;"><strong class=""><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">Youth must be 14 – 19 yrs. old </span></strong><em class=""><b class=""><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">(Cuyahoga County residents)</span></b></em><o:p class=""></o:p></li><li class="xmsonormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; background-color: white;"><strong class=""><span style="color: rgb(41, 41, 41); border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">The STEP Ensemble is selected by audition:</span></strong><o:p class=""></o:p></li><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" class=""><li class="xmsonormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; background-color: white;"><strong class=""><span style="color: red; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">Performing Ensemble </span></strong><strong class=""><span style="color: rgb(41, 41, 41); border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">Audition – Perform a 1-minute piece (dance, monologue, or song)</span></strong><o:p class=""></o:p></li><li class="xmsonormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(41, 41, 41); background-color: white;"><strong class=""><span style="color: red; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">Tech Ensemble </span></strong><strong class=""><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">Audition – Prepare to </span></strong><strong class=""><span style="color: black; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">speak about technical experiences.</span></strong><o:p class=""></o:p></li><li class="xmsonormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; background-color: white;"><b class=""><span style="color: rgb(41, 41, 41);" class="">Youth should expect to remain for the full audition session</span></b><b class=""> </b><o:p class=""></o:p></li><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" class=""><li class="xmsonormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; background-color: white;"><b class=""><span style="color: red;" class="">Performance Ensemble </span></b><b class="">Audition (<span dir="ltr" style="text-decoration: underline;" class="">6:00-8:30pm</span>)</b><o:p class=""></o:p></li><li class="xmsonormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; background-color: white;"><b class=""><span style="color: red;" class="">Tech Ensemble </span></b><b class="">Audition (<span dir="ltr" style="text-decoration: underline;" class="">6:00-7:30pm</span>)</b><o:p class=""></o:p></li></ul></ul><li class="xmsonormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(41, 41, 41); background-color: white;"><strong class=""><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">Must RSVP by contacting Nicole Sumlin, </span></strong><span class="markmnrn37mma"><b class=""><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">CPT Education Director, </span></b></span><span class="markmnrn37mma"><b class=""><span style="color: black; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">or Allyse Corbin, Education Associate</span></b></span><strong class=""><span style="color: black; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class=""> </span></strong><strong class=""><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">(info below)</span></strong><o:p class=""></o:p></li></ul><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" class=""><li class="xmsonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(255, 192, 0); background-color: white;"><strong class=""><span style="color: rgb(41, 41, 41); border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">By Email or Phone: share name, confirmation, and current phone number</span></strong><o:p class=""></o:p></li></ul><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" class=""><li class="xmsonormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(41, 41, 41); background-color: white;"><strong class="">Must complete STEP Registration</strong><strong class=""><span style="color: black;" class=""> Form</span></strong><strong class="">: </strong><o:p class=""></o:p><strong class=""><a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flinkprotect.cudasvc.com%2Furl%3Fa%3Dhttps%253a%252f%252fforms.gle%252fkigELeLYgzeYDRjF9%26c%3DE%2C1%2CxJS4wQ1do3dq7ilYfXJ3QkG1pngAswEZsXfRc0x7kv5X8bcn0_QBjQP8WCpuss2-yEEwDVWQWsK8E003ipP1h5s9dICuU6Byr-Rn2NglGUta5xM%2C%26typo%3D1&data=04%7C01%7Cacorbin%40cptonline.org%7C55a6696bce2a48c93d2608d9d20e0f0d%7C39c50f4a194943ebb7544cf34b359a7e%7C1%7C0%7C637771780106530157%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=YfCynpJfLw%2BnmUv42PN%2Bo4uINElza7%2BFAIv7QwHCx6w%3D&reserved=0" class="" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);"><span class="" style="font-weight: normal;">https://forms.gle/kigELeLYgzeYDRjF9</span></a></strong></li><li class="xmsonormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; background-color: white;"><span class="markf1at07ne9"><b class=""><span style="color: rgb(41, 41, 41); border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">S</span></b></span><strong class=""><span style="color: rgb(41, 41, 41); border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">TEP </span></strong><strong class=""><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">runs </span></strong><span style="color: red;" class=""><a href="outlook-data-detector://2" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);" class=""><b class=""><span style="color: red; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">June 13 – August 7</span></b></a><strong class=""><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class=""> (</span></strong><a href="outlook-data-detector://3" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);" class=""><b class=""><span style="color: red; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none;" class="">August 8</span></b></a><b class="">th<strong class=""><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">, rain date) </span></strong></b></span><strong class=""><span style="color: rgb(41, 41, 41); border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">including a two</span></strong><strong class=""><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">-</span></strong><strong class=""><span style="color: rgb(41, 41, 41); border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">week outdoor performance tour!</span></strong><strong class=""><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class=""> Non-performance sessions occur <span dir="ltr" style="text-decoration: underline;" class="">Monday-Friday</span> and run <span dir="ltr" style="text-decoration: underline;" class="">from</span></span></strong><strong class=""><span style="color: red; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class=""><span dir="ltr" style="text-decoration: underline;" class="">12-6pm</span></span></strong><strong class=""><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">.</span></strong><o:p class=""></o:p></li><li class="xmsonormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; background-color: white;"><strong class=""><span style="color: rgb(41, 41, 41); border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">Students will receive a </span></strong><strong class=""><span style="color: red; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">stipend</span></strong><strong class=""><span style="color: rgb(41, 41, 41); border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class=""> for their participation at the end of the program</span></strong><strong class=""><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">.</span></strong><o:p class=""></o:p></li><li class="xmsonormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; background-color: white;"><strong class=""><span style="color: rgb(41, 41, 41); border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">The program will be in-person as much as possible,</span></strong><strong class=""><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class=""> strictly </span></strong><strong class=""><span style="color: rgb(41, 41, 41); border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">following safety procedures</span></strong><strong class=""><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">.</span></strong><o:p class=""></o:p></li><li class="xmsonormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; background-color: white;"><strong class=""><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">Students will need to secure their own transportation for sessions at CPT and performances. Public transportation</span></strong><strong class=""><span style="color: rgb(41, 41, 41); border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class=""> </span></strong><strong class=""><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;" class="">support is available. </span></strong><o:p class=""></o:p></li></ul><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""> <o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><b class="">Auditions will be held </b><span style="color: red;" class=""><a href="outlook-data-detector://4" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);" class=""><b class=""><span style="color: red;" class="">Wednesday,</span></b></a><b class=""><u class=""> February 16, 2022 from 6:00pm-8:30pm on Zoom</u> </b></span><b class="">AND<span style="color: red;" class=""> <u class=""><span dir="ltr" class="">Sunday, March 6 from 1:30-4:00pm</span></u> </span>on Zoom! Youth auditioning to be part of the STEP PerformanceEnsemble are only required to attend one of the scheduled sessions.<o:p class=""></o:p></b></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><b class=""> </b></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><b class="">Students interested in joining the <span style="color: red;" class="">Tech Ensemble </span>must attend a session </b><span style="color: red;" class=""><a href="outlook-data-detector://5" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);" class=""><b class=""><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;" class="">on</span></b><b class=""><span style="color: red;" class=""> Wednesday, May 26</span></b></a><a href="outlook-data-detector://5" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);" class=""><b class=""><sup class=""><span style="color: red;" class="">th</span></sup></b></a><a href="outlook-data-detector://5" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);" class=""><b class=""><span style="color: red;" class=""> from 6:00-7:30pm</span></b></a></span><b class=""><span style="color: rgb(112, 173, 71);" class=""> </span>on<span style="color: rgb(112, 173, 71);" class=""> </span>Zoom.<span style="color: rgb(237, 125, 49);" class=""><o:p class=""></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><b class=""><span style="color: rgb(237, 125, 49);" class=""> </span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><b class="">**<span style="color: red;" class="">IMPORTANT: </span>Parents and guardians of all interested youth are asked to attend the first 30 minutes of the audition meeting to learn more about STEP and to ask any questions that may arise!**<o:p class=""></o:p></b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </p><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: red;" class=""> </span><o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><b class="">Questions? Contact: <o:p class=""></o:p></b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="color: rgb(84, 130, 53);" class=""> </span></p><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><b class="">Nicole Sumlin, CPT Education Director or Allyse Corbin, Education Associate<o:p class=""></o:p></b></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><b class=""><a href="mailto:nsumlin@cptonline.org" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);" class=""><span style="color: windowtext;" class="">nsumlin@cptonline.org</span></a> <a href="mailto:acorbin@cptonline.org" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);" class=""><span style="color: windowtext;" class="">acorbin@cptonline.org</span></a><o:p class=""></o:p></b></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><b class=""><a href="tel:216.631.2727;203" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);" class=""><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;" class="">216.631.2727 ext. 203</span></a> <span dir="ltr" style="text-decoration: underline;" class="">216.390.8352</span></b></div></body></html>