January 2018 - NEohioPAL - lists.neohiopal.org

Call for submissions from Literary Cleveland: original writing on theme of "Health"
by dale.heinen＠gmail.com 16 Jan '18

16 Jan '18

Call for submissions: Original writing on theme of "Health" Literary Cleveland will organize a free staged reading during the Cleveland Humanities Festival, on Saturday, March 17th and Sunday, March 18th at 7 pm at Cleveland State University's student center ballroom. A director and actors will be hired to perform the work. We invite you to contribute a play, poem, personal essay, short story or other literary work addressing the theme of "Health." Submissions are open to Northeast Ohio residents. Contributors are encouraged to interpret the theme broadly. We encourage submissions from individuals who do not consider themselves to be writers but have a story to tell. Submissions can be in any genre and should be less than 1,000 words. Multiple submissions and previously published pieces are allowed. They should be sent to info(a)litcleveland.org with the subject line "Cleveland Humanities Festival staged reading" by Friday, Feb. 9th, 2018. More information is available at http://www.litcleveland.org/cleveland-humanities-festival.html

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FREE Behind-the-Scenes of Marie and Rosetta!
by Natasha Fly 16 Jan '18

16 Jan '18

InsideCPH - Behind-the-Scenes of Marie and Rosetta A WAY WITH WORDS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5 | 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Middough Building (Playhouse Square) Award-winning playwright George Brant (Grounded) has a way with words. George is a master craftsman in the field of playwriting and has had his words spoken on stages as near as Cleveland and as far away as China. In this up close and personal look at his art participants will gain insight into George Brant's craft, his varied stories and how he pens his multidimensional characters. We will also gain an appreciation of how George crafted the real life personages of Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight from Marie and Rosetta. TO RSVP FOR FREE, FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW: https://goo.gl/igtT1t Behind-the-Scenes are engaging, fun - and FREE! - opportunities for audiences to gain insight into the artistic process of Cleveland Play House actors, writers and directors, and each of these intimate sessions is tied to the action on our stages. Whether it's a performance workshop, an enlightening discussion, or a rockin' demonstration of musical chops, you'll get a chance to rub shoulders with the talented performers you'll see right here at CPH. Meet the creative team, learn something new, and have a great time with new friends, all for FREE!

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Register for Teen Acting Classes at CPH Theatre Academy!
by Natasha Fly 16 Jan '18

16 Jan '18

Cleveland Play House - Theatre Academy Register Now Middough Building - 1901 E. 13th Street Cleveland, OH 44114, fifth floor Education Classes for All Ages and Levels For more than eight decades, CPH has offered educational programming as varied as the stories on its stages. We have classes for working adult professionals, preschool children with big imaginations and everyone in between. Faculty from Tony-Award-recipient Cleveland Play House will excite creative potential and nurture your passion for live theatre! TEEN CLASSES Focusing on the student who loves drama. Professional theatre educators and artists provide high-quality and developmentally-appropriate theatre instruction to students at all age levels. Musical Theatre Ensemble Ages 12-18 Participants will be cast in a musical that will highlight the performer's specific strengths and skill sets. Ensemble members will work with a director, choreographer, and music director. Participation in a week-long technical rehearsal and ticketed performances are required. Teen Performance Ensemble Ages 14-18 The Teen Acting Ensemble will give the actors an opportunity to work with both a professional director and dramaturg (script consultant). Actors will be cast in multiple roles, develop the techniques of advanced script analysis, create authentic characters, and refine their advanced acting skills. The class will culminate in May 2018 with a 10-minute play festival. Participation in a week-long technical rehearsal and ticketed performances are required. Theatre Three Ages 13-15 Teen actors take the next step and begin to develop authentic characters through scene study and exploration, using theatrical techniques such as vocal, physical, and psychological choices. Props and costumes will be integrated into the rehearsal and final performance. Families will watch their performers participate in a showcase at the end of the session. Theatre Four Ages 14-19 For the serious young actor, this session will create work relevant to today's world through script analysis, research and complex scene study. Fully-realized props and costumes will be integrated into both the rehearsal process and final performance. Families will watch their performers participate in a showcase at the end of the session. TO REGISTER FOR CLASSES VISIT: https://goo.gl/doP1c6

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ELEPHANT MAN AUDITIONS NEXT WEEKEND!
by fctheatre 16 Jan '18

16 Jan '18

French Creek Theatre<http://metroparks.cc/theatre.php> announces auditions for… THE ELEPHANT MAN By Bernard Pomerance Directed by Ismael Lara In 1886, a horrifically deformed sideshow attraction named John Merrick is taken in by a young English surgeon named Frederick Treves. As Treves endeavors to civilize him by introducing him to London’s elite, Merrick dreams of being like other men. But when manners and propriety leave Merrick dissatisfied, Treves begins to question his own altruistic pursuits. Achingly poignant and poetic, discover our shared humanity with The Elephant Man. PERFORMANCES May 4-20, 2018 Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30PM Sundays at 3:00PM AUDITIONS Saturday, January 27th / 1:00PM-5:00PM Sunday, January 28th / 12:00PM-4:00PM Auditions are by appointment in 60 minute blocks. Call (440) 949-5200 to schedule a timeslot. Actors are strongly encouraged to prepare two contrasting monologues. In the event that an actor is unable to present a monologue, sides will be available. Actors will also read with others in their audition group. Looking to cast 7-9 actors ages 18 and up. Persons of color are encouraged to audition. All actors cast receive a stipend. One AEA contract may be available for this production. Questions or for more info email<mailto:fctheatre@metroparks.cc> or call (440) 949-5200 CHARACTER BREAKDOWN John Merrick Highly intelligent, sensitive, and artistic. A gentle soul living within a severely disfigured body. The director is looking to cast this role with a person of color. Frederick Treves A driven, contradictory, brilliant, and accomplished surgeon/lecturer in anatomy at the acclaimed London Hospital. *Mrs. Kendall A determined, successful, sophisticated, compassionate, and witty leading lady of the British theatre. This role requires brief, partial nudity. *Car Gomm A blunt, acerbic, and forthright administrator at the London Hospital. *Ross The crude, brash, and cruel manager of "The Elephant Man" in a seedy sideshow. *Miss Sandwich Confident, earthy, and experienced, but ultimately a hypocritical nurse. *Pinhead Manager The harsh, crass sideshow manager of "The Pinheads" in a Belgian circus. *Denotes ensemble role – actors will also be playing the following: Belgian Policeman London Policeman Conductor Bishop Porters Duchess Countess Princess Alexandra Lord John Pinheads French Creek Theatre is located within the French Creek Nature & Arts Center / 4530 Colorado Ave / Sheffield Village / 44054

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The King & I - Adult Auditions
by Marc Howard 16 Jan '18

16 Jan '18

AURORA COMMUNITY THEATRE Is Holding Additional Adult Auditions for: THE KING & I When: Sun. Jan. 21st 6pm Where: 115 E. Pioneer Trail, Aurora, OH 44202 ALL ROLES AVAILABLE What to Prepare: Please bring a resume, headshot and 16-32 measures of a Classic Broadway song not from the show, prepare your sheet music for an, accompanist. No acapella or taped music. If invited to callbacks, scene work, choreography, and further music will be given. Rehearsals: Will begin Sun. March 4th Performances: April 27th – May 19th Fri. & Sat. Evenings 8 pm and Sun. Matinee 3 pm May 6th & 13th For questions or further information, contact the director at dustinmoliver(a)gmail.com

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Workshop Players Auditions: "Steel Magnolias"
by Workshop Players 15 Jan '18

15 Jan '18

Auditions Sunday January 21 and Monday January 22 at 7p.m. at the theater *For Steel Magnolias!* Show Dates: March 8, 9, 10, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 Director Judy MacKeigan is looking for a cast of strong, female actors to portray the iconic women of *Steel Magnolias*. Set in the late 1980s in a small town in Louisiana, Steel Magnolias is an homage to the strength of friendship that holds us together through life’s tragedy and comedy. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script, but those auditioning are encouraged to be familiar with the story and the characters. (note: actors should be able to portray the following age/age range for each character.) Truvy- Owner and operator of the beauty salon where the action of the show takes place. Kind hearted, practical, and lively. Age 40-50 Annelle- newly hired assistant to Truvy, naïve, gullible and lacking in self-confidence, but sweet and lovable. age 18-20 Clairee –neighborhood patron of the beauty shop, widow of the former mayor, a bit reserved and formal age 65-75 Shelby- pretty, popular and self assured, but has a life-threatening form of type 1 Diabetes, 25-30 M’lynn- Shelby’s mother, career woman, confident and strong, but concerned for her daughter 50-60 Ouiser- female curmudgeon, acerbic and sarcastic, but caring and loyal to her friends 65-75 for more information, contact the director at Judy(a)davenjudy.net -- Workshop Players 44820 Middle Ridge Road, Amherst, OH 44001 Box Office: 440-988-5613 (Box Office hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.) contact(a)workshopplayers.com www.workshopplayers.com "If all the world's a stage, I want better lighting!"

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REVIEW of DOUBT at Canton Players Guild
by Tom Wachunas 15 Jan '18

15 Jan '18

Impassioned Ambiguities By Tom Wachunas “Doubt requires more courage thanconviction does, and more energy; because conviction is a resting place anddoubt is infinite – it is a passionate exercise. You may come out of my playuncertain. You may want to be sure. Look down on that feeling. We’ve got tolearn to live with a full measure of uncertainty. There is no last word. That’sthe silence under the chatter of our time. ”― John Patrick Shanley, author of Doubt John PatrickShanley’s 2005 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Doubt,is a 90-minute drama with no intermission. On one level, this riveting workcould be called an unresolved cerebral and emotional thriller. The story unfolds in 1964 at a Catholic schoolin the Bronx. The school principal, Sister Aloysius, accuses Father Flynn ofsexual misconduct with 12 year-old Donald Muller, the school’s sole blackstudent. Seemingly convinced that her allegations are provable, Sister Aloysiusembarks on a campaign to expose and oust Father Flynn. In the process sheattempts to rally support from the boy’s teacher, Sister James, and the boy’smother, Mrs. Muller, who has her own very compelling reasons for resistingSister Aloysius’ efforts. In a recent CantonRepository article (January 4) about the current Players Guild production ofthe play, director Craig Joseph said,“The idea is to create a production that itself creates doubt. It fails ifpeople walk out thinking, ‘He’s guilty’ or ‘He’s not guilty.’ It’s fun figuringout ways to shift and change the audience’s sympathies.” Joseph has indeed figured out how to shift oursympathies in powerful fashion, thanks to the altogether gripping articulationsfrom his cast of four. These articulations spring from the sharpness and depthof Shanley’s writing and its many forays into wily ambiguity. What’s written,however, could never come fully to light and life but for the prowess requiredto speak a language without words. Here in the intimate surrounds of theGuild’s arena space we’re able to clearly see that the cast has mastered thepotency of nuanced physical expression – furrowed brows, eyes frightened ornarrowed, snarling lips, heaving or stiffened shoulders, arched backs. In thistense he-said–she-said game of cat and mouse, queries and allegations arewielded like swords, parried with responses at once eloquent and terse, and allto the point, as it were, of stunning uncertainty. Even the silences thatpunctuate the fast-moving dialogue are voluminous with myriad unspoken questions. Meg Hopp is a relentlessly commanding presenceas Sister Aloysius. She perfectly embodies her character’s wry and rigid world-view,steeped as it is in theself-righteousness and pernicious judgementalism that fuels her stridentrefusal to grant the possibility of Father Flynn’s innocence. She renders acomplex portrait, colored with debilitating pessimism and real exasperationwith what she considers to be the inept pastoral leadership in her community. Shesees Sister Jane as too impressionable, lacking in wisdom and real-worldexperience - a potential ally who needs to be molded. In that role, LanaSugarman is wholly endearing in her obsequious way, exuding a sweetvulnerability and bubbly optimism. At first not believing the report of FatherFlynn’s sinful actions, as the play progresses she struggles mightily to graspthe darker implications of the circumstances emerging around her. Ryan C. Nehlen’s magneticportrayal of Father Flynn makes it easy to understand Sister Jane’s initialincredulity. He’s gentle and confident, erudite, and indisputably charismatic. Andyet from the play’s outset, when he delivers an intriguing sermon that extols thespiritual value of being “stricken by private calamity,” Nehlen’s delivery - alternatelypoker-faced and impassioned - has theuncanny effect of presaging trouble ahead and his more acerbic exchanges withSister Aloysius. A startling surprise ensues when SisterAloysius has a short conference with Mrs. Muller, played by Joy A. Ellis. Forall of that scene’s brevity, Ellis packs it with an authentic and heartrendingemotional intensity – a shift that significantly enlarges the philosophicaldimensions of the story. There’s good reasonto call this play “a parable.” On the surface,its words might suggest an indictment of corrupted Catholic patriarchy andpriestly pedophilia. In the end, though, I think the apparent religious contextis somewhat cosmetic in nature, and arguably better regarded as symbolic of alarger societal malaise. Is it stillreasonable to want our words to describe or report reality in absolute,unarguable terms? In this troubled ageof moral and philosophical relativism, words can be especially convenientweapons, too easily abused, leading to tragic judgements. If nothing else, Doubt presents us with the capacity ofwords to veil as much as they reveal, to incite and justify uncertaintiesrather than declare unassailable truths. Playwright Shanley’s sobering,arresting words are woven together into a gray tapestry of innuendo, ofassumptions acted upon as fact, of accusations without proof. Think of his play as a compelling allegory of thedoubtful practices rampant on so many of our current social media platforms,the “…chatter of our time.” Doubt – A Parable, by John PatrickShanley / Directed by Craig Joseph,at Players Guild William G. Frye Theatre, Cultural Center for the Arts, 1101 Market Ave. N., Canton / THROUGHJANUARY 28, 2018 / shows at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday.TICKETS: $20 adults, $17 seniors, $13 ages 17 and younger.Order at 330-453-7617 and www.playersguildtheatre.com

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High School Students Needed for the CIFF² Program
by Jasmine Golphin 15 Jan '18

15 Jan '18

Cleveland International Film Festival is currently looking for* girls of color and non-binary students of color* to apply to the CIFF² (“CIFF-squared”) program being held at the festival in early April. Now in its second year, CIFF² was created to help bridge the race and gender gap in the world of filmmaking through a mentorship program with visiting filmmakers. The students chosen to participate will attend several film screenings at CIFF 42, engage in meaningful dialogue and interaction with a select group of female filmmakers of color, learn more about the Film Festival from a filmmakers’ point of view, and ultimately produce a short film about their experience. *Interested students do not have to have background in filmmaking, just an interest to learn more about the art form.* Below is a link with more information about the program. If you know someone who may be a good fit, please have them email *ciffsquared(a)clevelandfilm.org <ciffsquared(a)clevelandfilm.org> *for an application. Applications are due February 1st. https://www.clevelandfilm.org/festival/special-programs/ciff2 Thank you! Jasmine Golphin CIFF² Program Manager

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Auditions Jan 28 / 29 - "The Country House" by Donald Margulies
by Chagrin Valley Little Theatre 15 Jan '18

15 Jan '18

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LAST CHANCE to enroll 3-5 graders in Cleveland Youth Improv Classes... as seen on Cleveland Scene and Cool Cleveland!
by Emma Shepard 15 Jan '18

15 Jan '18

Cleveland Youth Theater Project is still enrolling students for Intro To Improv class for grades 3-5 at The Magalen in Slavic Village! Enrollment closes on the 18th and classes begin on The 22nd! More information can be found through Cleveland Scene: https://m.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2018/01/12/cleveland-yout… or on our website: www.cleytp.com

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