May 2026 - NEohioPAL - lists.neohiopal.org

"POTUS: or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive"
by Annette Phelps 22 Jun '26

22 Jun '26

BroadviewHeights Spotlights Theater Presents “POTUS: or, Behind Every Great Dumbass AreSeven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive” One four-letter word isabout to rock 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. When the President unwittingly spins aPR nightmare into a global crisis, the seven brilliant and beleaguered women herelies upon most risk life, liberty, and the pursuit of sanity to keep thecommander-in-chief out of trouble. Selina Fillinger’s brilliant, all-femalefarce took Broadway by storm in a star-studded production that earned three2022 Tony nominations. This show about thewomen of the White House is directed by Ryan Bergeron, with assistant directionby Jackie Cassara and technical direction by Tim Anderson. It runs Fridaysand Saturdays, June 12-27, at 7:30, with one Sunday matinee on June 21stat 3:00. All shows will be held at the Broadview Heights SpotlightsTheater, 9543 Broadview Road, Bldg. 22 (on the city campus next to the policestation). Tickets are available online at www.broadview-heights-spotlights.org. Simplyclick on the date you want to attend. They can also be purchased at the door,based on availability. Costumesare designed by Reilly Davidson and the show features PamMatthews, Theresa Pedone, Tara Corkery, Kyla Burks, Joy Fowler, Camila Pinero, andHannah Storch. WARNING! This performance containsmature themes, graphic language, and/or situations that may not be suitable forall audiences.

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NE Ohio Theater Festival - Entry Deadline in May
by Theresa Benyo-Marzullo 18 Jun '26

18 Jun '26

Announcing the 2026 Ohio Community Theatre Association's (OCTA) Northeast Ohio Theater Festival! When? Saturday. June 20Where? Hudson, OHWho? Theaters from NE Ohio will be performing excerpts from their showsWhy? Celebrate community theater and learn how to improve your craftHow? Member OCTA theaters enter their excerpt by May 23 Not an OCTA member? It's easy to apply.You must apply to be an OCTA member by May 15.https://www.octa1953.org/_files/ugd/5d4542_1d563b18a5aa4dafa80a6a11b8556… NE Ohio community theater from these counties are eligible: Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Summit and Trumbull What if my theater pays their actors? Yes, your theater is eligible as long as it's a small stipend (not a living wage) and no Equity contracts. Interested in learning more? Please contact Theresa Benyo Marzullo at theresa.b(a)octa1953.org

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Submit your work to Micro Theater: Tremont Reloaded!
by Mindy Herman 10 Jun '26

10 Jun '26

Submissions now open for Micro Theater: Tremont Reloaded September 11th and 12th, 2026 Deadline: June 15th Micro Theater CLE is now accepting submissions for our next popup festival in Tremont on September 11th and 12th. The submission deadline is June 15. We're looking for short, bold, weird, funny, intimate, scrappy performances that are 15 minutes or less. Pieces don't need to be fully fleshed out - just offer us something exciting you want to create. More info on how to submit on our website: https://www.microtheatercle.com/submissions Micro Theater CLE takes over various spaces in a neighborhood and fills them with a bunch of short performances happening at the same time. Each show runs multiple times a night on a schedule, so audiences scramble from show to show, grab drinks, make friends talking about what they just saw, and then dive into something completely different. The micro theater concept started in Madrid before launching in Miami and Buenos Aires, and now Cleveland. It’s fast. It’s chaotic. Our first two festivals in 2024 showcased 200 free performances of 38 new works to over 900 Clevelanders, and in 2025 we partnered with BorderLight Theatre Festival, IngenuityFest, and Arts at the Abbey at the Hermit Club to bring performances to the Downtown and St. Clair/Superior neighborhoods. Now we're bringing the madness back to more spaces in Tremont! You can submit anything that works in a small space: - original plays - traditional, experimental, musical - comedy, sketch, immersive performance, magic - physical theater, clown, burlesque - performance art, dance - something we haven't seen before! Shows might get performed in living rooms, backyards, porches, parks, or move through the neighborhood itself. If you’re excited about it, we’ll figure out how to stage it. Come in with a full team, or just an idea. We can help match you with directors, actors, and collaborators, or if you’ve been wanting to try directing or performing, this is a great place to jump in. Questions? Hit us up at info(a)microtheatercle.com. We're excited to hear from you! Micro Theater CLE is produced by Mindy Childress Herman, Samantha Cocco, and Jonathon Morgan. ---- Mindy Childress Herman www.mindychildress.com www.artsintheabbey.com www.microtheatercle.com

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AUDITIONS for FRANK'S LIFE in Doylestown
by Matt Smith 31 May '26

31 May '26

***AUDITIONS ANNOUNCEMENT *** Blue Macaroon Theater Company in Doylestown is proud to announce AUDITIONS for "Frank's Life" by Mark Dunn & directed by Adam Michael, on Sunday June 21st from 7 - 9pm and Monday, June 22nd from 6 - 8:30pm at Blue Macaroon Theater. Performance dates are August 14th - 16th. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044EA8AE2AABFEC25-64309593-franks Before there was Truman, there was Frank! Frank is the star of his own soap opera, Frank's Life. Unfortunately for poor Frank, he doesn't know it. Nor does he realize that his wife, mother, sister and best friend—indeed everyone he has met since the age of 3—are actors. But the elaborate deception can't last much longer: ratings have dropped, revenues are down—even the network itself is in trouble. As cast members are asked to take pay cuts, they begin to leave the show—killing themselves off in unseemly soap-opera ways. Frank's gnawing feeling that something about his life just "doesn't seem right" grows to near paranoia before he makes the painful discovery that he's been duped by everyone he cares for. Then there's the little matter of "what to do with Frank." Blue Macaroon is a black box style theatre in Doylestown. OH, located at 84 1/2 N Portage St. Parking is located in the front along Portage St, or behind the theater on the corner of Marion and Park Drive. Non-union.

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SEAT OF THE PANTS Final Workshop of the season: Tools of the Technique for Wellness and Scene Study w/ Dr. Howard Pippin Jr.
by mike glavan 29 May '26

29 May '26

*Join us for our next and final Seat of the Pants Artist Workshop of the season!* Whether you feel emotionally taxed after working on difficult material or wish you had more tools to play with while in the rehearsal room, this workshop is for you. Adult theatre makers, directors, writers, actors, designers, participants, enthusiasts of all levels are welcome. Per the generosity of ArtsInStark, we will be hosting two sessions of this workshop for greater accessibility across NE Ohio. One Session will be in Cleveland and the other will be in Canton. More details below! *Tools of the Technique for Wellness and Scene Study** with Guest Teacher, Dr. Howard Pippin Jr.* In this workshop, Howard will lead participants in exploring how acting techniques and tools inspire and create brave, safer spaces during rehearsal. Participants will learn and work with tools specific to the Michael Chekhov technique and then apply them to short open scenes and character building. These are tools that are helpful when working on emotionally difficult material, when preparing sides for an audition or scenes for rehearsal on a quick timeline, and in taking command of your character and narrative building all around. *Cleveland: Monday, June 8, 6:30 pm-9:30 pm* Sokol Greater Cleveland, (at Bohemian National Hall), 4939 Broadway Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44127 Parking is available on site in the lot behind the building. Ensemble members will be present to help direct you inside. *Canton: Sunday, June 14, 6:00 pm-9:00 pm* Players Guild Theatre, Kent State Stark campus, 6000 Frank Ave NW, North Canton, OH 44720 Parking is available on site in the lot behind the building. Ensemble members will be present to help direct you inside. To register for either session, email Mike.glavan(a)gmail.com and reserve your spot by making a $5 deposit to Seat of the Pants via Venmo Cash app or Zelle. This deposit is refunded upon attending the workshop. For any questions, please email Mike.glavan(a)gmail.com. Dr. Howard Pippin, Jr. is a pastor and theatre artist who loves bringing creativity and compassion into the same room. He leads Genesis Theatre, directing shows, teaching acting, and building trauma‑informed arts programs that help people heal and connect. With more than twenty-seven years in ministry, Dr. Pippin has become known for sharing joy, hope, and encouragement in every space he serves. Certified in the Michael Chekhov Acting Technique, he combines craft and care for people, creating transformative experiences for both performers and audiences alike.

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World Premiere Musical Freak The Mighty Opens at Cleveland Play House
by Geoff Short 29 May '26

29 May '26

Two Unlikely Heroes, One Epic Musical Adventure! CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE AND SEATTLE REP UNITE FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE OF MAJOR NEW MUSICAL FREAK THE MIGHTY FREAK THE MIGHTY Book & Lyrics by Anthony Drewe | Music by Ryan Fielding Garrett Based on the Novel by Rodman Philbrick Directed by Michael Barakiva Choreography by Patrick McCollum A Co-Production with Seattle Rep May 29 – June 21, 2026 Allen Theatre (CLEVELAND, OH) – Cleveland Play House (CPH) will launch the world premiere of Freak The Mighty, a soaring new musical based on the beloved young adult novel by Rodman Philbrick, in a landmark co-production with Seattle Rep. With book and lyrics by Olivier and Tony Award-winning writer Anthony Drewe (Mary Poppins) and music by Ryan Fielding Garrett, a Baldwin Wallace University alum and rising musical theatre composer, Freak The Mighty runs May 29 through June 21, 2026 in the Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square. Freak The Mighty follows the adventures of two unlikely friends—Maxwell Kane and Kevin “Freak” Avery. Though they feel like outsiders, together they transform into “Freak The Mighty,” a heroic duo empowered to take on the world. This major new musical celebrates friendship, resilience, and community in the face of adversity, connecting to the dreamer in all of us. CPH Managing Director Rachel L. Fink says “We’re proud to bring Freak The Mighty to Cleveland as a world premiere, in collaboration with Seattle Rep and Junkyard Dog Productions, exactly the kind of new, ambitious work that defines Cleveland Play House. There’s something exciting about being in the room as a piece comes to life, and Cleveland audiences get to be part of that. This is one of those moments, and the unique chance to say that you saw it here first.” Freak The Mighty features Netza Jimenez* (Maxwell Kane), Cornelius Kittrell* (Kevin Avery/Freak), Spencer LaRue* (Blade, Ensemble), Wade McCollum* (Kenny “Killer” Kane), Caleb Miofsky* (Bones, Ensemble, u/s Maxwell Kane), Ryah Nixon* (Loretta Lee, Ensemble), Analise Rios (Molly, Nurse, Ensemble), Bart Shatto* (Mr. Donelli, Ensemble, u/s Grim), Kanoa Sims* (Gwen Avery), Nicole Sumlin* (Dr. Spivak, Mrs. Johnson, Ensemble, u/s Gwen), Astrid Van Wieren* (Gram), Harter Clingman* (Iggy, Ensemble), Christopher Gurr* (Grim), Anita Hollander (Mrs. Price, Ensemble, u/s Gram), Mikaela Ray (Swing), Nicolas Vivar (u/s Kevin Avery/Freak), Alec Michael Ryan (u/s Kenny, Iggy, Mr. Donelli), and Kooper Campbell (u/s Blade, Bones). “This is a major new American musical, and we are thrilled that Cleveland audiences will experience it at the ground level,” says director Michael Barakiva. “Freak The Mighty is a story about healing, found family, and seeing strength where the world expects weakness—exactly the kind of hopeful, emotionally rich theatre we need right now.” Tickets are available at clevelandplayhouse.com MEDIA CONTACT: Geoff Short Content & Communications Manager gshort(a)clevelandplayhouse.com<mailto:gshort@clevelandplayhouse.com>

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TWO WEEKS until FORGET ABOUT ME, by David Hansen!
by Craig Joseph 29 May '26

29 May '26

Seat of the Pants is proud to host the fourth installment of our Salon Series with a public reading of David Hansen's new play, FORGET ABOUT ME (The Breakfast Club Play), directed by Katherine Nash, produced by Michael Glavan, and starring Jeannine Gaskin and Diwe Augustin-Glave. Moms and her high school senior, Dots, spend another pandemic night at home. Cake is baked, drugs are consumed, and lines are crossed, while they debate teen movies, whether or not John Bender is the villain, and wait for that thick envelope. The reading will be offered twice on *Saturday, June 13th *at *1:30 PM in Cleveland* (*salon4A.eventbrite.com <http://salon3a.eventbrite.com/>) *or *7:30 PM in Canton* (*salon4B.eventbrite.com <http://salon3b.eventbrite.com/>)* For more details or to purchase tickets for $10, please check out the URLs listed above. Each reading will be followed by a brief talkback in which we'll be asking audience members a series of curated questions to help guide the playwright's next round of edits and revisions. We hope to see you there!

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We Hold These Truths: A Revolutionary War of Words dramatic performance in Doylestown
by Matt Smith 28 May '26

28 May '26

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the American republic, the Blue Macaroon Theater Company will present, for one time only, "We Hold These Truths: A Revolutionary War of Words", a 50-minute dramatic performance by Actors Summit Productions, on Sunday, June 28, at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $17 https://www.tickettailor.com/events/bluemacaroontheatercompany/2239234 Long before muskets fired at Lexington and Concord, the American Revolution was fought in the realm of ideas, arguments, and powerful prose. We Hold These Truths brings that battle to life through stirring readings by a quartet of professional actors, giving voice to the debates, petitions, and declarations that shaped a new nation. Audiences will hear both Patriot and Loyalist perspectives, including: • The Olive Branch Petition, the colonies’ final plea for peace • King George III’s Proclamation, declaring the colonies in open rebellion • Excerpts from Common Sense by Thomas Paine and Plain Truth, a Loyalist rebuttal • Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death” speech • And the timeless words of the Declaration of Independence itself We Hold These Truths is more than a history lesson—it’s a vivid exploration of the words that forged America. Through the voices of the past, audiences will experience the tension between loyalty and liberty, the clash of radical and conservative visions, and the moral contradictions that continue to echo today. Whether you are a student, a history enthusiast, or simply curious about the origins of American identity, this event offers insight, inspiration, and a renewed appreciation for the power of words.

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Find out why you can't play ball in a skirt on June 23!
by Bette Lou Higgins 28 May '26

28 May '26

[image: image.jpeg] *Find out why you can't play ball in a skirt!* In 1907 the Weiss family from Ragersville, Ohio went to Vermilion, Ohio for vacation. When 17 year old Alta Weiss found some boys playing ball, she asked if she could join them. They didn't actually laugh at the request ... they thought she was being cute. After the game, when their hands quit stinging, they knew she was a real pitcher. Come hear the story of this baseball phenom at the Lakeside Women's Club <https://community.lakesideohio.com/community/womens-club/>, 161 Walnut St. in Lakeside, Ohio on June 23, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. The program is free with paid admission to the Lakeside grounds. For more information contact the club at 614-296-4327 or e-mail them at lakesidewomensclub(a)gmail.com. Alta Weiss played professional baseball on a men's team in the early 1900s and managed to put herself through medical school with the proceeds. She even played at Cleveland's famous League Park! The reports raved -- *Alta Weiss “... can run as a fast as most boys, can catch a ball as well as any boy, can bat in a way envied by hundreds of boys and pitch like a big league star.” *"Alta Weiss, Girl Pitcher, is indeed a baseball wonder" *Alta Weiss "Girl Tosser Wins Game, Also Fans" Join us for this special EVEnt and enjoy a day at Lakeside -- it's the perfect summer day! For a complete schedule of EVEnts, check our calendar page <https://edenvalleyenterprises.org/calendar.htm>. To arrange to have this or any of our programs for your group, simply reply to this e-mail. *To unsubscribe to this mailing list, simply respond to this e-mail with your request.* Bette Lou Higgins Artistic Director Eden Valley Enterprises www.edenvalleyenterprises.org

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"Long After Crystal Night" Opening June 5 at CVLT!
by Andrew Rothman 28 May '26

28 May '26

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