Cleveland Play House Announces 2026 New Ground Theatre Festival CPH’s New Play Festival Features World-Premiere Productions Celebrating the Bonds Between Sisters, Cultural Identity, and Transformation through Connection. CLEVELAND, OH — Cleveland Play House (CPH), America's first professional regional theatre, proudly announces the 2026 New Ground Theatre Festival of new plays, a celebration of bold new voices and groundbreaking storytelling. This festival includes three world-premiere staged readings performed in the Outcalt Theatre, as well as a world premiere musical extravaganza in the Allen Theatre, offering audiences an exclusive first look at how new works for American theatre are cultivated and nurtured on stages across the country. "New Ground Theatre Festival represents some of the work that Cleveland Play House does best: bringing extraordinary artists together, championing new voices, and connecting those stories to our community,” says CPH Managing Director Rachel Fink. “This year's festival is especially exciting because it celebrates the work of women playwrights while highlighting the many ways Cleveland serves as a home for artistic development, from commissioned projects to artists whose journeys began right here at Cleveland Play House. We are deeply grateful to Honorary Producer Roe Green and all of our supporters whose commitment to new play development makes it possible for these stories to take their next steps in Cleveland before reaching audiences across the country." About New Ground Theatre Festival Now in its 14th year, New Ground Theatre Festival is Cleveland Play House's signature new works initiative, dedicated to developing and producing world-premiere plays by some of America's most exciting emerging and established playwrights, including Ken Ludwig, Heidi Schreck, Lloyd Suh, Quiara Alegría Hudes, Charles Smith, Alexis Sheer, and Cleveland’s own Eric Coble. The festival provides a vital launchpad for new theatrical works, offering playwrights the resources, collaboration, and audiences needed to bring their visions to life. The 2026 New Ground Theatre Festival Lineup All readings take place in the Outcalt Theatre at Playhouse Square, located at 1501 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115. The Untitled Navarro Sisters Play Written by Sandra Delgado Directed by Lisa Portes Commissioned by Cleveland Play House with generous support from The Roe Green Foundation Friday, June 12, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. This commissioned new play with music by Sandra Delgado is inspired by the lives of the Navarro sisters. Originally from Panama, this singing quartet made Chicago their new home in the 1920s and shared their music there. The play will feature music with both Spanish and English language songs from the 1920s and will include popular songs of the time, as well as feature the theme song of the radio show the sisters sang on every week. The music will be woven into the scenes and text to carry the story and share with the audience who these women were through their art The Goldsmith Written and performed by Sharone Sayegh Directed by Zachary Prince Music Composition/Arrangement and Sound Design by Avi Amon Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, June 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Stemming from the true journey of Broadway actress Sharone Sayegh’s family, The Goldsmith is a treasury of stories woven through the golden jewelry passed down in her family, across borders, cultures, and generations. Each piece of jewelry takes us further along her family’s journey from Iraq to Israel, and then to America, where Sharone grapples for love as a first-generation Iraqi, Israeli, American. As she wrestles with identity, belonging, multiplicity of self, and acceptance, this solo play moves, surprises, and inspires the audience to investigate the stories and legacies with which we adorn ourselves throughout our lives. Sponsored with support from the Jewish Federation’s Cleveland Israel Arts Connection Sister Chemistry By Jeannie Affelder and Maggie Cain Directed by Amy Fritsche Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. Sister Chemistry is a story of two pairs of sisters: Amy and Carrie in 1995 Cleveland, Ohio; and Manya and Bronya in 1885 Warsaw, Poland. Each pair navigates sibling relationships, aging parents, careers in science, and balancing commitments to themselves and their sisters. Their paths weave across the kitchen as the characters learn from each other across time. The playwrights, sisters and actors in Chicago, received their start at Cleveland Play House in the renowned Curtain Pullers program. Tickets for all can be purchased at clevelandplayhouse.com or by calling (216) 241-6000. For complete reading schedules, ticket information, and to learn more about the New Ground Theatre Festival, please visit clevelandplayhouse.com<https://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/shows/new-ground-theatre-festival>.