Cleveland is crazy for live theater. Head to Playhouse Square on any given night and you’ll see theater goers aplenty bustling about under the GE Chandelier. But our love of the stage doesn’t stop there, it extends to the many excellent theaters operating in our community.
There’s a long list convenient for any side of town you’re on, but here are five that exemplify the charm and creativity you’ll see night in and night out. There’s so much about these local arts organizations that makes them special, and we know that when you sit down for your next performance, you’ll feel the same way.
In the heart of Ohio City, LatinUs Theatre Company fills a gap in the performing arts space, offering “a place for Latinx artists to come together to create and perform work reflecting their experiences,” per Mónica Torres, Executive Artistic Director of the company. Many of the performances every season put Hispanic culture at the forefront, always illuminating the importance of diversity and inclusion in the arts. This well-respected, professional, black box theater is the first of its kind in Ohio, which is something that Mónica and her team take great pride in.
Near West Theatre is all about community, creativity and fresh voices, with deep roots in the
Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood. This local theatre is a place where absolutely everyone is welcome to participate in the arts, attend shows or contribute to the production in any way they can. Their pay what you can model makes theatre accessible to anyone who wants to explore it. They also blend professional productions with youth and adult education programs that keep Cleveland’s theater scene growing from the ground up. Catch a performance at Near West, and you will experience why everyone who touches this theater is changed for the better.
Bold, experimental and unapologetically original, Cleveland Public Theatre has built a national reputation for pushing boundaries. Based in the
Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood, CPT champions socially conscious productions, immersive performances and the annual Dark Room Series, which gives emerging artists a platform to take creative risks. It’s the kind of theater that challenges, surprises and sparks conversation long after the curtain call.
As the nation’s oldest producing African American theater, Karamu House is a cornerstone of Cleveland’s cultural landscape. As an institutional and cultural anchor of the Fairfax neighborhood, Karamu presents powerful works that celebrate Black history, artistry and storytelling, while also serving as a vital community gathering place. From thought-provoking plays to dance, education programs and cultural celebrations, its impact reaches far beyond the stage.
Intimate, inventive and refreshingly offbeat, Blank Canvas Theatre specializes in contemporary plays, regional premieres and lesser-known works that pack a punch. The theater calls the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood home, offering a minimalist setup that puts storytelling front and center for an up-close audience experience. It’s a go-to for theater lovers who like their nights out a little unexpected.
Tucked into
Cleveland Heights, Dobama Theatre is known for producing smart, socially relevant plays that resonate deeply with modern audiences. With a focus on new and contemporary works, Dobama consistently brings compelling stories to the stage that explore identity, relationships and the world around us. Small in size but big in impact, it’s the kind of theater that leaves you thinking long after you leave your seat.
Spotlights' seasons are filled with diverse productions, offering something for everyone. Known for selecting unique shows that stand out from other theaters, Spotlights has been a staple in the community for over 25 years. “We put a lot of thought into the shows we do. We try not to duplicate what other theaters are doing or have done recently,” said Lisa Mortensen, a Board Member at Spotlights.
Beyond the performances, Spotlights enhances the theater experience with themed refreshments included with your ticket or a coffeehouse-style service offering a drink on the house and dessert for purchase.
With two theater spaces — a 100-seat black box and a more intimate 60-seat venue — Spotlights showcases a range of plays, musicals and cabarets. They also host a youth summer camp to inspire the next generation of artists and keep the local arts scene vibrant.
Currently in its 95th season, Chagrin Valley Little Theatre is one of the oldest community theatres in the country. And while they’re almost one century old, it doesn’t mean the organization has suffered from stagnancy. “It’s a fresh organization these days with lots of new people, which also means new directors and talent,” said Andrew Rothman, a Digital Media Volunteer with the theatre. But they haven’t lost their family-driven roots. Andrew has been volunteering at CVLT since he can remember, with his parents carting him and his sister there for their rehearsals in the 80s.
Another benefit of CVLT is its location. “We’re fortunate in having all these really great restaurants and bars nearby, so people can go and get something to eat and then come right to the theatre — all within walking distance. It’s a great town,” Andrew continued.
Sometime next year, the theatre will regain a second, smaller space that hasn’t been open to the public for a couple of years: the River Street Playhouse. Whereas the main stage gets family-friendly musicals, farces, mysteries and more, the River Street Playhouse will show off-the-beaten path productions … and they might even resurrect the 10-10 Festival there, a showcase of ten 10-minute plays.
If you’re looking for an immersive experience, check out convergence-continuum in Tremont. “Compared to New York, this would be the off-off-Broadway kind of stuff,” Cory Molner, Executive Artistic Director, explained. “We seat at max 45, so at any one time, you’re no more than 5 to 10 feet away from the action.”
This place is anything but traditional — from the performances to the location. The founder bought a Latin bar (the second oldest building in Tremont) in 2000, when it went through a major renovation to turn it into what it is today: The Liminis Theatre with convergence-continuum as the theatre company. So, since their 2001/2002 season, they’ve tried to put on as many Ohio premieres, world premieres, or at least Cleveland premieres as possible, by living playwrights only. Also, convergence-continuum pays everyone for their efforts, which Cory says is very important to them.
This dairy barn turned theatre in Bath Township, just south of the city, started out as a casual performing space in the late 60s before making its debut as a year-round venue around 2015.
August Scarpelli, Western Reserve Playhouse’s Education Director, performed his first play there in 2018. “When I started, I was coming from Cleveland Heights. People come from all over because they say, ‘Hey, I like this story,’” he explained. The barn seats about 95 people and “has its challenges, but there’s not a bad seat in the house,” August said. They do their best to accommodate everyone and encourage folks to call if they have any special requests. “We want everyone to feel comfortable,” he added.
Much like our other community theatres, they put in a lot of effort to make sure the programming isn’t the same thing you’ll see everywhere else. Everything from dark musicals to 17th century farces in verse, just to name a couple, are in the rotation. Outside of the variety of plays, they also allow community members to use the theatre as a meeting space and wedding venue.
Lights, Cameras, Local Talent
The next time you’re looking for something to do, try out one (or all) of these community theaters. While larger productions are also fun to see, these local favorites bring something different to the table — being able to talk to the talent right after the show, maybe pick up a thematically appropriate snack and snag a ticket for a quarter of the price without sacrificing quality.