The Spotlight Shines Bright: Cleveland‘s Top 20 Acting Programs
Known historically as an industrial hub anchored by manufacturing, Cleveland, Ohio has an under-the-radar performing arts scene that has been gaining increasing national recognition. Home to the world‘s second largest theater district after New York City centered in the neighborhoods of Downtown and Playhouse Square, Cleveland boasts an array of professional theater companies, renowned institutes of higher education with exceptional fine arts programs, and vibrant creative communities offering aspiring actors quality training and opportunities to ply their craft.
This article spotlights the top 20 acting programs that Cleveland has to offer, from esteemed institutions to scrappy theater companies making an impact. For actor hopefuls looking to develop their talents or gain experience onstage and behind the scenes, Cleveland provides a nurturing yet rigorous artistic environment to do so.
1. Cleveland Play House
As both an acting school and Tony Award-winning regional theater, Cleveland Play House stands as Cleveland‘s most renowned institution for theater arts education and performance. Founded in 1915, it is America‘s first professional regional theater. The affiliated Case Western Reserve University MFA Acting Program provides advanced actor training. As a launching pad for actors, the Play House‘s internship program offers undergrad students exposure by shadowing professionals on productions. Notable alumni include Tom Hanks and Paul Newman.
2. Baldwin Wallace University
Located in Berea, a southwest suburb of Cleveland, Baldwin Wallace University is home to exceptionally strong BFA programs in acting, musical theater, and dance. With opportunities to perform at Cleveland‘s preeminent Playhouse Square as well as study abroad at the historic Globe Theatre in London, BW Acting students can expect a robust education and valuable real-world experiences.
3. Cuyahoga Community College
For an affordable acting education through the associate‘s degree level, Cuyahoga County Community College (Tri-C) is an excellent option. With campuses based in Cleveland, Parma, and Highland Hills, Tri-C‘s Theatre Arts program exposes students to all facets of theater and builds a solid skills foundation. Graduates have transferred to prestigious 4-year acting BFA programs.
4. Cleveland State University
A public research university located Downtown, Cleveland State provides a well-rounded theater and acting education. Intimate black box theater productions balance large main stage shows in state-of-the-art venues. Coursework combines scholarly and creative approaches for a rigorous experience. Internships at Playhouse Square theaters are offered.
5. Beck Center for the Arts
Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood has served as Cleveland‘s leading community arts education hub and performing arts center for over 85 years. Along with a full theater production season, the center offers respected youth acting programs and adult acting/improv/comedy classes nurturing talents of all levels. Musical theater options are also available.
6. Near West Theatre
Cleveland‘s Gordon Square neighborhood is home to this highly regarded youth theater organization providing valuable arts education and mentorship opportunities within an inclusive environment. Young thespians take classes, attend camps, and perform in several musicals yearly. Near West has helped launch careers of students who have graduated to Broadway.
7. Cleveland Public Theatre
Known for socially conscious and avant-garde works, Cleveland Public Theatre seeks to foster change through compelling theater created by Northeast Ohio artists. CPT offers a supportive platform for emerging actors while engaging audiences on relevant issues. Several acting workshops and camps for adults and youth are also available.
8. Dobama Theatre
Residing in Cleveland Heights, Dobama has delivered critically acclaimed contemporary theater to local audiences for over 60 years. High artistic standards create opportunities for established and up-and-coming actors to be involved in professionally produced, edgy modern works. Unique seasonal "late-night" series also provides exposure for younger talents.
9. Great Lakes Theater
With a dual residence in Cleveland‘s Hanna Theatre and Akron‘s Guzzetta Hall, Great Lakes Theater has built a reputation for high-quality classic theater productions over 57 seasons. As a member of Actors' Equity Association signifying professional status, actors are afforded quality working experiences in Shakespeare, American classics, Dickens adaptations, and more.
10. Karamu House
Holding great cultural significance as America‘s oldest African American theatre (founded 1915), Karamu House continues its mission highlighting black culture and perspectives. A hotbed for black theater talent in its heyday, Karamu still provides acting workshops and showcases works via several theater troupes in two venues. Gilpin Players youth acting ensemble allows next generation talents to develop.
11. Cleveland Institute of Art
Cleveland‘s premier college for visual arts education also provides unique theater and acting opportunities. CIA fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration through theater coursework for art majors and joint theater productions featuring originally designed costumes, sets and puppets. Students stage annual all-student directed one acts and sketch comedy shows.
12. Cleveland Institute of Music
As an internationally renowned conservatory for classical music education, CIM expanded its theater minor and musical theater offerings in recent years due to student demand. With crossover ability for vocal training, CIM builds triple threat skills. Joint productions with CIM and Cleveland Play House provide real-world musical theater exposures for emerging young talents.
13. Playhouse Square
Encompassing five historic, restored 1920s era theaters and multiple venues in a dynamic downtown theater district, Playhouse Square serves as Cleveland‘s bustling hub for arts, culture and entertainment. Through its Student Internship Program, college students gain professional development training while supporting productions and theater operations of the largest theater complex outside of Manhattan.
14. Tri-C JazzFest
A staple summer music festival attracting acclaimed jazz artists to Cleveland, Tri-C JazzFest also incorporates theater components like dance and spoken word poetry that allow local talents creative avenues to perform. As the festival has increased emphasis on social justice themes in recent years, passionate young actor-vocalist-dancers have contributed original productions.
15. Cain Park
Cain Park in Cleveland Heights is considered one of the nation‘s preeminent outdoor community theaters producing summer stock musicals and plays since 1976. Through its distinctive LEEP (Learning and Education through Extended Programming) initiative, the theater provides hands-on theater education for youth including an intensive summer acting apprentice program for high school students.
16. Cleveland Shakespeare Festival
One of the country‘s leading free outdoor Shakespeare theater companies, Cleveland Shakespeare Festival performs abridged productions of classic plays in various public parks annually. The volunteer run organization offers aspiring thespians opportunities to gain experience and exposure through acting roles, production assistance, stage combat workshops, and supporting events like scaffold building gatherings and parade march acting.
17. Convergence-Continuum
This avant-garde theater company continually showcases fresh interpretative works, innovative plays, and provocative performance art in its intimate theater venue in Cleveland‘s eclectic Tremont neighborhood. For daring actors, Convergence presents outlet to experiment and bring edgy, original scripts to life for engaged, open-minded audiences.
18. Ensemble Theatre
In continuous operation for over 40 years, this respected regional theater company and acting school strives to provide Northeast Ohioans theatrical works of professional quality in an intimate theater setting. Ensemble‘s annual acting classesallow committed students to comprehensively study the Meisner technique and connect with like-minded creatives. Graduating students perform in showcase productions.
19. Charenton Theater Company
Founded by a collective of local fringe theater artists, this nascent experimental company based in Cleveland Heights aims to stage unconventional, emotionally immersive works that challenge both performers and audiences. Embracing controversial themes and creepy aesthetics, Charenton provides a platform for raw, brave talents wishing to exercise their unbridled creative spirits.
20. Something Dada
No overview of Cleveland‘s acting landscape is complete without mentioning Something Dada. This long-running late-night Friday/Saturday improv and sketch comedy troupe has served as an incubator for regional talents over the past 25 years. Dada‘s unconventional, quirky, anarchic energy has bred fearless comedic actors who have gone on to careers in Los Angeles, Chicago, and beyond.
Far from relying solely on its Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or beloved sports teams, Cleveland possesses an unexpectedly deep and eclectic theater scene that has nurtured generations of actors. From illustrious institutions like the Cleveland Play House to scrappy avant-garde storefront theaters, the city provides solid training, valuable stage experience, and creative communities to develop one‘s thespian chops.
So for those intrigued by the idea of becoming a star performer gracing renowned venues like Playhouse Square, or those simply seeking to explore acting as a passion, vocation or hobby – do not overlook Cleveland as place to seriously pursue and achieve your artistic aspirations. The spotlight shines bright on the banks of Lake Erie.