Founded in 1981 by James Levin (lawyer, actor, and director) and modeled after La MaMa, the internationally renowned experimental theater in New York City, CPT is Cleveland’s leading stage for experimental theater. CPT has supported innumerable emerging artists, arts organizations, and itinerant theaters. Companies launched or nurtured by CPT include Wishhounds (Theatre Labyrinth), New World Performance Laboratory, Ground Zero, the Repertory Project (now Verb Ballets), and SAFMOD. CPT has also helped develop regionally and internationally recognized projects, such as the Performance Art Festival (1987), Festival of Alternative Theatre (1988), Sonic Disturbance Sound Festival (1990), American Indian Festival (1992), and Women’s Voices, Women Dancing (1993).
Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) Information
- Public Transportation: Good (a short walk from RTA buses 26 and 45 at West 46th Street/Detroit Avenue)
- Public Transportation: Good
- Handicapped Accessibility: Poor (CPT contains four performance spaces, and only one of them, the Gordon Square Theatre, is accessible)
- Performances/Programs: Schedule is generally Thursday–Sunday, with some special series/events on other days
- Ticket Prices: $10–$18; students and seniors $3 off the regular price. Thursday performances are pay-what-you-can
- Subscriptions: Flex passes available for $72 (six-pack) and $140 (12- pack).
