Must Do CLE: Snag A Seat At These Theater Companies

New American Classics
Cleveland Play House
Launching character actors such as Kathryn Hahn and Alan Alda, this Tony-winning theatrical giant is known for producing intimate portraits of American life. clevelandplayhouse.com

Empowering Experimental
Cleveland Public Theatre
Staging new works by local artists, this incubator makes genre-bending theater, producing Spanish-language seasons and plays cast with those recovering from addiction. cptonline.org

Intimate Avant-Garde
Convergence-Continuum
This alternative theater keeps you current by only staging shows from living playwrights, including sometimes in-your-face takes on hot-button issues. convergence-continuum.org

Shakespeare Here
Great Lakes Theater
This classic theater company is built on the Bard’s bedrock, staging thrilling, large-cast productions of his finest works (and sporting a host of Oscar-nominated alums). greatlakestheater.org 

African American Identity
Karamu House
The oldest producing African American theater in the U.S., this landmark amplifies the experiences of black life, staging works such as diversely cast productions of formerly white-washed shows. karamuhouse.org

Big & Bold
Playhouse Square Broadway Series
The theater complex’s Broadway series offers showstopping splendor and high production values, from Hamilton to Frozen.playhousesquare.org