The Play House
The Play House is a unique performance space in Cleveland. It began as a marionette show and eventually became a fully-fledged professional theatre. As the culture of the city grew, so did the Play House. Today, the venue hosts a number of events and is home to two resident organizations.
Originally located at the Sears Carnegie store, the building was turned into a theatre production facility. It was also the site of a restaurant, Play House Club. In 1926, a second theatre was built at 85th and Euclid Avenues. These two buildings were built on the land that was donated to the Play House. This meant that the company needed to invest a lot of money in the maintenance of the entire complex.
When the playhouse moved to its new location, the building saw record-breaking sales. For a brief time, the venue was a big draw for the Cleveland community. However, a number of people were disgruntled with the way the company operated and with the lack of full season performances. They wanted to see the venue’s growth resume, so they began a campaign to find a new artistic director. Laura Kepley was chosen to take on the role.
The Play House is a great place for aspiring performers to perform. It is designed to be visually appealing and easy to set up. There are many details to enjoy including four background scenes, a chalk cloth window, and an oversized plush microphone.
One of the many things that Play House has done to distinguish itself from other theaters is offer affordable performances. The venue also received generous funding from several sources. Some of the most generous include the Warhol Foundation, the Peck Foundation, and the National Dance Project.
Another notable thing that Play House has done is develop a program to support emerging artists from Southeast Michigan and around the country. The program, called Staging Change, is funded by the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan. Specifically, it funds a small-scale performance series and books workshops.
While the Play House’s most important function is providing a venue for small-scale performances, it is also home to a number of administrators and directors. Currently, there are three main administrative roles, including the managing director, the artistic director, and the board chair. Other positions are filled by a number of professionals.
Although Play House has seen a variety of high-profile events, it is primarily a performing arts center. Most of the organization’s productions are for children. It has also launched an education outreach program. During the first year after the move, attendance records were broken.
Despite these challenges, the Play House continues to grow and flourish. Throughout its history, the venue has showcased a variety of playwrights, including Tennessee Williams, Eric Coble, George Brant, and Eric Coble.
If you have a kid that is ready for a step-up from the average playhouse, it’s probably time to consider the A-frame Playhouse from KidKraft. The structure features a wooden roof and slide-out interior walls. Designed for ages 2-5, it also includes a pretend fireplace, a stove, and a fridge. With the included accessories, the structure is ready to entertain the whole family.
