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• 1 2020-11-09T18:27:43+00:00 Performance Arts 48 plain 2020-11-23T09:19:29+00:00 Cleveland, Ohio is home to several world renowned performance arts nonprofits. Some of these nonprofits include the Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Museum of Art and Cleveland Public Theatre. The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic were particularly hard on performance art nonprofits due to state guidelines disallowing large groups to gather; halting all live performances. Grant Carr, a first year undergraduate student at Case Western Reserve University, was given the amazing opportunity to interview Caitie H. Milcinovic, Director of Organizational Advancement at Cleveland Public Theatre. This interview provided some amazing insight into the world of performance arts nonprofits during these times. 

  The Cleveland Public Theatre 

  Founded in 1981 by James Levin, Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) provides opportunities for people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and age groups to put on life changing productions for the Cleveland community. CPT seeks to find opportunities for under represented artists and other members of the community to express themselves and provide a platform to communicate their messages.

  What is the mission of the Cleveland Public Theatre? 

  Educational Opportunities Through the CPT 

  CPT hosts a wide array of educational opportunities for underserved youth in the Cleveland community. For example, CPT's Student Theatre Enrichment Program (STEP) is the longest running art-based workplace development program in Cleveland. STEP is an eight week summer program for thirty students, between the ages of 14-19, from low-income families to develop job skills, promote academic excellence and advance social skills. 
  
  Another amazing program offered by CPT is the Y-Haven Theater Project in partnership with Y-Haven, a branch of the Greater Cleveland YMCA. This program is a paid opportunity for men and women recovering from substance abuse and mental health challenges to create an original theatre production based on their life experiences and perform it across a community-wide tour. Through these experiences, the clients learn job related, personal and interpersonal skills. 

  Caitie Milcinovic explains the skills students learn through CPT's education programs 

  How did the Covid-19 Pandemic affect the CPT? 

  Youth Programs 

  After a state wide stay at home order was issued on March 23, CPT's educational programs switched to a completely virtual setting by the end of the month. CPT continued to provide virtual classes every day of summer in an attempt to provide consistency to the lives of families who were adjusting to the pandemic. 

  Financial Costs

  CPT typically has an annual operating budget of $2,500,000, comprised of roughly 25% earned revenue and 75% contributed revenue (in the form of individual donations and grants from foundations, government, corporations, etc.). Unfortunately, with limited options to bring in funds, CPT's operating budget was lowered to around $1,800,000 in fiscal year 2020-2021, forcing CPT to lay off all part time workers. Fortunately, CPT is continuing to put on productions over Zoom. According to Milcinovic, the price of a ticket is $1 with an optional donation. However, attendees have been donating slightly over the average pre-pandemic ticket price (which is kept purposefully low to ensure equity in who can view the productions).

  CPT'S Upcoming Zoom Production ...Or Does it Explode? by John Dayo-Aliya 

  John Dayo-Aliya's play ...Or Does it Explode combines poetry, dance, and other art forms to explore what it's like to be a young, Black male during the 21st century. This play is one of many CPT productions that highlight the racial and sexual inequalities that exist in todays society. CPT has shown time and time again their commitment to spreading diversity and inclusion in the world of theater; presenting a high quantity of plays from BIPOC and female writers/producers. 

  Caitie Milcinovic speaks towards CPT's longtime commitment to equity in the arts