cleveland PUBLIC theatre presents
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 6-10:30PM
A BLOCK-PARTY WITH A PURPOSE, AN ARTS EVENT FOR THE PEOPLE,
A CELEBRATION OF HOPE
SPONSORS
Trumbull-Great Lakes-Ruhlin
a joint venture
SUPPORTED BY
Jonathan &
Meg Ratner
Family Foundation
DONORS
Rafid Fadul, Brad Masi, Erika Brown Barrett, Chris & Elaine
Kolp, Joanne Hull, Rachel Nagin, John Corlett, Erin Guido,
Bill & Judie Caster, The Owen Family, Jason Bristol &
Alex Frondorf, Robyn Herr, Greg & Tana Peckham, Jim &
Laurie Rokakis, Jerry Tucker, Pandora Robertson, Vickie
Williams, Flannery H., Cathleen O’Malley & Matt Gray,
Hayley, Sarah Greywitt & Fred Mowery, Patricia Hanen
& Elaine McCoy, Taba Aleem, Faye Hargate, Bekezela
Mguni, Maria Miranda, Nati Uehara, Carrie, Rachel & Peter
DeGolia, D&R Blumenthal, Caitlin Lewins, Renee Schilling,
Denis M. Griesmer, James Kosmatka, James’ Mom (Carol
Gillen), Raymond Bobgan, Caitie Hannon, Kristofer
Spreen, Jenny Spencer, Janis Faehnrich, Terri Ford,
Ann Rowlett, Marika Shioiri-Clark, Patricia Leebove,
Cindy Marx, Marcia Levine, Graham Veysey,
Pat Murray & Susan Greene
CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
Ward 3 Councilman Joe Cimperman, St. John’s
Church and The Episcopal Diocese of Ohio, Friends
of St. John’s Church, Ohio City Incorporated, Restore
Cleveland Hope and the Cozad-Bates House,
Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, Cleveland
Public Library, Cleveland State University and
The City of Cleveland
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
AND ARTS GROUPS
Afi Scruggs, Bodwin Theatre Company, Brick City Theatre
at Lakeview Terrace Estates, Cathleen O’Malley/Cleveland
Public Theatre, Christine Howey, Charles Mintz and
Al Wasco, Cleveland Association of Black Storytellers,
Inc., Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA)
Staff Choir, Cleveland School of the Arts, Different Things
Gallery, Deuce Dance, Djapo Cultural Arts Institute,
Duffy Liturgical Dance Ensemble, Eve ‘n’ Stephen, Gloria
Kellon and Felecia Tinker, The Greene Works Project,
Holly Holsinger & Cleveland State University, Department
of Theatre and Dance, Ian Petroni and Kenya R. Woods,
Inda Blatch-Geib, Inlet Dance Theatre, Kalim Hill, Kings &
Queens of Art, Kulture Kids, Lake Erie Ink: a writing space
for youth, The Lantern Theatre, Marquez Dance Project,
The Music Settlement, National Association of Black
Storytelling, New Voices Cleveland and CWRU Social
Justice Institute, Ohio City Theatre Project, Philip Metres,
RA Washington, Rainey Institute, Raymond Bobgan/
Cleveland Public Theatre, Restore Cleveland Hope,
Robin VanLear, Cleveland Museum of Art, Roots of
American Music, Sarah Paul, Cleveland Institute of Art,
Teatro Publico de Cleveland, Theater Ninjas and Without
Words Movement.
CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE
STATION HOPE STAFF
Producer and Artistic Director: Raymond Bobgan
Associate Producer: Caitlin Lewins
Production Manager: Jen Caster
Lighting Designer: Ben Gantose
SPECIAL THANKS
Samantha Peddicord
Rick Foran
Rex Autobody
Vertical Sound
John Perovsek
Zach Svoboda
Jeremy Paul
Raziel Bobgan
Nora Romanoff
Maura Krause
Matt Gray
Mike McIntyre
David C. Barnett
Mansfield Frazier
NOTE FROM COUNCILMAN
JOE CIMPERMAN
So much has changed as a result of last year’s inaugural
Station Hope, and not just in the hearts of the people who
were there, but in the physical neighborhood itself around
St. John’s Church. It’s no secret—this church had been
asleep, and few knew of its remarkable history. Now, when
we look back on tragedies—personal or community-wide—
we celebrate when the light awakens us out of darkness.
We have had a lot of moments of darkness this past year.
And we have had a lot of things that we as a city have had
to come together around.
Last year I stood in the middle of Church Avenue, spinning
around and watching the Station Hope artists perform,
and it changed me. And I think about the changes that
we are going through in this city—the painful changes, the
conversations that we are having—but I keep coming back
to the fact that at one point in our history, we had a place
called Station Hope that took an institutional, religious,
political stand against evil in and around and amongst us.
There was something in our Cleveland ancestors that said,
“I am going to get past whatever is holding me back and I
am going to help this person get to freedom.”
I am grateful because for this day, we have some utterly
brilliant artists retelling and recreating our history, and
considering its relevance to the present time. We went
through a lot of life between now and last year’s Station
Hope. I cannot even imagine where we are going to be
next year. I am honored to be a part of this experience, and
it makes me feel even closer to the city that I love. This day
helps me explain to my children why our city matters—and
why the people in it, while we are all flawed, have more to
give than we even know.
—Councilman Joe Cimperman
NOTE FROM CPT EXECUTIVE
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
RAYMOND BOBGAN
It is tradition that the Artistic Director and Producer of an
artistic event write a Program Note. In this note, I am to
prepare you for the event or provide a lens through which
you might think about the art you see, or give you a sense
of the thinking behind the programming. Truthfully, this
is the hardest program note I have ever written because
I am not filled with hope. I wish I were. I am angry and
despairing. There is a darkness and a fear in my heart, not
just because of the events in the nation, but the events
that happened here in Cleveland, not just in our city but
also in my neighborhood and to artists I care about!
I looked for hope in many places. I looked for inspiration
to give some positive frame for this year’s event. Sacred
texts, poems from the greats, written and spoken words
of the leaders of our time and the past century all seemed
somehow lacking for me in this moment. Even sitting with
Joe Cimperman and hearing him speak of the possibilities
of our community did not lift me. So, as the artistic leader
of this event I have to stop and ask “why?” Maybe hope is
not enough, because I have had so much hope and look
where we stand now.
Maybe hope is not some place you arrive to, but a result
for which we may work. Can we walk towards hope?
Walking...
Walking takes a long time—thank you Joan Southgate.
Openness can’t be demanded but can be given as a gift—
thank you Darius Stubbs.
Inner change will reflect out, and it is the only real lasting
change—thank you Chris Seibert.
When we are called, we must be present—thank you
Jen Caster.
This is a dark time. I cannot promise hope. But I believe in
artists. I believe in the discipline and power of our craft.
Tonight, we do not stand before you, open ourselves to
you, invite you to be open to us, and share our secrets,
dreams, and visions just for you. This is also for us. It is for
all of us. We may be in the dark. We are surrounded by
injustice and we have all fallen short in our work to make
lasting change. But we know what is right. And we can
walk there. One step at a time. And we will. We will walk.
This night is a step, and maybe another.
We must hold hands for our way is dim. We must listen
for the night is thick. And we must speak out, so we can
be heard.
If we think we are too few, our thinking is wrong-minded
for the right people are with us. If we feel we are powerless,
then we have forgotten where change begins. And if we
think we need hope to take a step, then we deny those
who came before us, who walked in the dark, dark night,
for the North Star does not shine in the storm, or the fog
or even in the light of day. We know it is there because
we have seen it before and we can imagine it. We know it.
Thank you for joining us, this night.
—Raymond Bobgan
NOTE FROM THE OHIO
EPISCOPAL DIOCESE
God loves you! No exceptions.
With this statement, the Episcopal Church in the Diocese
of Ohio states what we believe about God and about one
another. God loves each of us, eternally, and gives us to
one another in community. The purpose of our life with one
another is to love one another as God loves us.
We believe God wants each of us to grow and develop and
use our freedom to create a society in which each person
can thrive and contribute to the common good. Naturally,
this is more easily said than done. In human history we
experience many moments when fear and greed and the
desire for domination create injustice and oppression. In
those moments, God inspires us to act boldly for freedom
and justice for all, as both freedom seekers and their helpers
did along the Underground Railroad.
Tonight the Cleveland Public Theatre helps us to examine
many of our ideas and beliefs regarding slavery, freedom,
suffering, liberation and hope. The experience, like our
human life, may be unsettling at times. We hope you will find
that the work of these presenters offers opportunities for
you to share meaningfully with others, and so come to know
your neighbors, and God, in new ways.
St. John’s Church is best known for its participation in
the Underground Railroad, but our legacy also includes
leadership during the modern civil rights movement.
The Episcopal Church continues that commitment in our
ongoing work toward equal rights and privileges for women
and people of all sexual orientations, in the church and the
larger society.
We are glad to be partnering with the neighborhood to
bring St. John’s to life again—as an historic building and as
a place for artistic expression and true dialogue about the
things that matter most.
We invite you to experience the love of God and the
community we offer here at St. John’s and at any
Episcopal church. Join us as we seek to share God’s love
with the world. Find our more about St. John’s at
www.stjohnsohiocity.org or on Facebook, and you can find
other congregations at the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio,
www.dohio.org.
—The Ohio Episcopal Diocese
THE FRIENDS OF ST. JOHN’S
The Friends of St. John’s Historic Preservation and
Collaboration for a Vibrant Community
St. John’s, built in 1836, is the oldest church in Cuyahoga
County, and one of the oldest in the state. For the past
179 years, St. John’s has been a spiritual home to mayors,
senators, ambassadors and captains of industry—but its real
significance is for serving as a home to those without power,
prestige, or prominence. St. John’s—through its abolitionist
parishioners and the citizens of Ohio City—became known
as Station Hope, a temporary refuge for those seeking
freedom along the Underground Railroad.
The Friends of St. John’s was formed in early 2013 by a
group of neighbors and dedicated citizens motivated by
the rich history and significance of St. John’s Church in
our community. The Friends are an independent secular
group working in partnership with the Episcopal Diocese to
preserve and promote this historical space and to bring the
church and parish hall back to life and into the service of
our community. Through the generosity of others, we have
received grants to begin the repair and restoration of the
church and parish hall while also opening and returning the
space to the community. “Station Hope” is a highlight of the
Friends’ and the community’s collaboration to breathe new
life into St. John’s.
All are welcome to participate in the revitalization of
St. John’s and its return to its rightful place in our community.
If you are interested in this mission, we hope you will join us.
—Alex R. Frondorf, President, Friends of St. John’s
OPENING CEREMONY
Dedication of Ohio State Underground Railroad Historical
Marker [6:00pm]
Bishop Mark Hollingsworth of The Episcopal Diocese of Ohio,
Dr. John Mattox of Ohio Friends of Freedom Society and
Rev. Dr. Patricia Hanen, Vicar and Project Director of St. John’s |
Performance by: St. Andrew’s Choir
Opening Ceremony [6:10pm]
Speakers: Ward 3 Councilman Joe Cimperman and Congressman
Louis Stokes | Performances by: Cleveland Public Theatre and
Cleveland Museum of Art
SANCTUARY
THEATRE, DANCE AND VISUAL ART
STAGE MANAGER: LAUREN CALEVICH
ASST. STAGE MANAGER: CAMILO VILLA
HOUSE MANAGERS: MICAH HUTZ AND TANERA HUTZ
I’ll Be There… [6:35, 7:15]
Brick City Theatre, Cleveland Public Theatre, Cuyahoga Metropolitan
Housing Authority and Lakeview Terrace Estates
{Sometimes things happen in our lives that haunt us: senseless acts
of violence, the death of a child, needless loss… we reflect on how
fleeting life can be}
Created by: Brick City Theatre and Family Collective participants
with CPT teaching artists, Faye Hargate, Chris Seibert, Adam
Seeholzer, Dionne Atchison and Tecia Wilson | Directed by: Faye
Hargate | Special Contributions by: Anshawn Pollard and Tsunami
Morgan who were classmates of Tamir Rice | Special Thanks to:
Amir Battiste, Melody Downs, Taniyah Harris, Sheadiamond Mullins,
Trina Morgan, Arual Warren, Maxine Winnick and Lakeview Terrace
community members who participated in workshop production of
I’ll Be There… in February 2015 | Performed by: Courion Andrews,
Ronnie Bell, Shirley Cooke, Harmony Downs, Samantha Gallo,
Shajuana Gaston, Diane Howard, Alice Hunter, Ariaha Hunter,
Jasaiha Knight, Javontay Knight, Jayon Knight, Beverly Marshall,
Darrionah Scott-Owens, Dezhanay Simmons, Ju’mya Spriggs and
Brenda Tate | Costumed by: Inda Blatch-Geib **ASL interpretation
by Anita Peeples**
Last Fugitive Slave: It Happened in Ohio [6:50, 8:20, 9:40]
Kulture Kids
{The true story of Lucy Bagby, a runaway who was captured in
Cleveland and returned to her master}
Written & Performed by: Robin Pease | Directed by: George
Crenshaw | Designed by: Gabrielle Vehar | Train Whistle:
Thomas Gura **ASL interpretation by Anita Peeples**
Soon I Will Be Done [7:10, 8:15]
Inlet Dance Theatre
{This solo shares how faith and hope can pull us through darkness}
Choreographed by: Bill Wade | Performed by: Inlet Dance Theatre’s
Dominic Moore-Dunson
Longing for Justice / The Medgar Evers Story [7:30, 9:25]
The Greene Works Project
{You can kill a man, but you can’t kill an idea}
Directed & Choreographed by: Terence Greene | Performed by: Tony
Deberry, Taylor Terry, Percy Foster, Imani Drake, Demetrius Lee and
Steven Hood
Incendiaries [7:45, 9:00]
Ohio City Theatre Project
{Based on the 1966 Hough race riots, a fast-paced muscular work that
explores past conflicts between law enforcement and communities}
Written & Directed by: Pandora Robertson | Performed by: Ashley
Aquilla, Cristal Christian, Shayla Gordon, Jimmy Green, Valerie C.
Kilmer and Kym Williams
Doña Carmela [8:00, 9:10]
Teatro Publico de Cleveland and Cleveland Public Theatre
{The story of one woman who worked to help people searching for a
better life and economic freedom in the North—in this case,
immigrants of the Dominican Republic traveling to Puerto Rico, USA}
Created by: Teatro Publico de Cleveland, Raymond Bobgan and
the cast of A Recipe Para La Vida | Directed by: Dante Larzabal |
Performed by: Olga Rosado, Luis Ramírez-Alonzo, Ernesto Luna
Camargo, Aida Rivera, Kevin Orozco-Cruz, Mónica A. Cerpa Zúñiga
and Neiza Rivera | Costumed by: Inda Blatch-Geib
Changed My Name [8:35]
Duffy Liturgical Dance
{Changed My Name is “A Cantata” inspired by Spirituals and the lives
of Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman}
Written by: Linda Twine | Directed & Choreographed by: Edna Duffy
| Soloists: Edna Duffy, Soprano, Cathie Chancellor, Mezzo Soprano,
Pamela Maly, Soprano and I-sheng Huang, Bass | Singers: Thea Wilson,
Elsie Pearson, Linda Rahal, Kay McCastle, Linda Pryor and Sam Hooper
| Dancers: Darius Brown, Maxine Greer, Sharon Ezekiel, Brenda Spicer,
Breoni Turner, Christian Sims and Elijah Bodie | Accompanist:
Yu-Hsuan Lu
SANCTUARY: CLOSING CEREMONY
I Came to this Station for Hope [10:00]
Cleveland Public Theatre
{A poem, a reflection on where we stand and what we face}
Written by: Raymond Bobgan and Darius Stubbs | Music Adapted by:
Raymond Bobgan based on Haitian Traditional Music | Performed
by: Darius Stubbs with Dionne Atchison, Courtney Auman, Ryan
Edlinger, Lauren Fraley, Faye Hargate, Caitlin Lewins, Jaclyn McConnell,
Brandon McSwain, Sarah Moore, Adam Seeholzer and Chris Seibert
Closing Remarks [10:15]
Ward 3 Councilman Joe Cimperman and Raymond Bobgan
Journey [10:20]
Djapo Cultural Arts Institute
{A rhythmic exploration of the journey from childhood to
adolescence}
Written, Directed & Choreographed by: Talise Campbell | Performed
by: Malana Broome, Inaya Carrington, Shalonda Davis, Shawnna
Edwards, Jordyn Edwards, Yvetta Eley, Farah Emeka, Mamadou
Gningue, Jubal Harris, Erika Hood, Juadena Johnson, Dalayah
Johnson, Assane Mbaye, Stephanie Ndong, Nia Primm, Samantha
Ray, Cenithia Selinas, Maiya Siler, Laiya Siler, Durotimi Troy and
Logan Williams
PARISH HALL
THEATRE, MUSIC AND DANCE
STAGE MANAGER: LINDSAY CARTER
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER: RITA MIKITA
HOUSE MANAGERS: ANGIE BALFOUR AND
COLLEEN DAMERELL
Imagine Freedom [6:35, 8:00]
Cleveland Restore Hope & Rainey Institute
{Frustrated about the death of her son, Susan King Taylor lashes
out on the hatred and the divisiveness of the war that continues to
raise her question of, “One flag, one nation, one country indivisible.
Is that true?”}
Written by: Vickie L. Williams | Directed by: Lauren Persons
Designed by: Calvin Knight | Choreographed by: Darnell Weaver
Performed by: Marque Davis, Titus Golden, Dontiez Hall,
Mecca Primm, Erma Somerville, Sherrie Tolliver, Matilda Washington
and Danny Wood **ASL interpretation by Anita Peeples**
Memory of Trees [6:55, 8:20, 9:20]
Cleveland Association of Black Storytellers
{This choral poem involves the collective voices of trees, those whose
memories they hold and the stories they reveal about systemic official
violence}
Written, Directed & Performed by: Oluremi Ann Oliver and
Kwanza Brewer
Fervor Are We in Times of Strife [7:10, 8:35, 9:35]
Marquez Dance Project
{Fervor Are We in Times of Strife revolves around the female
abolitionists, how their involvement in the Underground Railroad
impacted the start of the women’s suffrage and liberation}
Choreographed by: Jennifer Sandoval Eccher in collaboration
with dancers | Performed by: Katherine Brent, Trina Hines,
Jennifer Sandoval Eccher, Shannon Sefcik and Ashanti Woods
3,000 Miles Underground II: A Visit from ‘Box’ [7:25, 8:50]
Bodwin Theatre Company
{In order to seek funds and other support from the Cleveland
Vigilance Committee in 1859, John Brown and family bring a featured
speaker: Henry “Box” Brown, a slave who had himself put in a box,
posted and mailed to free territory from slave-holding Virginia}
Written & Directed by: Peter Manos | Performed by: Cavana
Faithwalker, Peter Manos, Sandra Manos, Sean Manos, Eli Manos
and John Terry
Gullah Island in the Trenches of Underground Railroad
[7:40, 9:05]
{As West Africans found that they and their children were doomed
to live their lives in pestilence, they chose many routes to freedom}
Written by: Rita Chandler and Johnny Chandler Jr. | Directed and
Designed by: Rita Chandler | Performed by: Rita Chandler,
Preston Chandler and Johnny Chandler Jr.
MEETING ROOM
The Beloved Community Dialogue: North Into Freedom [6:45, 9:00]
Restore Cleveland Hope & Cozad-Bates House
{Beloved Community Dialogues use true tales of Underground Railroad
heroism to facilitate personal expressions of how we achieve freedom,
hope and reconciliation}
Written by: Eloise Wrean Fiebig, Karen Gilliam, Fran Stewart | Designed
by: Robin Richmond | Performed by: Kathy Baker, Eloise Wrean Fiebig,
Karen Gilliam, Kathryn Puckett, Dean Sieck, Joan Southgate, Jean Van
Atta and Gina Washington
Leading the Way: Black Women Conductors of Hope & Struggle
[7:30]
New Voices Cleveland & Case Western Reserve University Social Justice
Institute
{Listen to and celebrate the voices of Black women throughout history
as we tell their stories of hope, triumph and struggle.}
Written by: Dr. Rhonda Williams and Maria Miranda | Speakers:
Jessica Lewis, Yvonne Oliver, Taba Aleem, Joan Southgate and Eva Barrett
BASEMENT
STORYTELLING AND VISUAL ART
BASEMENT COORDINATOR: TIM COLLINGWOOD
HOUSE MANAGERS: AUSTIN KILPATRICK AND
JASON ESTREMERA
The Secrets in the Codes [6:35, 7:45, 9:00]
African American Quilt & Doll Guild and Cleveland Association of Black
Storytelling
{This presentation will explain in storyform some of the many codes
which were created and used to escape slavery and find freedom}
Performed by: Jackki Boyd, Gloria Kellon and Felecia Tinker
Grace Over Reason [7:15, 8:25, 9:25]
Different Things Gallery
{Grace Over Reason combines contemporary music with the idea of
a literal interpretation of a slave’s flight for freedom and a figurative
struggle that people have to do what is right vs. what is popular}
Written, Directed, Designed & Performed by: Chris Young | Music by:
Ryan Young
Station Hope: Bound [ongoing]
{Installation of images, cast hands and sound of strangers cast together
on the altar of St. John’s Church}
Created by: Charles Mintz and Al Wasco | Materials donated by:
Gary Woznicki, DDS
THEATRE AND POETRY
STAGE MANAGER: AARON RUTZ
HOUSE MANAGER: ANDY TRARES
WAREHOUSE
Use of Force [6:35, 7:55, 9:35]
Theater Ninjas
{A police weapons training officer talks about the use of force and
firearms}
Written and Directed by: Jeremy Paul | Performed by: Davis Aguila
Poems [6:45, 8:05]
Guide To Kulchur: Text, Art & News
{Selected poems}
Written & Performed by: RA Washington
Wayward Rufous [6:55, 8:15]
{A lone hummingbird, blown off course, provokes a chain of
extraordinary events}
Conceived & Directed by: Cathleen O’Malley | Collaboratively Created
by: Cathleen O’Malley, Christopher Hisey, Chris Walker and Carrie
Williams, with contributions by Bill George, Sam Fisher, Emily Hisey,
Michael Horniak, Meredith Joy and Chris Seibert | Performed by:
Christopher Hisey, Chris Walker and Carrie Williams
Poems from Sand Opera [7:10, 8:30]
{A series of poems that place us in the margins and crosshairs of
America, and speak with voices of the unspoken and the redacted}
Written & Performed by: Philip Metres
*This performance contains adult content
Exact Change (excerpts) [7:20, 8:40, 9:15]
{Exact Change is the true story of Richard Howey who lived as
a man, a husband and a father—until his transition to Christine in
middle age}
Written and Performed by: Christine Howey | Directed by: Scott Plate
Sand Operettas [7:40, 9:00]
Cleveland Public Theatre
{Based on Philip Metres’ poems. Sand Operettas explores the
oppression inflicted by the United States in the Middle East}
Directed by: Raymond Bobgan with Sally Groth | Created and
Performed by: Dionne Atchison, Courtney Auman, Ryan Edlinger,
Lauren Fraley, Caitlin Lewins, Jaclyn McConnell, Brandon McSwain
and Sarah Moore
*This performance contains adult content
GYM
THEATRE AND DANCE
STAGE MANAGER: DAN KILBANE
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER: ANDI BARNETT
HOUSE MANAGERS: ROBERT LUCCESI AND ARTHUR CHU
On the Use of Feathers [6:50, 7:40, 8:30]
Cleveland Public Theatre
{Part One of an allegorical tale of freedom}
Created by: Raymond Bobgan with Chris Seibert | Performed by:
Chris Seibert, Adam Seeholzer and Darius Stubbs
Night Comes Walking [7:00, 7:50, 8:40]
Cleveland State University
{Weaving together poems of female writers of the Harlem
Renaissance, Night Comes Walking celebrates the timeless power,
struggle and beauty of black women in America}
Collaborative creation using the poetry of: Gwendolyn B. Bennett,
May V. Cowdery and Esther Popel | Directed by: Holly Holsinger
Costume Design by: Terry Pieritz | Performed by: Maurisha Dean,
Brandi Alyssa Gipson, Natalie Anise Phillips, Charlie, Zionna Romae,
Roberta Robinson and Nadia Valencia Davis | Project Assistant:
Maurisha Dean
In the Kingdom of Flightless Birds [7:10, 8:00, 8:50]
Cleveland Public Theatre
{Part Two of an allegorical tale of freedom}
Created by: Raymond Bobgan with Adam Seeholzer | Performed
by: Adam Seeholzer
My Brothers Keeper [7:15, 8:05, 9:10]
Deuce Dance
{Two brothers race to get home to “freedom” as they called Station
Hope. Alarmingly modern day society questions the philosophy of
“free”}
Choreographed and Performed by: Kevin Marr
Once Destiny Calls… [7:30, 8:15, 9:00]
Cleveland Public Theatre
{Part Three of an allegorical tale of freedom}
Created by: Raymond Bobgan with Darius Stubbs | Performed by:
Darius Stubbs
OUTDOOR PERFORMANCES
ART INSTALLATIONS, THEATRE AND DANCE
OUTDOOR COORDINATOR: MARIAN FAIRMAN
ASSISTANT OUTDOOR COORDINATORS: ERIC CRESCIMANO,
KATRINA KROLL AND SARAH LYNNE NICHOLAS
Flying Without Wings [7:25]
Cleveland Museum of Art, Department of Community Arts
{A procession that celebrates the desire of the human spirit to be
free | birds offer a metaphor for the strength and fragility of the
human soul, seeking freedom no matter the circumstances binding
the physical body}
Conceived and Directed by: Robin VanLear with Robin Heinrich,
Story Rhinehart and dancers | Performed by: LaMesha Ford, Marlon
Hatcher, Robin Heinrich, Trina Hines, Mark Jenks, Ian Petroni, Story
Rhinehart, Lizzie Roche, Laura Swedenborg, Robin VanLear and
Kenya R. Woods
I Forgot What My Mother Called Me [8:00]
Without Words Movement
{This dance performance art piece explores the devastation of the
many lives who have lost their right to their own name, their choice
and their right to be human}
Choreographed by: Mackenzie Valley and Mikaela Clark | Performed by:
Mikaela Clark, Mackenzie Valley and Rachel Stoneking
The Welcome Table [ongoing]
The Lantern Theatre
{The Welcome Table sing American songs of freedom and faith}
Performed by: Bill Hoffman, Eric Schmiedl and Tina Stump
The Paths We Travel – The Stories We Tell [ongoing]
Lake Erie Ink
{Lake Erie Ink teen poets explore and celebrate the paths they have
traveled in their lives and the people and experiences they have
encountered along the way. Look for their stories and poems around
Station Hope to read and celebrate}
Executive Director of Lake Erie Ink: Amy Rosenbluth | Director of
Programs: Cynthia Larsen | Program Coordinator: Damien Ware |
Performed by: Marcus Harvey, Patrick Warner, Moonisa Halim,
Tess Weber and Devone Jackson
From Dixie to Canada, How Sol Jones Was Left [ongoing]
Kevin Cronin, with the support of Bodwin Theatre Company
{From Dixie to Canada tells the story of escaping slaves from a
Virginia plantation through Northeast Ohio to safety in Canada}
Director: Peter Manos | Performed & Designed by: Kevin Cronin
OUTDOOR INSTALLATIONS
With Eyes Raised to the Night Sky [ongoing]
{Interactive art project representing human trafficking past and present}
Artists: Inda Blatch-Geib, Chialla Geib and Dred Geib
Field Holler [ongoing]
{The roots of American wealth run through the cotton fields. Field
Holler explores those fields, their beauty, their wealth, the agony of
those forced to labor there, the families torn apart by the economic
machine devouring human lives along with the downy fluff. Drawing
from personal family stories, we grasp at understanding this darkness
in our nation’s history that has resonances today: How does hope
survive when all is lost? What does it mean to be free? What does it
take to be free?}
Artist: Ian Petroni | Dancers: LaMesha Ford, Eboni Vincent,
Kenya R. Woods and Sage Woods Cooper
If I Had a Hammer [ongoing]
Rainey Institute
{An Invitation To Love, Unconditionally!}
Directed & Designed by: Gwendolyn Garth and Lauren Persons |
Performed by: Victor Davis, Sky Davison, Gwendolyn Garth,
Lauren Persons, Jan Thorpe, Augustus Turner and Kim Wren
Ghost Bells [ongoing]
{Ghost Bells is a site-specific multimedia art installation embracing
and celebrating St. John’s Church and the complex landscape of
Cleveland}
Multimedia Art Installation by: Brandon Miller and Sarah Paul
SOUND STAGE
CHOIRS, LIVE MUSIC AND POETRY
SOUND: VERTICAL SOUND
STAGE MANAGER: MELISSA FREILICH
CMHA Voices [6:35]
Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority
{CMHA Voices is the officially recognized mixed-voice choir of CMHA;
its members are housing professionals who work in various departments
throughout the Agency}
This program includes: National Anthem, Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel,
How Great Is Our God | Performed by: Sharhonda Greer, Kimberly
Harris, Monica Leach, Tawana Long, Tonya Noel and BerRonica Steele |
Music Accompaniment by: Larry Harris, Jr.
Let’s Get Together [6:50, 9:35]
Roots of American Music
{Let’s Get Together is a music presentation that helps us contemplate
where we came from and why our differences should be celebrated}
Written & Performed by: Sheela Das and Kevin T. Richards
The Paths We Travel – The Stories We Tell [7:10, 8:05]
Lake Erie Ink
{Lake Erie Ink teen poets explore and celebrate the paths they have
traveled in their lives and the people and experiences they have
encountered along the way. Look for their stories and poems around
Station Hope to read and celebrate}
Executive Director of Lake Erie Ink: Amy Rosenbluth | Director of
Programs: Cynthia Larsen | Program Coordinator: Damien Ware |
Performed by: Marcus Harvey, Patrick Warner, Moonisa Halim,
Tess Weber and Devone Jackson
Give ‘Em the Kneebone Bend [7:20]
{Join the Ring Shout service in the praise grove where worshippers
use songs and dances to help runaways elude the Paterollers or
slave catchers}
Written by: Afi Scruggs | Designed by: Shenee King | Performed by:
Shenee King and Afi Scruggs
Amazing Grace: A Program of Spirituals and Hymns
[7:45, 9:15]
The Music Settlement
{Faculty members from The Music Settlement will perform Spirituals
and Hymns in honor of the vital role they played in the Underground
Railroad}
Performed by: Megan Constantine and Gerald Harris
Southern Songbook [8:15]
Choir of St. Andrew’s – Cleveland, Choir of St. John’s Church –
Ohio City, Essential Groove, The Village Bicycle and The Ohio City
Chamber Orchestra
{A deconstructed collection of hymns, folk songs and spirituals from
the American South}
Composed and Conducted by: Buck McDaniel | Performed by:
Madeline Healey and Matthew Jones
Songs of Hope and Freedom [8:55]
Eve ‘n’ Stephen
{Eve ‘n’ Stephen perform a program of songs from the time of the
Underground Railroad}
Written, Directed & Performed by: Evie and Stephen Morris
ABOUT CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE
Mission: To raise consciousness and nurture compassion
through groundbreaking performances and life-changing
educational programs.
CPT ENGAGES Urban Youth and Under-served Communities
CPT serves 400 children with long-term, deep impact
programs that transform their lives, their families and the
community.
CPT INCUBATES Innovative New Works by Local Artists
CPT produces more new work by local artists than all the
Northeast Ohio professional theatres combined.
CPT ATTRACTS Young and Diverse Audiences
CPT attracts a young and diverse audience with a
contemporary aesthetic and an informal, welcoming
environment. CPT cofounded Gordon Square Arts District
which has sparked neighborhood growth, housing
development, and retail stores.
CPT LAUNCHES Nationally Significant New Plays
CPT has garnered praise for its work with developing new
plays and moving those plays to other markets regionally,
nationally and beyond.
BY NATHAN ALAN DAVIS
DIRECTED BY
MEGAN SANDBERG-ZAKIAN
A National New Play Network
Rolling World Premiere
MAY 21 – JUNE 6
CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE SEASON SPONSORS
Joan Yellen Horvitz, The George Gund Foundation and Deborah & Ron Ratner
CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE
6415 DETROIT AVE. CLEVELAND, OH 44102 :: WWW.CPTONLINE.ORG :: 216.631.2727