Discovery Theater Series

Showcase 2009
PlayhouseSquare is the conference host for the 2009 International Showcase of Performing Arts for Youth (Showcase). Held annually in major cities throughout North America, Showcase is the only conference in the country that is dedicated entirely to live arts programming for youth.

The PlayhouseSquare Arts Education Department is pleased to make complimentary tickets available to the general public for Showcase 2009 performances. Tickets are required for admission and may be requested online (see schedule below) or picked up in-person at the PlayhouseSquare Ticket Office (1519 Euclid Ave.). Tickets are available while supplies last.

Showcase 2009 Schedule

The Arrival
Ages 6 & up
Weds. Jan 21
4:30 p.m.
Spare Parts Puppet Theatre's adaptation of Shaun Tan's internationally acclaimed book The Arrival is a truly warm and magical experience for all. Shaun Tan's fantastical world comes to life in a strange and wonderful metropolis full of floating ships, mysterious lights, alien symbols and weird animals. The Arrival is a universal tale of the challenges, humor and adventures of arriving in a new country.  Click here for tickets.

Repertory
Ages 8 & up
Weds. Jan 21
8:00 p.m.
Rennie Harris Puremovement has emerged as the international hip-hop dance ambassador and surviving senior member in the world of organized hip-hop dance theater. The "Repertory" showcase performance truly expresses the pure joy of hip-hop dance, and is perfect for all audiences. The work is a vibrant affirmation of Afro-American heritage through movement, handed down through spirit and instinct.  Click here for tickets.

Rough House
Ages 5 & up
Thurs. Jan. 22
9:45 a.m. & 12:15 p.m.
Performed by Nightswimming, Andy Massingham's Rough House is a roller coaster of dance, slapstick and beautiful images, a comic yet wordless duet for performer and lighting designer in which light is an active character, both friend and foe of Andy's persona. As Andy becomes more challenged by the objects and images that surround him, surprising gestures and exacting physical movement tell the story of one man struggling with his imagination. Click here for tickets for the 9:45 performance or for the 12:15 performance.

Looking for My Father
Ages 10 & up
Thurs. Jan. 22
9:45 a.m. & 12:15 p.m.
Nick has not seen his father since he was small and can hardly remember him. Nevertheless, he still misses him a great deal and searches incessantly for answers to why his father chose to leave him. Though a fictional play, the framework of Looking For My Father is based on real statements by different boys about their fathers. Performed by the Danish National Ensemble for Children’s Theatre.  Click here for tickets for the 9:45 performance or for the 12:15 performance.

The History of Zydeco - Creole for Kidz
Ages 4 & up
Thurs. Jan. 22
11:00 a.m.
Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience presents a dynamic multicultural performing arts music experience centered on the multiracial French-speaking Creoles of South Louisiana and their indigenous Zydeco that is known and celebrated worldwide.  Click here for tickets.

History of the Word
Ages 11 to 17
Thurs. Jan. 22
8:00 p.m.
History of the Word follows six high school students over a single day at Future High where they navigate a world filled with hope, fear and uncertainty. This fresh, captivating theatrical performance by Literacy Takes a Bow captures the voices of today's youth through hip-hop, spoken word poetry, music and movement. It celebrates diversity with a cast of actors from all different ethnic backgrounds and authentically features current social and political topics that affect our society today. Click here for tickets.

The Man Who Planted Trees
Ages 7 & up
Fri. Jan. 23
9:45 a.m. & 12:15 p.m.
Theater goes “green” with this captivating puppetry adaptation of Jean Giono's environmental cult classic by the Puppet State Theatre Company. A French shepherd sets out with his dog to plant a forest and transform a barren wasteland. Hear the wind, feel the rain and smell the lavender in this multi-sensory theatrical delight. Click here for tickets for the 9:45 performance or for the 12:15 performance.

The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy
Ages 4 & up
Fri. Jan. 23
9:45 a.m. & 12:15 p.m.
Cheeseboy's home planet has been reduced to a bubbling fondue. He is marooned on earth. Gypsies have given him a home, of sorts, but Cheeseboy is tugged this way and that by tides of strange longings and stranger powers. Imagine Oedipus meeting Edward Scissorhands, over a dish of exotic curds. Performed by Slingsby.  Click here for ticket for the 9:45 performance or for the 12:15 performance.

Ugly Duckling’s Dancing Cabaret
Ages 4 & up
Fri. Jan. 23
11:00 a.m.
Cas Public performs The Ugly Ducklings’ Dancing Cabaret, inspired by the German cabarets of the 1920s and the fairy-tale world. In this series of short numbers, reality and artifice intersect in a sunny mix of song, music, dance, theater and video. Click here for tickets.

Dream Jam Band
Ages 2-10
Fri. Jan. 23
8:30 p.m.
A vibrant and diverse musical performance of original songs for the whole family. The Dream Jam Band's debut album was named to the National Public Radio Top 10 list of the Year's Best Family and Children's Albums. The Dream Jam Band is featured on PBS Sprout. Click here for tickets.

It Sounds Better in Amharic
Ages 14-17
Sat. Jan. 24
10:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.
It Sounds Better in Amharic is a moving personal account of a 400 mile journey by foot from Ethiopia to a refugee camp in Sudan, and then finally flying to the Holy Land. Nostalgic memories of Ethiopia are mixed with hilarious perspectives towards the adjustments that must be made when moving to modern day Israel. Performed by Nephesh Theatre. Click here for tickets to the 10:00 performance or for the 2:30 performance.

Darwin
Ages 7 & up
Sat. Jan. 24
11:15 a.m.
Glow-in-the-dark crayon-like creatures light up the stage for a journey with Darwin, a dinosaur built by the hands of a great artist, Henslow. The audience follows Darwin from his origination as he stumbles over joy, creativity, fear, danger, victory and most importantly... love. Performed by Corbian Visual Dance.  Click here for tickets.

Inlet Dance Theatre Selections
Ages 5-18
Sat. Jan. 24
7:00 p.m.
Inlet Dance Theatre is one of the Midwest’s most exciting professional contemporary dance companies, performing for sold out audiences, receiving standing ovations and garnering rave reviews. The company has an international reputation for excellence and is known for its strong and nurturing education programming, including narrated concert performances, master classes and residencies. Click here for tickets.

Slam U 2009
Slam U 2009 kicks off on January 16. Teens ages 14-19 are invited to participate in the free Slam U spoken word, performance and leadership events that run through April. For more information, call 216-348-7909 or download this year's brochure.

Rising Star Talent Competition
The Rising Star Talent Competition at PlayhouseSquare is moving from September to March. This means you have more time to prepare your best act and compete for cash prizes! Click here for an information packet and application.

PlayhouseSquare Invites Proposals for "Launch" Artist Residences
Launch is an artist residency program designed to support invention and innovation in performance and to foster new relationships between Northeast Ohio artists and the public. Click here to find out more.