“ALTER explores the difficulties of being a quiet person in a loud world, toxic self-help culture, and the myth that you must always be leveling up to be successful.” ―Tania Benites, playwright
Cleveland, Ohio—Last November, Cleveland Public Theatre’s (CPT) internal company Teatro Público de Cleveland (CPT) marked 10 years as Cleveland’s first theatre dedicated to spotlighting the rich diversity and perspectives of Latine culture, fulfilling CPT’s core mission to raise consciousness and nurture compassion through groundbreaking performances. Continuing this path, TPC and CPT will present the official debut and run of Alter by TPC member Tania Benites February 8through 24, 2024. The play emerged out of workshops of a few of CPT’s and TPC’s play development platforms including ¡Obras en Evolución! and last February in a workshop run in CPT’s Test Flight where it quickly became a runaway hit playing to sold-out houses for the entire run which is unsual for a workshop. Based on its success, the theater is proud to give it a full-run and production.
Using a self-help book titled “Hypnosis for Self-Confidence,” customer service representative Maria seeks ultimate self-improvement to succeed in the corporate world. However, she soon discovers that the best version of herself may be her worst enemy.
A horror/thriller-flavored fan-favorite that played to sold-out houses at CPT’s new play development series Test Flight 2023, this workplace dramedy returns to delight audiences. World Premiere. The play will be performed in English.
Featuring: Alisha Caraballo, Mónica A. Cerpa Zúñiga, Sylka Edmonson, Andrea de la Fuente, Lionel Morales, Rajah Morales, David L. Munnell
About Playwright Tania Benites
Tania Benites is a Peruvian-born and Cleveland-raised theatre artist. She received her BA in Theatre from Cleveland State University in 2012 with a focus in performance. As an actress, Tania has worked at many theatres in Northeast Ohio including Cleveland Public Theatre, Teatro Público de Cleveland, Talespinner Children’s Theatre, Ensemble Theatre, LatinUs Theater Company, Clague Playhouse, and Rubber City Theatre. As a playwright Tania’s work has been featured in ¡Obras en Evolución! A festival of new play readings by Teatro Público de Cleveland in 2017 and 2018 where the beginnings of her upcoming TPC/CPT play Alter were formed. She is also a proud member of the Young Playwrights Collective. When she is not creating theatre, Tania serves as the Adult Programming Assistant for the Cuyahoga County Public Library.
About Director Kari Barclay
Kari Barclay (Director) (they/them or he/him) is a writer, director, and researcher who serves as Assistant Professor of Theater at Oberlin College. They have created productions regionally and in New York at venues including Ars Nova, the San Francisco Mime Troupe, MirrorBox Theater, and Cleveland Public Theatre. Their original play Can I Hold You? was one of the first full-length pieces about asexual identity performed in the U.S. and enjoyed a sold-out run in San Francisco and workshop in New York. Their play Stonewallin’ was winner of the So.Queer Playwriting Festival and premiered in Richmond, VA in winter 2022. As a scholar and educator, Kari writes about consent-based and trauma-informed approaches to performance, known as intimacy choreography. Their book Directing Desire was published through Palgrave Macmillan in October 2023. kari-barclay.com.
About Teatro Público De Cleveland
In 2013, Cleveland Public Theatre launched Teatro Público de Cleveland (TPC), a local Latinx theatre company whose work reflects the artistic goals, interests, and ideals of its members. The purpose of this theatre ensemble is to share the rich diversity and perspectives of the Latine-Cleveland culture, and to fulfill CPT’s core mission.
About Cleveland Public Theatre
Cleveland Public Theatre has been at the forefront of new play development since 1981. Through four developmental programs, CPT serves local artists at every step of the creative process, from early ideas all the way to full productions and the entrepreneurial step of launching a new work. With a national reputation for developing new plays and producing innovative interpretations of classic works, CPT has garnered praise for its work and received acknowledgement and recognition from The New York Times, American Theatre magazine, Theatre Journal, The Dramatists Guild, and Canadian Theatre Review. Shows created at CPT have toured to New Orleans, New York, Toronto, Minneapolis, Belgrade, the United Kingdom, and South Korea. CPT engagement programs have served as a model for similar programs in Turkey and Uzbekistan.
Ticket and Show Information
Every Ticket is Choose What You Pay starting at $1 and will be offered online, over the phone, and at the Box Office at 216.631.2727 ext. 501.
Extras
Opening Night (Feb. 10) – Ticket includes free admission to the post-show opening night celebration with appetizers and beverages and a chance to mingle with cast members.
Free Bev Friday – Ticket includes FREE post-show beverages following every Friday night performance.
Covid-Conscious Sunday (Feb. 11 & 18) ― Realizing that patrons have different levels of comfort while attending live events; we have designated these two performances where patrons are required to wear face masks for the duration of the performances. CDC suggests K95 or surgical for the best protection against Covid-19 and other airborne viruses.
NEW! Market Monday (Feb. 19) – Your Alter ticket gets you free access into a pop-up market featuring Latine business owners from 6pm to 7pm prior to the 7pm performance. Market might include a mix of visual artists, retailers, entrepreneurs, and more!
The James Levin Theatre is ADA-compliant featuring a ramped entrance and an all-gender, wheelchair accessible restroom.