CPH/Case acting program draws increasing interest

CLEVELAND -- A new agreement between The Cleveland Play House and Case Western Reserve University has elevated the school's joint Master of Fine Arts Theater Program to that of the country's top acting programs by immersing students in the professional experience, officials said.
Interest in the CPH/Case program has risen from approximately 100 applicants and 50 auditions six years ago to more than 500 applicants and 400 auditions for the incoming class in 2003.
Building on a recently completed a six-year collaboration, the agreement outlines a vision to expand the program into all areas of theater, from acting to directing, stage and costume design, writing plays and arts management.
New this year, all graduate classes and conservatory ensemble performances will be at CPH.
Other changes in the program include the addition of a new graduate-level directing program for the fall of 2004; the availability of CPH staff as teachers/directors for the Case undergraduate theater program; and the acceptance of eight acting students every other year, rather than every two years, to create a Conservatory Ensemble at CPH.
With the new agreement, Case will assume a portion of the salary costs of CPH personnel directly involved in the joint actor-training program. The university will also compensate CPH for other costs. CPH will provide in-kind services.