Ensemble Theatre opens on Coventry with youth camp offerings

The Ensemble Theatre is back in the Heights and offering area youth an opportunity to learn acting and theater skills this summer. After many years at the Cleveland Play House, the theater is opening in its new home in the former Coventry School with a summer and fall camp program.

Six classes are offered for students in grades 4 and higher. Programs range from 3-week to 12-week sessions starting in May, June, July, August and September.

Classes and workshops, held Monday through Saturday mornings, include acting, expressing thoughts and emotions through body movement, as well as costume history and design. According to Martin Cosentino, managing director for the theater, the camp classes are designed to provide multiple hands-on experiences that provide students of all ages with opportunities for artistic expression.

To register, call 216-321-2930 or visit www.ensemble-theatre.org for more information.

The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District is holding a community meeting on Thursday, May 5, at 6 p.m. to welcome the Ensemble Theater to the school and showcase it to the community. The meeting will be held in the school's former gymnasium, which seats 200 and will be used by the theater company for performances. 

Ensemble Theatre will wrap up its season at the Cleveland Play House with a performance of Heights High graduate Rajiv Joseph's "Huck and Holden." Joseph will be in Cleveland May 19-22 to attend the local premiere of his work, and for a master class at the Coventry School and for post-performance lectures after the Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows. 

Ensemble Theatre 2011 Schedule at Coventry: 

•  "Anna Christie" by Eugene O’Neill, Sept. 17 through Oct. 9
• "The Seafarer" by Conor McPherson, Nov. 18 through Dec. 11