CLEVELAND, OHIO: Cleveland Play House (CPH) has announced that Collette A. Laisure has concluded her tenure as managing director. Laisure joined the organization in an interim capacity in Feb. 2021, following the death of the theatre’s long-time managing director Kevin Moore. She was then appointed managing director in the Fall of 2021, becoming the first woman and person of color to hold the position in the institution’s 107-year history.

“Collette’s guidance, advocacy, and insight helped navigate the challenges we faced during the COVID pandemic and venue shutdowns,” said CPH Board Chair Michael J. Meehan in a statement. “Cleveland Play House is grateful to Collette for her leadership and for extending her tenure multiple times to assist with the challenges confronting CPH and the theatre industry over the last few years.”

Laisure previously served as vice president and executive director of the PNC Fairfax Connection, president and executive director of The Presidents’ Council, and director of the City of Cleveland’s Office of Equal Opportunity. She has also held board leadership roles in the theatre industry.

Former artistic director of 12 years, Laura Kepley, concluded her tenure with CPH in June, after nine seasons at the theatre’s helm. Regional theatre veteran Mark Cuddy was appointed interim artistic director in July to co-lead the organization alongside Laisure. A search for a permanent artistic director is being led by Management Consultants for the Arts and is expected to conclude in Nov. 2022. A search for a new managing director will commence immediately.

Cleveland Play House is a professional regional theatre company performing at Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland. Founded in 1915, CPH aims to inspire, stimulate and entertain diverse audiences across Northeast Ohio by striving to producing plays and theatre education programs of the highest professional standards. As of 2020, Cleveland Play House had an approximate budget of $8.9 million.