Playmakers Youth Theatre

For over 26 years, youth and teens have found a home at Playmakers Youth Theatre. Playmakers is a vibrant, inclusive, and educational program that welcomes youth of all experience levels. Participants are nurtured and mentored throughout school-year productions and at The Pilloff Family Performing Arts Summer Camp, experiencing transformative learning on and off stage. As they rehearse and perform, they cultivate community, gain self-confidence, and grow both as performers and people.

View the Playmakers 2025-2026 Season!
This year's theme is Finding Your Voice - Limtzo Et Hakol
as we celebrate belonging and bravery.

View Schedule

Disney Newsies Jr.
May 7, 10, 14, 17

Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka Kids
May 28, 31

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Why Playmakers Youth Theatre

We believe that youth theatre and performing arts programs should be inclusive, accessible and rewarding for all new and experienced performers. students in kindergarten through college are coached and monitored by experienced and talented directors and producers who are dedicated to developing individual talents while supporting all participants in learning life skills and growing as performers and people

Northeast Ohio’s only 24-Hour Musical

Each summer, area teens and young adults audition blindly for an innovative, one-of-a-kind theater experience. They won’t know the show nor their role until rehearsal begins at 10:00 PM. They will stay up all night rehearsing, eating and having a blast with cast members. The audience will come to the show not knowing what they are about to enjoy. It’s a magical theatrical experience!

Starting July 25-26 2026!

26 Years Of Youth Theatre

12500 + Youth Performers

40 + Total Playmaker Shows

29500 + Attendees who have watched our shows

Playmakers Jr. Classes

A theatre class for children of all skill levels who are in kindergarten and first grade. This class-meets-rehearsal-process model is a perfect introduction to the arts or a great fit for a seasoned young performer. Explore performing arts fundamentals through improv and creative movement, the ins and outs of storytelling and play a character while rehearsing for a showcase featuring solos and speaking lines for each student.

Summer Camp

Extend your Playmakers Youth Theatre experience all year round with The Francine & Benson Pilloff Family Performing Arts Camp. A program in our J-Day Camps, youth participate in theater classes, art, swimming in The J’s outdoor pool, and electives such as improv, costume design, and puppetry — all while rehearsing their shows.

Stay tuned for Summer 2026 details!

Featured Classes

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Arts and Ideas, Adult

Intro to Mah Jongg

09/15/2026 - 10/20/2026

Learn the basics of Mah Jongg, a social four-player tile game of skill and strategy. This introductory class covers the rules, strategies, switching hands, and guided play.

Mah Jongg is a popular tile-based game that combines skill, strategy, and social interaction. This highly social game is played around a table with four players. This introductory class will teach the basic rules of play, strategies, tips, switching hands, and more. Spend the first four weeks learning the game, followed by two weeks of guided game play with instructional support available.

Arts and Ideas, Adult

News of the Week

09/28/2026 - 11/16/2026

Engage in lively discussion, share your insights, and ask questions with historian and educator Terry Pollack.

Explore the connections between history and current events with historian and educator Terry Pollack. Through engaging presentations and lively discussion, gain historical perspective on today’s headlines while sharing insights and asking questions in an interactive learning environment.