JOIN US FOR OUR 2026-2027 SEASON!

A SotP season pass ($120 for adults / $75 for students) gets you:

• A single ticket to each of our three main shows (see descriptions below), and three new play readings (our Salon Series), at a discounted rate (or you may use them flexibly as your schedule permits in any other combo),

• reserved seating, so you don’t have to show up early to claim a seat,

• a free concession for each show,

• a 10% discount on any additional tickets that you purchase,

• invitations to VIP events, like open rehearsals and meet-and-greets,

• and reminder e-mails to book your seats as shows approach.

SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER

by Tennessee Williams

Get ready for a battle royale! Catharine Holly has witnessed the murder of her cousin Sebastian, which has sent her to a psychiatric hospital. When his mother, Mrs. Venable, invites a psychiatrist to question Catharine about her story, the young woman paints a picture so graphic it’s almost unbelievable. Mrs. Venable wishes to have her son’s secrets remain hidden, but how far will she go to preserve his memory in this haunting piece of writing? Find out in a pulpy, salacious period piece from an American icon.

Directed by Craig Joseph, produced by Kate Beckley, assistant directed by Mugs Johnson, with dialect coaching by Brett Radke, intimacy direction by Julia Christine Fisher, scenic design by Erin Ocampo, costume design by Jenniver Sparano, sound design by Jacqui Herter, and props design by Mia Jones

Starring Amanda Rowe-Van Allen, Samuel J. Bartlett, Kierstan Kathleen Conway, Dede Klein, Kate Smith, Daniel Telford, and Debi Tinsley

The Hildebrandt Building
3619 Walton Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44113

October 16-November 1, 2026
Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays at 7:30 PM / Sundays at 2:30 PM

THE NATIVITY VARIATIONS

by Catherine Trieschmann

In a small town, auteur theater director Jules leads her experimental community theater troupe in tackling their most ambitious production yet – staging the Christmas pageant at St. Ignatius Church. As their vision for the “greatest-story-ever-told” evolves to include Shakespearean comedy, avant-garde surrealism, fight scenes, and foul-mouthed puppets, Jules must consider the purpose of her art and the meaning of the holiday season. Cynicism meets emotional tenderness in this hilarious holiday offering.

Directed by Michael Glavan, produced by Jeannine Gaskin, assistant directed by Lisa L. Wiley and stage managed by Jill England, with scenic design by Laura Carlson Tarantowksi, costume design by Sarah Russell, lighting design by Ayron Lord, sound design by Maggie Hamilton, and props design by Stacey Costanzo

Starring Terence Cranendonk*, Jill England, Jess Lanning, Ricky Ortega, Juliette Regnier, and Madison Roe

*denotes member of Actors' Equity

Founders Hall Theater at Malone University
2600 Cleveland Ave. NW
Canton, OH 44711

December 4-December 20, 2026
Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays at 7:30 PM / Sundays at 2:30 PM

ALL THE EMILIES IN ALL THE UNIVERSES

by Ian August

Emilie is struggling with the loss of her stillborn child in four parallel timelines. But when an unexpected bend in the space- time continuum brings these four versions of herself together, they realize that infinite possible realities mean that somewhere, their lost son was born alive. The Emilies vow to travel through multiple dimensions, risking permanent erasure from the multiverse, to find the baby they thought they’d lost. April '27 brings a science fiction tale about coping with grief, pursuing self-acceptance, and finding the truth hidden in yourself.

Directed by Scott Esposito, produced by Sam Landgraf, assistant directed by Katherine Nash and stage managed by Kate Beckley, with scenic design by Stacey Costanzo, costume design by Cristine Patrick, lighting design by Josy Jones, sound design by Megan Trimarchi, props design by Lisa L. Wiley, and video design by Wayne Smith III

Starring Courtney Brown*, Natalie Sander Kern, Jordan Potter, Charlene V. Smith, Hannah Storch, and Debi Tinsley

*denotes member of Actors' Equity

Location: Cleveland, Ohio TBD

April 9-April 25, 2027
Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays at 7:30 PM / Sundays at 2:30 PM

THE BOOK CLUB PLAY

by Karen Zacarías

May 2026

“Whether you love or loathe reading, there’s little question as to whether you will enjoy “The Book Club Play,” a show that explores the life-altering capabilities of story and examines the power of community, all while tapping into the absurd humor of everyday interactions and relationships.” (Gwendolyn Kochur, Cleveland Scene) (photo credit: Julian Curet)

ELEPHANT’S GRAVEYARD

by George Brant

February 2026

“While made up of many pieces, [the production] employs engaging staging and a clever use of space to ensure that the [cast’s] monologues fashion together into a single, intriguing narrative. Held in the Gordon Green Event Venue, Seat of the Pants’ production is performed in-the-round. This staging is not only fitting for a circus piece, but it also allows for continuously shifting movement that keeps eyes roving and attention taut.” (Gwendolyn Kochur, Cleveland Scene) (photo credit: Grace K. McConnell Photography)

THE CHILDREN

by Lucy Kirkwood

October 2025

“This 100-minute play could be compared to the parsnip wine served during the proceedings — sharp, tangy, and packing quite a punch." (Mark Horning, Cleveland Theater Reviews) (photo credit: Julian Curet)

THE FIRST SNOW OF SUMMER

by Eric Coble

June 2025

"When you visit a geyser, you expect an eruption; you see the steam in the air, smell the sulfur and watch the water boil as bubbles form and pop in response to continuous pressure. Coble’s script, with help from the talented Seat of the Pants’ cast and creatives, emulates the ever-increasing anticipation one feels when waiting for something to explode—and when it does, the power of the eruption will leave you wide eyed and in awe." (Gwendolyn Kochur, Cleveland Scene) (photo credit: Grace K. McConnell Photography)

AMERIKIN

by Chisa Hutchinson

March 2025

(photo credit: Grace K. McConnell Photography)

GRAND CONCOURSE

by Heidi Schreck

October 2024

“Written with exquisite simplicity and directness, playwright Schreck develops each of these characters slowly and with precision . . . [a]nd when Act Two arrives, these four lives crash in unexpected ways thanks to the brilliant script and sensitive direction by Craig Joseph . . . When [Zyrece Montgomery’s Shelley] finally faces her moral exhaustion, the depth of her doubt rings so true it takes your breath away . . . Grand Concourse is a play about real issues in a very real setting. This is one kitchen where you should definitely spend a couple of hours.” (Christine Howey, Cleveland Scene) (photo credit: Julian Curet)

THE WOMEN OF LOCKERBIE

by Deborah Brevoort

July 2024

"The startling caliber of unflinching expressionism from all the performers in this heart-wrenching story of communal connection and healing is extraordinary. It’s an expressionism, certainly a poetry, at once terrifying and painful, sincere and credible. And ultimately inspiring." (Tom Wachunas, ArtWach) (photo credit: Aimee Lambes)

BACH AT LEIPZIG

by Itamar Moses

March–April 2024

"The actors perform admirably under the direction of Michael Glavan, with each one contributing unique and stellar moments to the ensemble effort … all hail to the cast that turns in yeoman, often inventive work, and manages to make the show quite delightful ..." (Christine Howey, Cleveland Scene) (photo credit: Aimee Lambes)

TROUBLE IN MIND

by Alice Childress

November 2023

"A strong and vital production of the work by renowned Black playwright Alice Childress … this is a play that asks questions and doesn't provide answers. And the cast does a remarkable job of keeping those questions alive and intriguing under the supple direction of Jeannine Gaskin." (Christine Howey, Cleveland Scene)  (photo credit: Aimee Lambes)

OUR COUNTRY’S GOOD

by Timberlake Wertenbaker

August 2022

"Our Country’s Good exposes the viewer to a part of history not well known to many. The overly-long script gets a creditable staging by Seats of the Pants Productions. It is worth the sit for anyone interested in probing theater." (Roy Berko, Cool Cleveland)

THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY

by James Lecesne

August 2021

"All [nine] characters come to credible life thanks to Craig Joseph’s remarkable performance acumen. From the timbre of his various accents (New Joisey, Britain, Germany) to the detailed nuances of body language, his expressivity is riveting, at once fiery, poignant and not without a generous dose of edgy humor. He turns the playwright’s words into specific, tangible people with attitudes — funny, happy, frightened, angry, mournful —  switching from one to the next with astonishing speed and precision." (Tom Wachunas, ArtWach)

APPLES IN WINTER

by Jennifer Fawcett

August 2021

"[Anne] McEvoy gives a brilliant performance as Miriam, who's alternately nervous, apologetic, funny and heartbreaking. Under the direction of Jamie Koeth, we feel the deep mourning of a loving mother through all of McEvoy's soulful performance." (Kerry Clawson, The Akron Beacon Journal)

WHEN WE WERE YOUNG AND UNAFRAID

by Sarah Treem

March 2020

“[Craig Joseph] not only understands the script and how to hone his actors’ performances, but nicely blocks the movements to take advantage of Aurora Community Theatre’s quirky thrust stage … The cast, headed by Derdriu Ring and Amy Fritsche, is outstanding. The rest of the cast rises to their level, with each fleshing out a real person. [This is] a superb production, with high quality direction and acting, thus making it a perfect vehicle to “celebrate” the issues of womanhood in this era of angst.” (Roy Berko, Cool Cleveland)

RIPCORD

by David Lindsay-Abaire

November 2019

"Dede Klein is unwaveringly unpleasant and even imposing as Abby, who addresses everyone with contempt and condescension. Similarly well cast is April Deming as Marilyn, the kind of woman who tries to keep things upbeat and copacetic, no matter what. Benjamin Gregg is steadily amusing as Scotty, the facility aide who does his best to remain polite in extreme circumstances. Shani Ferry and Micah Harvey contribute to the fun as Marilyn’s daughter and son-in-law. James Alexander Rankin, as someone from Abby’s past, arrives for a dramatically resonant scene amidst all the craziness." (Dan Kane, The Canton Repository)

SMOKEFALL

By Noah Haidle

August 2019

"[Smokefall] is mounted here by Seat of the Pants Productions, ... always on the look-out for powerful, challenging stage literature. [They've] found it again. And again, [they have] assembled a superbly accomplished ensemble to articulate it.” (Tom Wachunas, ArtWach)

THE END OF THE TOUR

by Joel Drake Johnson

March-April 2019

“Well-paced, with clearly-developed characters and high-quality acting. The overall effect is respect and awe for the cast and director. This is a must-see production.” (Roy Berko, Cool Cleveland)

MOLLY SWEENEY

by Brian Friel

November 2018

“A beautiful sense of melancholy pervades … this gracefully written and performed play, … an achingly quiet work with big ideas.” (Kerry Clawson, The Akron Beacon Journal)

THE CHRISTIANS

 by Lucas Hnath

August 2017

“Lucas Hnath’s writing doesn’t succumb to preachy histrionics, melodramatic propaganda, or obtuse Christian apologetics. What we get instead is the uncanny sensation that these actors aren’t really acting so much as offering an unabashedly honest look at the complex reality of ideological impasses. Their sincerity is so palpable and disarming that we become not merely passive witnesses to a church’s plight, but engaged, sympathetic neighbors sharing the innermost spiritual struggles of a once harmonious community. Church as microcosm of our turbulent times?” (Tom Wachunas, ArtWach)

CHESAPEAKE

by Lee Blessing

June 2017

“Mr. Joseph IS the play, as it’s a one-man affair. So it would be a hollow compliment to say you can’t take your eyes off him. There’s nothing else to look at in this production – no set, no props, no lighting changes. This nearly two-hour (with an intermission) monologue is delivered in a black box. And yet it explodes with all the complicated colors and textures of clashing ideas and personalities. Joseph is a proverbial and otherwise riveting man of a thousand faces (and voices to match) who brings Blessing’s tale – maddeningly compelling and preposterous – to cantankerous and hilarious life. He does so with memorable panache, and an astonishingly keen ability to balance both comedic absurdities and searing drama with startling credibility.” (Tom Wachunas, ArtWach)

THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON

by Jason Miller

May 2017

“Only five minutes in, as each perfectly-cast man performs his role with both gusto and the finest nuance, audience members forget that this is a staged reading. We don’t even notice the scripts in the actors’ hands because, quite frankly, there are too many other fascinating dynamics occurring onstage.” (Albert Clay, The Voice)

THE BEST MAN

by Gore Vidal

August 2016

“All eleven members of this excellent cast are remarkably adept at articulating the play’s uneasy balance between biting sarcasm and credible human drama….Stephanie Cargill has crafted a remarkably poignant rendering of dignity amid woundedness, tempered with a measure of emotional detachment both chilling and sad in her role of Mrs. Russell.” (Tom Wachunas, ArtWach)

PICNIC

by William Inge

August 2015

“Once again, Seat of the Pants demonstrates remarkable acuity for drawing out compelling realism from cast members. They truly own their roles, imbuing Inge’s language - which on paper can sometimes seem hoakey and histrionic – with visceral authenticity. Additionally, The Black Box Theatre is made all the more intimate by Micah Harvey’s artful set that cuts across the floor so that we in the audience, viewing it from two sides, feel like neighbors peering into the shared back yard where most of the story unfolds.” (Tom Wachunas, ArtWach)

GOD OF CARNAGE

by Yasmina Reza

October 2012

“And, oh, how fun to watch this foursome transform and unravel from the safety of one’s seat! A superb cast… this is some of the finest ensemble acting I’ve ever seen on a local stage, brimming with energy and inspired details that seem utterly of the moment… This terrifically juicy and entertaining production deserves to be seen.”   (Dan Kane, The Canton Repository)