Convergence Continuum marks 25 years of cutting-edge theater in Tremont

One could call the productions of Convergence Continuum theater sometimes profane and often subversive, and the staff likely would thank you for the compliment and go about their day.

“We do theater for theater people,” said Executive Artistic Director Corey Molner.

The theater is marking its 25^th season this year. Its mission is to produce living playwrights and local playwrights. And the theater has continued with that mission to this day.

Native Clevelander Brian Breth and Clyde Simon founded the theater in 2000 with its first production “Quills” by Doug Wright staged in 2022.

Born in Hiram, Simon said decided to come to Cleveland after spending a year in New York City. Prior to that he had gone to Bowling Green State University and then earned his master of fine arts degree at Kent State University and spent a couple of years in the Peace Corps.

“I had enough money to live in New York City for a year without having to get a regular job.”

During his time in New York City, Simon became friends with playwright Mac Wellman and produced several of his plays in the theater’s first few years. Wellman has won Obie awards for best play and received a Lifetime Achievement Obie in 2003. Award-winning plays include “Terminal Hip,” “Crowbar” and “Whirligig.”

With a theater that usually seats 40-50 people, Simon said the intimate space was used to its advantage.

“We never pretended that the audience was not there,” Simon said. “The cast was talking to audience members. It’s a different kind of experience.”

Simon retired from the theater in 2022 and now serves as executive director emeritus.

Molner said for the 25^th anniversary a $70,000 renovation has been done that  includes a new roof and revamped bathrooms that make going to the theater a nicer experience.

The building at 2438 Scranton Road in Tremont was bought in 2016 and Molner said that gives them a lot of freedom with the choices that are made. 

“Not many theaters own the space outright,” Molner said.

And with the smaller space the theater does not have to worry about selling as many tickets as a downtown theater.

Owning the space, Molner added, helps convergence-continuum continue to be the place for newer and emerging artists.

“You are going to see shows here that are not seen anywhere else in Cleveland,” Molner said.

The theater has produced the plays of Jordan Harrison, who was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2015 for his play “Marjorie Prime.” Local playwrights produced include Eric Coble and Christopher Johnston, who also serves on the theater’s board and is a frequent contributor to The Land..

The theater’s current production “Macbitches” by Sophie McIntosh runs through Aug. 15. In it freshman acting major Hailey unexpectedly gets the coveted role of Lady Macbeth, her upperclassmen rivals immediately invite her over to “celebrate.” As the Fireball and Svedka flow, the young women talk about their own ambitions as well as the power structures that have shaped their education — and the night spirals into violent and shocking acts of betrayal. For ticket information, go to www.convergence-continuum.org/ or call (216) 687-0074.

Molner, Simon and Production and Operations Manager Scott Zolkowski said they also are all proud they have given a voice to the LBGTQ+ community and other marginalized communities.

“We have been very involved with the queer community,” Simon said.

Zolkowski said he was proud that convergence-continuum was one of the first Cleveland theaters to show support for the LBGTQ+ community and plans to continue that tradition by continuing to do shows that highlight their lives and experiences.

With the theater revamp, Zolkowski said, apartments that were in the building now have been converted into space for costumes and scenery.

The smaller theater space, Zolkowski said, also has often made them get creative in how things are staged, lit and the use of sound. Technology has helped in some cases, giving them more options.

Zolkowski, Simon and Molne share a common hope for the future, and that is to expand the audience.

“I would like to see us expand our non-theater audience,” Zolkowski said.

Simon said it was people who took a chance on the theater at its inception that helped push it toward success.

“We had people that took a chance on us because it was not traditional theater,” Simon said. “Those people got hooked and are still coming to shows today.”

Zolkowski also would like to find a larger space to use for a few of the productions, especially a musical.

“We’re kind of maxed out at a cast of 10 people in the space we have now.”