Since 1978, Near West Theatre has engaged youth and people of all ages from Cleveland’s Near West Side and beyond in large-scale musicals, allowing them to discover their creativity and present themselves as contributing members of the community. Professionally led but with diverse volunteer actors from all walks of life, the theater builds relationships through an intense, challenging and transforming process. They share their unique life stories and experiences to find their own voices and make personal connections with the production and each other. Our mission: "Near West Theatre builds loving relationships and engages diverse people in strengthening their sense of identity, passion, and purpose, individually and in community, through transformational theatre arts experiences."