Cleveland Dance Fest 2026

BEFORE NOVEMBER 11TH

• Email Megan at cdf@themovementproject.org

FESTIVAL WEEKEND (STARTING NOVEMBER 11TH)

• Text or Call: CDF Staff - Kailey Fraer (724) 355-8535

  • Please do not email, phone only during festival weekend. Thank you!

LOCATION

**PLAYHOUSE SQUARE MAP - How to park/enter/locate Idea Center at Playhouse Square**

Main Entrance for Guests & Artists: Playhouse Square, 1375 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44115

• How to Enter (Main Entrance): Idea Center at Playhouse Square (Front entrance off of Euclid Ave., under the chandelier)

Additional Entrance for TMP Staff & CDF Artists ONLY: 1410 Dodge Ct, Cleveland, Ohio 44114

• How to Enter (Additional Entrance): Back entrance to the Idea Center (closer option for those parking in the back of the building (artists only)

PERFORMANCES

• Idea Center in the Westfield Studio Theatre

MASTER CLASSES

• Idea Center in the Gund Dance Studio

PARKING

• Lot & Garage Parking (Playhouse Square has compiled a map for public parking options at and near Playhouse Square - HERE)

PLEASE BE SURE TO PACK LUNCH/DINNER/SNACKS.

There is not enough time to go and purchase food. Please make sure all dancers pack enough food for the entire time they are at CDF.

*PLEASE COMMUNICATE THIS TO YOUR DANCERS & PARENTS.

ALSO, NO DOORDASH OR DELIVERY OF ANY KIND IS PERMITTED.

Sunday, November 15, 2026 | Playhouse Square – Idea Center

To ensure a smooth and safe experience for all participating youth artists, please carefully review the following check-in and check-out procedures. All dancers, chaperones, and participating schools/studios are required to follow these procedures.

CHECK-IN PROCEDURES

Group A | Show 1 Artists

Check-In Time: 9:15 AM

• All dancers and designated chaperones must arrive at the Idea Center Lobby by 9:15 AM.

• We recommend parking by 9:00 AM to allow enough time to navigate the Playhouse Square campus and reach the check-in location.

• Once all dancers and chaperones from your group have arrived, a TMP staff member will check everyone in.

• TMP staff will then escort your group to the assigned dressing room, show you your designated table, and provide a brief tour of important spaces.

• Following check-in, dancers may begin preparing for technical rehearsal.

Group B | Show 2 Artists

Check-In Time: 12:30 PM

• All dancers and designated chaperones must arrive at the Idea Center Lobby by 12:30 PM.

• We recommend parking by 12:15 PM to allow enough time to reach the check-in location.

• Once your full group has arrived, TMP staff will complete check-in and escort you to your assigned dressing room and table.

• A brief orientation of important spaces will be provided before dancers begin preparing for technical rehearsal.

Parking, Drop-Off & Arrival Information

We encourage schools and studios to carpool or travel together whenever possible to make navigating the Playhouse Square campus easier.

Student Drop-Off Options:

• Euclid Avenue (Main Playhouse Square Entrance): Students may be dropped off at the front entrance and enter through the main doors. From there, they can follow the interior hallway to the Idea Center Lobby.

• Dodge Court (Rear Entrance): An alternative drop-off location is available via Dodge Court. Please reference the parking map for this entrance. This route requires some additional navigation through the building but may be more convenient for vehicle drop-off.

Important: Parents and guardians should not remain on-site throughout the day unless they are designated chaperones. To help manage the large number of participants and keep backstage and dressing room areas organized, we ask that only dancers, designated chaperones, and authorized staff remain in the building during festival preparations.

Parents and families are warmly encouraged to return for the Youth Showcase performances!

CHECK-OUT PROCEDURES

For the safety of all youth artists, every dancer must be formally checked out at the conclusion of their performance. These procedures ensure that all students are accounted for and safely returned to the responsibility of their designated chaperones or guardians.

Show 1 | Group A

Performance: 4:30 PM
Anticipated End Time: 5:30 PM

Following the conclusion of the performance:

1. Designated chaperones only will return to the Miller Classroom dressing room.

2. Chaperones will check out their entire group with a TMP staff member, ensuring all participating students are accounted for.

3. Once checkout is complete, chaperones are responsible for escorting students to their parents or guardians at a predetermined meeting location, such as the upstairs lobby.

4. Students traveling home with their school or studio group will remain under the supervision of their designated chaperones.

Show 2 | Group B

Performance: 6:30 PM
Anticipated End Time: 7:30 PM

The same checkout procedures apply to Show 2:

1. Following the performance, designated chaperones will return to the Miller Classroom dressing room.

2. Chaperones will complete the group checkout process with TMP staff.

3. Once all students have been accounted for, chaperones will escort students to their designated parent/guardian meeting location or supervise their departure with the group.

Important Check-Out Policies

NO EARLY CHECK-OUTS – NO EXCEPTIONS

• Students may not leave or be checked out before the conclusion of their scheduled Youth Showcase performance.

• This policy applies to all dancers, including those who have already performed earlier in the concert.

• With more than 75 youth artists participating in each showcase, it is essential that we maintain an accurate account of every student throughout the performance.

• All dancers must remain in the dressing room until the formal checkout process is completed.

Students Driving Themselves

Students who drive themselves to CDF must also remain until the conclusion of their scheduled performance.

Once the show has ended, self-driving students may check out directly with a TMP staff member. Please inform staff that you drove yourself and will be departing independently.

Thank You for Helping Us Keep Our Youth Artists Safe!

We appreciate the cooperation of all schools, studios, chaperones, dancers, and families in following these procedures. With so many young artists participating, having a consistent check-in and check-out process is essential to keeping everyone safe, organized, and accounted for.

Thank you for helping us create a positive and welcoming festival experience for all!

Click links below:

• TECH SCHEDULE & PRODUCTION INFO

• PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

• FULL FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

FULL SCHEDULE - SUNDAY NOVEMBER 15TH

CALL TIME/CHECK-IN (GROUP A)

• 9:15 am (All chaperones and dancers must arrive at 9:15 am to check-in) - see tech schedule below for details)

• Group A: TMP Summer Intensive Track 1, TMP Summer Intensive Track 2, Tuscarawas Dance Arts Center, The Dance Institute at The University of Akron, Spotlight Dance Center, NorthStar Dance Center, Firestone ASA Dance, Miller South School for the Visual & Performing Arts.

YOUTH TECH - GROUP A

• 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

LUNCH BREAK

• 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

• Please have each student pack a lunch and snacks for the day, as there will not be time to go grab food.

CALL TIME/CHECK-IN (GROUP B)

• 12:30 pm (All chaperones and dancers must arrive at 12:30 pm to check-in) - see tech schedule below for details)

• Group B: City Ballet of Cleveland/Cleveland City Dance, Bard High School Early College, Fairmount Center for the Arts, Cleveland School of the Arts, Elevé Dance Company, Nrithyanjali Dance School, The Dance Centre CLE, Beck Center for the Arts.

YOUTH MASTER CLASSES

• Group A

  • House

  • 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

  • Teaching Artist: Madison Burris

• Group A

  • Contemporary

  • 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

  • Teaching Artist: Melissa Ajayi

YOUTH TECH - GROUP B

• 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

YOUTH MASTER CLASSES

• Group B

  • Contemporary

  • 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

  • Teaching Artist: Melissa Ajayi

• Group B

  • House

  • 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

  • Teaching Artist: Madison Burris

YOUTH SHOWCASE - SHOW 1

• 4:00 pm House Opens

• YOUTH SHOWCASE SHOW 1 AT 4:30 PM

YOUTH SHOWCASE - SHOW 2

• 6:00 pm House Opens

• YOUTH SHOWCASE SHOW 2 AT 6:30 PM

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH

Visit the website for class descriptions and teacher bios.

• YOUTH MASTER CLASSES (1:00 - 3:00 pm & 3:00 - 5:00 pm)

  • Group A

    • House

    • 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

    • Teaching Artist: Madison Burris

  • Group A

    • Contemporary

    • 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

    • Teaching Artist: Melissa Ajayi

  • Group B

    • Contemporary

    • 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

    • Teaching Artist: Melissa Ajayi

  • Group B

    • House

    • 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

    • Teaching Artist: Madison Burris

TICKET WEBSITE HERE

This year, CDF will feature two separate Youth Showcase performances on Sunday, November 15th. Each showcase will feature a different lineup of schools and studios, so when purchasing tickets, please instruct families to select the performance their child is participating in. The ticketing website will clearly list which schools and studios are performing in each showcase.

Please note that all ticket sales are processed through Playhouse Square, and tickets cannot be refunded or exchanged if purchased for the incorrect showcase.

Youth Showcase 1 | Sunday, November 15

Show 1 Artists: TMP Summer Intensive Track 1, TMP Summer Intensive Track 2, Tuscarawas Dance Arts Center, The Dance Institute at The University of Akron, Spotlight Dance Center, NorthStar Dance Center, Firestone ASA Dance, Miller South School for the Visual & Performing Arts.

• Box Office Opens: 3:30 pm

• House Opens: 4:00 pm

• Performance: 4:30 pm

Youth Showcase 2 | Sunday, November 15

Show 2 Artists: City Ballet of Cleveland/Cleveland City Dance, Bard High School Early College, Fairmount Center for the Arts, Cleveland School of the Arts, Rooted Dance Collective, Elevé Dance Company, Nrithyanjali Dance School, The Dance Centre CLE.

• Box Office Opens: 5:30 pm

• House Opens: 6:00 pm

• Performance: 6:30 pm

Location: Westfield Studio Theatre at the Idea Center at Playhouse Square

ADVANCED SALES - Seating is limited. We highly recommend purchasing your tickets well in advance, as last years showcase sold out during advanced sales.

All seating is general admission. ADA accessible seating is available.

• $25 – General Admission

• $20 – Seniors

• $15 – Youth (12 & under)

• $40 – Friends of CDF (ticket + donation)

DOOR SALES - If seats are available.

All seating is general admission. ADA accessible seating is available.

• $30 – General Admission

• $25 – Seniors

• $20 – Youth (12 & under)

• $40 – Friends of CDF (ticket + donation)

*All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. Thank you.

PROFESSIONAL FOOTAGE

• Digital footage & photos of your piece will be emailed to you by mid-January 2027. PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST TO RECEIVE FOOTAGE BEFORE THAT TIME. There are a large number of works at CDF and it takes our videographer a few months to edit all the footage, put in credit info, and finalize each video.

PRE-ORDERED CDF MERCH

• For artists who pre-ordered their CDF Merch, you can pick those up during your check-in at tech.

CDF MERCH AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND

Find us in the lobby throughout the festival weekend to purchase your CDF merch!

• $25 - CDF Tank 

• $12 - CDF Canvas Tote Bag

• $5 - Limited Edition 10th Anniversary CDF Pin from last year (While supplies last!)

• $35 - CDF Merch Bundle (Tank+Bag+Pin) - save $7!