Who We Are

All About Us

Ensemble Theatre believes that the arts are an essential and meaningful part of life. The theatre offers an important forum for stimulating and provoking thought about the issues of contemporary life, and it is a place for communal experience. Introducing future generations to the arts will enlighten them about the human condition and provide them with a resource to nourish them throughout their lives. All art, including theatre, should be a celebration of diversity and human dignity. Ensemble adheres to this credo with a policy of non-traditional casting and by valuing the contributions of all who participate. The theatre strives for the highest possible level of professionalism in all areas to nurture new talent, and to be ever mindful of the power of art to entertain and move the audience.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Celeste Cosentino

Celeste Cosentino has served as an Artistic Associate and Operations Manager for Ensemble Theatre since 2001. She is well known and respected in the Cleveland Theatre Community having worked with The Cleveland Play House, Dobama Theatre, Clague Play House, Cain Park, Bang and Clatter, The Illusion Factory, Karamu, Willoughby Fine Arts and Weathervane Playhouse. Celeste has also spent many years in corporate management in Ohio, Indiana, and New Jersey. Ms. Cosentino is a graduate of the Ohio University School of Theatre and recently returned to Cleveland, after two years in New York City. She is the daughter of Ensemble Founder, Lucia Colombi and has returned home to support her mother's mission by providing a fresh perspective as the next Artistic Director. She was raised by Ensemble Theatre and has a special dedication to it's continuation for many years to come.

Artistic Advisor/Associate Sarah May

Sarah is thrilled to come "home" to Ensemble Theatre to support Lucia Colombi's talented daughter Celeste as Artistic Director. In the past Sarah served as Education Director for Ensemble and directed such memorable productions as Dividing the Estate, Having Our Say, The Delany Sister's First 100 Years; Athol Fugard's Valley Song; Paul Robeson (featuring Tony Sias); Little Tommy Parker's Celebrated Minstrel Show, and Anton in Show Business!

Sarah is a well known director whose work has been seen on most area stages. Most recently she directed the critically acclaimed Wings at Beck Center starring Dorothy Silver, as well as Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, The History Boys, The Diary of Anne Frank, and A Piece of My Heart (Winner of the Northern Ohio Live Award.)

Sara has also recently directed the Dobama/Karamu collaboration of Tony Kushner's Caroline or Change, Tuck Everlasting for The Cleveland Play House, and Things of Dry Hours at CPT.

Sarah spent 10 years in New York City performing, directing, and developing educational programs for Playwrights Horizons, Henry Street Settlement, and The Roundabout Theatre. She returned to Cleveland to serve as Director of Education for Great Lakes Theatre Festival, where she developed their Shakespeare School Residency Program, and as Director of Karamu Theatre from 1990 to 1997. She has taught acting for The Cleveland Play House and Tri-C Metro and been a guest artist at Baldwin-Wallace College.

TYLER WHIDDEN (Playwright/Director-"Dancing with N.E.D") is a Cleveland-born playwright, actor, and director. After receiving his BFA in Playwriting from Ohio University, he traveled the country as a stand-up comedian before moving to Chicago. While in the Windy City, Tyler worked with Victory Gardens and The Neo-Futurists theaters, honing his craft. He recently earned his MFA from Goddard College and lives in Cleveland. He would like to thank Claudia (whereever you are), Katy Z (for the inspiration), Darrah C and Neil L (for the guidance), and his Goddard and PIB families (for the love and support). Most importantly, he would like to thank his smoking-hot wife, Angie. For everything."

2009-10 Interim Artistic Director Bernard Canepari as Alfieri in Ensemble's 2006 production of Arthur Miller's

A View from the Bridge directed by the late Ensemble founder Lucia Colombi.

Managing Director

Martin Cosentino has been with Ensemble Theatre since its birth in 1979. Martin holds a degree in Architecture from Case Western Reserve University. As a designer and builder, he has worked in these fields for over thirty years. He has brought these design and building skills, as well as very capable administrative skills to the Ensemble organization. He was project manager for Ensemble’s major renovations of its 145-seat performance space at The Civic in Cleveland Heights. He has performed every job at the theatre, including stage manager, set design and construction, graphic design and original illustrations. Martin is currently responsible for office administration, box office reports and management, properties, grant writing and development activities. He has also served as Tour Manager, Technical Director and Production Manager. Martin became General Manager in 2007. In 2008, due to the artistic director’s illness, the Board of Trustees named him Interim Managing Director. In May of 2009, the Board named him Managing Director for the 2009 -2010 season.