Offices

Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre (CCDT)
2355 E. 89th Street, Lower Level
Cleveland, OH 44106
Ph. 216.791.9000
Fx. 216.791.9001
Website: www.ccdt.com
General email: info@ccdt.com

CCDT’s home at the Karamu House
In 1915, Russell and Rowena Woodham-Jellife opened a settlement house to establish a common ground where people of different races, religions, social and economic backgrounds could come together to seek and share common ventures. The idea, that the individual is not wholly determined by his environment but has the capacity to transcend it. Each person can, by his response to his environment, change the way it affects him. The Jellifes soon discovered that the arts provided the perfect common ground. Reflecting the strength of the Black influence on its development, the “Playhouse Settlement” was officially renamed “Karamu House” in 1941. Karamu is a Swahili word meaning “A place of joyful gathering-center of the community.”

Today, Karamu continues to maintain high standards of excellence in the arts and invites everyone to experience its broad range of programming.

CCDT Staff
Artistic Director, Michael Medcalf, Ext. 1
info@ccdt.com

Executive Director, Aseelah Shareef, Ext. 3
aseelah@ccdt.com

Education & Outreach Director, Desmond L. Davis, Ext. 2
desmond@ccdt.com