Clague Company Takes Theater Out To The Community

Do you have a regular meeting or special event that needs entertainment? What about a play that comes to you? ’s Clague and Company is just the ticket!

Since 1998, Clague and Company’s six-woman group has taken two skits to clubs, groups, local organizations, senior centers, churches, private parties and special occasions throughout Cleveland’s West side.

“We are like vaudeville. We can go anywhere,” said founding member and director Al Archambault of Westlake. “We are a group of dedicated ladies. We’re all volunteers and have to be ready to go when called upon.”

The program serves as the theater’s only outreach program and entertains audiences while also providing information about the playhouse’s upcoming shows.

Supported by donations, the ladies travel with a few props to bring the gift of laughter to the community. “It's 20 minutes to completely forget about yourself and see what Clague is all about,” Archambault said.

The group’s newest member, Lakewood resident Marie Smith, has been traveling with the band of thespians for about three years.

“I really like Clague and I love to act,” Smith said. “I love being with the women. They are very funny, and we have a great time.”

The founding skit, "The Ladies of the Mop," features Marge Amodio of North Olmsted, Pat Kearny of Rocky River, Pita Poling of Parma and Smith.

“It reminds me of Carol Burnett,” Smith said. “The show tells the story of four cleaning ladies with dreams of being in the theater. I play an aspiring dancer, Marge fancies herself an actor, Rita’s a singer and Pat plays a pianist.”

"The Committee Meeting" is a newer skit that takes a humorous look at what goes on at many meetings. Amodio, Poling, Kearney and Smith are joined by Meg Parish of Lakewood and Archambault in this one-act performance that reminds viewers why they should never miss a meeting.

Clauge Playhouse is also trying to expand its outreach efforts by bringing back its children’s theater program.

“We are exploring doing it on a smaller scale that we’ve done in the past,” Smith, who also heads the theater’s Community Outreach Committee, explained. “We want to introduce kids to the theater and get them interested.”

The theater is seeking volunteers to help run a day camp that would last two weeks, culminating in a production. Specifics of the program are still in development, but Smith said it would be for kids in elementary school.

For more information on the children’s theater camp,  to book a performance by Clauge and Company or to become a volunteer, contact the theater at 440-331-0403 or visit their website.