Fri 5/22-Sun 6/7

Ike Holter’s 2018 play Exit Strategy is based on real-life events in the author’s hometown of Chicago when a huge number of its public schools were summarily closed by then-mayor Rahm Emanuel, including the elementary school where my grandmother taught for 45 years.

It follows a group of students and teachers in a poor, inner-city Chicago school who act as a community for each other as they face adversity of various types including, finally, the potential closure of their school and the disbanding of the contentious but supportive community they’ve built.

Ensemble Theatre closes its 2025-26 season with the Cleveland premiere of Exit Strategy, directed by Jeannine Gaskin. Unfortunately, its topic is timely in Northeast Ohio, as Cleveland recently closed and merged many of its public schools, creating confusion and consternation.

It will be performed at John Carroll University’s Marinello Little Theatre Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays @ 2pm through Sunday June 7. Go here for tickets.