APRIL CLEVELAND
The Next-Generation Immersive Theater Director
How many theater pros find inspiration from math and philosophy? We can only think of one. April Cleveland, the Artistic Director of Santa Fe’s The Exodus Ensemble, seeks out texts with big ideas and universal questions, transforming them into fast-paced theatrical thrillers. Driven by global theatrical insights, she’s devoted to cultivating tight-knit troupes of actors and designers. And, together, they’re redefining theater, luring new audiences in to her work everywhere from The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago to New York’s Classic Stage Company and Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Projects
Exodus, a performance ensemble out of Santa Fe, is a dynamic force born out of the pandemic’s demand for innovation. Pioneered by April Cleveland and a collection of artists, Exodus injects life into theatrical landscapes while captivating the elusive “Netflix generation” in live storytelling. April turns timeless texts into immersive modern epics, combining big ideas with bold aesthetics. The goal? To elevate theatre, reshape narratives, and reinvent audience encounters in fresh, daring theatrical terrain. This powerhouse ensemble has performed 200+ local shows across venues including abandoned warehouses and operating railways (some of which have resulted in evictions) over the last three years.
