James Levin

James Levin
Founder and Artistic Director
james@ingenuitycleveland.org

Community Activist, Arts Advocate, Festival Director, Stage Director and Producer, Playwright, Lyricist, and Impresario, James Levin co-founded Ingenuity, the Cleveland Festival of Art + Technology, in 2004, and since then has led fundraising and programming efforts, and directed this event which annually transforms downtown Cleveland into a wonderland of performance, exhibits and high tech installations.

Prior to Ingenuity, Levin launched the Gordon Square Arts District restoration project in Cleveland’s Near West side, and served as its founding director. As the Founding Director of Cleveland Public Theatre, Levin produced most of the work at CPT since its inception until 2004 and launched such projects as: Performance Art Festival, New Plays Festival, Festival of Sound, African American Performance Series, Vaudeville 80s and 90s, American Indian Festival, LatinArts Festival (”Cafe Teatro”), and DanceWorks (still the primary venue of contemporary modern dance in Northeast Ohio).

As a theatre artist, Levin has been recognized repeatedly for his work as a playwright (two Ohio Arts Council Fellowships) as a director, and as a producer (multiple Northern Ohio Live “Best” Awards). As a lyricist, his songs have been included in several theatrical works, including “Let the Knowing Speak,” a jazz cantata featuring Phil Wilson and Jon Hendricks.

As a community activist, Levin has launched several programs providing exposure to “expression and creativity,” in instances where resources were otherwise unavailable. Among those programs launched over the last twenty years at CPT under his direction: Y Haven Theatre group (annual new work developed by resident men in recovery), STEP (now a year round ensemble of inner city teens who receive summer jobs for creating new work), Brick City (ongoing year round training at CMHA estates), and Elyria Y Project (creative dramatics at Women’s Shelter).

Levin is also an experienced trial attorney (clients have included Northeast Ohio Greens, American Indian Movement, and the Northeast Ohio Homeless Coalition)

He lives in Ohio City with his wife Jill, a prominent local actress and teacher, and their three children. In 2007, Levin was awarded by the Ohio Arts Council the “Governor’s Award” for his career work in community development and activism.