The East Cleveland Theater was dedicated to the furtherance of interracial cooperation and understanding, particularly through its practice of interracial, nontraditional casting. Founded by East Clevelanders Eugene and Chris Pace, the community theater made its bow with a one-act play at East Cleveland Baptist Church in Jan. 1968. Incorporated in 1970, the theater moved in 1971 to the Windermere Presbyterian Church at 14108 Euclid Ave., which it purchased in 1979. IN its 200-seat main theater and 100-seat Gallery Theater, it presents about 6 major shows annually, from musicals to mysteries. Major productions have included God’s Trombones, Carmen Jones, and the local stage premiere of Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha. Most of the work is done by volunteers under the direction of a small professional staff. The theater also offers classes and workshops for tuition in acting, directing, dance, music, and other aspects of theater arts. Art shows are displayed in the theater’s gallery during each production. Among the organization’s many awards was the Ohio Governor’s Award for the Arts. Following the death of Mrs. Pace, the founding director, Theodore Carten became the theater’s second director in 1993.