Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) this coming weekend will stage the final performance in the third and final week, and 10^th year, of its Test Flight play development series by celebrating the diversity and perspectives of Cleveland’s Latiné community.

'The Exit Door,Teatro Público de Cleveland (TPC) brings “The Exit Door” by Nathalie Bermúdez to the stage—closing out this year’s festival of new works in progress. The production premieres tonight, Thursday, Feb. 12, and runs through Saturday, Feb. 14

Alejandro Martinez Jr., who is part of the Teatro Público de Cleveland leadership committee and is producer of “The Exit Door,” says the play explores the layered realities of migration through a blend of realism and magical elements.

“’The Exit Door’ is a play about migratory grief,” he explains. “It explores the emotional, psychological, and physical cost of leaving your home in order to survive elsewhere.”

The story centers on a woman who arrives in a cold, unnamed airport but cannot find the exit.

“Time behaves strangely, language begins to fail her, and systems that are meant to help instead confuse or punish her,” Martinez says. “The piece blends realism and magical elements to reflect the disorientation and loss that often accompany migration.”

As the final offering in this year’s Test Flight run, “The Exit Door” continues the series’ tradition of challenging audiences with bold, perspective-shifting work.

“Honestly, from what I’ve seen of the other Test Flight pieces, each one presents a unique and necessary story, and all are worth seeing,” observes Martinez. “Every production challenges the audience to engage with a different perspective, and each unfolds in ways that defy what we might expect as theatergoers.”

For Teatro Público de Cleveland, participation in Test Flight is part of a broader mission to ensure the stories from Cleveland’s Latiné population are seen and heard on the region’s stages.

“Teatro Público de Cleveland plays a vital role by centering stories that are often underrepresented on local stages—particularly stories rooted in Latiné and immigrant experiences,” Martinez says. “TPC works to build bridges between artists, communities, and institutions—creating space for multilingual, multicultural storytelling that reflects the realities of Northeast Ohio’s population. It’s not just about representation for us—it’s also about belonging and visibility.”

Teatro Público de Cleveland is by, for, and with the Latinx Community of Northeast Ohio.Martinez says he sees his producer role as very collaborative.

“My work in Cleveland focuses on collaboration, access, and creating pathways for stories to be shared authentically,” he explains. “Whether I’m producing, designing, or supporting new work, I’m invested in processes that are community-driven and artist-centered.

“I see my role as someone who helps connect artists and audiences,” Martinez continues, “especially around stories of migration, identity, and cultural memory.”

CPT executive artistic director and CEO Raymond Bobgan says he is proud of how far TPC has come, recalling a time when there were no Latiné theatre productions in Cleveland.

“Here we are, not just doing plays, but creating them,” he says. “And the members of these companies are rising up to be these leaders and these creators."

Martinez also emphasizes TPC’s educational impact—arguing that TPC holds both an artistic and educational role in the Cleveland community.

“It creates opportunities for Latiné artists to work in their native languages, tell their own stories, and see their lived experiences reflected onstage,” Martinez says, adding that TPC also invites broader audiences into cultural exchange. “That kind of cultural exchange is educational in itself and helps fill a gap where Latino voices have historically been underrepresented in the region’s arts landscape.”

This weekend’s tickets include some added Valentine’s Day treats:

• Tickets for Thursday and Friday performances include a post-show dessert reception.
• After Friday’s performance, enjoy a selection of free beverages while discussing the show with artists and audience members. Hot beverages are always complimentary. (note that liquor in mixed drinks will not be complimentary, but the mixer will be discounted).
• Tickets for Saturday’s performance include admission to a post-show reception with dessert from Rincon Criollo and selection of complimentary beverages and chance to mingle with Test Flight artists.

Tickets are on sale now. Tickets are sold on a "Choose What You Pay" basis and are offered online, by calling the box office at (216) 631-2727, ext. 501, and at the CPT Box Office, 6415 Detroit Ave., 44102.