“Pull Back the Curtain” Speaker Series
This FREE lecture series takes place once per month in Fairmount’s Fall and Winter/Spring sessions and features experts in a variety of arts disciplines who share their knowledge in an intimate setting. Lectures are family-friendly, but are typically geared towards adult audiences.
Lectures take place at Fairmount’s Novelty location (8400 Fairmount Rd.) from 3-4pm on selected Sunday afternoons. See below for upcoming Speaker Series events. Prior registration is not necessary, but strongly encouraged. Please follow the link to register.
Fairmount Speaker Series are sponsored by Toby and Melanie Maloney.
2025-2026 Speaker Series Events
Rescheduled! Bringing Books to the Stage: Adapting RUST: A Story of Steel and Grit and THE HOBBIT for Theatre Audiences
Join Dobama’s Director of Programs, Erin E. Dolan, to learn about how Cleveland’s Off-Broadway Theater commissioned a new script from treasured playwright, George Brant. RUST: A Story of Steel and Grit, a distinctly Cleveland production based on Eliese Colette Goldbach’s celebrated memoir, received its World Premiere production April 25 - May 18, 2025 on the Dobama stage. And for the 25-26 season, Dobama produces THE HOBBIT, J.R.R. Tolkien's charming classic, adapted with imaginative stagecraft, making for an epic adventure that is fun for the whole family.
Erin E. Dolan, Director of Programs, Dobama Theater
November 9, 2025, 3-4 p.m.
Life of a Cleveland Dancer
Join Lauren Stenroos as she reflects on 20 years in dance. She shares her journey from performer to Rehearsal Director at Cleveland Ballet, offering insights on training, longevity, and building a healthier dance world.
Lauren Stenroos, Company Artist and Rehearsal Director, Cleveland Ballet
January 11, 2026, 3-4 P.m.
Through the eyes of the artist: The Art of Love
Music may be the food of love, but art has also acted as a powerful aphrodisiac. It is often said that the greatest artists also have the greatest love affairs. Let’s look at famous couples whose intense passions sparked each other’s best works.
Felicia Zavarella Stadelman, Art Historian
February 8, 2026, 3-4 p.m.
Culinary Creativity with Chef Katz
Chef Douglas Katz returns for an update on his creative culinary journey. Chef Owner of Kiln, Amba, and Zhug and James Beard Semifinalist for 2025 Outstanding Restaurateur Award, Doug is known locally and nationally for his warm, inviting hospitality and flavorful cuisine. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear more about his process and inspirations.
Douglas Katz, Chef,
Owner of kiln, amba, & zhug
March 1, 2026, 3-4 p.m.
Between the Keys: Music and Reflections with Yaron Kohlberg
Piano virtuoso and Artistic Director, Yaron Kohlberg of Piano Cleveland returns for an afternoon concert and lecture to close out our 2025–2026 season.
Yaron Kohlberg, Artistic director, Piano Cleveland
April 26, 2026, 2-3 p.m.
Past Speaker Series Guests
2024-2025 Season Speakers
Rachel Smith, Sears think[box]
Ines Rehner, Sweet Designs Chocolatier
Felicia Zavarella Stadelman, Through the Eyes of the Artist
Holly Witchey, Intermuseum Conservation Association
Jeremy Umansky, Larder
Saundra Bohl, Spanish Dance Company, Fairmount Center for the Arts
Destinee Siebe, Musicologist
Erin Dolan, Dobama Theatre
2023-2024 Season Speakers
Michael Benz, Formerly Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer
Bill Rudman, Musical Theatre Project
Barbara Tannenbum, Cleveland Museum of Art
Lauren Bozich and Marianne Carroll, White Flower Cake Shoppe
Lauren Heroux, Glass Asylum
Mike Wendt, Greater Cleveland Film Commission