Entertainers
About the event
About the application
A Community-Focused Celebration
Pride in the CLE is first and foremost a local community celebration, and we prioritize Northeast Ohio applicants as part of that commitment. With the high volume of applications, we’re not able to offer placements to out-of-state applicants at this time.
Family-Friendly Event
- Please note that this event is free and open to the public, and designated as a Family-Friendly Event.
- For Pride in the CLE, “family-friendly” means programming that can be enjoyed by folx of all ages, backgrounds, and identities. Performances should be welcoming, respectful, and appropriate for a broad public audience, including youth and multigenerational attendees.
- This does not mean limiting queer expression, artistry, or cultural authenticity. We celebrate entertainment that reflects the full diversity of our community across race, culture, gender, ability, and performance style, while avoiding explicit sexual content, graphic imagery, or themes intended exclusively for adult audiences.
- Family-friendly acts can be joyful, bold, funny, musical, theatrical, or thought-provoking. This includes drag, dance, music, spoken word, cultural performance, and more, as long as they contribute to a space where everyone can feel comfortable, included, and affirmed.
- Please note that, per city laws while operating under an F-2 permit, performers are not permitted to be nude or mostly undressed.
Selection
To help ensure a fair, thoughtful, and community-centered selection process, all entertainer applications are reviewed using a standardized rubric. Entertainment decisions are made by a dedicated committee composed of community members and staff at the LGBT Center Cleveland who bring diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and a deep commitment to creating an inclusive and affirming Pride celebration.
Stage Preferences
Please note that the selection committee will take stage preference into consideration, but has a limited number of time slots available on each stage. Offers to perform should be reviewed carefully before accepting an invitation to perform.
MAIN STAGE
Our largest stage with ADA access, backline, and a full technical team. Best suited for polished, show-forward performances and larger groups or ensembles. Ideal for acts with multiple inputs, larger footprints, or more complex staging needs.
SPEAK OUT STAGE
A smaller, more intimate stage with on-site technician support and a community-forward focus. Best suited for solo acts through trios, DJs, spoken word, dance, and interactive or engagement-driven performances.
TIMELINE
Entertainment applications are due by March 19th, 2026. We anticipate alerting all applicants of selection decisions by early to mid April. We thank you for our patience as the selection committee processes high volumes of applications.
Terms & Conditions
- Uploading Files
- Any files or photos uploaded MUST include applicant name/group in file name.
- Compensation
- Any available compensation, unless otherwise contracted in writing, will be at the sole discretion of event organizers.
- Failure to provide complete W9 details may delay compensation.
- Any available compensation, unless otherwise contracted in writing, will be at the sole discretion of event organizers.
- Evaluation & Rubric
- To help ensure a fair, thoughtful, and community-centered selection process, all entertainer applications are reviewed using a standardized rubric. Entertainment decisions are made by a dedicated committee composed of community members and staff at the LGBT Center Cleveland who bring diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and a deep commitment to creating an inclusive and affirming Pride celebration. The rubric helps guide conversations and supports consistent evaluation across all submissions. We are grateful for the time, energy, and creativity that goes into every application, and we truly appreciate your desire to be part of Pride in the CLE.
Related files
Questions on the application
User information
- First name
- Last name
Additional information
- Pronouns (Other)
- Upload your tech rider information here. NOTE: Must include entertainer name in file name
- Name of Performer or Group
- Due to the event being family-friendly, there are times when a performers stage name might need to be changed to a family-friendly version. Please provide a family-friendly version of your name.
- Point of Contact - First Name
- Point of Contact - Last Name
- Pronouns
- Phone Number
- Event Day Phone Number (if different)
- Are you from or currently live in Northeast Ohio?
- Website or Social Media
- Which Stage are you hoping to perform on?
- What type of entertainment is your act?
- Total number of performers?
- Please provide a brief summary of what your performance at Pride in the CLE® would entail.
- Please include a media link showing an example of your performance.
- Please provide a brief bio of your act or performer(s) to be used on public promotional materials.
- Please upload a high resolution promotional photo without text. NOTE: Must include entertainer name in file name
- Please provide a link to any background music necessary for your performance (Google Drive, Dropbox, SoundCloud, etc.) Please adjust permissions to allow access.
- Do you have a tech rider that can be provided for this application?
- What equipment will you bring/provide as a part of your performance?
- What equipment would you need the event to provide to stage your performance?
- How long is your act/performance? If variable, please indicate the minimum and maximum.
- Please select your drag identity:
- If Other, please describe type of entertainment
- How long do you typically need to set up and/or sound check?
- How long do you typically need to strike/tear down at the end of your performance?
- Please note any accessibility or mobility needs.
- Legal Name as Appears on W9 (Used when cutting checks for performers)
- What part of Northeast Ohio?
- Please upload a current W9 with applicant information filled out. (File name must include entertainer's name)
- Is there anything else you'd like us to know about you and/or your act?
- Notable performances and/or past emcee experience?
- Have you performed at Pride in the CLE before?
- What year(s)?
