World Premiere: I Wear My Dead Sister's Clothes at Cleveland Public Theatre

illustration by Mya Loparo

Winner of the "Char and Chuck Fowler Audience Choice Award," Borderlight Theatre Festival (2024)

"Schwabauer weaves a galaxy of emotions."
—Christine Howey, Cleveland Scene

December 4-20, 2025 at Cleveland Public Theatre
Tickets are Choose What You Pay from $1-$80

playwright & performer Amy Schwabauer
director Ray Caspio
producer Raymond Bobgan
line producer Paige Conway
stage manager Lisa L. Wiley
scenic designer Kathalina Plummer Thorpe
lighting designer TL Codella
technical director Tom West
associate technical director Kitty Mader

I Wear My Dead Sister’s Clothes, written and performed by Amy Schwabauer, is an autobiographical dark comedy about what it means to love and grieve a difficult person. While cleaning out her deceased sister’s house, Amy sorts through the messy baggage of their relationship and asks herself the tough questions, like why did her sister need four identical dish drainers? Loss haunts Amy as she empties out every closet, but laughs come just as easily as tears when she wears her dead sister’s clothes.

”I Wear My Dead Sister’s Clothes brings to life an immediate, raw picture of what it means to love someone during their life and after their death. Schwabauer’s vulnerability and honesty is as brave as it is impactful; for, no matter how you choose to cope with grief, you will walk away from this show knowing that you are not alone.”
-Gwendolyn Kochur, Cleveland Scene

”The humor and physicality don’t just help lighten what would otherwise be a devastatingly heavy show, but also help make discussing death more accessible.”
-Gwendolyn Kochur, Cleveland Scene

In the media & elsewhere
Cleveland Scene CPT’s ‘I Wear My Dead Sister’s Clothes’ is a Poignant Picture of Grief
cleveland.com I Wear My Dead Sister’s Clothes brings grief and humor to Cleveland Public Theatre
The Land Laughs, tears mix in “I Wear My Dead Sister’s Clothes” at Cleveland Public Theatre
Mark Horning Cleveland Public Theatre’s ‘I Wear My Dead Sister’s Clothes’ is a concise study on grief
David Hansen, Cleveland Centennial Ten Amazing Productions in 2025

photos by Amber Reskey