agápe
unconditional love • good will • charity • the highest form of love
Our Mission
Theatre Agape is an inclusive, purpose-driven community of theatre artists that partners with other non-profit organizations to raise awareness and funds for their charitable endeavors while also encouraging them to join in our artistic efforts.
Photo credit: Karen Hsu
Our Vision
We are an arts organization committed to inclusion and accessibility within all operations.
Too often the same voices overpower the rest. We believe people who are considered “different” aren’t the only ones who need to learn. And unlearn.
We use our art, our expertise, and our grit to lift up others, and in doing so, we normalize the acknowledgment of voices that may be different than their own.
In short, we are here.
Our Values
- Accessibility & Inclusion
- Awareness
- Transparency
- Advocacy
- Philanthropy
Our Founders 
Co-founders Sarah Lynne Bailey and Douglas F. Bailey II are a Wife-and-Husband Team who met doing theatre more than a dozen years ago.
Even from their earliest days of friendship, it became clear that their mutual love of theatre was driving them to create something new…something different…something more.
Growing up, Sarah Lynne fell in love with the theatre while participating in community shows with her mom Ellen and brother Ernie. The more time spent working and collaborating with her family members created an incredible closeness. But it became clear that involving her sister Julie in this type of bonding activity could not have been possible. Julie’s sensory sensitivities as well as limited language and mobility were enough to stop any efforts towards inclusion. From the outset, inclusion just seemed impossible.
Then in 2020 — with no shows happening and too much time on their hands — Sarah Lynne and Doug decided it was time to try their hand at making a true impact with their art. The message of “Theatre should be for everyone!” kept ringing in their ears. Thanks to some very wise, very supportive friends/board members, they realized the support they needed had been there all along, and it was time to get started.
What was once a dream has been realized into Theatre Agápe, which aims to be an arts organization devoted to removing barriers to entry and making everyone feel like they belong. Because if anything has the power to change the world, it’s Agápe.
Sarah Lynne Bailey (Executive Artistic Director) – A graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College, Sarah Lynne has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with a focus in Arts Management. She has worked as a theatre artist across Northeast Ohio, having previously worked with Cleveland Public Theatre, Dobama Theatre, the Brecksville Theatre, Blank Canvas Theatre, The Musical Theater Project, the Academy for the Performing Arts, MAD* Factory Theatre Co, Cassidy Theatre and many more. In recent years, she has expanded her production managerial work to other arts organizations in Northeast Ohio including the local chamber orchestra Les Délices and professional dance company Ohio Contemporary Ballet.
When not in the theatre (and sometimes in the theatre) Sarah Lynne spends her time with her children Desmond, Taso, Georgie and Matilda.
Douglas F. Bailey II (General Manager) – An award-winning actor and director over the past 15 years in the Greater Cleveland Area. The Cleveland Theatre Critics Circle named Douglas Best Actor in a Musical for his 2018 performance as Huey Calhoun in Memphis the Musical at Cain Park. He has also been recognized by Broadwayworld.com for Directing annual productions at Mighty Goliath Productions, where he also served as Artistic Director and Board President for 6 years, and Silhouette Productions. Douglas and his partner/wife Sarah Lynne have committed their talent, industry experience and personal calling to support communities of folks with differing abilities. Theatre Agápe’s mission is one of acceptance, inclusion, and adaption.
Theatre Agápe 