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Schlitzie: Alive and Inside

Rogue Artists Ensemble announces open auditions for a live theatrical production of Schlitzie: Alive and Inside, with previews and performances taking place at The Heritage Square on Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 6pm, March 13th - March 30th, 2025.

This project intends to create an inclusive cast and actors who identify as Disabled, BIPOC artists, and members of the LGBTQ+ communities are especially encouraged to apply. Performers will play multiple roles, move throughout the space, and may be asked to puppeteer and move furniture within the performance. The rehearsal and performance venue is wheelchair accessible with parking available. Support will be provided for artists with disabilities based on individual needs and requirements.

Schlitzie: Alive and Inside, written by Eric Fagundes, is a live theatrical experience that transports audiences to the golden age of the American sideshow. The story sheds a light on the intersection of the sideshow and disability inclusivity through the story of Schlitzie, an iconic and often misunderstood performer. Schlitzie is one of the most famous sideshow performers, known for his many appearances in the now-infamous film Freaks. Schlitzie’s story is inextricably tied to Los Angeles, where he was eventually admitted to an institution when his sideshow was shut down and came to perform his act in McArthur Park where he was lovingly known as ‘ratoncito’.


AEA: 99 Seat-Theatre Agreement
Producer: Rogue Artists Ensemble
Venue: Heritage Square Museum

Writer: Eric Fagundes
Director: Nikki DiLoreto
Rogue Artists Managing Director: Alexis Robles
Rogue Artists Interim Artistic Director: Chelsea Sutton

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:
Week 1

• Thursday, February 13th: 6:00pm - 9:30pm
• Friday, February 14th: 11:00am - 4:00pm
• Saturday, February 15th: 10:00am - 5:00pm

Week 2

• Tuesday, February 18th - Saturday, February 22nd: 10:00am - 3:00pm

Week 3

• Monday, February 24th - Thursday, February 27th: 10:00am - 3:00pm; Saturday, March 1st: 11:15 - 5:00pm

Tech Week

• Tuesday, March 4th - Friday, March 7th: 5:00pm - 10:00pm; Saturday, March 8th: 11:00am - 5:00pm

Dress Rehearsal & Previews

• Tuesday, March 11th - Sunday, March 16th: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
• Tuesday, March 18th & 19th: 5:00pm - 10:00pm

Rate of Pay: 

• Artists will be paid $18.00 per hour for rehearsals and performances.
• A stipend for transportation fees are available for artists with disabilities.

TO SUBMIT:
Please upload a resume and reel.

If you have a special skill (sleight of hand, sword swallowing, etc) please also provide a video that highlights your talents.

FOR PUPPETEER ROLE ONLY - If you are auditioning to be a puppeteer, please use either a puppet you have or a found object (wooden spoon, hat, anything really) and record the following:

• Pick three emotions and express them with the puppet or object, make sounds with the object
• Have the puppet / object tell us a few lines of a nursery rhyme or short poem

SUBMISSIONS are being reviewed on a rolling basis due to the fires and current state of Los Angeles.

Those selected for an in-person or zoom callback, will be contacted by email. 

SUBMIT

ROLES

Actor 1 -  (George Surtees, Sam Alexander, Schlitzie’s Father, as cast) A guide and leader. Gentle with gravitas and the ability to command a room.  Masc-presenting, 40+, any ethnicity, people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Actor 2 - (The Bearded Lady, as cast) A caretaker. Nurturing and protective yet stern and firm. Trans (masc or fem), NB, 30 - 40’s, any ethnicity, people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Actor 3 - (Slick, Judge, Freak Hunter, as cast)  A joker. Youthful and suave. Slightly too hand, experience with magic a plus. Masc-presenting, 20’s, any ethnicity, people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Actor 4 - (The Sword Swallower, Tod Browning, Angel, as cast) A rebel. Loyal and headstrong. Any age, any gender, any ethnicity, people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Actor 5 - (The Daughter, Koo Koo the Bird Girl, Schlitzie’s Mother, as cast)  An ingénue and outsider.  Fem-presenting, 20s-30s, any ethnicity, people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Actor 6 - (Puppeteer, as cast) - The voice Schlitzie. Has a youthful spirit and curiosity without being childish.  A beam of love. Will play other roles.

Actor 7 -  (Puppeteer, as cast) - The voice Schlitzie. Has a youthful spirit and curiosity without being childish.  A beam of love. Will play other roles.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

To make sure Rogue can continue to create boundary pushing work focused in Los Angeles, we are currently recruiting board members ready to roll up their sleeves with the following expertise:

• Fundraising, Grants
  
• Marketing
  
• Human Resources
  
• Government Agencies
  
• Accounting
  

Our board meets quarterly in addition to serving on committees that meet as needed. Board members host special events and are invited to attend exclusive readings and workshops.

Curious about the board and want to learn more? Message Us