<div style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div dir="auto"><div data-ad-rendering-role="story_message"><div data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message"><div><div><span dir="auto"><div><div><span dir="auto">Calling all artists, actors, performers, and improv folks!</span></div><div><span dir="auto"><br></span></div><div><div dir="auto">We are casting multiple roles for a small immersive community theater piece for <i>SoftLaunch</i> festival at Cleveland Public Theater. Performances Jan 15th, 16th, 17th 2026.</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div></div><div><span dir="auto">Contact me with your interest!</span></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><span><span>Cassandra (Cas) Ziemer</span></span><br><span><span><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" href="mailto:cgziemer@pm.me">cgziemer@pm.me</a><br></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span><span><br></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" class="protonmail_signature_block"><div class="protonmail_signature_block-user"></div><div class="protonmail_signature_block-user"><br></div><div class="protonmail_signature_block-user">About the piece:</div><div class="protonmail_signature_block-user"><span>The Machine is an immersive theater performance piece that will center the audience as a jury</span><div><span>with no agency in a contentious and emotional murder trial. One trans woman is dead. One</span></div><div><span>trans woman is facing 40 years in prison. This is NOT a courtroom drama, but an abolitionist</span></div><div><span>think piece. We want to incept a questioning of the (in)justice system into the minds of the</span></div><div><span>audience members then motivate them to take action. This piece is not about 'guilty or innocent'</span></div><div><span>or 'victim' versus 'accused', but about the people versus the system ("The Machine"). The</span></div><div><span>audience will be made uncomfortable with their complacency in the system by positioning them</span></div><div><span>as a jury but withholding any real power, agency, or ability to materially affect the trial or its</span></div><div><span>outcome.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>Trans folks please apply! The creative team is all transgender and the piece centers the</span></div><div><span>experiences of two transgender women. This piece is inherently intertwined with violence</span></div><div><span>against trans people. We want to make as safe of a space as possible and not (re-)traumatize</span></div><div><span>anyone. This may be a difficult piece to be a part of; however, we want to make sure it’s also</span></div><div><span>safe and even empowering and cathartic.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>Disabled and neurodivergent folks please apply! The creative team is all disabled and/or</span></div><div><span>neurodivergent and we strongly seek to create an accessible and inclusive space throughout</span></div><div><span>the entire production. The performance space is wheelchair accessible. We will collectively form</span></div><div><span>a mask policy and policies for other accessibilities as needed to make sure everyone involved is</span></div><div><span>comfortable.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>Roles that indicate a white character are intended for a white-passing performer. Other roles are</span></div><div><span>welcome to be filled by a performer of any race/skin color. We strongly desire as diverse a cast</span></div><div><span>as possible, not just with regard to race. Demographics associated with each role are</span></div><div><span>exceptions specific to those characters.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>We will try our best to have *ALL* interested people involved in some way in the piece.</span></div><div><span>Time commitment, schedule, and compensation:</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>This is community theater, not a professional production. We all want to put on a great show, but</span></div><div><span>the community always comes first. The piece will be shown at the Soft Launch festival at</span></div><div><span>Cleveland Public Theater January 15th, 16th, and 17th. Tech and dress rehearsals are January</span></div><div><span>10th, 11th, 13th, and 14th. Additional rehearsals will be scheduled around the cast's availability.</span></div><div><span>We have been provided with a small budget to compensate the cast and crew.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>Cast of Characters:</span></div><div><span>Characters NOT seeking performers:</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>The Victim (Lyra): This character will not be cast. Lyra is deceased and will not be represented</span></div><div><span>by a performer. She will be referenced throughout the piece.</span></div><div><span>The Defendant (Robin): This character has already been cast. Robin is an intimate partner of</span></div><div><span>Lyra's who is on trial for Lyra's murder. She is grieving for Lyra, horrified at the situation, and</span></div><div><span>terrified of being found guilty.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>Characters seeking performers:</span></div><div><span>Members of the justice system (“The Machine”):</span></div><div><span>These are employees of the state who are invested in 'the process' and their careers, not truth.</span></div><div><span>Demographically, they skew white and upper middle class and are exclusively cishet. These</span></div><div><span>roles will have an improvisational aspect via interacting with the audience/jury.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>The Judge: A respectable, diligent, and wizened but sometimes incompetent district judge. They</span></div><div><span>just want to wake up with their coffee, get through the day, and get home. Not jaded, but</span></div><div><span>satisfied with life. An older cisgender man or woman.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>The Defense Lawyer: A jaded public defender with a muted personality who represents Robin in</span></div><div><span>this case. A middle aged cisgender man or woman.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>The Prosecution Lawyer: A strong-willed, confident, hotshot lawyer who is ready to turn her</span></div><div><span>prosecution experience into running for office or switching to a cushy consulting role. Think</span></div><div><span>girlboss/future influencer/gym rat/finance bro. A middle aged cisgender man or woman.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>Witnesses:</span></div><div><span>Witness #1: A police officer who testifies in the case. A cishet white male adult.</span></div><div><span>Witness #2: A forensics expert who testifies in the case. A cishet adult.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>Gallery members:</span></div><div><span>Robin's loved ones who have come to support her during her trial.</span></div><div><span>Prefer at least one transgender performer in these roles.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>Gallery member #1 (Chris): A friend or intimate partner of Robin's in their 30's. Gender/name</span></div><div><span>can change to fit the performer.</span></div><div><span>Gallery member #2 (Emily): A friend or intimate partner of Robin's in their 30's. Gender/name</span></div><div><span>can change to fit the performer.</span></div><div><span>Gallery member #3 (Denise): Robin's mother. An older white woman.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>We will cast additional gallery members for any interested performers.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>Audience plants:</span></div><div><span>Audience plants are positioned as members of the jury and planted within the real audience of</span></div><div><span>the piece. They are as diverse as any jury could be. Performers are desired to be just as</span></div><div><span>diverse. This role may have an improv aspect. Looking for three or more performers.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>We will cast additional audience plants for any interested performers.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>We will try our best to have *ALL* interested people involved in some way in the piece. Prior</span></div><div><span>acting or improv experience is NOT REQUIRED.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>Contact:</span></div><div><span>Cassandra (Cas) Ziemer</span></div><div><span><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" href="mailto:cgziemer@pm.me">cgziemer@pm.me</a><br></span></div><div><br><span></span></div><span>You do not have to have a role in mind, but if you do, let us know!</span><br></div><div class="protonmail_signature_block-user"><br></div><div class="protonmail_signature_block-user"><br></div><div class="protonmail_signature_block-user"><span></span><div>Sincerely,</div><div>
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Cassandra Ziemer<br>(they/them)</div><span></span></div><br><span></span></div>
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