AUDITIONS

THE POISON CIRCUS

Run away and join the circus…

The Poison Circus is a devised performance which weaves immersion, circus, and carnival elements with the mysticism of Tarot and a strong dash of Tom Waits-ian seedy underbelly character-driven storytelling.

Ensemble members will collectively craft 22 scenes total, each one based on the meaning or imagery behind each of the cards in the Major Arcana.

The Poison Circus is set to be Bottle Alley Theatre’s season finale with performance dates set for November 2026. The Poison Circus was conceived by Chris Fontanes and will be directed by Trace Turner.

In-person auditions will take place Monday, January 26th and Tuesday, January 27th from 7 to 10pm at SPACE Rehearsal & Recording, located at 7915 Menchaca Rd (room number will be emailed to you in your confirmation email). 

Video auditions are accepted until Monday, January 26th at 7:30 pm. 


Devising rehearsals will begin in February – ensemble will meet once a month for eight months before production rehearsals begin in September. Specific times will depend upon the ensemble and will be determined after casting.

Performances will happen in the first two weeks (with an optional third week) of November 2026.

All performers will receive a $250 stipend + a possibility of profit share depending on show revenue. 

INTERESTED IN AUDITIONING?

To audition:

Please create an original performance piece in whatever style you want – speaking, movement, literally anything you want – based around one of the cards within the Major Arcana.

Each piece should be no longer than five (5) minutes.

You can create your own character and tell us a story influenced by one of the cards. You can dance. You can sing. You can do anything that you want. Have skills that might fit within a circus? Feel free to incorporate it into your performance.

There are no other rules.