Beam Me Up, Scotty! Gorilla Tango to Hold Auditions for Star Trek Burlesque, 1/26

For those of you looking to expand the boundaries of your comfort zone in 2014, now's your chance. Gorilla Tango Burlesque (GTB) has announced it will revisit its popular Star Trek burlesque in 2014 and is seeking Trekkies of all shapes and sizes to audition - newbies (ie those with no previous burlesque experience) are particularly encouraged to audition.

Auditions will be held on January 26 (5:00-8:00pm in one hour slots) at Gorilla Tango Theatre Bucktown, and the show will run Fridays at 9:00pm, April 18-August 29, 2014. For more information on auditions, contact Director Erica Reid at auditions@ericareid.com.

Producer Dan Abbate says "The burlesque we do is very tongue-in-cheek and silly. It's story based and a very 'non-threatening' introduction to neo-burlesque. Because of this, we often connect with women who have had no prior burlesque experience but who want to try something new."

Director Erica Reid states: "We work closely with each performer to both properly teach the art form and also unleash their self-confidence. The beauty of burlesque is that it really celebrates the woman--it's about being comfortable in your own skin and learning to love what you've got. All body types are welcome! More often than not, we find that first time burlesque performers get hooked, and we love to witness the inspiration and transformation that it can bring. Plus, with the amazing women in the scene, it's a great way to expand your social circle and make life-long friends."

Gorilla Tango Burlesque performers who were once new to the artform feel the same way.

"Since I started performing burlesque, I've had family and friends comment on how happy I seem. If you'd told me even five years ago I'd be taking off my clothes in public, I would have laughed in your face. And now, I can't imagine NOT doing burlesque, " says Emma Glitterbomb, "Ma Boobs" in "The Oregon Tail Burlesque: You Have Died of Sexy" opening this Friday at 9pm.

Busty Warren, author of GTB's hit "Don't Blink: A Doctor Who Burlesque", states, "Burlesque helps me maintain a positive body image. Especially a company like GTB where all shapes and sizes are welcome."

GTB regular Vespa Van Dyne (in such shows as "Temple of Boobs: An Indiana Jones Burlesque" and "Holy Bouncing Boobies: A Batman Burlesque") continues on to say, "I think what I really learned from burlesque is a level of bravery I didn't know I had. I'm up onstage and I get to literally strip myself (nearly) bare in front of an audience: no apologies, no shame, no regrets. There's nowhere to hide, nothing but panties & pasties between myself and them. It's an amazing thrill of personal power to be there as I am. Me and my panties and pasties and an audience full of people cheering me on."

Newcomer Polly Poms Poms - making her debut this Friday at 9pm in "The Oregon Tail Burlesque: You Have Died of Sexy" - says "When I saw the audition notice, I responded kind of on a whim. I'd always been interested in burlesque, but never thought it was something that I could actually do. I was surprised when I got scheduled for a time slot, even more surprised when I made callbacks, and pretty much stunned when I was cast in Oregon Tail. After each step in the process I wasn't sure I'd come back, because I found the whole idea of burlesque pretty intimidating, but I did keep coming back, for one reason only - it was the most fun I'd had in a long time. I can't say enough about how talented all the company members are - everyone is so incredible, and in an industry like theater where women so often cut each other down, it is truly remarkable how supportive and encouraging everyone is. Thanks to them, all my fears of feeling not good enough have turned into feeling effing fabulous."

MORE ABOUT THE AUDITION:

Gorilla Tango Burlesque seeks a fresh full cast of eight actresses/dancers for their revival of Star Trek: The Rack of Khan Burlesque, written by Nerdologues, directed and choreographed by Erica Reid. We will also be casting understudies for our other productions currently in open runs. Initial auditions will be dance-based, held on January 26th from 5:00-8:00pm, scheduled in groups in 1-hour slots. To be considered, please email a current photo (headshot preferred), resume, and preferred audition slot to auditions@ericareid.com with "Burlesque Audition" in the subject line.

Audition Date: January 26 (5:00-8:00pm in one hour slots)
Pay: $25/performance plus tips
Type/Restrictions: Women, 21 and over only please. Must be comfortable stripping down to pasties and a g-string. Women with dance, movement, or comedy background especially encouraged to submit.

Time Commitment: Rehearsals begin mid-February 2014, evenings and weekends. Rehearsals are always scheduled based on actor availability. Star Trek will run Fridays at 9:00pm from April 18th through August 29th. Actresses may still be considered for casting even with performance conflicts. Understudy positions in ongoing shows perform Fridays or Saturdays at 9:00pm, 10:30pm, or 11:59pm depending on casting.

Material to Prepare: Audition by appointment. Please email a current photo (headshot preferred), resume, and preferred audition slot toauditions@ericareid.com with "Burlesque Audition" in the subject line. Arrive dressed to move; audition will consist of a dance taught day-of. Please Note: You will not be required to strip in initial audition. If you are called back, you will be asked to perform audition dance with additional strip down to bra and panties.

MORE ABOUT GORILLA TANGO BURLESQUE: Gorilla Tango Burlesque has gone from the debut of the surprise hit "Boobs & Goombas: A Super Mario Burlesque" in October 2010 to a local burlesque/comedy powerhouse with literally thousands of audience members through the door to see unique burlesque parodies of everything from Star Wars to Indiana Jones, from superheroes to 1990s pop-culture phenomena -- and that's just a small selection of what they have available for-- as their slogan states-- "the Discerning Nerd." THE OREGON TAIL BURLESQUE: YOU HAVE DIED OF SEXY is their first new work since their February 2013 hit "Don't Blink: A Doctor Who Burlesque." Stay tuned for their Star Trek Burlesque, coming in April 2014!

Gorilla Tango Theatre (GTT) provides year-round theatrical venues where audiences of all ages can consistently go to see a wide variety of talented artists. GTT exists to provide artists with an opportunity to produce their work in professional environment. GTT was created by Dan Abbate and boasts two venues: an 80-seat performance space in Bucktown and a 150-seat performance space in Skokie. GTT Bucktown is conveniently located at the intersection of Western and Milwaukee in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood. Easily accessible by public transportation, GTT is steps away from the Western Blue Line stop and the #49 Western, #73 Armitage and #56 Milwaukee buses. Street parking is readily available. GorillaTango's Skokie Theatre is located in the heart of Downtown Skokie; street and lot parking available. With shows for all ages, all GTT performances are on a rating system, similar to the one used in movie theatres. GTT offers a variety of affordable beer and wine for purchase. Consult the website for show details, rating information, tickets, and more: www.gorillatango.com.