I Scream Theater at The Rat

I Scream Theater is the surreal one-woman whirlwind by writer/performer C.M. Soto. This unflinching multimedia musical fuses performance art, neo-burlesque, poetry, comedy, circus arts, abstract photography, and noir film into a confessional cabaret about familial addiction and raw self-reclamation driven by creative ambition. Soto’s tactile, symbolic props—including the eerie Ice Scream Man mask, handmade “LOPdolls,” and oversized paraphernalia—create an immersive, emotionally charged experience.

Described by audiences as “brave” and “riveting,” I Scream Theater follows the fractured personal journey of "Daughter"—from addict’s child, to addict, to mother, to survivor—with haunting humor and strange grace. The visually arresting true story moves between the sacred and profane, where sensuality becomes survival.

First produced in New Orleans, I Scream Theater uses avant-garde performance to bear witness and transform trauma into art, amplifying marginalized voices—particularly those of women and single mothers confronting cycles of violence, addiction, ambition, and domestic-erasure. The show explores additional themes of self-harm, toxic family systems, survivor's guilt, domestic abuse, and rough recovery. I Scream Theater is a tragic yet life-affirming work—innovative, compelling, and uniquely imaginative.

Soto is a New York-based writer, performer, and creative producer. She’s a screenwriting finalist, contracted horror video game writer, and published poet. I Scream Theater is adapted from her poetry collection These Are the Rooms to My Mother’s House.

Original Sound by UFO Death Cult – Industrial-tinged tracks from New Orleans composer Benjamin Strange drive Soto’s lyrics and choreography.

Incidental Music by Mike Goetz – Electro-ambient transitions and multimedia operation by NYC sound designer and video artist Mike Goetz.

Multimedia – Noir film, abstract photography, and archival family images deepen the show’s metaphors of fear, resilience, and recovery.

Venue: The RAT NYC (theratnyc.com) – 68-117 Jay St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Dates: October 10, 17, 22, 29 | Doors at 7:00 PM | $30 + fees
Tickets: Viewcy Ticket Link
Website: iscreamtheater.com | Linktree
Press Inquiries: icescreamtheater@gmail.com 

18+ content advisory: self-harm, addiction, assault, PTSD, and vivid nightmare imagery.

The RAT NYC is a cozy theater and comedy venue with a craft cocktail bar, dedicated to showcasing fresh, experimental, and interactive performances.