What is North Star Performing Arts?

North Star began back in the mid-2000’s as Liar Productions, a small group whose goal was to produce short films and edgy theatre. By 2009, the name was changed to North Star Performing Arts, and the focus was outside-the-box productions that pushed the limits of the actors’ abilities. North Star has performing The Rocky Horror Picture Show shadowcast for over a decade now. It is an avenue for actors and directors to explore the lesser-known, the unusual, and the provocative titles that normally wouldn’t be featured on a community theatre stage, and to do so at the highest quality. North Star was taken under the LTCT umbrella in 2016 by a board vote, and although it is technically a part of LTCT, it operates autonomously as a small theatre company, giving LTCT and its members an avenue to experiment, to push boundaries, to expand the offerings to both the actors and the audience. North Star Performing Arts is a subcommittee of Little Traverse Civic Theatre that is focused on experimental, controversial, modern, and/or unconventional/nontraditional theatre.

How do I get involved in these shows?

Reach out! Rocky Horror is our flagship, and we perform it every Halloween at the cinema and other venues. Involvement in Rocky Horror is the best and fastest way to be informed of upcoming North Star projects, but simply reaching out to Bob or Esther Brill, through LTCT, or directly through North Star Performing Arts’ facebook page is also a good way to find out what’s happening on the North Star front. Announcements of shows and auditions will be made in the LTCT newsletter as well as both the LTCT and the North Star Performing Arts facebook pages. Involvement in Little Traverse Civic Theatre’s main lineup is a good way to stay informed as well, as there is considerable overlap between the two groups. No organization survives without volunteers. Get involved and join our families.

What is your audition process?

Because of the nature of our productions, we don’t always follow the typical audition process, and choose to instead utilize a company/ repertoire group approach. We are not closed off from the public, but we do operate on a different system. While some auditions will be open, some will be very selective or may even cast by recruitment. If you are interested in pushing the boundaries of conventional theatre, pay attention to what’s happening on the North Star front! Contact us, volunteer, get involved. Rocky Horror Picture Show holds open auditions every August, and they are always posted. If you are interested in becoming part of the Rocky Horror family, reach out!