ROGUE MACHINE THEATRE

Art, Heart, and a Little Rogue Magic in LA

Wriiten by

Kevin Schneider

When you step into LA’s Matrix Theatre, home of Rogue Machine Theatre (RMT), you enter a space brimming with history and creativity. Artistic Director Guillermo Cienfuegos delights in recounting the building’s colorful past—from Spike Jones’ recording studio to a mental health facility—prompting Producer Athena Rowene Saxon to quip warmly, “If you peek into our office today, you’ll notice not much has changed.”

Founded in 2008 by John Perrin Flynn, Rogue Machine Theatre quickly established itself as an essential force in Los Angeles theater, producing over 30 world premieres and 35 West Coast premieres. Justin Okin, member of the company since nearly its inception, evolved from actor to producer and now serves as Executive Director. Reflecting on his journey, Okin notes, “I’ve been a theater actor since childhood. I learned to produce at Sarah Lawrence College, produced independently, and recently took on the position of Executive Director of Rogue Machine.”

Artistic Director Guillermo Cienfuegos on the set of Evanston Salt Costs Climbing

Intimate, Fearless, and Bold

LA Times coverage of *Heroes of the Fourth Turning* (2024)

At Rogue Machine, intimacy transcends the physical space of their cozy, 99-seat theatre. It’s about creating profound connections, leaving audiences breathless and emotionally transformed. Saxon encapsulates their mission beautifully: “inviting audiences into the vulnerable corners of our hearts and walls, letting their souls run free.”

Their reputation for powerful storytelling is well-deserved, highlighted by prestigious accolades like the LADCC Polly Warfield Award for Outstanding Season, won three times—a unique achievement in LA theater. Memorable productions such as On the Other Hand, We’re Happy, Heroes of the Fourth Turning, and Bacon underscore their fearless commitment to impactful, contemporary storytelling. Notably, their acclaimed production of Oppenheimer was celebrated by Hollywood Progressive as “simply one of the best plays I’ve ever seen.”

Behind the Scenes Magic: Salt, Sweat, and Surprise

Justin Okin (Executive Producer) and Athena Saxon (House Manager) on opening night of *Evanston* *Salt Costs Climbing*

Rogue Machine’s productions are driven by heart and sheer determination. Saxon vividly remembers her demanding stage-managing role for Evanston Salt Costs Climbing, detailing nightly rituals of donning a ski mask, crawling beneath the stage, managing trap doors, and wrestling with “40 pounds of salt nightly.” Her stage-management ethos is clear: “Safety first. NO MATTER WHAT. Efficiency. Flair.”

She also warmly recalls her symbolic initiation by Production Manager Rachel Ann Manheimer: “She paused, silently walked towards me, pulled out her invisible sword, and ‘knighted’ me into the company. Geeky stuff, I know—but incredibly meaningful.”

Daring to Make a Difference

Actor Suzen Baraka describes finding Rogue Machine as “divinely orchestrated.” After seeing Central Theatre Group’s (CTG) powerful production of Twilight directed by Gregg Daniel, she quietly wished for a similar opportunity. Incredibly, a week later, she auditioned for a role at Rogue Machine, also under Daniel’s direction, alongside actors she immediately bonded with. The play, Can I Touch It?, became “an answered prayer.”

“Rogue Machine consistently takes on new works about real things that matter to people’s lives right now.”
Suzen Baraka

Baraka’s experience auditioning for A Good Guy, a play addressing gun violence in schools, was equally profound. Reading her audition sides on Sunset Boulevard, she vividly remembers, “I burst into tears right there. I knew immediately I had to be part of this powerful production.”

Wayne T Carr, Evangeline Edwards and Suzen Baraka in the world premiere of A Good Guy by David Rambo

Community at Heart

Safiya Fredericks, Suzan Baraka and Iesha Daniels production photo from Francesca De Silviera’s Can I Touch It? (2022)

Rogue Machine deeply invests in its community. Their “Theatre for All” program breaks economic barriers, offering pay-what-you-can tickets and partnering with groups like The Unusual Suspects. For instance, during the run of Monsters of the American Cinema, students from underserved schools attended performances and participated in post-show discussions connecting the play’s themes to their own lived experiences.

Their youth-centric “Celebrating Voices” initiative partners with the LA Boys and Girls Clubs. Led by Elina de Santos, Director of Artistic Community Impact, it offers young artists hands-on opportunities to create and perform original works, culminating in public performances that foster creativity, confidence, and community connection.

Rogue Machine’s “Difficult Conversations” series actively engages the community in dialogues around adoption, racial identity, and LGBTQ+ experiences, bringing diverse voices together to foster understanding and empathy.

“Theater plays a crucial role in addressing the challenges and aspirations of our community.”
Justin Okin

The Ludus Connection

Kaia Gerber in Evanston Salt Costs Climbing

Integral to Rogue Machine’s behind-the-scenes success is Ludus. Okin values Ludus not merely for its practical features—”affordability and ease of use”—but particularly for the genuine, human support: “There’s always a human ready to help when things get hectic, which they always do in theatre.”

Robbie Steiner, Ludus Account Manager, admires Rogue Machine as “curious, positive problem-solvers—a joy to work with artistically and administratively.”

At Rogue Machine Theatre, it’s never just about performing plays. It’s about building community, nurturing dialogue, and fearlessly diving into the complexities of the human spirit. It’s theatre that whispers and roars, inviting us all to find our inner rogue, embrace our truths, and change our corner of the world—one powerful story at a time.