Troupe roams the streets of Chico

Rogue Theatre provides laughs, entertainment without a home venue

By M. Remi Lohse

A new character is in town, and you may not know it. Chico Rogue Theatre stealthily came into the arts scene in Chico during the summer of 2007.

Since the first curtain call in September, Joe Hilsee, former artistic director for the Blue Room Theater, has lead the merry band of fellow ex-Blue Room actors when he was unexpectedly relieved of his directorship.

Chico Rogue Theatre is purely volunteer, with no salaries or boards. Each decision is made by the collective and will remain so.

"Our plan is not to create some place with national recognition or anything like that," Hilsee said. "We just want to create an environment where theater artists can do what they want with like-minded people, and theater-loving members of the community can come and see what we are working on for less than the price of a movie ticket," explained Hilsee.

Rogue's first production, "The Pillowman" by Martin McDonagh, played out at the 1078 Gallery. The group then performed other plays at The Crux Artist Collective on Park Avenue and Lost on Main , a downtown bar. The collective currently does not have a permanent facility.

An upside to the roving status is a unique take to pricing tickets. Patrons have the choice of paying the set price of $7 or can play a game of luck using dice. Rollers pay the price of the number on the die, however sixes grant free admission. The "Lucky 7" pricing will be in effect for all plays until the group finds a permanent home.

The group has been receiving favorable response from local critics. Audiences will have a chance to view the collectiveÕs acting skill again in January 2008 when they perform the third show, "Doubt."

Images provided by Chico Rogue Theatre.