Bronxite stars in EPIC Players neurodivergent production of RENT

Joshua Cartagena, a 29-year-old Bronxite with Tourette’s syndrome, is performing as Angel in EPIC Players’ neurodivergent production of *RENT*, running through June 20. Despite lifelong struggles with vocal and bodily tics—managed with a brain pacemaker since 2022—Cartagena’s symptoms disappear when he performs, a phenomenon he describes as a transformation. His love for acting began in fifth grade with keyboard lessons, leading to school productions like *GREASE* and later joining the Mama Foundation for the Arts in Harlem, where he met celebrities including Billy Porter. Cartagena now performs with EPIC Players, a nonprofit theater company founded in 2016 that focuses on neurodivergent and autistic artists in New York City and Los Angeles. The group’s mission aligns with *RENT*’s themes of community and resilience, as stated by founder Aubrie Therrien. The musical, written by Jonathan Larson and Pulitzer Prize-winning in 1996, follows a group of friends navigating life in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, including Angel, a transgender busker living with AIDS. Cartagena’s preparation for the role included physical training to embody Angel’s fitness and even auditioning in drag. He identifies deeply with Angel’s struggles, often crying during rehearsals, though he emphasizes separating his emotions from the character. His personal history mirrors Angel’s themes: Cartagena was accepted into a performing arts college with a scholarship but later rejected after orientation, despite disclosing his learning disability and IEP graduation. The production underscores EPIC Players’ commitment to showcasing neurodivergent talent, offering a platform for artists like Cartagena to challenge societal perceptions. His performance in *RENT* highlights both the power of theater and the resilience of neurodivergent individuals in pursuing their passions.