She attended Erasmus Hall High School and was one of the principal artists at the Judson Dance Theater in Greenwich Village, New York City during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Rothlein premiered an original dance work choreographed by James Waring in 1972 titled Twelve Objects from Tender Buttons, based on the book by Gertrude Stein.
[2][3] Arlene performed in the 1968 musical In Circles as Sylvia, based on work by Gertrude Stein with lyrics by Al Carmines.
The show played 192 performances at the Astor Place Theatre with a cast that included David Vaughan.
The show opened December 22, 1968, at the Judson Poet Theatre, with music by Al Carmines.