SYDNEY PARKS SMITH has worked with OpenStage since 1997 and serves as Producing Artistic Director for the Company. She received the 2019 OpenStage OPUS Award for Outstanding Director for Avenue Q; the OPUS for Outstanding Actress for her role as M’Lynn in Steel Magnolias; the 2018 OPUS for Outstanding Director for And Then There Were None; and the 2017 Colorado Theatre Guild’s Henry Award, a True West Award and the OPUS Award for Outstanding Actress for her role as Barbara in August: Osage County. Recent roles include Marie-Antoinette in The Revolutionists and Sir John Middleton in Sense and Sensibility. Recent directing credits include the upcoming Hedwig And The Angry Inch, Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood, and Every Brilliant Thing. Sydney has designed hair for several productions and received OPUS Awards for her designs for Macbeth and The Tempest. She received the 2016 Founders’ Award for her outstanding contributions to the Company.

NOAH RACEY is the Associate Artistic Director of OpenStage Theatre & Company. For OST&C he most recently directed BIG FISH and provided the movement direction for The Book of Will. Noah is the Head of Musical Theatre at CSU, directing their recent hit production of Into The Woods. Noah’s Broadway credits include The Terms of My Surrender (Movement Director) and Thoroughly Modern Millie (Associate Choreographer for Rob Ashford’s Tony Award-winning Best Choreography). Noah is a product of—and strong proponent for—arts funding in public schools.

CISCO SAAVEDRA is excited to be bringing his passion for stage combat to OpenStage. He last served as Fight Captain for OpenStage’s production of SWEAT. Some of his past choreography credits include As Bees In Honey Drown, Bat Boy The Musical, Saucy Jack And The Space Vixens, and Romeo and Juliette.

SARAH J BAKER is an actor, playwright, dramaturg, and director from Loveland, Colorado. She has an Acting and Theatre Studies degree from The University of Northern Colorado. She is part of the OpenStage staff, where she is the Social Media and Administrative Assistant. Sarah does dramaturgy for OpenStage and for The Athena Project. Her play, A Wager, was featured in September of 2023 on the podcast, Theatrical Shenanigans. Most recently Sarah assistant directed and staged managed OpenStage’s production of Six Years Old. Treasure Island was her acting debut with OpenStage. Previous acting credits include Stop Kiss (Callie), Good Water (Mica), Coffee With God (God), Akeelah and The Bee (National Judge), Machinal (Defense Lawyer/Priest), and Love/Sick (Louise/Kelly/Liz). @maybesarahjbaker

HANNAH ARMSTRONG graduated from the University of Northern Colorado, where she received her degree in Stage Management. She has been actively and avidly working in theatre for many years with various companies in Fort Collins and Loveland. She is excited to be celebrating her 20th season with OpenStage. Most recently, Hannah worked with OpenStage as the Stage Manager for Murder on the Orient Express, Men on Boats, and Avenue Q. She has also been a Production Stage Manager with the William Inge Center for the Arts in Independence, KS since 2010. She has worked extensively behind the scenes in other capacities and received the OpenStage OPUS Award for Best Technical Support for several years. Hannah is the recipient of the 2019 OpenStage Founders’ Award, which is awarded annually for outstanding contributions to the Company.

AZRAN STARKWEATHER grew up doing theatre with Debut Theatre Company in Fort Collins, CO. After finishing high school, Azran moved to New York City and studied acting at The Stella Adler Studio of Acting and at The Neighborhood Playhouse. At the Neighborhood Playhouse, they fell in love with stage management and aspire to do much more with it. Azran is excited to be back in Fort Collins and working on this wonderful production!

CALEB GILBERT started his career in 2008 with a degree in Fine Arts, specializing in sculpture awarded by Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. In 2012 Caleb graduated from Cranbrook Academy of Art based just outside Detroit, MI., specializing in sculpture. After graduating he started at 11th Street Workshop (Brooklyn, NY) as a Carpenter. 11th Street Workshop is a full-service design and production facility specializing in the set world. They design and build sets for events, commercials, photo shoots and short films. While working there Caleb was a project manager, designer, and production coordinator. By 2020 Caleb was the Head Production Designer, running upwards of five million dollars in projects. Some of his favorite clients/projects included Google, Nike, Saturday Night Live, and Refinery 29. Caleb is now excited to use his skills and talents as the first (paid) Technical Director for OpenStage Theater. OpenStage has always been a home for Caleb ever since his first show over 20 years ago.

IVAN ANDRADE is a skilled set and prop constructor who loves to create immersive environments for theatrical productions. Ivan is extremely grateful to be part of a talented Production and Design team who share his passion for storytelling.

REBECCA SPAFFORD is indebted to Oberon, King of the Fairies, for introducing her to Colorado theatre over 20 years ago; it’s a story that continues to unfold. She has worked with David Bowie, Mickey Mouse, Big Bird, and Cirque du Soleil, and has also toured with Yo Gabba Gabba and SuperWhy. OpenStage is her creative home. Some of her favorite acting roles are Agnes in Bug, Karen in August: Osage County, Tanya Shepke in The North Plan and Jo/Mae West in Dirty Blonde. She loves designing costumes and hair/wigs and has been teaching these skills at Fossil Ridge High School for 10 years. Rebecca is honored to have received the Colorado Theatre Guild’s Henry Award for Outstanding Costume Design (Tier 2) for Dangerous Liaisons, The Crucible, and Murder on the Orient Express, all with OpenStage. Her favorite recognition is receiving the OpenStage Founders’ Award, which is awarded for outstanding long-term contributions to the Company. Rebecca would like to thank all the numerous hands, hearts, and glue gun victims that volunteer on her projects to bring them to life!

MACKENZIE LOWE is thrilled to be back with OpenStage, sharing her passion for enhancing storytelling and artistic vision through lighting with such a talented cast and crew. She holds a B.A. in Theatrical Design/Technology from the University of Northern Colorado and has over a decade of experience in the live entertainment industry. MacKenzie has worked on a wide range of events, from theatrical productions to live concerts and festivals. Known for her innovative designs, technical precision, and collaborative spirit, her work captivates audiences and evokes emotion. Past OpenStage productions include Big Fish and Hedwig, while recent projects include A Walk in the Woods, All is Calm, Beautiful, Jersey Boys, Margaritaville, and Beauty and the Beast. Outside of her design work, MacKenzie is passionate about mentoring future technicians and designers, passing on her knowledge and experience. When she’s not immersed in lighting, she loves spending time with family and traveling.

VICTORIA VILLALOBOS has loved theatre since she was a child. She has worked extensively with OpenStage as a Sound Designer and Engineer, Makeup and Hair Designer and Stylist, Assistant Director, Stage Manager, Board Operator, Stagehand, and Dresser. Victoria also has worked with Fort Collins Children’s Theatre for the past 8 productions, most recently as the Makeup Designer and Stylist for SpongeBob The Musical. Next on the list, she will be designing for FCCT’s production of The Wizard of Oz in November of 2025. In addition, she has worked with companies such as Opera Fort Collins, Canyon Concert Ballet, and The Cheyenne Little Theatre Players. Victoria was recently nominated for a Henry Award for Outstanding Sound Design for her work on The Book of Will with OpenStage. She received her associate degree from Front Range Community College, where she was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and was named to the President’s List, both for her academic achievements. Victoria wishes to thank her family and friends for all their love and support!

STARLA KOVAR joined OpenStage Theatre & Company in Spring 2005. She is challenged by the work she has done with OpenStage and continually inspired by the creatives she has had the honor to work with over the past 20 years.

Recent production credits:
2023 The Revolutionists, Assistant Director
2021 Murder on the Orient Express, Assistant Director
2020 Men on Boats, Assistant Director
2019 Avenue Q, Assistant Director, Properties and Set Dressing
2019 Every Brilliant Thing, Properties Designer
Other production credits include Steel Magnolias, The Flick, Outside Mullingar, True West, The Book of Liz, The Seafarer, Bug, Dirty Blonde, Enchanted April, and Extremities.

Starla is most proud of her peer-nominated recognition, receiving season OpenStage OPUS Awards in the following categories:
Bug, Outstanding Properties Design and Set Dressing (2010-2011)
Outside Mullingar, Director’s Award (2015-2016)

Every Brilliant Thing, Properties Design (2019-2020)
In 2021, she was honored with the Founders’ Award for outstanding contributions to the Company.

CARLY ACKERMAN grew up in Fort Collins and has been a professional hair artist for over a decade. She works locally at The Parlour. She has been teaching her craft for seven years with The Parlour and Unite Haircare. Carly’s work has been featured in many bridal publications, including The Knot. She loves all aspects of her job but the styling of hair is her favorite. Sense and Sensibility marks her first foray into stage production.

MORGAN TAYLOR Since the 29th Season, Morgan has fulfilled many roles with OpenStage, including performer, writer for their radio projects, stage manager, stagehand, and technician. His favorite recent work with the company was a dual role that allowed him to channel his inner pirates as both the evil Blind Pew and the happy-go-lucky Lucky Mickey in the outdoor production of Treasure Island in 2023. A native of Minden, Nebraska, he first performed in school productions in Phillipsburg, Kansas and with companies as far away as Worms, Germany and as small as The Eddyville Community Players in Eddyville, Nebraska, a town with fewer than a hundred residents in the Nebraska Sandhills. After so many years, Morgan still enjoys being asked to work with OpenStage and hopes they never stop calling.

HEATHER OSTBERG JOHNSON is pumped for the 2024/2025 OST season. Heather wears many hats as a theatre maker and movement artist in Colorado. She is a director, improv comedian, writer, performer, teacher, clown, and dancer. She can be found performing with The Comedy Brewers, The Band of Toughs (Denver), Full Expression Dance Collective and The Story Bakers. Heather’s passion for movement, devised plays, and physical theatre has led her to train with SITI Company members, Frantic Assembly, Michael Chekhov Acting Studio, NIPIA, and Double Edge Theatre. She is grateful for her husband and toddler who help her keep all these plates spinning!