Misery

JACOB OFFEN has played many roles at OpenStage Theatre & Company – actor, staff member, board member, and now director and Producing Artistic Director. Misery marks his directorial debut at OpenStage. Jacob taught Acting at the University of Houston during his tenure as an MFA candidate, and recently at the University of Northern Colorado. He designed a comprehensive curriculum rooted in Stanislavsky, Hagen, Meisner, Roy Heart and Cecily Berry, and coached actors in scene work/audition preparation. Further, Jacob has created acting, voice, and Shakespearean text workshops at the Texas Shakespeare Festival, Houston Shakespeare Festival, and for acting students of all ages. While he served as the Company Development Administrator (2011 – 2015), he produced and directed entertainment for OST&C’s spring fundraisers (Casino Royal: The Sting, Viva Las Vegas, Oceans 11, le Cirque Rouge!). He is thrilled to put his years of experience as a performer and teaching artist to work for Misery and for many future productions to come!

AMBROSE FERBER landed his first role when he was five, playing The Injured Boy in a Commedia Dell’arte his father wrote. Since then, he has performed on stages throughout the southwest, most recently as the titular role in Cyrano de Bergerac for OpenStage. In the early 2000s, he appeared in Henry IV, Part 1 as The Earl of Douglas and was first exposed to serious and professional theatrical fight direction. He is now an accomplished fight director and has been a fight captain, stunt performer, and fight director on numerous stages and screens. Professional fight direction credits include Sweat, Cyrano de Bergerac, Les Miserables, Macbeth, all the Henrys, King Lear, Extremities, The Effect, Clue, and approximately 276 Romeo and Juliet productions. He has also appeared in several movies and television shows, usually playing some kind of cop. He currently resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with his wife, Bex, and their two amazing kids, Fiona and Ronan.

BRENNA FREESTONE-GILBERT was born and raised in Fort Collins and is happy to be back after a nearly ten-year hiatus while living in New York. Brenna made her directorial debut years ago with OpenStage etcetera’s production of Boy Gets Girl, followed by Limelight Theatre’s production of Brighton Beach Memoirs. She is best known for directing Bug – which left audiences squirming – as well as The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), which also left audiences squirming, but for totally different reasons; both productions were with OpenStage. Prior to leaving for New York, you might recognize on-stage Brenna from such productions as The Book of Liz (Sister Constance Butterworth/Yolanda Foxley/others), An Ideal Husband (Mrs. Chevely), Dead Man’s Cell Phone (Jean), and Noises Off (Poppy) all with OpenStage, as well as Marjorie in Extremities with OpenStage etcetera. Additional favorites include Kattrin in Mother Courage, Laura in The Glass Menagerie, and Estelle in No Exit with Bas Bleu Theatre. Upon her return home, her first dip back into Fort Collins theatre was directing The Revolutionists! Most recently, she assisted with the properties design & set dressing for Reefer Madness, as well as designing properties & dressing for Big Fish!

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.

IVAN ANDRADE wears many hats, and he wears them well! With a background spanning construction, business development and management, and a variety of artistic endeavors, he brings a unique blend of practical skills and creative flair to OpenStage. He’s been an invaluable asset behind the scenes, contributing to numerous productions. Ivan has lent his expertise as an assistant to the lead carpenters, an assistant to technical directors, and has taken on the roles of Properties designer and builder for Reefer Madness. Most recently, he’s stepped up as Lead carpenter for The Minutes, showcasing his dedication and diverse talents. When he’s not building theatrical magic, Ivan’s likely working in his own or a client’s landscape, proving his versatility and passion for bringing ideas to life.

CARLA BROOKMAN returns to OpenStage to choose, craft and invent props, furnishings and decor for Misery. Audiences will remember her work on past productions: True West, Stage Kiss, August, Osage County, Steel Magnolias, And Then There Were None, Murder on the Orient Express and Clue: On Stage. Carla wishes to thank the OpenStage management and creative staff for the opportunity to help present this unique production of Misery. Special thanks to “prop-ateers” Nancy, Kathryn, Susan and Oliver. Hats off as well to Ivan and the intrepid builders!

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 The Minutes, 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 The SpongeBob 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 has been honored with two Henry Award nominations for Outstanding Sound Design with OpenStage: one for The Book of Will in 2024 and another for The 39 Steps in 2025. 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!

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!

JAMES BURNS graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Theatre Arts in 1997. He worked at the Arvada Center during the 2000, 2001 and 2002 seasons as a scenic painter and technician before moving to New York City. He stage managed On Love and Lies and Square One at the 2004 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and Box of Fools for the 2005 American Living Room Festival in NYC. Since moving back to Fort Collins in 2010, James has worked extensively with both OpenStage Theatre and Bas Bleu as an actor, fight choreographer and scenic artist. He appeared onstage most recently as Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, Phillip Lombard in And Then There Were None, Steve Heidebrecht in August: Osage County, Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew,The Husband in Stage Kiss, Austin in True West and Sharky in The Seafarer, all with OpenStage Theatre. In addition, James recently co-directed OpenStage’s Sherwood and directed etcetera’s productions of Fool for Love and Christmas Chaos. He sends thanks to his wife, Jessica and love to his daughters, Scarlett and Sterling.

STEPHEN GILLESPIE is a Fort Collins native, returning for his third season with OpenStage. On stage credits include October Surprise (Lake Roberts), Treasure Island (Squire Trelawny), Elf The Musical (Walter Hobbs), A Musical Christmas Carol (Jacob Marley), and has brought energy to the ensembles of The Little Mermaid and James and the Giant Peach, as well as Never A Bride (Paul). Stephen has a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Illinois and applies his creativity to set design and construction. When he’s not on stage, Stephen develops innovative digital marketing strategies for clients across the country. He also loves experimenting in the kitchen and cherishing moments with his two adored pups—Finn, a charming Goldendoodle, and John E., a devoted Labrador Retriever.

THOM D’ALBERGARIA began his involvement with theatre lugging props to City Park for OpenStage’s production of Three Cuckolds in 1974. After acting in a couple of shows, he soon realized his talents were better suited to creating the environments within which actors ply their craft. Thom built or designed scenery for numerous OpenStage productions through the mid-1980’s and was also the Shop Supervisor for CSU Theatre for five years. He left University Theatre to complete a Bachelor of Science and pursue a career in science education. Thom worked with OpenStage until 1985, when he left the OpenStage family for his first teaching job. He returned to OpenStage in 2013 to reconstruct Peter Anthony’s 1981 cartoon designs for Bullshot Crummond and has since worked with the Company as a carpenter for several productions; the Master Carpenter for The North Plan; and the Set Designer/Master Carpenter for Don’t Dress for Dinner. Thom recently retired and moved back to Fort Collins, where he lives with his understanding wife, Nancy, and his daughter, Ann.

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.

AMANDA FYOCK has worked with OpenStage previously in Clue: On Stage, Big Fish: small cast edition, Reefer Madness, and The 39 Steps. She is a structural drafter by day, but when she’s not sitting at a computer she is an aerialist, training and performing aerial sling, lyra, and other circus apparatuses. She is involved in several board game communities and playtests brand new board games.

CHRISTINA MARIE OLSON is a versatile actor and artist with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Nebraska Wesleyan University, where she specialized in acting, makeup, hair, and costuming. She returned to the stage after a 12-year hiatus this past summer with OpenStage as Lizzy in Pride & Prejudice. Her other stage credits include Phaedra, Legally Blonde, Lend Me A Tenor, and 100 (Nebraska Wesleyan). Outside of theatre, Christina enjoys streaming on Twitch and creating digital art, passions that allow her to connect with others and explore her creativity in new ways. She is excited to be working with OpenStage again as a Full Company Member!

JUDITH ALLEN served for over two decades as the Associate Artistic Director for OpenStage Theatre and is an award-winning director, actress, and designer. She most recently appeared as Emilia Bassano Lanier in Book of Will, Princess Dragomiroff in Murder on the Orient Express, Clairee in Steel Magnolias, and is a recent recipient of the BroadwayWorld (Denver Region) nod for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mattie Fae Aiken in August Osage County. Judi was the first recipient of the Shela Jennings Award for Theatre Excellence (OpenStage, 2017) and has directed OpenStage productions of Noises Off (OpenStage OPUS Award/Best Play and Best Director and Denver Post Ovation nominee/Best Comedy), The Drawer Boy (OPUS/Best Play and Best Director), and Romeo and Juliet (OPUS/Best Director. Other favorite roles with OpenStage have been Chris in Neil Simon’s Rumors (OPUS nominee and Denver Post Ovation Award/Best Supporting Actress) and the Nurse in the 2014 production of Romeo and Juliet (OPUS/Best Actress. Judi is also an award-winning makeup artist and the 2001 recipient of the OpenStage Founders’ Award for outstanding contributions to the Company.

WILLIAM GOLDMAN was an Academy Award–winning author of screenplays, plays, memoirs, and novels. His first novel, The Temple of Gold (1957), was followed by the script for the Broadway army comedy Blood, Sweat and Stanley Poole (1961). He went on to write the screenplays for many acclaimed films, including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and All the President’s Men (1976), for which he won two Academy Awards. He adapted his own novels for the hit movies Marathon Man (1976) and The Princess Bride (1987).