October Surprise
October Surprise
FREE Student/Educator performance for October Surprise by Miguel Muñoz. This free, event is reserved for current students and teachers for K-12 and Higher Education. If you have a non/student or … Continued
By Miguel Muñoz
Directed by Miguel Muñoz
September 28–October 12, 2024
Odell Brewing Co. (800 E. Lincoln Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524)
etcetera Season
World Premiere
Political Crisis
Sibling Rivalry
A World Premiere by Miguel Muñoz! In the midst of a high-tension Texas senate race, a political crisis at the border, and a sibling rivalry, Maria, a passionate, strong-willed immigration lawyer and activist is running against her brother Antonio, the new charismatic face of conservatism. When Maria uncovers a secret that could decimate her brother’s campaign and his life, she must decide if her family ties mean more than her ideals. October Surprise is a heart-wrenching look at the disparity between family loyalty and personal convictions in America.
Regular $27
Senior $22
Student $20
NEW Industry $20
Child $15
NEW 5FOR15 $15
Select Your Tickets
Approximately 2 hours, 15 minutes (including intermission)
Want to dig deeper? Check out the play guide and digital program. Coming soon!
View the October Surprise Program
View the October Surprise dramaturgy packet
OpenStage’s etcetera Season is raw, real, honest, and intimate cutting-edge theatre in non-traditional spaces. With the actors only a few feet away audience members are drawn deeply into the action of the play, creating a powerful and unforgettable experience. Be prepared for a moving, intimate experience that will leave you thinking and feeling long after the lights come up.
Maria
JORDAN HULL is thrilled to debut at OpenStage in this production. Born in Denver and raised in the San Luis Valley, she is an actor, voice actor, wig artist, and costume designer who has appeared in several theatre productions throughout the state. Recent credits include, Empire of Solitude as wife at Flamboyan, Charity as Betty at Firehouse Theatre Company, Native Gardens as Tania at Bas Bleu, numerous productions at Su Teatro, and has received the opportunity to perform with Broomtown at Creede Repertory Theatre close to home.
Antonio
DAVIE GONZALEZ is thrilled to make his acting debut at OpenStage in this production. Born and raised in North Denver, Davie is an actor, musician, singer, and professional lead guitar player who has performed in several theatre productions at Su Teatro.
Cindy
JESSICA MACMASTER has had the pleasure of performing in multiple productions with OpenStage Theatre Co. in roles such as Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Lucy T. Slut in Avenue Q, Officer Billy Dwyer in Unnecessary Farce, and Mrs. White in Clue: On Stage. JMac is a founding member of the Comedy Brewers Improv Troupe in Fort Collins, which performs regularly at venues such as The Comedy Fort, Bas Bleu Theater, and The Lyric Cinema. She is also an improvisation instructor and produces classes and workshops in Fort Collins. Jessica co-founded, produces, and acts in The Story Bakers, an assembly program for elementary students that brings their stories to life on stage. Additionally, she is a photographer with her company Fè Photography and a creator at her handmade artisan shop, JMac Made. Jess is in awe of the creative and inspiring community in Fort Collins and is so thankful for her entire family’s unwavering support.
Event | Role |
---|---|
October Surprise | Cindy |
Clue: On Stage |
Mrs. White Cast |
Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express |
Mary Debenham Cast |
Avenue Q |
Lucy T. Slut Cast |
The Flick |
Rose Cast |
The Servant of Two Masters |
Clarice Cast |
Unnecessary Farce |
Billie Dwyer Cast |
Viva Las Vegas |
Ann #2 Cast |
A Midsummer Night's Dream |
Hermia Cast |
Dolores
SUSAN CONCEICAO Susan began her acting career as a professional child actress in New York City. Her most memorable role was that of Nikki Lee Blake in The Patty Duke Show. As an adult, she studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, and was involved in community theater in New York and New Jersey. Her plays included The Diary of Anne Frank, The Sisters Rosenzweig, The Vagina Monologues and more. She has been in Colorado for 11 years. She is studying with Benjy Dobrin Studios and has appeared in several plays this year, including Radium Girls and Love Letters. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to appear in October Surprise, and to be part of OpenStage Theatre & Company.
Lake Roberts / The Principal
STEPHEN GILLESPIE is a Fort Collins native, and this is his second season with OpenStage. Recent stage credits include Treasure Island (Squire Trelawny), Elf The Musical (Walter Hobbs), A Musical Christmas Carol (Jacob Marley), The Little Mermaid (ensemble), James and the Giant Peach (ensemble), a frequent “suspect” in The Dinner Detective, and Never A Bride (Paul). Stephen earned his bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Art from the University of Illinois. Offstage, Stephen directs digital marketing for clients coast-to-coast, is a culinary hobbyist, and enjoys snuggling with his Goldendoodle Finn and Labrador Retriever John E.
Event | Role |
---|---|
October Surprise | Lake Roberts / The Principal |
Dance Nation |
Sound Board Operator Crew |
Twelfth Night |
Stage Manager Crew |
Treasure Island |
Squire Trelawney Cast |
Ricky / Ensemble
KIMBER FREETONE HOVEN Kimber is approaching the stage again after a long hiatus. The message of SWEAT drew him back to the craft. From 2016 on he worked building sets and event spaces in New York and has always carried an appreciation and love of the craft behind the industry of theatre and entertainment. He now returns to Colorado to hopefully approach new avenues of creativity and craft.
Event | Role |
---|---|
October Surprise | Ricky / Ensemble |
October Surprise | |
Sweat |
Jason Cast |
Romeo and Juliet |
Sound Designer Crew |
Romeo and Juliet |
Balthazar Cast |
The Weir |
Set-In Crew |
Extremities |
Set-In Crew |
Ensemble
JOLIE BETH BOUDREAUX Jolie Beth holds degrees in Music Theater and Theater from Oklahoma City University, and Psychology from UCO. She is a licensed professional counselor, working actor, voice and acting coach, and bookwriter. Prior to moving to Colorado, she performed in multiple productions with theaters across the state including The Pollard Theater, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park, and the Oklahoma City Theater Company. Since moving, she has engaged in several creative projects with her husband Kris including BachelorQuest, a new musical that premiered in Wilmington, Delaware this past May, and Finding Aaron which will premier in New York in September. Jolie Beth would like to thank OpenStage and everyone involved with October Surprise for this wonderful opportunity to return to the stage!
Playwright/ Director
MIGUEL MUÑOZ is a Peruvian-American playwright, director, and actor hailing from the Pacific Northwest. He is currently a senior at the University of Northern Colorado, pursuing a B.A in Theatre Education. His satirical play Lati-NO! was selected for American Stage’s 2023 New Play Festival in St. Petersburg, FL. His political drama October Surprise was recently elected a semifinalist in Orlando Shakespeare Festival’s 2023 PlayFest. He is currently under commission to write American Stage’s 2024 TYA tour show. This is Miguel’s second professional acting credit, having appeared in his first professional production last summer in Little Theatre of the Rockies’ The Quest for Don Quixote as Don Quixote.
Assistant Director/Stage Manager/Sound Designer
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 6 productions, most recently as the Makeup Designer and Stylist for Elf and James and the Giant Peach. Next on the list, she will be designing for FCCT’s production of The Addams Family in November of 2023. In addition, she has worked with companies such as Opera Fort Collins, The Cheyenne Little Theatre Players, and Pop Up Theatre. Victoria 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!
Event | Role |
---|---|
October Surprise | Assistant Director/Stage Manager/Sound Designer |
Sweat |
Make-Up Designer Crew |
The Book of Will |
Sound Designer / Make-Up Designer Crew |
Six Years Old |
Sound Designer Crew |
The Revolutionists |
Sound Designer / Make-Up Designer Crew |
Hedwig And The Angry Inch |
Sound Engineer Crew |
Cabaret |
Sound Engineer Crew |
Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express |
Sound Designer / Sound Engineer Crew |
Cyrano de Bergerac |
Specialty Make-Up Designer Crew |
Sense and Sensibility |
Make-Up Designer Crew |
Cry It Out |
Sound Designer / Assistant Director / Stage Manager Crew |
Ken Ludwig's Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood |
Assistant Director Crew |
Tiny Beautiful Things |
Sound Designer Crew |
Natural Shocks |
Sound Designer Crew |
The Full Monty |
Assistant Sound Designer and Engineer / Assistant Media Designer and Engineer / Assistant Sound Mixer Crew |
Every Brilliant Thing |
Sound Designer / Stage Manager Crew |
Men on Boats |
Sound Designer / Sound Engineer Crew |
Frankenstein |
Hair Designer / Hair Stylist Crew |
Avenue Q |
Assistant Sound Designer / Sound Engineer / Sound Mixer / Make-Up Designer Crew |
Fool For Love |
Sound Designer Crew |
And Then There Were None |
Sound Designer / Sound Engineer Crew |
Ideation |
Assistant Director / Stage Manager Crew |
Monty Python's Spamalot |
Make-Up Designer / Make-Up Stylist Crew |
Don't Dress for Dinner |
Hair and Make-Up Designer Crew |
The Three Musketeers |
Tattoo Design and Creation Crew |
The Flick |
Sound Designer / Sound Engineer/Make-Up Designer Crew |
A Bright New Boise |
Assistant Director / Stage Manager Crew |
Superior Donuts |
Hair and Make-Up Designer Crew |
The North Plan |
Sound Designer / Sound Engineer Crew |
True West |
Make-Up and Hair Designer Crew |
Unnecessary Farce |
Sound Designer Crew |
Moonlight and Magnolias |
Make-Up Designer / Sound Designer/Sound Engineer Crew |
RENT |
Assistant Director / Make-Up Designer Crew |
Scapin |
Assistant Director / Hair and Make-Up Designer Crew |
The Seafarer |
Make-Up Designer Crew |
Amadeus |
Light Board Operator Crew |
Wit |
Second Assistant Director Crew |
A Midsummer Night's Dream |
Second Assistant Director Crew |
Bullshot Crummond |
Assistant Director / Sound Board Operator Crew |
The Rocky Horror Show |
Hair / Make-Up Stylist Crew |
The 39 Steps |
Dresser Crew |
Shipwrecked! An Entertainment |
First Assistant Director Crew |
A Child's Christmas in Wales |
Stagehand Crew |
Casino Royale: The Sting |
The Pit Boss Cast |
Lighting Designer
DAVID GRINNELL has been continuously involved with OpenStage for the last 10 years. David originally worked in the Saint Paul/Minneapolis area, with companies such as The Great American History Theater, Cricket Theater, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, and The Guthrie Theater. For OpenStage, he has served as the Master Electrician for Moonlight and Magnolias, Unnecessary Farce, North Plan, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Avenue Q, and Men On Boats. David was the Lighting Designer for this season’s CABARET and Don’t Dress for Dinner in 2017. Since the 2015 relaunch of OpenStage etcetera, he has served as Lighting Designer and Master Electrician for their productions of The Submission, A Bright New Boise, Ultimate Beauty Bible, H2O, Ideation, The Mystery of Love and Sex, Fool For Love, Every Brilliant Thing, Tiny Beautiful Things, Cry It Out, and A Doll’s House Part 2.
Event | Role |
---|---|
October Surprise | Lighting Designer |
The Book of Will |
Lighting Designer Crew |
Treasure Island |
Lighting Designer Crew |
Cabaret |
Lighting Designer Crew |
A Doll's House, Part 2 |
Lighting Designer Crew |
Cry It Out |
Lighting Designer Crew |
Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express |
Master Electrician Crew |
Tiny Beautiful Things |
Lighting Designer Crew |
Men On Boats |
Master Electrician Crew |
Every Brilliant Thing |
Lighting Designer Crew |
Fool For Love |
Lighting Designer Crew |
Frankenstein |
Assistant Master Electrician Crew |
Avenue Q |
Master Electrician Crew |
The Mystery of Love and Sex |
Lighting Design Crew |
Monty Python's Spamalot |
Master Electrician Crew |
Ideation |
Lighting Designer Crew |
H20 |
Lighting Designer Crew |
Ultimate Beauty Bible |
Lighting Designer / Master Electrician Crew |
Don't Dress for Dinner |
Lighting Designer / Master Electrician Crew |
The North Plan |
Assistant Lighting Designer / Master Electrician / Carpenter Crew |
Superior Donuts |
Assistant Lighting Designer Crew |
A Bright New Boise |
Lighting Designer / Master Electrician Crew |
Orphans |
Assistant Lighting Designer Crew |
The Submission |
Lighting Designer / Master Electrician Crew |
Stage Kiss |
Apprentice Lighting Designer Crew |
Unnecessary Farce |
Master Electrician Crew |
Moonlight and Magnolias |
Master Electrician Crew |
Costume Designer
ALICIA MUÑOZ is a theatre artist from Vancouver, WA. For 10 years, she’s immersed herself in the dramatic arts as a director, stage manager, costume designer, and actor. She is delighted to be making her professional technical debut in this production. She has lived in Greeley, CO for 5 years and graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a BA in Theatre Education. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Special Education at Buena Vista University. Educational theatre credits include: Clara (Clara’s Little Questions, UNCO); Stage Manager/Costume Designer (Lati-NO!, UNCO); Director (Look Me in the Eye, UNCO); Stage Manager (Trap, UNCO).
Set Construction/Master Carpenter
KIMBER FREETONE HOVEN Kimber is approaching the stage again after a long hiatus. The message of SWEAT drew him back to the craft. From 2016 on he worked building sets and event spaces in New York and has always carried an appreciation and love of the craft behind the industry of theatre and entertainment. He now returns to Colorado to hopefully approach new avenues of creativity and craft.
Event | Role |
---|---|
October Surprise | |
October Surprise | Set Construction/Master Carpenter |
Sweat |
Jason Cast |
Romeo and Juliet |
Sound Designer Crew |
Romeo and Juliet |
Balthazar Cast |
The Weir |
Set-In Crew |
Extremities |
Set-In Crew |
Stage Violence Coordinator
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.
Event | Role |
---|---|
October Surprise | Stage Violence Coordinator |
October Surprise |
Stage Violence Coordinator Crew |
Six Years Old |
Fight Director Crew |
The Book of Will |
John Heminges Cast |
Hedwig And The Angry Inch |
Scenic Painter Crew |
Clue: On Stage |
Mr. Green Cast |
Cabaret |
Fight Coordinator Crew |
Cyrano de Bergerac |
Fight Captain/Scenic Painter Crew |
Cyrano de Bergerac |
Comte de Guiche/Port de Nesle Ambusher Cast |
Ken Ludwig's Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood |
Director Crew |
Men on Boats |
Scenic Painter Crew |
Fool for Love |
Director Crew |
Avenue Q |
Carpenter Crew |
Frankenstein |
Fight Director Crew |
Much Ado About Nothing |
Benedick Cast |
Ideation |
Fight Director Crew |
The Comedy of Errors |
Scenic Painter Crew |
Christmas Chaos |
Director Crew |
And Then There Were None |
Phillip Lombard Cast |
The Three Musketeers |
Scenic Painter Crew |
The Flick |
Assistant Director Crew |
H2O |
Fight Director Crew |
August: Osage County |
Fight Director/Fight Captain Crew |
August: Osage County |
Steve Heidebrecht Cast |
Superior Donuts |
Fight Director Crew |
Stage Kiss |
Fight Director Crew |
Stage Kiss |
The Husband/Harrison Cast |
Taming of the Shrew |
Fight Captain Crew |
Taming of the Shrew |
Petruchio Cast |
Journey to the West |
Fight Director Crew |
Unnecessary Farce |
Fight Choreographer Crew |
True West |
Fight Choreographer Crew |
True West |
Austin Cast |
Moonlight and Magnolias |
Fight Director Crew |
Scapin |
Fight Director Crew |
Dangerous Liaisons |
Fight Co-Director Crew |
The Seafarer |
James "Sharky" Harkin Cast |
Bullshot Crummond |
Fight Director Crew |
Wit |
Dr. Jason Posner Cast |
Casino Royale |
James Bond Cast |
King Lear |
First Knight/Ensemble Cast |
Cinematographer/Video Editor
JACK KRAUSE graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s degree in Direction and Playwriting. He has worked extensively with OpenStage as a Stage Manager, Assistant Director, Director of Cinematography, and Projection Engineer. His work on stage includes Thomas in And Then There Were None and Dave in The Full Monty. Most recently, Jack directed The Christians and will be directing the production of The Open House with Bas Bleu Theatre in their 2023-2024 Season.
Event | Role |
---|---|
October Surprise | Cinematographer/Video Editor |
Hedwig And The Angry Inch |
Projection Designer/Engineer Crew |
Treasure Island |
Doctor Livesey Cast |
The Christians |
Director Crew |
Natural Shocks |
Director of Cinematography Crew |
Ken Ludwig’s Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood |
Stage Manager Crew |
Constellations |
Assistant Director/Stage Manager Crew |
The Full Monty |
Dave Bukantinsky Cast |
Fool For Love |
Assistant Director/Stage Manager Crew |
The Mystery of Love and Sex |
Assistant Director/Stage Manager Crew |
Much Ado About Nothing |
Stage Manager Crew |
Frankenstein |
Assistant Projection Designer/Engineer Crew |
The Comedy of Errors |
Stage Manager Crew |
And Then There Were None |
Rogers Cast |
Light Board Operator
MOLLY MCGUIRE first performed with OpenStage Theatre in 2004 in The Women. She began performing with the Company again in 2014, when she appeared as Nerine in Scapin. Since then, she has appeared with OpenStage as Beatrice in The Servant of Two Masters, Millicent/Laurie in Stage Kiss, Danielle in Ultimate Beauty Bible, Suzanne in Don’t Dress for Dinner, in the Ensemble of Christmas Chaos and Dromio of Syracuse in The Comedy of Errors, Conrade in Much Ado About Nothing, Angela in Natural Shocks, and Fanny Dashwood/Lucy Steele/Lady Middleton/Gossip in Sense and Sensibility. She is excited to be working with the amazing cast of Cyrano and would like to thank the entire cast, staff and crew for their unwavering support. Also, Molly would like to take this opportunity to give her heartfelt thanks to her OpenStage family. Their support and love has helped her immensely this last year.
Event | Role |
---|---|
October Surprise | Light Board Operator |
The Book of Will |
Elizabeth Condell / Marcellus Cast |
Clue: On Stage |
Miss Scarlet Cast |
Sense and Sensibility |
Fanny Dashwood/Lucy Steele/Lady Middleton/Gossip Cast |
Cyrano de Bergerac |
Ligniere/Man in Crowd/Poet/Cadet Cast |
Natural Shocks |
Angela Cast |
Men on Boats |
John Colton Sumner Cast |
Much Ado About Nothing |
Conrade Cast |
The Comedy of Errors |
Dromio of Syracuse Cast |
Christmas Chaos |
Ensemble Cast |
Don't Dress for Dinner |
Suzanne Cast |
Ultimate Beauty Bible |
Danielle Cast |
Stage Kiss |
Millicent/Laurie Cast |
The Servant of Two Masters |
Beatrice Cast |
Scapin |
Nerine Cast |
The Women |
Olga/Miss Myrtle/Debutante Cast |
Raised in Captivity |
Assistant Director/Stage Manager Crew |
Properties Designer/Production Manager/Intimacy Coordinator
KATE AUSTIN-GRÖEN has been performing for over three decades, and has done many regional theatre productions in Texas, Virginia, Minnesota, California, and several other states. Since moving to Fort Collins in 2010, Kate has performed and directed several productions for OpenStage Theatre, Bas Bleu Theatre, Midtown Arts Center, and the Fort Collins Children’s Theatre. She is so happy to be performing in this show, especially since her favorite play is Ibsen’s A Doll’s House. Kate is the Production Manager for OpenStage Theatre’s etcetera season, as well as their resident Intimacy Director. Her next endeavor will be directing Treasure Island for OST in the summer of 2023. In addition to acting, Kate enjoys studying languages, and is a Level Two Scottish Gaelic Student with Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (on the Isle of Skye). She also enjoys reading, yoga, and spending time with her husband and two children.
Event | Role |
---|---|
October Surprise | Properties Designer/Production Manager/Intimacy Coordinator |
Six Years Old |
Production Manager Crew |
Treasure Island |
Director Crew |
A Doll’s House, Part 2 |
Nora Cast |
Cabaret |
Intimacy Coordinator Crew |
The Christians |
Production Manager Crew |
Tiny Beautiful Things |
Director Crew |
The Full Monty |
Director Crew |
Men on Boats |
John Wesley Powell Cast |
Ideation |
Director Crew |
The Comedy of Errors |
Adriana Cast |
The Three Muskateers |
Milady de Winter Cast |
Superior Donuts |
Language Consultant Crew |
A Bright New Boise |
Director Crew |
RENT |
Dramaturgist Crew |
RENT |
Joanna Jefferson Cast |
A Midsummer Night’s Dream |
Assistant Director Crew |
Othello |
Emelia Cast |
FREE Student/Educator performance for October Surprise by Miguel Muñoz. This free, event is reserved for current students and teachers for K-12 and Higher Education. If you have a non/student or … Continued
Regular $27 // Senior $22 // Student $20 // Industry $20 // Child $15 // 5FOR15 $15
Regular $27 // Senior $22 // Student $20 // Industry $20 // Child $15 // 5FOR15 $15
Regular $27 // Senior $22 // Student $20 // Industry $20 // Child $15 // 5FOR15 $15
Regular $27 // Senior $22 // Student $20 // Industry $20 // Child $15 // 5FOR15 $15
Regular $27 // Senior $22 // Student $20 // Industry $20 // Child $15 // 5FOR15 $15