The Cottage

JESSICA JACKSON is a director, composer, actor, writer, and rampant improviser. During her time as Artistic Director of Creede Repertory Theatre, this award-winning theatre produced 6 world premiere productions, 7 new play festivals, & 12 world-premiere commissions for young audiences. She founded Boomtown Improv Comedy and helmed the devised Pants on Fire: a totally made-up musical for kids. Some of her favorite projects: Socially distanced golf-cart odyssey The Rough (writer/director) & satirical musical Small Ball (director) with The Catamounts, Roe (director) and The Laramie Project (director) at Oklahoma City University, Colorado premieres of Miss Holmes (director) and William Shakespeare’s Land of the Dead (director), the world premiere of Sight Hound (director) by Pam Houston, Billy Hell (composer-Denver Post Ovation Award Best Original Music), and sundry original shows created with Jeff Carey (composer/director). She’s working on a new full-length musical, Singletrack, with Steven Cole Hughes and goofing around with her 12-year-old daughter, Penny, and brilliant husband, Matt.

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.

AUBREY BIERMAN is thrilled to be joining OpenStage for an 8th season! She has been stage managing for over 15 years and has a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Stage Management from the University of Oklahoma. Previous OpenStage Assistant Director/Stage Manager credits include The Full Monty, Frankenstein, Spamalot, August: Osage County, The North Plan, Spring Awakening, Journey to the West, The Tempest and Dangerous Liaisons. She received the 2015 OpenStage OPUS Award for Outstanding Technical Support for the Season. Other Fort Collins Assistant Director/Stage Manager credits include Harvey, Equus, The Blue Flower, A Tuna Christmas, Juno and the Paycock, Our Town, The Year of Magical Thinking, Ghosts and Rabbit Hole with Bas Bleu Theatre Company. Aubrey feels truly blessed to be able to work with OpenStage and to be a part of this amazing Fort Collins theatre community. She would like to thank her incredibly supportive boyfriend, friends, and parents who always understand when she says, “Sorry I can’t, I have rehearsal.” Love you guys!

JAMES BROOKMAN is grateful to the artists and educators who have helped him realize some good stories, unconventional visions, and sneaky tricks so important to his life in the arts. Born in Fort Collins, he traveled for years seeking skills and perspective before returning in 1988. James now boasts what seems to him the longest string of day jobs in recorded human history. Often the day jobs were cousins of stagecraft: window display, event production, fashion shows, and designing residential light fixtures. There was almost always some play or musical to work with and artists from whom to learn. For OpenStage in recent years, James designed And Then There Were None, August: Osage County (OpenStage OPUS Award/Set Design, Henry Award Nomination/Set Design) and Stage Kiss. He worked as Master Carpenter for True West, Orphans, and Stage Kiss. James thanks you for coming and encourages you to sit back and enjoy the show. He hopes you have as much fun in the audience as the producers, directors, designers, cast and crew have in presenting The Full Monty.

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.

JASPER DAY is a costume designer based in Fort Collins, Colorado. He holds a B.S. in molecular biology from the University of Denver and studied costume design at Colorado State University from 2022 to 2023. He has designed for opera, dance, film, and theatre, and made his debut designing CSU’s 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in 2023. Since leaving CSU, he has had the pleasure of working with the theatre program at the University of Northern Colorado, Little Theatre of the Rockies, and is excited to be making his OpenStage debut with Pride and Prejudice.

TYLER ZUSCHNEID grew up in Fort Collins and has been involved with theatre from a young age, acting, singing, dancing, assisting with hair/make-up/costumes for many productions over the years with Debut, Fort Collins Children’s Theatre, Fossil Ridge High School, University of Northern Colorado, and OpenStage. They designed make-up for Cabaret and Hedwig And The Angry Inch in OpenStage’s 50th Season.  By wearing makeup every day, including while they work at Costco, Tyler is hoping to bring positive social representation to the Northern Colorado community. Tyler would like to thank their Mom and Rebecca Spafford for being a close mentor and fabulous friend. 

Actor to be announced at a later date.

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.

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!

SANDY RUSTIN is an actress and award-winning playwright named by American Theatre Magazine as one of the “Most-Produced Playwrights of the ’22-’23 season.” Her stage adaptation of the film CLUE is one of the most-produced plays in the U.S., with over 3,000 productions worldwide. Her original comedy, The Cottage, premiered on Broadway in July 2023 at The Hayes Theatre (Jason Alexander, director). Other works include: the concert adaptations of Dear World & I Married An Angel for New York City Center Encores!, Mattel’s American Girl Live, The Suffragette’s Murder (upcoming premiere), Rated P for Parenthood (Off Broadway/ABC-TV), Houston (New American Musical Award), Always Something There for Primary Wave Music, and many others. Sandy serves on the Board of Camp Kesem, helping children through a parent’s cancer diagnosis. She lives in Maplewood, NJ with her husband and two sons. www.sandyrustin.com INSTA: @sandyrustin_