John Cardone (Henry/Henrietta )
John Cardone (Henry/Henrietta) is excited to breathe life into this role created by the great Cal Yeomans. He was last seen in Mercury Theater's Production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. He received a Jeff Nomination for Bailiwick Theater's production of A Kiss From Alexander in 2006, and in 2017 received a best ensemble award for Pride Films and Plays production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert from Broadway World in 2017.

@JohnVCardone

@jvc161

Aaron Cappello (Dan)
Aaron is so excited to make his Open Space Arts debut. He recently received a BFA in Musical Theatre from Western Michigan University. Most, recently he was a Swing in Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus: The Musical at Northbrook Theatre. Other favorite roles include J. Pierrepont Finch(How to Succeed), Basilius (Head Over Heels), and X (Mental). Enjoy the show!

@aaroncappello

Christopher Sylvie (John)
CHRISTOPHER SYLVIE is an actor and model based in Chicago with a BS in Theatre Performance and Directing from Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Previous credits include King of Shadows (Janus Theatre Company), The Last Day of the Commune (Prop Thtr), Back in the Day (Urban Theatre Company), As You Like It (Eclectic Full Contact Theatre), and Barney the Elf (Pride Films and Plays). Since the pandemic he has been exploring the world of fashion and modeling doing various work in print, runway, and commercial projects. Christopher Sylvie is represented by Lily’s Talent and is an Equity Membership Candidate. www.christophersylvie.com

@christopher.sylvie

Zahrah Agha (Costume Designer)
Zahrah is a multi-disciplinary costume artist hailing from Houston, Texas. They are an Honor Graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Costume Design and Technology from The Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University (c/a 2020). With a deep understanding and love for costuming, they have recently returned to Chicago after a 3 year-long Austrian residency. Recent theatre projects include Christmas with Elvis, Twelfth Night, and The Drag. They would like to thank their sister Aliyah, cat Charmeuse, and dog Lancelot for their never-ending support through the artistic processes.

instagram.comdiaryofaconfusedcostumer

Rick Paul (Scenic Design)
Rick Paul has over 50 years of pioneering, designing, producing, directing, writing, and touring gay theater. He has been lucky enough to have created with numerous legendary gay and lesbian playwrights. choreographers, and filmmakers. He was a producer of choreographic events for the Third Gay American Festival in 1982, and while he missed Cal Yoeman's participation then, he is happy to catch up now! With Chicago's first openly 'out' gay theatre company, LIONHEART, he played the Edinburgh Fringe, The New Orleans World's Fair, and 'One Last First', an ongoing gay tour around the world, revving up to fight imminent fascist pendulum swings.

Lauren Ramos (Props Designer )
Lauren Ramos is an artist, performer, and an aspiring props designer in the Chicago area. Sunsets is her third project with Open Space Arts, and she is very grateful to collect, curate, and create with everybody there. She’s excited to continue to hone in on her craft. She hopes you are having a good day.

@peteypablolo

Carli Shapiro (Stage Manager)
Carli (they/them) is thrilled to be joining the company of Sunsets. Born and raised on Long Island, NY, Carli studied theatrical design and technology at Elon University (c/o '23) and soon after moved to Chicago to begin their stage management career! Recent Chicago credits include Tambo and Bones (Refracted Theatre Company) and The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque (Subversion Productions)

@carlishapiro and @carlixtheatre

Zach Stinnett (Sound Designer)
Zach holds his BA in Directing from Columbia College Chicago and received his MA in Sound Art from Northwestern University in 2017 and has focused primarily on Sound Design since graduating. He does post production work for independent film and also works as a Voice Actor. Sunsets is his third show with Open Space.

stinnettaudio

Greta Zandstra (Intimacy Director)
Greta Zandstra (intimacy director) is a Chicago-based theatre artist who has had the honor to work across the country as an director, actor, and intimacy professional. Recent favorite projects include intimacy direction for Angels in America (Eastline Theatre in New York), Titus Andronicus (Shakespeare in the Woods in Vermont) and Sex Please We’re 60! (Cornwell Dinner Theatre in Michigan), adapting and directing A Christmas Carol (Encore Center in North Carolina) and Hamlet (Temple Theatre in North Carolina), and playing Eliza in The Güt Life Christmas (Blue Gate Musicals in Kentucky), and Annabella/Margaret/Pamela in The 39 Steps with St. Patrick’s Summer Theatre here in Chicago. Thanks to the cast, crew, and you–the audience! GretaZandstra.com

@gretazand

Justin Walker (Lighting Design)
Justin is a Texas native who has worked in the theater both on and off stage for 16 years. He graduated from Scottsdale Community College’s award-winning dance program in 2018 with an Associate of Applied Sciences in Dance and Dance Technology where he honed his creative and technical skills. Since then he has both performed and Choreographed for productions at Desert Stages Theatre in Scottsdale, AZ, stage-managed student productions at Scottsdale Community College, and joined Ignite Collaborative as a dancer and choreographer. He made his Chicago theater debut at OSA, designing MASSAGE THERAPY and ROSENBERG. He is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the magic of live performance again.

Genesis (Assistant Director)
Genesis (she/her) is a writer and an aspiring director based in Chicago, Illinois. With a background in acting, after graduating high school she began her journey in the backstage and behind-the-scenes arts of the theatre and film worlds. This is Genesis' first play with Open Space Arts, and she is thrilled to be a part of this production and more to come.

John Olson (Public Relations)
John Olson provides marketing and public relations services to a variety of theaters and arts organizations in the Chicago area. He followed a career as an account manager and media planner in Chicago and Milwaukee advertising agencies by moving into arts marketing and publicity in 2010. He worked at ComedySportz Chicago as Marketing Director and Raven Theatre as Director of Marketing and Press before founding John Olson Communications in 2017. Additionally. John has served as Associate Editor for The Sondheim Review and Chicago reviewer for TalkinBroadway.com.

Elayne LeTraunik (Producer)
Elayne LeTraunik is a native Chicagoan and has been involved in the Chicago theatre scene since the 1970s. A graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago with honors in History and Theatre, she continued her acting studies at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England. Elayne has worked extensively as an actress and a producer and starred in the Chicago premieres of “Nuts” and “Extremities.” She also appeared in “Beyond Therapy, " featuring Skipp Sudduth and Carmen Roman. She currently works extensively in commercials and independent productions. As a producer, she oversaw several award-winning and critically acclaimed productions, including the Chicago premiere of “A Dybbuk” and a revival of “Class Enemy.” Elayne was the auditions columnist for “Performink” newspaper for 15 years and was the founder and Artistic Director of Red Hen Productions and Chicago Jewish Theatre. Elayne was also a prolific writer, a weekly columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, and a contributor to Plays and Players Magazine in London. Elayne works as a freelance grant writer and PR person for several small theater and arts companies in Chicago. More information about her can be found at elayneletraunik.weebly.com. She was the Associate Artistic Director of Genesis Theatrical Productions but now acts as a consultant, script reader, and grants writer. She has taken courses in grant writing from the Foundation Center and the Fundraising Authority. She is also in the process of developing Open Space Arts, a new performing arts company highlighting the issues facing the Gay community and the Jewish community. She is a member of Actors' Equity. After a sojourn in Texas, she returned to Chicago, where she continues to pursue her other passion- acting in films and videos. She is represented exclusively by Big Mouth Talent.

David Zak (Director, Producer)
David Zak is the Director of Pride Film Fest, an Open Space Arts program. His award-winning works over 40 years as a theater director ranged from the musical ANIMAL FARM to JERRY SPRINGER THE OPERA to THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER. He recently directed THE KRAMER PROJECT at Center on Halsted and MASSAGE THERAPY for OSA. He was awarded six Joseph Jefferson Awards for his work as a writer and director. He was elected to the City of Chicago's Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame. He produced Dan Pal's award-winning short film Counting for Pride Films and Plays.

Cal Yeomans (Playwright)
Cal Yeomans, born June 13, 1938, was an award-winning but overlooked playwright, pivotal in the founding of gay theater. Raised in conservative surroundings, he navigated personal struggles and found solace in theater. Despite joining Theatre La MaMa in the 70s, his bold work faced opposition. Uncompromising and possibly ahead of his time, Yeomans, like Lenny Bruce, died prematurely, leaving critically acclaimed yet controversial plays like Richmond Jim and The Line Forms to the Rear. The AIDS epidemic halted his shows, perceived as encouraging promiscuity. Yeomans' unapologetic approach challenged the Queer American Theatre, making him an unsung hero despite limited fame and emotional struggles. Robert Schanke's biography sheds light on his impactful legacy.