Michelle McKenzie-Voigt (Emily)

Michelle McKenzie-Voigt (Emily) is delighted to make her Open Space Arts debut. Off-Broadway/Chicago: GUS AND ALICE (Theatre 31). Chicago: A NEW BRAIN, BEAUTIFUL THING, THE CHILDREN’S HOUR, THE BOY FROM OZ (Pride Arts); BILLY ELLIOT (Porchlight); GYPSY (Harper Ensemble Theatre); MAME, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, GUYS AND DOLLS (Music Theater Works). Regional: STEEL MAGNOLIAS, THE FULL MONTY, CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES 2 (Timber Lake Playhouse). 2019 Chicago Musical Theater Festival Award (Best Supporting Performer). Deep gratitude for the past and red grapes to Ron. Thanks to Laine, David, and Jim.

Jim Nally (Ray)

Jim Nally (Ray) trained at Green Shirt Studios, previously performed with Black Sheep Improv (Ohio University). This production is his Chicago theatrical debut. When not onstage, Jim works as a men’s clothier. He enjoys sewing, hiking, and any 4 am bar with a dance floor. 

jim_nally

Guillem Clua (Playwright)

Guillem Clua is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and director from Barcelona whose work has been produced internationally and translated into numerous languages. Known for combining strong storytelling with humor, suspense, and emotional depth, he is considered one of the most innovative and versatile voices in contemporary Spanish and Catalan theater.

 

His plays include THE SWALLOW, SMILEY, JUSTÍCIA, SKIN IN FLAMES, MARBURG, INVASION, KILLER, and TASTE OF ASHES. His writing frequently explores identity, family, politics, love, and the ways public events shape private lives.

 

In 2020, Clua received Spain’s prestigious National Prize for Dramatic Literature for JUSTÍCIA. THE SWALLOW has received productions around the world, while SMILEY became an international stage success before being adapted into an eight-episode Netflix series. Clua served as the series’ creator and showrunner.

 

Clua’s work has been praised for making complex social and political subjects immediate, accessible, and deeply human. Open Space Arts previously presented his romantic comedy SMILEY in a successful extended run during the summer of 2026.

 

https://guillemclua.com/

Laine Rogers (Director)

Laine Rogers is a Chicago-based theatre artist whose work includes directing, assistant directing, stage management, dramaturgy, design, marketing, and production. She holds a BFA in Theatre Arts from The Theatre School at DePaul University, and her credits include work with MadKap Productions, Piven Theatre, Raven Theatre, Concert Opera of Greater Chicago, PrideArts Center, Actors Training Center, Muskegon Civic Theatre, and DePaul University. She has worked on productions including A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, BOY GETS GIRL, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, PRIVATE LIVES, TOP GIRLS, LOVE AND INFORMATION, and L’ITALIANA IN ALGERI. 

Jerome Anderson (Assistant Stage Manager)

Acting Bio

 

Jerome Anderson is a stage crew member, sometimes actor, making his professional debut with this production! When he wasn't building sets or welding you would have seen him in 

Stage crew: Mr. Burns, Pippin, Myths And Memories, Barkha Patel

Performing: Hamilton Staged Concert, Everybody, FLORIDITA: My Love, You on the Moors Now, One Day We Will Be Two Old Ghosts, Witch, Big Fish, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Hamlet, Gender Performs Me [Senior Thesis] (playwright/performer)

His thanks go to Open Space Arts and everyone who made this production possible! 

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Dominique Favre (Costume Design)

Dominique Favre discovered a passion for theatrical costume and wig design during the 2020 quarantine, inspiring a professional pivot that took them to Milan, Italy, for formal training in costume design. Now based in Chicago, they combine their international training with a keen eye for narrative-driven visuals and detailed craftsmanship. Recent credits as a costume designer include SMILEY at Open Space Arts, SWEENEY TODD, JEKYLL & HYDE, and CARMEN. Dominique is thrilled to bring their love of intricate character design to this production. 

R&D Choreography (Victor Bayona and Richard Gilbert) (Violence Design)

R&D Choreography (Violence Design) is a Chicago-based violence design company comprising partners Victor Bayona (he/him) and Rick Gilbert (he/him). Our hearts are filled with song to be back at OSA after having had so much fun designing GANGSTA BABY! R&D was founded in 1997 for the purpose of improving the power and effectiveness of Chicago area theatre through the art of violence design – choreographing better fights for better shows. We have designed violence for nearly four hundred productions and films. Our work has been seen at dozens of Chicago area theatres, including American Blues, Backroom Shakespeare Project, Chicago Opera Theatre, Citadel, Factory, Goodman, Haven, Hell in a Handbag, Lifeline, Lookingglass, Metropolis, Oil Lamp, The Paramount, Piven, Steep, Steppenwolf, TUTA, and Theo.

Dorothy Sargent (Production Stage Manager)

Dorothy is excited for her first show with Open Space Arts, as well for her Chicago theatre debut! She is a recent BA Performing Arts graduate of Iowa State University. Some past stage managed productions that she's done include SWEENEY TODD, FREAKY FRIDAY, and CUT with Lincoln - Way East. Dorothy would like to thank her family and very loving partner for all their support <3

Sean Smyth (Sound Design and Lighting Design)

Sean Smyth is happy to be working with Open Space Arts on this production of SMILEY. His sound design credits include NUNSENSE, BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE, THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER, AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE, HARVEY, and THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE with St. Sebastian Players.

Sean’s stage management credits include HARVEY, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, NUNSENSE, and FIVE WOMEN WEARING THE SAME DRESS with St. Sebastian Players; SURVIVORS and BERLIN DIARIES with Arts Judaica Theatre; the world premiere of OXY-OHIO with The Side Project Theatre; MIA, INVISIBLE, and DRIVING THE DREAM with Her Story Theatre; and UNCLE CARLOS KNOWS with Subtext Theatre.

Additional credits include INTO THE WOODS, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, LES MISÉRABLES, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, LEGALLY BLONDE, URINETOWN, and OKLAHOMA! with Standing Ovation; THE LION IN WINTER; THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, OLEANNA, and AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS with Evening Star Productions; THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE with Entr’acte Theatre; PAINT YOUR WAGON and URINETOWN with Lake Worth Playhouse; and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF with Devonshire Playhouse. He has also worked on various events with the Chicago Writers Association, SAG-AFTRA, and Perennial Actors.

Sean is a professional member of the Stage Managers’ Association. He thanks his children and his partner for their support and understanding.

Abbas Tayebali (Photographer)

Abbas Tayebali is a Chicagoland-based photographer who created the promotional imagery for SMILEY and returns to photograph THE SWALLOW. In his spare time, he writes and performs sketch comedy and is currently developing a documentary titled A JOURNEY TO FREEDOM. His work can be found at abbastay.com.