Open Space Arts
presents a stage reading of
BREAKING THE CODE
by Hugh Whitemore
Directed by Jack Dugan Carpenter
Featuring
Joe Feliciano, Peter Ferneding, Layke Fowler, Ross Frawley,
Sonya Robinson, Julia Stemper, Garrett Wiegel, and Patrick Zielinski
Turing.....Peter Ferneding
Ross......Ross Frawley
Smith....Patrick Zielinski
Chris/Nikos.....Layke Fowler
Sara.....Julia Stemper
Ron....Garrett Wiegel
Knox.....Joe Feliciano
Pat.....Sonya Robinson
Stage Directions.....Meggie Edwards
Greek Language Consultant.....Lilly Apostolou
BREAKING THE CODE is presented through special arrangement with CONCORDE THEATRICALS
Open Space Arts is a member of the League of Chicago Theaters, the Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals,
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OPEN SPACE ARTS, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is dedicated to combating homophobia and transphobia through the transformative power of creativity and cultural expression. Our mission is to foster inclusivity, promote understanding, and empower marginalized communities by utilizing various artistic mediums to challenge discriminatory beliefs and attitudes.
OSA won some of the top honors in the Joseph Jefferson Awards for work produced in 2024, including Production of a Play – Short Run (COCK), Direction of a Play – Short Run (Michael D. Weber- LIGHT SWITCH), Performer in a Principal Role – Short Run (Philip Andrew Monnett – LIGHT SWITCH), and Performer in a Supporting Role – Short Run (Sonya Robinson – COCK) .
OSA showcases powerful LGBTQ+ storytelling through five exciting components:
- Full productions of bold and innovative plays.
- Staged readings of classic and new plays.
- Staged readings of winners from our QUEER EXPRESSION WRITING CONTEST FOR STAGE AND SCREEN.
- In-person screenings of feature films at FACETS in Chicago.
- A virtual selection of short and mid-length films, available for streaming anywhere.
Cast
Lilly Apostolou
Greek language consultant
Meggie Edwards
Stage directions
Joe Feliciano
Knox
Peter Ferneding
Alan Turing
Layke Fowler
Chris / Nikos
Ross Frawley
Detective Sergeant Ross
Sonya Robinson
Pat
Garrett Wiegel
Ron
Patrick Zielinski
Smith
Creative Team
Jack Dugan Carpenter
Director
Meet the Company
Lilly Apostolou
Greek language consultant
Lilly Apostolou is an actor with training from The Second City in acting, writing, and improvisational theatre. By day, she works in the world of training and development. By night, she performs with local theatre companies like Ghostlight Ensemble and Green Shirt Studio in staged readings, murder mysteries, and a range of productions. With experience both on stage and behind the scenes as a stage manager, Lilly enjoys contributing to the collaborative spirit of live theatre.
Meggie Edwards
Stage directions
Meggie Edwards is an actress in Chicago. Her llast project was as Marilyn Monroe at Universal Studios Japan. "I love acting so much and I'm so thrilled to be a part of this project at Open Space Arts!"
Joe Feliciano
Knox
Joe Feliciano has been a Chicago based actor for the last forty years. He is honored to be telling Alan Turing's story under the guidance of Jack Dugan Carpenter.
Peter Ferneding
Alan Turing
Peter is very excited to be working on this reading of Breaking the Code. Chicago theatre credits include The Normal Heart (Redtwist Theatre, Jeff Nominated— Performer in Principal Role), Pro Am (First Floor Theater, Jeff Nominated— Ensemble and Production), Night Watch (Raven Theater), Arabia, Arabia! (The Plagiarists), Clue (Mercury Theatre, Jeff Nominated—Ensemble), Chagall in School (Grippo Stage Co), Antigone (Redtwist Theatre), Outlaws, How to Kill a Rodent, and Batshit (Avalanche Theatre Co, Ensemble Member). Peter has also been seen on Chicago PD. He is a graduate of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Represented by Talent X Alexander. A huge shout out to everyone who helped to put this reading together. As always, he owes a great deal of gratitude to his friends and family for their continued support.
Layke Fowler
Chris / Nikos
Layke Fowler is a Chicago actor and a crazy good tour guide. Most recently he has been seen at Facility Theatre with PUSSY SLUDGE, Invictus Theatre's NETWORK and THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH.
Ross Frawley
Detective Sergeant Ross
Ross Frawley is excited to be a part of this production. When he is not on stage he is choreographing stage combat for Chicagoland high schools with Forte Stage Combat. He is represented by Lori Lin’s Ltd. and he hopes you enjoy the show.
Sonya Robinson
Pat
Sonya is delighted to return to Open Space Arts! She was recently seen in OSA's production of COCK, for which she won a Jeff Award, and one singular performance of Blank Theatre Company's A Bright Room Called Day, where she understudied the role of Die Alte. She graduated with a BFA in Acting from Columbia College Chicago in 2022
Garrett Wiegel
Ron
Garrett Wiegel is a Chicago College of Performing Arts Alumni and graduate of the Meisner Program at the Artistic Home. He was most recently in The Firebugs and Below the Belt (No Dogs In the Kitchen). He's excited to help tell this important and moving story!
Patrick Zielinski
Smith
Patrick wants to Thank you for coming out to the Theater! Patrick has been on and been through numerous stages the last 30 years. Originally from Milwaukee, Patrick relocated to Chicago to study Improvisation at I.O. (formally Improv Olympic) Some Theater highlights include working with The Defiant Theater Company, The Plagiarists, Collaboraction Theater Company, and The Public House Theater. Look for Patrick on the Big & Small Screens in the holiday classic Fred Claus, A mustached Doctor in Public Enemies and catch him in reruns of the first season of Chicago Fire. Check out his YouTube channel HCFBTV for Mike’s Ma’s Balls the web-series he directed and co-wrote. Patricks latest film Oxy Morans is due out this Summer. Patrick co-founded The Theater Lab – a community Theater project in Arlington Heights,now in it’s 9th season. Patrick is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and is represented by the Amazing Team at Paonessa Talent Agency.
Jack Dugan Carpenter
Director
Jack Dugan Carpenter (Director, BREAKING THE CODE) is a distinguished director and actor with extensive experience in the Chicago theater scene. He has collaborated with numerous theater companies, including The Plagiarists, where he served as Managing and Development Director from 2011 to 2025. His directorial credits with The Plagiarists encompass productions such as MÜNSTERSPIEL, SOME LIKE IT RED, GILGAMESH, THESE SAINTS WILL BURN, WAR SONG, MATRYOSHKA, AND CAESURA: A BUTCHERY. Beyond The Plagiarists, Carpenter has directed CHARLEY’S AUNT, THE WOMAN IN BLACK, MEASURE FOR MEASURE, and FIGMENTS with Saint Sebastian Players, as well as THE ALCHEMIST and THE ARMAGEDDON DANCE PARTY with Nothing Special Productions.
Upcoming theater events at Open Space Arts, 1411 W Wilson, include:
- ITTY BITTY CABARET April 28
- 100 DAYS April 30 to May 6
- NOCTURNAL ADMISSIONS by Tom Reda, a staged reading the screenplay winner of the QUEER EXPRESSION WRITING CONTEST FOR STAGE AND SCREEN on May 10
- SCANDALOUS BOY by David Atfield, the international premiere of this award-winning new play from Australia, about Emperor Hadrian and his great love for Antinous, May 23 to June 7
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Films Screenings in-person at Facets
CHERUB, from Canada, written and directed by Devin Shears,
and PARK LIFE from the UK, April 29 at 7:00
AS IS from Denmark, May 28 at 7:00
Streaming Films
Upcoming streaming films are the BEST OF THE FEST for spring 2025, including:
- BEST OF FEST MID-LENGTH FILMS April 16 to 29
- BEST OF FEST FEATURE WARM FILM April 23 to May 6
- BEST OF FEST FEATURE IT'S ALWAYS BEEN ME April 30 to May 13
