Open Space Arts
presents the world premiere of
it's been ten years since everybody died
by Cesario Tirado-Ortiz
Directed by Teri Talo
Featuring
Noah Hinton, Alex Marusich, Alexis Queen and Julia Toney
Maude..........Julia Toney
Betsy.........Alexis Queen
Allison..........Noah Hinton
Sam and others...........Alex Marusich
Lighting Design Lex Newman
Costume and Makeup Design Anna Korcz Rogers
Sound Design Kiera Battles
Production Stage Manager Mary Dixon
Intimacy Coordinator Greta Zandstra
Fight Choreography Madeleie Ackerlund
Graphics Veronica Kloss
Video Producer Shane Hogan
Social Media Coordinator Tadhg Mitchel
Public Relations John Olson
it's been ten years.... is presented through special arrangement with the author.
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
Noah Hinton
Allison
Alex Marusich
Sam/Others
Alexis Queen
Betsy
Julia Toney
Maude
Creative Team
Cesario Tirado Ortiz
Playwright
Madeline Ackerlund
Fight Choreographer
Kiera Battles
Sound Designer
Mary Dixon
Production Stage Manager
Shane Hogan
Video Producer
Veronica Kloss
Graphic Design
Tadhg Mitchel
Social Media Coordinator
Lex Newman
Lighting Design
Anna Korcz Rogers
Costume and Makeup Designer
Teri Talo
Director
Meet the Company
Noah Hinton
Allison
Noah Hinton is an actor, ex-aerialist, and occasional writer. She previously graduated from Southeast Missouri State with a BFA in Musical Theatre (that she's not using) and studied Lyra and Contortion in The Actor's Gymnasium Protraining Program (still kind of using). She is the former Executive Director of Trans Voices Cabaret Chicago and has worked extensively with Genderfucked Productions. She is so excited to make her Chicago theatrical debut with this exciting piece of new work! Noah is currently represented by DDO Chicago. You can follow her @noahhhinton on Instagram
Alex Marusich
Sam/Others
Alex Marusich (they/them) is thrilled to be apart of this production of IBTY. Previous credits include That Woman (Mary Pinchot Meyer), Knight of the Burning Pestle (Citizen), Imaginary Audiences (Pear), and Dr Voynich and Her Children (Fade). Alex is a recent Chicago transplant, avid dog lover, and horror enthusiast. They hope you enjoy the show!
Alexis Queen
Betsy
Alexis Queen (Betsy) is thrilled to make her messy, bloody, mean-girl Open Space Arts debut! She can currently be seen understudying Crow in Leaf at Lifeline Theatre, and recently appeared as Silly Goose 1 in Re(Vulva) at Theater La'Cadie's inc. Ubator New Play Festival. She’s a Harvard graduate with degrees in Psychology and Computer Science and a proud graduate of the Black Box ACADEMY. Represented by SCE Agency. I can be reached at alexismisgana@gmail.com.
Julia Toney
Maude
Julia Toney (they/them) is a multidisciplinary artist from San Antonio, Texas. Recently they worked with Meat Machine Ensemble in "The Worm, My Sister" at Red Orchid Theatre. Past credits include Hippolytus in "Phedre" at the Labyrinth Club, as well as stage management with First Floor Theater and Raven Theatre. An avid horror buff, Julia is thrilled to be collaborating with this team on such an electric production.
Cesario Tirado Ortiz
Playwright
Cesario Tirado Ortiz (they/he/it) is a playwright, actor, singer, producer, and whatever else he decides to pick up that week. A SUNY New Paltz graduate, Rio bases most of his work around creating queer stories for queer folk that's not really about being queer. They're also a successful drag artist performing under the name Scam Likely (it/its), and utilizes drag frequently in their work. Cesario is part of the first cohorts of the Genesis Project at 54 Below, providing performance opportunities, master classes, mentorship roundtables, and networking events with industry professionals to emerging artists in the cabaret scene. He is also part of the non-profit board for Pied Piper Theatre of New York City and is the creative consultant for Wait in the Wings on YouTube. IG: @wowokthenbruh
Madeline Ackerlund
Fight Choreographer
Madeline Ackerlund (she/her) is a Chicago-based performer and improviser, specializing in new works. Select Chicago acting credits include: Mercy Killing (Open Space Arts), Stabbed in the Heart (The Factory Theater), Batsu! (FaceOff Unlimited), Lucky: A Musical (Chicago Musical Theater Festival), Thrones! The Musical Parody (Apollo Theater), Bad Date (Stage Left Theatre), Tony n Tina’s Wedding (Chicago Theatre Works), and more. Graduate of Webster Conservatory. Love to Scott, Misty, and Luna. See her in action at @madelineackerlund and madelineackerlund.com. Proudly repped by DDO Artists Agency.
Kiera Battles
Sound Designer
Kiera Battles is excited to be joining this production of Its Been Ten Years Since They All Died as the sound designer. Her previous credits include Duchess of Malfi (BWBTC), Girlfriend (PrideArts), and Phaedra's Love (Columbia College Chicago). She is passionate about using sound to enhance storytelling and transport audiences into the world of each production. Many thanks to the incredible cast, crew, and creative team for bringing this show to life.
Mary Dixon
Production Stage Manager
Mary is elated to join the team on this exciting production and to make her Open Space Arts debut! Her previous stage management partners include HAYMARKET OPERA COMPANY, THE BEAUTIFUL CITY PROJECT, EPIC THEATRE COMPANY, HOOSIER SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL, PAUL BUNYAN PLAYHOUSE, and a few lovely productions at her alma mater LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO. Stage managing is all about connecting people and putting the pieces together and Mary thanks Teri Lopez for trusting her to jump in and do just that. In her free time, you can find Mary cooking, writing, and getting silly at The Annoyance Theatre with her improv friends.
Shane Hogan
Video Producer
Shane (they/them) first got into video production as a child when they started editing family videos for their dad. Likewise, they've been involved in theater ever since their first onstage role in 6th grade, and are currently working in Chicago as a Stage Manager. As a lover of horror and all things gothic, they were more than happy to come on board and contribute their creative vision to the show. Enjoy!
They would also like to give a special shout-out to their brother, Brendan, for supplying some supplementary footage for the show <3
Veronica Kloss
Graphic Design
Veronica is a graphic designer and house manager currently living in Alabama. She previously did graphic design for Mr. Parker with Open Space Arts. Veronica has previously worked with New York Stage and Film, The Contemporary American Theater Festival, and Glimmerglass Festival. She is currently in her final semester at the University of Montevallo.
Tadhg Mitchel
Social Media Coordinator
Tadhg Mitchel (he/him) is excited to work on another Open Space Arts piece. He has a background in theater, filmmaking, and digital production, and will be earning a Master of the Arts degree in Communication this spring from DePaul University. Alongside his work at OSA, he is the Director of Communications and Marketing at Gender Fucked Productions and a house manager at the Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building. Outside of work, he enjoys playing Dungeons & Dragons, scrapbooking, writing, and spending time with his husband and five cats. Other OSA credits include Light Switch, Mercy Killing, and Mr. Parker.
Lex Newman
Lighting Design
Lex (they/them) is excited to be returning for their third production with OSA! As a fan of both trans narratives and horror movies, they are delighted to be working on a production that blends the two. Lex holds a BA in literature and works at Myopic Bookstore. When not doing theatre tech, they can be found reading many books, crafting, or attending live music shows at various venues around Chicago.
Anna Korcz Rogers
Costume and Makeup Designer
Anna Korcz Rogers is a Costume and Makeup Designer based in Chicago, IL. Originally from Louisville, KY, Anna has a BA in Technical Theater from Columbia College Chicago with a focus in Costume Design.
Regional design credits include Edge of the Woods Theater, Rough House Theater, and Jon Hancock Productions. Wardrobe credits include Drury Lane Theater and Musical Theater Works.
When not working in theater, Anna performs burlesque under the name Eris Astra. She currently resides in Chicago, IL with her partners and cats.
Teri Talo
Director
Teri Talo (They/Them) is excited to be making their Directing Debut in the professional world, with this wonderfully horrid show. This follows their internship here at Open Space Arts, as the Assistant Director of Cock by Mike Bartlett, Directed by Wren Wesner. Teri is an actor first but has always had a fascination with directing. While earning their B.F.A in Acting at UIC, they had the chance to direct a self written play in a 10 minute play festival. Teri is also a devisor, having helped devise About Face's interactive performances of We Could Be. They are a teaching artist with Chicago Children's Theatre and an Actors Associate with Chicago Playback Theatre. As a Non-Binary, Borinquen/Mexican person, they are excited to continue to represent their brown alphabet siblings. Using the power of art as a form of protest. They would like to give a special thank you to their beautiful Fiancé. Who continues to inspire and support their wild dreams. Love you Bunny.
Upcoming theater events at Open Space Arts, 1411 W Wilson, include:
- ITTY BITTY CABARET April 28
- 100 DAYS April 30 to May 6
- BREAKING THE CODE by Hugh Whitemore, a staged reading of a gay classic on April 25
- 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 SHORTS April 9 to 22
- 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