Eight Artists Work with OpenStage for the Very First Time
FORT COLLINS – OpenStage Theatre & Company is elated to introduce eight debuting artists working with the organization for the very first time on their production of SWEAT by Lynn Nottage, performing through February 10, 2024 in The Lincoln Center Magnolia Theatre. Here’s a closer look at the remarkable individuals making their debut with OpenStage:
CHAZ GRUNDY (Evan)
Chaz is a double award winner who has performed and collaborated with The Industrial Arts Theatre Company, The Second Stage Theatre Company, and The Southern Illinois Repertory Dance Theatre. This Actor appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors, and Stage Managers in the United States.
RASHAD HOLLAND (Chris)
Rashad studied Theatre Performance at The University of Northern Colorado and Metropolitan State University. Recent work includes Elsie in Toni Stone as Elsie, and The Jedi Handbook as James at the Aurora Fox Arts Center.
SAMANTHA JO STAGGS (Jessie)
A graduate of DePaul School of Music (MM: Opera) and Lamont School of Music (BM/ PC: Classical Voice) Samantha has performed across the United States and Italy in Stage, Opera, and Lamont School of Music (BM/PC: Classical Voice).
GHANDIA JOHNSON (Cynthia)
Ghandia has enjoyed a long career locally in Colorado productions of Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling (Truvy Jones) / Longmont Theatre Co, for which she won Outstanding Female Lead Actress, Non-Musical.
JOSEPH LAMAR (Sound Designer)
Joesph is a singer-songwriter, producer, sound designer, actor, pianist, and more. In 2020, he released a “post-apocalyptic gospel” album called SIN. [Act I]. His Sound Design work includes an interactive music interface for Denver’s Meow Wolf.
MIGUEL MUÑOZ (Oscar)
Miguel is a Peruvian-American playwright, director, and actor hailing from the Pacific Northwest. He is currently a senior at the University of Northern Colorado, pursuing a B.A in Theatre Education.
DON RANDLE (Brucie)
Don has spent the last decade as an actor, film director, and voice over actor in the Denver area and is currently a member of the Board of Directors for Firehouse Theater.
KEVIN REIFEL (Stan)
Kevin is a Manhattan expatriate; where he acted, directed and produced for almost twenty years. He was last seen onstage last spring as Eddie Kurnitz in Bas Bleu Theatre’s Lost In Yonkers.
Bringing SWEAT to Fort Collins is a significant cultural milestone for the community. The play’s resonant themes of resilience and unity are particularly relevant in today’s world, where communities everywhere are grappling with economic shifts and social challenges. The emotional depth and authenticity of Nottage’s storytelling promise to leave a lasting impact on audiences, sparking essential conversations about the fabric of our society.
SWEAT plays from January 13 through February 10. All performances on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday start at 7:30 pm. Sunday matinee performances start at 2:00 pm. Visit openstagesweat.com for a complete list of performances, including a free student/educator performance, a pay-what-you-can performance, and FAB Friday, which includes a free beer compliments of Odell Brewing Company.
CONTENT WARNING: This production contains profanity, racial slurs, sexual/suggestive content, physical violence, references to substance abuse and suicide. Questions about content? Contact us!
Tickets for SWEAT are $12-$34. Tickets are available online at www.openstagesweat.com or by calling The Lincoln Center Box Office at 970.221.6730. The box office is open 12 pm–6 pm Tuesday-Saturday.
OpenStage Theatre & Company’s Season Sponsors are KRFC 88.9, Warren & Zoann Little Dusenbury Charitable Trust, Mike & Marsha Marberry, Odell Brewing Co., John & Anne Blair, Avogadro’s Number, Ken & Carol Severson, Sara Wade Makes Motion, Wych & Associates and FoCo Food Trucks. The Producing Sponsor for SWEAT is Steve Finnestead Photography, and the Supporting Sponsor is The Law Office of Stephen Vertucci. Grant support is provided by the Downtown Development Authority, City of Fort Collins Fort Fund, Colorado Creative Industries, Art Works, Energize Colorado, OtterCares: Dollars for Doers Grant Recipient, The Thornton Charitable Foundation, and Arts Without End.