All I Really Need to Know I Learned From Being a Zombie

by Jason Pizzarello

Thanks to our corporate sponsors!

Justin Davis

Father, Steve, Zomsemble

Ugggghhhhhhhh. In zombie, that means: This is Justin’s third trail outing for Arts in the Open – he is honored to join the company once again as part of the talented cast/crew of Zombie! Previous roles include Felix Unger in The Odd Couple (TCL), Scrooge in A Christmas Carol (BCP; PACE Center), Dr. Van Helsing in Dracula Death of Nosferatur and Frankenstein in Frankenstein (AitO), Tom in BETC's The Glass Menagerie, and Jesus in Godspell (FCT). He has done various stage, voiceover, emcee, film, directorial, writing, and radio work. He is grateful to his loved ones, his artistic colleagues, and to you, our patrons.


Gina DeMondo

Shauna, Scotty, Zomsemble

Gina is so excited to be part of this fantastic ensemble for her first performance in Colorado. She has been acting and working backstage for 18 years, primarily in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She was in a performing improv troupe for two years in New Mexico, as well. Gina's past productions include: The Glass Menagerie, Agamemnon, A Couplea White Chicks Sitting Around Talking, and many more. She looks forward to future productions with Arts in the Open and thanks you for welcoming her to the Denver metro.


Lauren Michelle Long

Cheryl, Mother, Zomsemble

Lauren (She/They) If you’ve been to an Arts in the Open show, then you probably recognize her as a hike leader. Lauren has been working with Arts in the Open for 5 years now, she has been in various of shows such as Cinderella and her Barely Godmother, Ghosted, and Invaders from Planet 9. She’s also worked with other theatre companies in Denver such as Su Teatro, Vintage Theatre, Audacious Theatre and The Three Leaches. When not acting, she’s a teaching artist with Miners Alley Playhouse and a media artist creating merchandise for small businesses and collaborating with local artists.

Daphne Moore

Becky, Janie, Zomsemble

This is Daphne's first production with Arts in the Open! She moved to Colorado five years ago from Saint Augustine, FL where she was active both on stage and behind the scenes in community theatre. Recent Colorado acting credits include Princess in Love's Labor's Won (The Upstart Crow) and Eurydice in Oedipus an' Eurydice (Evergreen Players - Festival of One Acts). Daphne lives in Golden with her husband, Austin, and their dachshund, Bo, neither of whom are zombies as far as she knows.

Fabian Vazquez

Teacher, Zane, Zomsemble

Fabian Vazquez is a local Latino actor who has had roles in shows such as Charity with Fire House Theatre and Zorro The Musical with Wheat Ridge Theatre Company. When not acting, Fabian works for Boulder County Housing and Human Services serving the community through determining eligibility for general assistance programs.

Mary Schaugh

Director

Mary is so happy to be returning to the trail with Arts in the Open and taking her first venture into the world of spooks and scares for All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Being a Zombie.

For the last 15 years, Mary has directed productions throughout the U.S. spanning from opera to children’s theatre, and from Shakespeare to musical theatre. She is known for her collaborative and innovative directing style that focuses on engaging audiences in thought-provoking and immersive experiences. She enjoyed a tenure as director and regional director for the national Murder Mystery Company, an interactive live event with a rotating cast of actors, and earned the company’s highest ratings nationwide. In addition to directing, Mary is an accomplished actor, opera singer, and improvisor with credits in New York, Los Angeles, Colorado, and Italy.

Mary wants to thank everyone at Arts in the Open, including their generous sponsors, and her fantastically brave cast whose zombies will always have a place in her heart… and nightmares.

Matthew Davis

Stage Manager/Artistic Director

Since moving back to Denver, Matthew (He/Him) has directed and choreographed for theaters in the area. He has been privileged to perform with The National Theater for Children, touring schools with educational theater productions and continues to perform in Denver and the surrounding areas. During the day he is a teacher librarian and STEAM teacher at a Denver elementary school. He has had the pleasure of working as the Artistic Director with Arts in the Open for the past 12 years. He would like to thank the cast and crew for making this show a wonderful experience. Survivors. There are no survivors!

Ryn Gorogan

Costume & Props Designer

Ryn (They/Them) is a costume designer and performance artist, creating costumes previously for the Superhero Tale, Rocky Horror Picture Show, and The Little Shop of Horrors. They perform in shadowcasts and local variety shows. This will be their second show designing props and costumes for Arts in the Open.