OPEN SPACE ARTS SEEKS LIGHTING DESIGNERS & SET DESIGNERS
2026 THEATRE SEASON
Open Space Arts seeks Lighting Designers and Set Designers for its 2026 season, including the American premiere of MY LIFE AS A COWBOY by Hugo Timbrell—a funny, heartfelt queer coming-of-age play about a 17-year-old Croydon boy who dreams of reinventing himself as a Country Western dancer, pulling his best friend and fellow lifeguard into a wild performance at Croydon People’s Day.
Productions in the 2026 season will take place in Open Space Arts’ intimate storefront theatre and feature small casts, movement-driven storytelling, and a strong emphasis on atmosphere, character, and inventive use of limited space. Some productions may include live music (guitar/singing) and choreographed movement.
Lighting Designers will collaborate closely with the director and creative team to develop lighting that supports tone, storytelling, and comedic rhythm, while adapting to the practical realities of a flexible storefront space. Responsibilities include concept development, cueing, tech rehearsals, and collaboration through opening.
Set Designers will create imaginative, efficient scenic environments that support storytelling, movement, and rapid shifts in tone, making expressive use of minimal resources and footprint. Responsibilities include concept development, drawings/renderings, coordination with the production team, and installation support as needed.
Open Space Arts values collaborative artists, clear storytelling, and bold yet economical design choices, and strongly encourages designers with an interest in queer stories and new work to apply.
Paid positions.
Designers may be considered for one or multiple productions in the 2026 season.
Open Space Arts produces bold, intimate LGBTQ+ theater with small casts and big resonance. Past productions include Scandalous Boy, Mr. Parker, Mercy Killing, Gangsta Baby, Light Switch, and Dorian.
MY LIFE AS A COWBOY offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a brand-new queer play in its American premiere, working within a supportive storefront environment.
Send your resume and a brief statement of interest to:
📧 openspacearts2022@gmail.com
Please use subject line: DESIGNER
Open Space Arts (OSA) is seeking visionary, collaborative directors for upcoming full productions and staged readings of new plays, classics, and screenplays that uplift the rich, diverse spectrum of LGBTQ+ stories.
Based in our intimate 25-seat storefront theatre in Uptown Chicago, OSA produces small-cast works and bold 90-minute experiences that invite audiences into immersive, emotionally resonant worlds. Recent productions include GANGSTA BABY, SCANDALOUS BOY, it’s been ten years since they all died, MR. PARKER, MERCY KILLING, and LIGHT SWITCH. We also develop fresh interpretations of LGBTQ+ classics and champion overlooked works that deserve new life.
We are seeking directors who bring:
To Apply
Please email your resume and a brief note of interest to openspacearts2022@gmail.com
with “DIRECTOR” in the subject line. Tell us about your artistic background, your directing style, and any plays or projects you feel align with OSA’s mission.
Join us in bringing bold, authentic LGBTQ+ stories to life on the Chicago stage
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