Open Space Arts today announced that it will stage the world premiere of “it’s been ten years since everyone died. a play about final girls,” a dark comedy/horror play about three survivors of an attempted attack by a group of cold-blooded killers. In this play by New York City based playwright Cesario Tirado Ortiz (they/he), three young people who were hunted down by the killers and against all odds survived, are forcibly reunited at a therapeutical retreat for women, to cope with their collective trauma. After a rainstorm prevents them from leaving the retreat, they find themselves again threatened by an unseen killer. This examination of the slasher final girl trope asks the question: Does all trauma affect us equally, and can we truly heal together?
“Final girls” is a term referring a trope commonly used in horror and thriller genres referring to the last female character alive to confront the killer – presumably, the character who survives to tell the story. THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE, HALLOWEEN, ALIEN, FRIDAY THE 13TH, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, and SCREAM are notable examples of slasher films using this trope. Teri Talo (they/them) will direct. The Open Space Arts production will be the first full production of the play, following a workshop at The Tank theatre company in New York last August. The press opening will be Friday, March 21 at 7:30 pm and the production will play through April 6.
Talo’s four-person cast will include Julia Toney (they/them) as the wary and combative Maude, Alexis Queen (she/her) as the hopeless romantic Betsy, Noah Hinton (she/they) as the tired altruist Allison, and Alex Marusich (they/them) as the Therapist and others. The production team is Bryant Macklemore (Set Designer), Lex Newman (Lighting Designer), Shane Hogan (Video Artist), Kiera Battles (Sound Design), and Anna Rogers (Costume Designer). Tadhg Mitchell is Social Media Manager and Veronica Kloss is Graphic Designer.
Top Row: Alex Marusich, Noah Hinton
Lower Row: Alexis Queen, Julia Toney
Performances are at Open Space Arts’s hyper-intimate 20-seat theater at 1411 W. Wilson, in Chicago. Individual play tickets are $25 for general admission, $20 for students or seniors, and CH ADO$15 for OSA members. Tickets are on sale at https://openspacearts.org/ Information on all Open Space Arts events is available at https://openspacearts.org/ and Queer Expressions Film Fest events at https://openspacearts.org/qe-film-fest%2Fbest-of-fest.
OPEN SPACE ARTS, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is dedicated to combating homophobia and antisemitism 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 has produced SUNSETS: TWO ACTS ON A BEACH, ROSENBERG, MASSAGE THERAPY, COCK, LIGHT SWITCH, MERCY KILLING, MR. PARKER and THE KRAMER PROJECT in live performances, and produces the Queer Expressions Film Fest, a hybrid fest of streaming and in-person events, which runs from November 1 to July 1 annually. Open Space Arts is led by Directors Elayne LeTraunik and David Zak.
LISTING INFORMATION
it's been ten years since everyone died. a play about final girls
by Cesario Tirado-Ortiz
WORLD PREMIERE
Directed by Teri Talo
March 21 – April 6, 2025
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays 2 pm
Press Opening Friday, March 21, 2025, at 7:30 pm
Open Space Arts
1411 W. Wilson Ave.,
Tickets $25.00 ($20 for seniors and students, $15 for OSA members),
Tickets available at
www.openspacearts.org or https://www.goelevent.com/OpenSpaceArts/e/itsbeentenyearssinceeveryonedied
Ten years ago, four young people were hunted by ruthless killers—and against all odds, three of them survived. Now, they are brought together once more, this time at a therapeutic retreat designed to help women confront and heal from their shared trauma. As they navigate their painful pasts, this gripping new play interrogates the iconic "final girl" trope, asking: Does all trauma affect us equally, and can we truly heal together?
BIOS
Cesario Tirado Ortiz (Playwright, they/he) is a Nuyorican neurodivergent nonbinary menace ready to deconstruct what it truly means to be a human being. A SUNY New Paltz graduate, Rio bases most of his work around queer and trans activism, while refusing to sanitize his work to appeal to cishet audiences. They're also a successful drag artist performing under the name Scam Likely (it/its) and utilizes drag frequently in their work as an actor and playwright. Cesario is part of the inaugural Genesis Project at 54 Below, championing up and coming producers in the cabaret scene. His play, "2XYX," is set to be published in WE/US 10-Minute Play Anthology.
Teri Talo (Director, they/them). Teri Talo is a non-binary Boriquen/Mexican theatre artist and is excited to be making their directing debut. At Open Space Arts, they have previously served as Assistant Director and Assistant Stage Manager of COCK. Though their primary focus is acting they are thrilled to be on the other side of the table. Acting Credits include: a NYC debut in the Queerly Festival as Grace in Virtue and Grace. Originally performing as Grace in the LookOut Series at Steppenwolf Theatre’s 1700 space. Other Credits are Caius Lucius in INNOGEN at Forest Park Theatre, and Slim in A TOWN CALLED PROGRESS at The Den Theatre. They were recently cast as Lychorida/Bawd/Priestess in Pericles at Forest Park Theatre as well. Having an acting background, they are thrilled to bring that experience in their directing style.
About Open Space Arts
OPEN SPACE ARTS, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is dedicated to combating homophobia and antisemitism 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.
Open Space Arts illuminates contemporary and historical issues through film and live performances. OSA will perform where the arts can have the most impact. With the freedom to perform anywhere, from libraries, theaters, empty storefronts, and online, OSA can respond quickly to bring important issues to life. www.openspacearts.com.