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PHOTOS from "Destigmatized" at Studio Playhouse

By John Posada

originally published: 10/22/2022

(Left to Right) Renee Hecht, Angelle Whavers, Heather Wahl, Emily Miller, Allyssa Hynes, Sarah Decker, Tara Moran, Alicia Whavers, and Debbie Buchsbaum

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Studio Players presents Destigmatized with performances on October 21st and 22nd at 8:00pm and October 23rd at 3:00pm at Studio Playhouse in Montclair. Modeled after The Vagina MonologuesDestigmatized has introductory and closing scenes, as well as group scenes based off interviews conducted with the women and uterus owners, and original monologues written and performed by both theatre company’s members. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

The proceeds raised from the production will go to two charities, Planned Parenthood and GLSEN. 

Topics in the play include: abortion, sexual assault, #MeTooMovement, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Scare, Religious Identity, Periods, Sexism, Child Molestation, Transgender Rights and Tampons. The pieces range from the hilarious to the heartbreaking. 

Following the devastating news regarding the leaked SCOTUS draft decision, which accurately indicated the imminent overturning of Roe v. Wade, theatre company Red Mic Repertory Company reached out to Unidentified Stages to discuss what could be done. The two companies have officially partnered to develop an original play entitled Destigmatized, comprised of true stories written by our respective company members. We’ve rallied our company members to perform these original pieces at different theatres in the tri-state area. 




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Studio Playhouse was the first theatre to welcome Destigmatized with their original staged reading. After successful stagings at different venues, Studio Players is proud to welcome them back, this time offering a three show run. 

The play was conceived & edited by: Emily Miller, Caroline Ritacco, Alicia Whavers & Angelle Whavers. It was written & performed by: Debbie Buchsbaum, Sarah Decker, Leslie Williams Ellis, Heidi Hart, Alli Hartley-Kong, Alicia Hayes, Renee Hecht, Allyssa Hynes, Jess Katz, Emily Miller, Tara Moran, Caroline Ritacco, Heather Wahl, Alicia Whavers, Angelle Whavers & Anonymous.

Tickets are available for purchase online. Studio Playhouse is located at 14 Alvin Place in Montclair, New Jersey.

Here are more photos from the production.

About the author:

John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. Currently, John has spent the last 6 years concentrating on photographing almost 400 theater productions at over 70 different NJ theatres. Click here for John's website.





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EVENT PREVIEWS

(HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The Ritz Theatre Company continues its Cabaret Series with Dream On! on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 7:30pm. Curated by Connor Twigg, this event features regional artists singing songs from their dream roles.
Liberty Arts Theatre presents "The America 250 USO Tour" featuring a star-studded cast from Abraham Lincoln to Thomas Jefferson with music, dance, comedy and after party!

Liberty Arts Theatre presents "The America 250 USO Tour" featuring a star-studded cast from Abraham Lincoln to Thomas Jefferson with music, dance, comedy and after party!

(LEONIA, NJ) -- Liberty Arts Theatre will keep us all rockin' in the free world with the high-octane celebration America 250 USO Tour - where Vaudeville meets American history – featuring a star-studded cast from Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson to George Patton, a live orchestra, song-and-dance numbers and comedy sketches. The America 250 USO Tour will march into the American Legion Post #1 (399 Broad Street) in Leonia on Thursday, July 2, 2026 at 7:00pm.
Classic American Tales honors the 250th with "Margaret

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(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- "Before we retired to bed, an attempt was made to teach the children to pronounce 'vegates,' (how do you do?) like a German. Our good neighbors are a little concerned to think there is not one in the neighborhood who will be able to interpret for us when the Hessians are quartered here," wrote Margaret Morris in her diary on December 21, 1776.
American Theater Group and Union Arts Center present Spotlight on NJ: Play Reading Event

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(UNION, NJ) -- American Theater Group (ATG), in partnership with the Union Arts Center, will present a three-day Spotlight play reading event featuring works by New Jersey playwrights at the DMK Black Box Theater at the Union Arts Center from July 6-8, 2026 with performances at 7:00pm each night.

Live On Stage Productions presents "Together Off-Broadway: Merman & Martin in Concert" at Cape May Stage

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Live On Stage Productions presents Together Off-Broadway: Merman & Martin in Concert at Cape May Stage from July 4-10, 2026. This show celebrates the remarkable bond between Ethel Merman and Mary Martin — two of Broadway’s brightest stars.

Gateway Playhouse presents Neil Simon's "London Suite"

(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse presents Neil Simon's London Suite with three performances from July 11-12, 2026. Witty, charming, and unmistakably Neil Simon, London Suite invites audiences into a series of hilarious and heartfelt encounters set in the same London hotel room.

The Light Opera of New Jersey presents "H.M.S. Pinafore" at the Sieminski Theater Cultural Arts Center

(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Light Opera of New Jersey presents H.M.S. Pinafore from July 11-12, 2026 at the Sieminski Theater Cultural Arts Center. This is a comic operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan that satirize the British class system. 
Misfits Theatre Co. presents "She Loves Me"

Misfits Theatre Co. presents "She Loves Me"

(MATAWAN, NJ) -- Misfits Theatre Co., a community theater organization dedicated to producing bold, entertaining, and accessible theater for audiences of all ages, presents its inaugural book musical production, She Loves Me at Matawan Regional High School from July 10-12, 2026.
Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center presents "Sense and Sensibility" outside duCret Center of Art

Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center presents "Sense and Sensibility" outside duCret Center of Art

(PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center invites audiences to experience Jane Austen's beloved classic Sense and Sensibility in a charming outdoor production this summer at duCret Center of Art in Plainfield. Performances take place July 10-12, 2026.

Howell PAL Theater Company presents "Grease"

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Howell PAL Theater Company presents the classic musical Grease weekends from July 10-12, 2026 at the Jersey Shore Arts Center. Grease is a love song to the 1950s and a cornerstone of the American musical comedy form.
 

FEATURED EVENTS


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Saturday, July 11, 2026 @ 2:00pm
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