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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 Monologues, Destigmatized 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.

John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in live theatre and music performances. For more than 10 years, John has photographed live music events where he mastered the techniques of timing and capturing fast moving action under challenging lighting conditions to capture that perfect moment that tells a story in a single image. Currently, John has photographed over 110 productions for over 70 different theatres and venues. Click here for John's website.