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"Destigmatized: Our Bodies, Our Rights, Our Stories" to Have Two Benefit Readings in January

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 01/03/2023

With the devastating news regarding the leaked SCOTUS draft decision, which accurately indicated the imminent overturning of Roe v. Wade, Colleen Renee Lis decided to come forward to tell her abortion story on stage in front of a live audience and encouraged other women to tell their own stories regarding women’s reproductive rights.

The result was Destigmatized: Our Bodies, Our Rights, Our Stories, an original play comprised of true stories written by Colleen Renee Lis, with contributing writers Nicole Boscarino & Mary Kate Portera. These are true stories and researched pieces covering: Abortion, Pregnancy Scares, Sexual Assault, Contraceptives/Birth Control, Sexual Education, Cost of Healthcare in the United States, and Adoption. The play will have readings in January in East Brunswick and Cinnaminson.

A reading of Destigmatized will take place on Friday, January 13, 2023 at 7:30pm at Playhouse 22 (721 Cranbury Road)in East Brunswick, NJ as part of Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey’s event series Roe @ 50 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the passing of Roe v Wade.  Tickets: $20 Cash at the Door or Online Donations via GoFundMe. Artists include Nicole Boscarino, Amanda Feliciano, Elisabeth Julia, Fallon King Goskowski, Colleen Renee Lis, Paige Marian, Mary Kate Portera, Elizabeth Quinones, and Leslie Williams Ellis.

A reading of Destigmatized will also take place on Sunday, January 29, 2023 at 7:00pm at Burlington County Footlighters (808 Pomona Road) in Cinnaminson, NJ as part of Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey’s event series Roe @ 50 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the passing of Roe v Wade. Tickets: $20 Cash at the Door or Online Donations via GoFundMe. Artists include Nicole Boscarino, Amanda Feliciano, Elisabeth Julia, Colleen Renee Lis, Paige Marian, Mary Kate Portera, and Leslie Williams Ellis.

100% proceeds will go to benefit Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey. Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF) is the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood, fighting to advance and expand access to sexual health care and defend reproductive rights. PPAF is a 501(c)(4) organization, and donations are not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution or business expense.




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EVENT PREVIEWS

(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- In 2022, as the world was finally coming out of COVID-19, Aaron Lazar was invited to return to the stage to lead the cast of The Bridges of Madison County, playing opposite Kate Baldwin at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal. Just days into rehearsal, Lazar received a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a progressive neurological disease with no known cure. Thus began Lazar's "extraordinary" journey.

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American Theater Group to present East Coast Premiere of "Destroying David" as 2026-27 Season Opener

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(UNION, NJ) -- American Theater Group (ATG) presents the East Coast premiere of Destroying David at the DMK Theater at Union Arts Center from October 9-18 and at the Sieminski Theater from October 23-25, 2026. Destroying David is a thrilling, witty and heartfelt solo show about the power of art to help us through our darkest hours. The play is written and performed by Emmy Award-nominee Jason Odell Williams. ATG's new Producing Artistic Director Charlotte Cohn will direct.
 

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