New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

"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.




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage




EVENT PREVIEWS

(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.
Pioneer Productions presents encore run of "What the Constitution Means to Me" in Chatham Borough

Pioneer Productions presents encore run of "What the Constitution Means to Me" in Chatham Borough

(CHATHAM, NJ) -- Pioneer Productions is thrilled to announce encore performances of their production of Heidi Schreck's "What the Constitution Means to Me." Following a sold-out run of the show in downtown Morristown earlier this year, the original cast and production team have partnered with Chatham Borough to present an encore weekend July 11-12, 2026 at the Stanely Center.

Masquerade Theatre presents a staged reading of "Executive Decisions" by Dan Jankauskas

(RIVERSIDE, NJ) -- Masquerade Theatre presents a staged reading of Executive Decisions by Dan Jankauskas from July 10-12, 2026. It tells the story of two coworkers, Fives and Tenner, who are suddenly faced with the prospect that their routine deskwork has lethal consequences.

Skyline Theatre Company presents Shakespeare on the Porch with "Much Ado About Nothing"

(BLOOMFIELD, NJ) -- Skyline Theatre Company presents Much Ado About Nothing with performances July 17-18, 2026 as part of its Shakespeare on the Porch series. The Bard's ultimate rom-com comes to life on the porch of the Oakeside Mansion.

The Montclair Foundation and Studio Players will present Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" at Van Vleck House and Gardens

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The Montclair Foundation and Studio Players will present Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing outside at Van Vleck House and Gardens across two weekends from July 10-18, 2026. This is no ordinary stage production, it’s an immersive theatrical experience.

Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park presents "1776"

(EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park presents 1776 from July 8-18, 2026.  The seminal event in American history blazes to vivid life in this most unconventional of Broadway hits.
 

FEATURED EVENTS


Vivid Summer Solos: "Fair Stage" by Megan Gogerty

Wednesday, July 08, 2026 @ 6:30pm
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ


NYC Music Marathon
& Jack Dallas presents
Miranda


Friday, July 10, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Demarest Methodist Church
109 Hardenburg Ave, Demarest, NJ


My Fair Lady

Friday, July 10, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ


The Little Mermaid

Friday, July 10, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ


Shrek: The Musical

Saturday, July 11, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, NJ



 

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info