New Jersey arts and entertainment news, features, and event previews.

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) — Studio Players will present 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 theater company’s members. 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, theater 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 theaters in the tri-state area. Studio Playhouse was the first theater 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 designed & 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.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the following charities:

Planned Parenthood Action Fund of NJ. Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF), fights 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.

GLSEN believe that every student has the right to a safe, supportive, and LGBTQ-inclusive K-12 education. They are a national network of educators, students, and local GLSEN Chapters working to make this right a reality.

Studio Players is a non-profit theater company located in Montclair, New Jersey. Since 1937, we have been providing high quality entertainment at an affordable price. Each season delivers a variety of shows ranging from hit Broadway plays and musicals, to original works, to shows for children.

IMAGES BY JULIA HECHT