DIGITAL PROGRAM
SHORT PLAYS
-
Written by SOPHIA SNYDER
Directed by ZOE NEBRASKA FELDMAN
Dramaturgy by AMIR-GABRIEL GAD
CAST
BILLY BURKE - ABBY-JEANE
WILLIAM HARE - SYMPHONY YVONNE THOMPSON
ALEXANDER MONRO III - STEVIE SMITH IANNETTONI
NELLY MCDOUGAL - ERICA LOVE
DAVID BOYLE / ROBERT KNOX - RAFI MILLS
MEG HARE / FERGUSSON - ALLISON SANTOS LEZAMA
“Notorious murderer William Burke has been tried and convicted. The punishment for killing people and selling their bodies to be dissected is, of course, for you to be killed and have your own body dissected. A carnival show of guilt, anatomy, and trading an eye for an eye..” - SOPHIA SNYDER
-
Written by ERIN MALIMBAN
Directed by DAYLIN ROSE
Dramaturgy by ROSE FARRELL
CAST
CICI / CECELIA - SYMPHONY YVONNE THOMPSON
ELIANA - ALLISON SANTOS LEZAMA
LEO - RAFI MILLS
ISABEL/ ARDEN - ERICA LOVE
DEX/ STELLAN/ ASTER - ABBY-JEANE
FRANCINCE - STEVIE SMITH IANNETTONI
"When a new bestselling queer romantasy hits the shelves, Gay Book Club's president Cici takes the club off hiatus to get the group to unanimously deem the book overrated. Things feel different this time around—there are new members as well as old flames—and the club descends into chaos. Who’s in charge of the narrative? Who gets the final say? Can we ever forgive someone for turning us into a story?" - ERIN MALIMBAN
-
Written by SEPH MCANDREW
Directed by MAX SEGARNICK
Dramaturgy by ANDY SAGE WHITE
CAST
THE KING - ERICA LOVE
THE ADVISOR - RAFI MILLS
THE THINKER - ABBY-JEANE
HUSBAND - ALLISON SANTOS LEZAMA
HUSBAND - STEVIE SMITH IANNETTONI
HUSBAND- SYMPHONY YVONNE THOMPSON
"In a fading future where few have the ability to form original thoughts, where people long to feel something new, a big idea emerges. A bored king and his trusted advisor are challenged by a stranger who says his idea will change the world for the better… a lot of people are going to die, though.” - SEPH MCANDREW
CONTENT WARNING: Depictions of adult themes, such as gore, sexuality, and strong language, spanning across relevant social issues.
featured artists
Playwright, “the Dissection of One Billy Burke”
-
she/her
Sophia Snyder (she/her) is an introspective, overcaffeinated writer who is ecstatic to work with TBD again. She never lets her characters forget that they have bodies, in all their gruesome, gratifying, gooey glory. Her dark rom-com, Veronica, was produced by Theatre by Development in 2024. You can find her short-form prose in Sliced Up Press’ Bloodless anthology and Belovedzine’s first and third issues, Love Letters and Flesh. Her dramaturgical work has ranged from Shakespeare to first productions of new plays and musicals.
Playwright, “Gay Book Club's Worst Read of the Year”
-
they/she
Erin Malimban is a playwright and actor based in Philly. They have helped develop new work with the Arden Theatre Company, PlayPenn, Philly Asian Performing Artists, The Lemonade Stand, and Villanova Theatre. They were a member of the Philly Asian Performing Artists Playwright Project cohort for 2024-2025. Recent acting credits: Holy Grail of Memphis (Arden Theatre Company), Girlfails (The Lemonade Stand).
Playwright, “HEY! What’s the Big Idea?”
-
they/he
Seph McAndrew is a Philly-based writer, performer, digital artist, and an all-around super cool, funny, awesome person. With a BFA in Writing for Film + TV, Seph brings a cinematic lens to playwriting, while embracing the fluidity of theater. Seph promises whatever they create will always be a gay, gory, gorgeous good time, and they hope you enjoy. Also, Seph loves crab rangoon and thinks everyone should know.
Director, “the Dissection of One Billy Burke”
-
they/she
Zoe Nebraska Feldman is a performer, producer, and filmmaker. They create work about waste, love, pollution, shame, fear & hope in the Anthropocene. Feldman’s artistic practice spans from performing in traditional plays & devised works, to narrative filmmaking & collage. They approach performance and life with the mantra: “if it scares you a little bit, follow it.” Intrigued by what our bodies remember, she develops both abstract & naturalistic performances with a foundation in psycho-physical techniques.
Her work has been screened in festivals from Philly to Australia and on stage at Azuka Theatre, Interact, Theater Ariel, The Tank, the Wilma, & Playwrights Horizons. Feldman received a Barrymore nomination for their performance as Esther in the Wanderers by Anna Ziegler at the Lantern Theatre and will be performing this spring at the Ministry of Awe in a collaboration with Pig Iron Theatre Company.
Director, “Gay Book Club's Worst Read of the Year”
-
she/her
Daylin Rose is delighted to be making her debut with Theatre By Development! Her most recent credits include directing and starring in the inaugural reading of Snake Girl, directing and choreographing the Philadelphia Fringe debut of The Dirty Shirley Show, and directing the inaugural reading of E Quinn's new play Four White Dudes and 1/2 of a Guitar, all under Girlpope Theatre Company where Daylin is the creative director. She also trained briefly at University of the Arts prior to its untimely demise. You may find her singing and serving tea on a pink double decker bus in the city on the weekends or shaking drinks at the local Chili's. If you do, whisper "Pumpernickel" to her for a secret, she'll know what it means.
-
he/him
Max is happy as always to team up with Theatre by Development. He performed in “the Totally Tits Adventures of Pootine,” the play that launched this company in 2023, and directed “No Breakfast” as part of TBD’s inaugural season. Thanks to all involved!
Director, “HEY! What’s the Big Idea?”
Dramaturg, “the Dissection of One Billy Burke”
-
they/he
Amir is a playwright, dramaturg, visual artist, and final boy of a slasher movie from Central New Jersey. By collaging themes of violence, joy, death, identity, concealment, magic, and uncanny nostalgia, they unabashedly write about mundanity and societal blind spots. Follow them @mirmulmir on all social media platforms.
Dramaturg, “Gay Book Club's Worst Read of the Year”
-
she/her
Rose Farrell is a playwright and theatre artist focused on crafting original productions centering trans and queer narratives. You may have seen her work in the Fringe, creating shows like "OverWorld!", "Adam Sandler Jury Duty", and the Fringie audience choice award winning "Hundred Acre Park."
Dramaturg, “HEY! What’s the Big Idea?”
-
they/them
Andy Sage White is a Philadelphia based theatre artist. They have worked as a playwright, director, stage manager, deviser, teaching artist, and producer. Most recently, Andy was a Season Apprentice at InterAct Theatre, Assistant Director of the devised play Project 206, (Passage Theatre) and the Playwright and Lead Producer of Young, Queer, and Stupid, a Cannonball/ Philadelphia Fringe Festival production. Andy earned a BA in Theatre Making from Rider University.
-
they/them
Abby-Jeanne is an actor, singer, and teaching artist based in Philly. Most recent: The Wolves, (Site Unseen Theatre Company), Macbeth (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival), Acute Exposure (The Lemonade Stand), She Kills Monsters (Ritz Theatre Co). Many thanks to the playwrights for their words and the lovely folks at TBD for their work. Love to Gab.
www.abby-jeanne-ruger.com @abbyjeanneactor
Ensemble Performer
-
she/her
Allison Santos Lezama is a singer/actress based in the Philadelphia Area. She currently holds a BM in Vocal Performance with a minor in Music Education and she is super excited to be a part of this project! Past Credits include Schwartzy (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) and Mrs. Luckenbill/Ensemble (Freaky Friday).
Ensemble Performer
-
she/her
Erica is ecstatic to be making her Theatre by Development debut! Her favorite recent stage credits include Get It Together (Playhouse West). Get It Together (Philly Fringe), and Hay Fever (Walnut Street Theatre). Her recent short film credits include Strings, Corona, and Let’s Go!. She is very grateful to her friends and family for their endless support. Enjoy the show!
Ensemble Performer
-
he/him
Rafi Mills is so excited to be a part of this years Clippings festival. He was last seen understudying Romeo and Juliet at the Arden Theater Company. Instagram: @rafi.mills
Ensemble Performer
-
they/she
Stevie is so excited for everyone to see this round of Clippings!! Stevie is a recent graduate from, the now extinct, University of The Arts. Past show credits include Otto in Spring Awakening (dir. Robi Hager), Malvolio in Twelfth Night: O Lo Que Quieras by Liz Filios and Tanaquil Márquez (dir. Andrew Watring), Don Berry in James by Bruce Walsh (dir. Russ Walsh), Arno in Calvin Barrows by Amir Gad (dir. Monti Cerabino), Soothsayer in Julius Caesar with Delaware Shakespeare Co (dir. Tai Verley), The Emcee in Cabaret (dir. Dan Kitrosser), Nick Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream (dir. Krista Apple) and so much more! Thank you to this team, wonderful cast and my family (chosen & bio alike)! Enjoy the show! Insta: @smithiannettoni
Ensemble Performer
-
she/they
Symphony Yvonne Thompson is a Philadelphia based artist. She is a graduate of University of the Arts with a BFA in Acting. Her most recent performance was TBD’s Fringe Festival show “Urinal” by Daniel Burgess.
Some of their recent favorite theater credits include A Wrinkle in Time (U/S - Arden Theater Company), Standardized (Lemonade Stand), Veronica (TBD), Totally Tits Adventures of Pootine (TBD) and Little Orphan Annie but All Adults (hallpass). Recent film/voiceover credits include: Spun (Kalahne Serpanchy), Bad Habits (Annaliese Grunder), Burger Chubs (Gabriella DiMarco) and My Hair Story (Giovanna Jones). Directing/AD credits include: Girlfails (AD - Lemonade Stand), Unfuck Yourself (TBD), empty,fill, and again (TBD), Plum Bun (AD - EgoPo/Theatre in the X).
“Grateful to TBD, my friends and family. The love is limitless!”
Ensemble Performer
-
they/them
Avi Fidler is a multi-hyphenate theatre artist with a focus on new play development and nurturing queer stories in every sense of the word “queer” and every sense of the word “story.” They recently directed the audio play Distaff with Eclectic Full Contact Theatre, which you can listen to for free online.
They are ecstatic to be making their stage management debut with Clippings 26 and to be working with the wonderful folks at TBD once again! Many thanks to the cast and crew and especially to Lindsey Silver for their mentorship in stage management. BFA: University of the Arts (shout-out John Flak!) IG: @fidleronthestage
Stage Manger
-
he/they
Bless is a queer east coast based lighting designer who aims to use light as a malleable ethereal material in order to explore the visual nuances of memory and time. Bless wishes to pursue the more primal aspects of being human, and highlights light's influence on our more subconscious and even spiritual experiences. However, in transforming light through different mediums, he aims to not only open paths to understanding his own perspective, but also the perspective of those around him. The sun's light is for all to dance in, its warmth for all to enjoy.
Lighting Designer
-
any
Alex Werthauer is writing all kinds of songs and stories here in Philly. You may have seen them in last year's TBD production of Urinal as The Janitor. They're so grateful for this opportunity to sound design for these exuberant pieces & to be again working with the best theatre company in the city!
Sound Designer
-
he/they
Monti is a director, producer, and all around theatre maker and one of the co-founders and artistic directors of TBD. They love developing new work and relish the opportunity to work with new writers on their next big idea. Please send me the draft of your next script, I would genuinely love to read it! Send me your work on my website: monticerabino.com
TBD Founder & Co Artistic Director
-
they/them
Lindsey is a nonbinary theater artist who specializes in scenery, props, puppets, and stage management. They deeply enjoy the story-telling aspect of theater and love that their work is able to give further context and story details to an audience. Special thanks to Monti, Andy, the playwrights, directors, and cast who helped make Clippings 26 happen.
To view more of their work visit lindseysilver.com.
Production Manager
-
he/him
Andrew is a Philadelphia based Latino artist with great hair and an even greater smile. Andrew is a writer and producer of all sorts of entertainment. Writing credits for TBD include “The Totally Tits Adventures. of Poot” and “No Breakfast.”
Andrew is so eager to bring Clippings to audiences! This process is a true reflection of TBD’s goal as a new company focusing on new work. Big thank you everyone who helped bring new work to life!
TBD Founder & Co Artistic Director
& NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT
Summer of ‘69 written by Andrew Miqueli // photos courtesy of Lindsey Silver
All plays have undergone a weeks long workshop to grow into the pieces showcased tonight. We encourage audience members to share feedback with our LOBBY DISPLAY & FEEDBACK FORM after the show. Our goal is to start a dialogue about the growth of the plays shown.
This process is deeply inspired by the Equinox New Play Festival at the late University of the Arts.
As many Brind School alumni may know, Equinox was a student run festival by students, for students, that allowed UArtists to take risks and experiment with different ways of producing theater. TBD’s Artistic Team met while working on the Summer of ‘69, a campy retelling of the Manson Murders. The piece written by Andrew Miqueli (Directing, Playwriting, Production ‘22), directed by Monti Cerabino (Directing, Playwriting, Production ‘22), and set designed by Lindsey Siver (Design Tech ’22).
Many writers, performers, directors, designers, and other artists that TBD has worked with throughout our inception also share previous UArts Equinox credits on their resume. The new play festival was held at the return after the winter semester and usually marked the first of many shows that undergraduate directing, playwriting, and stage management majors students would have first hand practicum experience in. This process continuously developed new pieces while nurturing young artists and their crafts, which is very near and dear to TBD’s goal of providing a platform for new artists and new work. TBD aims to carry this tradition forward and continue to create a space for young creatives to enter the industry and discover their artistic voice.
& a VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO…
Maddie Kreitzberg & Jinx, Damien Figueras, Hillary Silver, Phenon Murphy, Emily Dubin, Clare Wislar, Kalib Hubbard, Walnut Theatre Prop Shop, Avista Custom Theatrical Services, the Academy of Vocal Arts, Eviama Life Green Spa & Wellness Center, all of those who have joined TBD in our new play readings, & our generous GoFundMe donors!
Ensemble of Clippings 26: a New Play Festival
interested in working
with
We are actively seeking NEW SCRIPTS, STAGE MANAGERS, TECHNICIANS, & DESIGNERS!
Fill our artist form here!