DIGITAL PROGRAM
SHORT PLAYS
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written by SABRINA RAMA
directed by RACHEL BATHURST
CAST
Clara Jean - KAITLYN ZION
Martin - DANIEL BURGESS
Dr. Josephine - RASHEDA SERSAY
Ari - MAGINNIS BUCKLEY
Stage Directions/ Crew Member - STEVIE SMITH IANNETTONI
“A story about loneliness, heartbreak, and isolation. Little Doe is centered around a sole survivor of a tragic accident. I hope that you embrace the survivor’s feelings of being trapped in her own mind and sadness, forever frozen in time. I would like to thank my family and friends for their love and support, the LD cast and crew for bringing this story to life, and a special thanks to Joob for giving me the courage to write this.” - SABRINA RAMA
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written by CJ HIGGINS
directed by TYLER ROCIO ECOÑA
CAST
Emily - MIDGE NEASE
Elliot - MAGINNIS BUCKEY
Stage Directions - KAITLYN ZION
“Do The Voice is very directly inspired by the fears and threats I have faced as a transgender person in 2025. I wrote this piece just a few days after my wife and I decided to get married right away to make sure we did so while we were still able. In that time frame, just five days, I lost the ability to change my gender marker on my passport or my social security, and there were rumors circulating about people with X markers on their passports being detained at borders. What surprised me the most wasn't the fact that trans people were being targeted by the government - that's been happening - but the speed at which everything was happening. I found myself, much like the characters Emily and Elliot, having to make a lot of very quick drastic decisions without a lot of time.
That said, many of these fears are not new to 2025, and they're not exclusive to me, nor is the way I experience those fears and threats the universal way all transgender people are experiencing them. This is the story of Emily and Elliot facing issues in their lives, some they've experienced before and others they're experiencing for the first time, all of which are not new forms of oppression that were invented the second they experienced them. Much of this play was inspired by seeing many trans folks react to the news by scolding others for how they handle being oppressed, for not making the exact same choices they made. There's no right answer for how to be oppressed, and this play does not end with One Definite Answer That Works For Everyone. The only thing I know for a fact is that when the government does not have us (and they never do), we have each other.” - CJ HIGGINS
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written by ROSE FARRELL
directed by M. RAYNE SMITH
CAST
Aurora - STEVIE SMITH IANNETTONI
Elio - DANIEL BURGESS
Stage Directions - MAGINNIS BUCKLEY
"I wanted to write about trans women finding safe intimacy and sex, and if that can be found with cis people. I wanted to write about what it means to change, and if we ever truly do. I wanted to write about the universally trans experience of becoming, upon becoming, upon becoming. I wanted to write about what it'd be like, after all these years. So I wrote this play about my childhood best friend. I hope you find some of yourself, or someone you know, within it. Thank you." - ROSE FARRELL
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written by AMY CHEN
directed by SYMPHONY YVONNE THOMPSON
CAST
Laine - RASHEDA SERSAY
Frances - MIDGE NEASE
Celly - STEVIE SMITH IANNETTONI
Vee - KAITLYN ZION
Stage Directions & Weird Freaky Neighbor Man - DANIEL BURGESS
“Thank you for your time, attention, and (hopefully) laughter today as you see "Unfuck Yourself". This is a play about the urge to fight dirty and take matters into your own hands through the lens of the dynamics of a friend group of 20 something girls. It’s not that serious, but it did stem from a very real and very deep frustration in me. I'm so grateful for the privilege to turn my anger and pessimism into something that makes me laugh. I can only hope it makes you laugh through your frustration a little bit too.” - AMY CHEN
CONTENT WARNING: Depictions of adult themes, such as terrorism, sexuality, and strong language, spanning across relevant social issues. Depiction of gun in one of the pieces.
featured artists
Playwright,
“Little Doe”
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she/her
Sabrina Rama was born and raised in Pennsylvania by her Polish immigrant parents and discovered her passion for writing through her love of films. She is an aspiring screenwriter and playwright with a combination of more than ten shorts and features, ranging genres from horror to drama. She reached first-time acclaim through the Quarterfinalists of the 2022 HollyShorts Screenplay Competition with her short Rituals, and more recently through the Official Selection of the 2024 Horrorigins Film Fest with her feature screenplay Salem. Armed with immense self-taught film knowledge, she uses her skills to break down industry barriers by working with rising Philadelphia artists. She is determined to make a name and spotlight for herself in order to create stories for women, by women; while also inspiring others like herself to go after their ambitions. Sabrina is currently working on finishing a psychological-thriller feature screenplay, having completed her BA in English and Writing.
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she/her
Rose Farrell is a writer and theater maker based in Philadelphia. Recent writing credits include Hundred Acre Park (2024), Adam Sandler Jury Duty (2023), and Bugboro (2023) through The Philadelphia Fringe Festival/Cannonball Festival, as well as Hot Cold Shower (2023) at The University of the Arts. As a theater professional she's worked with The Wilma Theater, Playpenn, Theatre Exile, Quintessence Theatre Group, and Ensemble Arts Philly. She'd love to thank the TBD producers Lindsey, Monti and Andy, M. Rayne Smith, my 2 cats, and Miguel.
Playwright, “Returned, Iridescent”
Playwright,
“Do the Voice”
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he/they
CJ Higgins (they/he) is a theatre artist in the Philly theatre community, specializing in acting, directing, production, playwriting, devising, and more. He is the Artistic Director of The Hum'n'bards Theater Troupe, a queer theatre collective, through which he has been a part of the creation of shows such as "Pangaea", "Glister", "We'll Sleep When We're Dead", "Fear Itself", and others. He also co-wrote "A Queer Christmas Carol" with Quinton J. Alexander, which was produced by The Hum'n'bards Theater Troupe in 2021, 2022, and 2023. They are also the Director of Operations and Programming for Theatre Philadelphia. Many thanks to their partners Angie and Linden, the Pack Shack, their family, and their wife Travis whose tomfoolery inspired this piece (the funny parts, anyway).
Playwright,
“Unfuck Yourself”
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she/her
Amy Chen is a Philadephia based theatre artist. Previous playwriting includes "Y.F.S.G." at Yellow Bicycle Theatre (2024), and "Esther's Play About Esther's Play" at The UArts Equinox Festival (2023). As a performer, Amy has been seen at Quintessence Theatre Group, The Media Theatre, Bristol Riverside Theatre, and Montgomery Theater. MT BFA The University of the Arts. Thanks to the TBD team, and the cast/crew of Clippings! Love to friends and family. @amychfn. AmyLChen.com.
Director,
“Little Doe”
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she/her
Rachel is a director, writer, and requisite multi-hyphenate. In her youth, she would stand at shores of the Delaware river, stare at the skyline and think “One day, I’ll make it there. The Big City. Philadelphia.” She is pleased to have made it, and to be working on art like this! Big thanks to the TBD team and Liv for believing in her. May we get to keep making what we want to see in the world.
Director,
“Returned, Iridescent”
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they/them
Director,
“Do the Voice”
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she/they
Tyler Rocio Ecoña is a Peruvian-American theatre artist in Lenapehoking, aka Philadelphia. She is elated to be working with TBD for her directing debut! Past credits include Calvin Barrows (Actor, TBD), Manflor (Actor, Cannonball Fringe), Las Mujeres (Dramaturg, Azukafest), Unfair Advantage (Philly Women’s Theatre Fest), Cost of Living (Community Outreach, Philadelphia Theatre Co), and an ongoing dramaturgical project with Temple University's Institute on Disabilities. They are also the Editor-in-Chief of Qhariwarmikuna zine - @qhariwarmikuna. BFA: The University of the Arts @tyleriito
Director,
“Unfuck Yourself”
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she/ they
Symphony Yvonne Thompson is a Philadelphia based artist. Recently, she directed empty, fill and again by Hallie Malina. She has worked with TBD in shows such Veronica by Sophia Snyder and the Totally Tits Adventures of Pootine by Andrew Miqueli! Some of their other favorite theater credits include A Little Death, Bodies and Bones, Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. and The Rose Garden. Thank you to the production team and cast of this show, you all are so wonderful to work with and it has been a joy to collaborate. It is so exciting to witness the growth of such a fun and honest piece. Thank you for trusting me with your words Amy!
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they/he
Maginnis Buckley plays Ari/Elliot. Maginnis received a BFA, in Musical Theatre, from The University of the Arts and is a Philadelphia based actor. They performed with Philly Children’s Theatre; a traveling company that increases access to the arts for young people. Additionally, he played Perch Perkins in The Spongebob Musical and Mel in the workshop of a new musical titled, Shapeshifters. Maginnis hopes to create a space for all people on stage; including: queer/trans folx, artists with disabilities, and people of color. They would like to thank the TBD production team, their voice teachers Heather Holcombe/Terry Greenland and MomMom and Chooch, who watch from the highest balcony. Check out Maginnis’ website here: https://maginnis13144.wixsite.com/my-site/about
Ensemble Performer
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he/him
Daniel Burgess is honored to be a part of “Clippings” and is passionate about developing new works and helping bring them to life. He is the founder of Ubin Movement Theatre (UMT), where he writes, produces, and performs original pieces, many of which have been presented at Plays & Players. UMT has created original works featured in festivals such as SoloFest (Testing Site and This Endless Oddity) and the Cannonball Festival (Testing Site). He’s currently in the process of putting on more work this year so stay tuned by following Ubin Movement Theatre’s Instagram page: @ubinmovement
Ensemble Performer
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they/she
Stevie is so excited to share these moments with everyone! They are a recent graduate from, the now extinct, University of The Arts. Past show credits include 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 at UArts (dir. Dan Kitrosser), Nick Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream at UArts (dir. Krista Apple) and more that you can see on their resume ;D. They will also be playing Malvolio in a modern musical production of Twelfth Night with Delaware Shakespeare Company this August! Thank you to this team and cast and my family (chosen & bio alike)! Enjoy the clippings!
Ensemble Performer
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she/they
Midge is a trans-femme theatre artist, clown, and vessel of shimmy with an MFA in Devised Performance from the Pig Iron School and UArts (RIP in pieces), making her TBD debut! You can catch her alter ego, Tiffany Charcuterie, clowning around town. Or see them in Giovanni’s Room with Quintessence Theatre Group this Summer. @MidgeNease
Ensemble Performer
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she/her
Rasheda Sesay is an artist deeply fascinated by the human experience and its portrayal through art and media. Through acting and theater, she has come to appreciate the wealth of knowledge that can be gained from diverse perspectives. When not acting, she stays involved in theater through various roles, on the production and administration side of things. She would like to thank the TBD team for literally being the coolest group of people she has worked with (don't tell her past cast mates that) and for letting her invade their UArts space (RIP) as a Temple Student.
Ensemble Performer
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they/she
Kaitlyn Zion (They/She) Is so excited to be in Clippings and to be working with the amazing TBD crew again! Kaitlyn is a Philadelphia based performer and graduate of the University of the Arts with a BFA in Musical Theater. Past credits include, The Holy Grail of Memphis (Arden Theatre Company) Othello vs The Military Industrial Complex (Cannonball) empty, fill and again (Theatre by Development) The Last Yiddish Speaker (InterAct Theater Company) Salsa Lessons (24hr Play festival) We All Fall Down (Theatre Ariel) Into the Woods (Arden Theatre Company) Ronnie The Musical (Philadelphia Womans Festival) Plantation Black (Interact Lobstah Lab) and Bitch (Thursday Productions). Kaitlyn would like to thank all their amazing friends and family, and special thanks always to Alex and April. <3 Enjoy the shows!
Ensemble Performer
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he/they
Monti (UArts ‘22) 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
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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 happen.
To view more of their work visit lindseysilver.com.
Production Manager
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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. Producer credits include Testing Site (Philly Fringe 2023, Ubin Movement Theater) and Empty, FIll, and Again (2024, Hallie Malina).
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
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they/he
Amir (they/he) 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.
Graphic Designer
& NEW WORK DEVELOPMENT
All plays have undergone a weeklong workshop to grow into the pieces showcased tonight. We encourage audience members to share feedback with our LOBBY DISPLAY after the show. Our goal is to start a dialogue about the growth of the plays shown.
This process is 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 a piece written by Andrew Miqueli (DPP 22’), directed by Monti Cerabino (DPP 22’), and set designed by Lindsey Siver (DT 22’): the Summer of ‘69, a campy retelling of the Manson Murders.
Summer of ‘69 written by Andrew Miqueli // photos courtesy of Lindsey Silver
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…
Plays & Players Theatre, Steve Wei, Raven Buck, Hillary Silver, Maddie Kreitzberg, Jinx Kreitzberg, Eric Kashuba, Shannon O’Brien, Lindsay Cram, Kevin Glaccum
Skinner’s Studio at Plays & Player’s Theater
1714 Delancey St, Philadelphia PA 19103
interested in working
with
We are actively seeking NEW SCRIPTS, STAGE MANAGERS, TECHNICIANS, & DESIGNERS!
Fill our artist form here!