♥  Honorary Producer: Becky Bradbeer  ♥

The Contrast

By Royall Tyler
Directed by Neill Hartley

Sunday, November 6th @ 2PM
Independence Seaport Museum
211 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd
The Venture Reading Series Returns!

A classic "comedy of manners" advertised as the first truly American play, THE CONTRAST follows a tangle of almost-marriages and seductions, satirizing European snobbery against plain-spoken (if rough-hewn) "Yankee" manners.

The Contrast is presented in partnership with ACTING WITHOUT BOUNDARIES, which aims to transform lives and build self-esteem in an empowered community of people with physical disabilities through theater that celebrates ability. 

As always, admission to our
Venture Reading Series is FREE! 
Tickets are free, but we gratefully accept any and all donations.

You can donate either by selecting an amount other than $0 when reserving a ticket or by giving in-person at the event. All donations will be split evenly between Acting Without Boundaries and The Philadelphia Artists' Collective.
Elisheva Apple

Elisheva loves participating in AWB. After attending Lower Merion Schools, Eli graduated from the HMS School in Philadelphia. Since then, she has been active as a community volunteer. During non-COVID times, she helped at two schools and in a rehab facility. Eli loves swimming, bowling, physical therapy, and doing art projects. She particularly enjoys family game nights with her nephew and nieces. She also dog sits for her sister’s dog, Mimi. Elisheva joined AWB because she loves being in plays and enjoys the supportive and fun environment of rehearsals.
Aleah Beche 

Aleah Beche is a Philadelphia based actor and recent University of the Arts alumni, and she’s super excited to be making her live professional theatre debut. She is grateful for the opportunity to be making art with such a lovely group of people, and to share it with the community. Acting Without Boundaries is such a special organization and getting the chance to collaborate with them is the most perfect first credit she can imagine.
Simon Bonenfant

Simon Bonenfant has been an actor with AWB since 2007. He made his debut performance with AWB Jr. when he was five years old, peddling sticks and straw and bricks in the Three Piggy Opera. He has been an avid AWB performer ever since! A graduate of Saint Lucy Day School for Children with Visual Impairments and Archbishop Carroll High School, Simon is now a Freshman at Chestnut Hill College, majoring in Communications. He credits his confidence on stage and off with his early start with AWB. Simon also enjoys singing in choir, interviewing blind pioneers for the Blind Abilities podcast, and practicing his Catholic faith.
Shaelin Cantwell

This is Shaelin’s 12th show. She also has been narrator for the junior program. When not in AWB, Shaelin enjoys swimming, horseback riding, singing, and reading. She has enjoyed building lasting friendships with her other AWB actors. Shaelin is employed part-time at Handi- Crafters in Thorndale and has been working there since November of 2018. Prior to working, she attended a postsecondary pre-vocational program through the CCIU. She was mainstreamed throughout high school in the West Chester Area School District. She loves to watch beauty pageants and even won her summer camp’s pageant one year. She has two cats and a twin sister. Her favorite performance so far has been Working, especially the scene with the stone mason.
Brooke Connolly 

Brooke is the oldest of four. She loves watching Pretty Little Liars, Gilmore Girls, and Disney movies. She loves The Jonas Brothers, doing puzzles, singing, and acting. She loves participating in monthly workshops and especially loves the summer workshop. Brooke has made a lot of friends at AWB and plans to be a member of the group for a long time.
Quirine DeBruin

Quirine is a sophomore at Penn State Brandywine, interested in Psychology. In her free time she enjoys listening to music, visiting places, hanging out with friends, working out at the gym, and singing. Quirine loves being a part of the AWB cast and is thrilled to be Georgette in the show.
Aaron Deede

Aaron is a very talented actor who enjoys writing, listening to music, watching movies, and making new friends. Aaron has been acting his entire life. While performing in high school plays, Aaron was aptly awarded “Best Actor” for his roles in two different productions. Aaron feels that AWB has given him the chance to express himself both physically and verbally and allowed him to meet new friends. Originally from New York, he is an avid NY Giants, Mets, and Islanders fan. Aaron hopes that his acting inspires his niece and nephews to follow their dreams no matter the obstacles they may encounter.
Lauren Gretz

Lauren Gretz has been performing for local audiences as a member of Acting Without Boundaries (AWB) for the last 18 years. She has received critical acclaim from family and friends for her portrayal of Maria in The Sound of Music along with many other memorable roles. Some of her favorite roles to portray were Mrs. Banks (Mary Poppins), Baloo (The Jungle Book), and Grace (Working). She is grateful to her friends and family for their love and support and would like to thank all those involved in AWB for giving her some of the most rewarding experiences in her life. Lauren would like to dedicate this performance to the beloved Claudio DelliCarpini 💕.
Evan Linden

Evan is excited to be performing in person with their AWB family. Prior to joining AWB, they performed in a summer stock production of The Hobbit with New Hampshire’s Arts in Motion theatre company, playing the Elven Monarch. During quarantine, they paid homage to their love for Dungeons and Dragons as Kelly/Kaliope in She Kills Monsters with the Signifying Nothing theatre company. For the past three years, they have taken part in AWB’s master class, performing scenes from Macbeth, Oklahoma, and their original one-act, On the Shelf. Last month, they performed in This is My Brave, a showcase to raise awareness for mental health. A writer and performer from a young age, Evan has performed many covers of Broadway and Disney classics, as well as writing their own original music, poetry, and short stories. They are an advocate for intersectionality between the LGBT and disabled communities. They thank their parents, theater family, and friends: Kim, Anomie, Izzy, Aaron, Ian, and Dynah. Watch their covers and original songs on Instagram @DearEvanTransin.

Nicole Panelli

This is Nicole’s seventh year in AWB. She enjoys performing on stage and being with all her AWB friends. Nicole’s hobbies are: Making bead bracelets and necklaces, Special Olympics bowling where she earned a gold and silver medal in regionals, swimming at the gym, going out to eat, and playing on her tablet & computer. Nicole also greatly enjoys shopping at the mall with friends, talking on the phone, visiting with her boyfriend, spending time with her dogs: Wallace, and her Retired Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) assistance dog, Soho, and visits her new dog nephew, Franklin. 

Olivia A. Ruth

Olivia describes herself as a creative young woman who loves to be around people. She has a great memory and enjoys learning her lines for all the performances as well as all the lyrics to her favorite country hits. Liv enjoys making banners, cards, and other projects using computer software and her circuit machine. She also uses her gifts and talents to create customized communication boards. Her at-home business, AAC Design Workshop (Aumentative and Alternative Communication) helps to support non-verbal individuals by providing customized portable boards that will help people to communicate their needs and desires. She feels strongly that EVERYONE deserves to express themselves in their own way! Olivia has a great passion for drama and enjoys singing whenever she gets the chance, whether it be on stage, in the car, or at home in her office. Her friends at AWB mean the world to her and she looks forward to getting together virtually and in-person at the monthly workshops and socials. In the past 17 years, she has made memories that will last a lifetime and looks forward to performing in this wonderful collaboration, The Contrast!
Elizabeth Seaman

The Sound of Music in 2009 was Elizabeth’s first AWB performance, and Grease was her favorite show (so far). Elizabeth participates in Special Olympics bowling and has won numerous medals including state champion! Elizabeth is an avid Phillies, Eagles and Green Bay Packers fan (attending as many Phillies games as possible). Elizabeth also enjoys attending concerts; her favorites are Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, Carrie Underwood, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles.

Clark Clement Smith

Clark is immensely excited to play Jessamy in Acting Without Boundaries’ production of The Contrast. Clark is a recent graduate from the University of the Arts where he finished with a BFA in acting! Currently, Clark can also be seen as Edgar Allan Poe in Hedgerow Theatre’s production of Tales from Poe. Before that, Clark also played Orsino in Hedgerow’s Twelfth Night. Clark would like to thank his friends, family, and especially Neill Hartley for this wonderful opportunity. Clark can be found on Instagram @The_Clarkage
Chris Thomas

Christopher Thomas is thrilled to be celebrating his 5-year anniversary with Acting Without Boundaries (AWB) and looks forward to future shows. A graduate of Overbrook School for the Blind, Chris enjoys connecting with his friends on the phone, listening to music, and is an avid Facebook user. As part of his Shotokan karate training, Chris recently earned his brown belt. A Pennsylvania resident, Chris lives in Levittown and loves being a part of AWB and the lifelong friends he has made while participating in this program.
Will Thomas

Will joined AWB in 2014. He is a graduate of the James H. Groves High School, and he owns and operates his own thoroughbred horse racing stable. He is looking to expand his theatrical education. Most recently he served as Assistant Director for the AWB Juniors production of Stone Soup. He has participated in several AWB Master Classes and served as a mentor in the AWB Acting Lab. He is a fan of all types of music and film. He feels that AWB is an important organization because it not only empowers people with physical disabilities, but also educates and entertains its audience. Will feels that AWB has the power to change both the actor and the audience. 
Abigail West

Abigail joined the AWB Jr. cast in fall of 2012, and she continues to thoroughly enjoy the challenge of learning her lines and having the opportunity to sing and perform on stage ever since. She also loves working with all the staff, especially Mr. Hartley and Ms. Ceferatti. But, most of all, she treasures the friendships she's forged with her fellow cast members. Abigail is a 2020 (Pandemic) Highschool Graduate and is in her second year of TAP (Transition to Adult Program) through the Lenape Regional High School District in Medford, NJ. She aspires to be a mental health therapist for people with disabilities. Her favorite things to do are listen to music, read audiobooks, keep up with friends on Instagram, and watch YouTube videos on her iPad. She also enjoys hanging out at the boardwalk in Ocean City, NJ, eating sushi, satisfying her coffee fix, and watching the shenanigans of her rescue pup and three rescue cats. 

Briana White

Briana loves to cook, travel, swim, blog, attend concerts and plays, and act. During the week, when not working at Baker Industries, she works out at a fitness gym, and attends a social group on Friday nights. Bree likes being active and has enjoyed adaptive rock climbing, skiing, and surfing. As a young child she appeared in several “Toys R Us” catalogs, one specifically for the “Differently-Abled Child.” Before joining AWB, Briana starred in a number of plays including Grease, Oliver, Honk, and Seussical the Musical. She has been with AWB since its onset and has enjoyed all her performances. Briana has loved learning and performing with AWB, but feels the greatest gift is being able to spend time with her friends and the most dedicated and extraordinary staff and volunteers. She is very grateful to Christine Rouse for creating AWB!
Kate Yeager

Kate is a graduate of Downingtown East High School. She works at Handicrafters in Thorndale, PA. She participated in the lighting crew in her middle school plays and participated in her high school chorus. Kate describes herself as enthusiastic and energetic. She enjoys singing, shopping, and going to shows at the theater. Kate enjoys working with children and volunteers at the Lionville YMCA in childcare and at Uwchlan Hills Elementary School. Kate has been awarded with the YMCA Volunteer of the Year for “Social Responsibility.” Kate has thoroughly enjoyed the rehearsals along with the hard work! Kate enjoys all the cast and crew of AWB!
Gianna Zaccagni

This is Gianna’s fourth year with AWB and her first performance as a Senior. She is a graduate of St. Lucy’s School for the Visually Impaired and she is currently a Senior at Archbishop Ryan High School. Gianna is a huge fan of all genres of music, and she loves seeing shows in New York City. She also sings in the school choir, is a member of Tri-M and has been taking voice lessons at Settlement Music School for the past five years. Gianna hopes to attend college after high school and pursue a career in music and/or broadcast journalism and hopes to work at iHeart Music Studios one day.