Director's Note

I have never laughed so hard in rehearsals as I have over the past few months. More than once my husband asked me if we'd even done any rehearsing at all! And the thing is, maybe some days we did talk more about what was happening in our real lives than our characters', but, as Nora Ephron famously said, it's all copy. Our shared stories mirrored the trials and joys of our characters, sometimes to an uncanny degree.

Never before in modern history have women in their 50s been so open, so adamant about what this experience means to us. We are owning what the change in our bodies means to us, and how that change is a catalyst for how we move through the world.

I started PBTC as a 40-year old with a toddler and plans for greatness. We're restarting the company in our 50s with growing and grown children and aging parents and demanding jobs and a desire for this to be a place that brings us discoveries and joy in tumultuous times. I hope you'll join us as we make our own way forward.

The Company

Bridget Reilly Beauchamp

Jeanine O'Brien Waldron

Kristina Denzel Bickford

Ryan Coffey Keaton

Teresa Miller

TG Seale

Bridget Reilly Beauchamp (she/her), Elena: Bridget is the Founding Artistic Director of PBTC, and facilitator of this madcap band. Prior directing credits include The Night Witches, The Penelopiad, Mrs. Harrison, and Mr. Burns, a post-electric play. Performing roles like Titania and Beatrice with Shakespeare In The Summer convinced her that Original Practices had a life outside of Shakespeare. She wants to thank TG Seale for her words, these wonderful women for their trust, and Josh, Siobhan & Jade for putting up with rehearsals in the living room.

Jeanine O'Brien Waldron (she/her), Laila: is a high school English and Theater teacher and has appeared in Spin the Lonely World, The Night Witches, The Penolopiad, Sense and Sensibility, Proof, Much Ado About Nothing, and The Weir. She still is grateful to Bridget for casting her in Caged Birds in 1990 when their 50s were still far away. She thanks her parents for still taking her to plays, and her husband and three children for dealing with Menopausal Mom.

Kristina Denzel Bickford (she/her), Jasmine: is happy to be playing once again with the beloved PBTC! Locally, Kristina has performed with PBTC, Jenkintown Music Theatre, and Willow Manor Players. Favorite productions include Urinetown (Officer Lockstock), My Favorite Year (K.C. Downing), Into The Woods (Cinderella), and Mr Burns, A Post Electric Play (Quincy). Kristina is a visual artist whose work focuses on the construct of gender and sexuality, an educator, and she runs a small handmade jewelry business, Meal Ticket Jewelry.

Ryan Coffey Keaton (she/her), Naomi: Ryan is a full time educator, wife and mom returning to the stage as part of her “mid-life awakening”. Her most recent role was Sister Mary Germaine in Sister Act: The Musical. Shout out to her husband (the vegan) for supporting her love of theater and special thanks to the 50AF Author, Director and cast for the frank discussions and strength in sisterhood.

Teresa Miller, Celeste: is a Philadelphia-based actor and playwright who loves characters with something to say and even more to hide. Drawn to work that is funny, complicated, tender, and a little dangerous, Teresa brings curiosity and a deep love of language to every role. When she isn’t acting, she is usually writing the next story she wants to see onstage.

TG Seale (she/her), Playwright: TG (Tanya) Seale wrote 50-ish and Fierce AF because menopause deserves funnier PR. She is grateful to PBTC, Bridget Reilly Beauchamp, and this fearless, hilarious cast for giving these women—and their hot flashes, heartaches, and hormones—a place in the spotlight. TG holds a BA in English from Webster University and an MFA in Dramatic Writing from Goddard College. She writes from her home near Atlanta, Georgia. Learn more at tgseale.com.

Pulley & Buttonhole Theatre Company: Founded in 2012, PBTC is a community-based registered 501 © 3 non-profit corporation with a mission to respect the work – the written words and the effort of everyone involved; and the desire to build community through the sharing of story. We do this by focusing on the work, by returning to the fundamentals, and by making “good”, not “perfect” our watchword.

All Hallows Parish: All Hallows Church, Wyncote, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1891. They are a parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania of the Episcopal Church, USA, which is part of the Anglican Communion. The Parish House is being made available as outreach to our local community. Contact the parish office for more information, to set up a tour, or to make a reservation: 215 885-1641.