The Company.
Our Story
Theatre Contra is a Philadelphia based theatre company established in 2018 after working together to create the successful Philadelphia Fringe Festival show, The Vs. Series. Theatre Contra is a collaborative group that works to engage the community through new, devised, and established works that focus on the visceral conflict and conviction with in us all.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Theatre Contra took a break to reexamine the work we are doing and how it can best impact our community. We are excited to reestablish ourselves as a mainstay in the Philadelphia Theatre Community and produce work that is accessible and entertaining to everyone.
Founding Members: Eliana Fabiyi, Kaitlyn Ide, Christine Freije, Madeline Jones, Paige Martini, Tara Bankard, Jonathan Silver, Ryann Carey, Bryant Edwards
Our Mission
Theatre Contra thrives on the phrase “low stakes, high fun”. By challenging the typical audience-theatre dynamic, we aim to fill spaces with joy, share stories of conflict and conviction, and make theatre for everyone who wants to experience it.
Our Values.
Good people make great work.
People come first. When adding new members and finding collaborators to work with, our most important goal is finding good people. By first fostering a positive environment, great work will follow.
Theatre is for everyone.
We aim to make accessible theatre: both physically and emotionally. We work to make all of our full productions accessible no matter the needs of the individual. In addition, we also work to make theatre that can be ENJOYED by everyone - whether it’s your grandmother or your oddball roommate from college.
Community first.
We would not exist without our community. We aim to make theatre that both enriches and challenges our community to grow. We strive to break barriers that would otherwise prevent our community from enjoying theatre. Ultimately, without you, we would not be able to exist.
Contra Members
Adam Howard, Brennen Malone, Bryant Edwards, Elizabeth Crino, Mariah Ghant, Natajia Sconiers, Leslie Miller.
Advisory Committee
Jo Vito Ramirez, John Patouhas, Katie Frazer, Matthew Reddin
Founding Members: Bryant Edwards, Madeline Jones, Paige Whitson-Martini, Ryann Carey, Eliana Fabiyi, Tara Bankard, Jonathan Silver, Christine Freije, Kaitlyn Ide.
Current Members, 2023 (L-R)
Adam Howard, Leslie Miller, Natajia Sconiers,
Mariah Ghant, Bryant Edwards, Elizabeth Crino
Art by Jenna Rogalski