The Bra Mitzvah
by Stacy Jill Calvert

Stacy Jill Calvert
Follow
The Bra Mitzvah
by Stacy Jill Calvert
Stacy Jill Calvert
Follow
We need your help to make THE BRA MITZVAH! Help us tell this coming-of-age comedic short!
We need your help to make THE BRA MITZVAH! Help us tell this coming-of-age comedic short!
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Story
Inclusion Statement
I'm a 40+ year old queer jewish woman and most of the people who are behind the scenes are also female-identified, queer and range in age and backgrounds.About The Project
WHY THIS FILM?
The idea for The Bra Mitzvah came from my own mortifying experience as a pre-teen in the midwest. My uncle was getting married and my grandmother said that I needed a "real bra" for my dress. I was barely 9 years old and my body decided that it was time to start puberty. Nana took me to the local lingerie shop, where very old, Jewish grandmothers with cold, clammy, hands fawned over me as they fitted me for my very first bra.
WHY NOW?
This is my second narrative short, and my first project since I finished my MFA. I'm excited to be working with some amazing people who believe in the project and also want more queer films out in the world. This is a story that has been marinating in my head for a long time, and I am so excited to be able to bring it to fruition!
(Directing an episode of the web series, Lucky 7 in Grad School)
THE CAST
We couldn't be more excited to showcase these amazing talents!
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
With your donation, we can get The Bra Mitzvah out of the training (pre-production) stage and move straight into that push up bra (aka production).
Be a part of our fundraising family and help us meet our goal!
CINEFEMME FISCAL SPONSORSHIP
We are so proud to announce that we have been accepted into the Cinefemme Fiscal Sponsorship program! Any donation over $100 will receive a tax deduction letter.
Incentives
$5
We Love You
You deserve a big shout out on Social Media!
$10
You’ve Come a Long Way, Bubbe!
This is a SUPER-special-BubbeLicious incentive for our last two days of campaign!
At the close of our campaign, we will throw all of the wonderful supporters who choose this incentive into an empty jar of Matzo Ball Soup and choose (1) winner to receive thisBubbe-tastic T-shirt that says “You’ve Come A Long Way, Bubbe!” from our friends at Schmattees!
ALSO:
Everyone who chooses this will also get a special BubbeLicious greeting from our set!$15
Mixtape, Circa 2005
Receive a link to a playlist that our character JEN gave to her wife ZOE when they first started dating!
You will also receive a shout out from us on social media!
$25
A Recipe from Nana's Kitchen
Receive one of Nana's famous Jewish recipes (in digital form)!
You will also receive:
- A shoutout from us on Social Media
- A link to the Jen & Zoe Playlist
- Your name in our credits!
$30
We Puffy Heart You!
Do you puffy-heart love stickers like we do? We'll send you a custom THE BRA MITZVAH sticker!
You will also receive:
- A shoutout from us on Social Media
- A link to the Jen & Zoe Playlist
- Your name in our credits!
$50
Signed Copy of The Bra Mitzvah
Receive a signed (by the director and cast), digital copy of our final shooting script!
You will also receive:
A shoutout from us on Social Media
A link to the Jen & Zoe PlaylistYour name in our credits!
$75
Read a Book!
(5) Lucky Donors will receive a signed copy of cast member,
Jasmin Singer's book, "Always Too Much and Never Enough: A Memoir".You will also receive:
- A shoutout from us on Social Media
- A link to the Jen & Zoe Playlist
- Your name in our credits!
Claimed: 1 of 5
$100
See the Film!
TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Receive a private link to the film before it is released publicly!
You will also receive:
- A shoutout from us on Social Media
- A link to the Jen & Zoe Playlist
- Your name in our credits!
$150
The Nosh!
TAX DEDUCTIBLE
*Los Angeles Only
Stacy, our Director, will cook you a pan of her Nana Golda's famous noodle kugel and deliver it to your door! (For those of you non-Jews, it's a sweet noodle dish with all sorts of yummy goodness inside)
You will also receive:
- A shoutout from us on Social Media
- A link to the Jen & Zoe Playlist
- Your name in our credits!
- A link to the final film before it is released publicly (2020)
Claimed: 0 of 5
$300
A Jewish Vegan Feast! (Just For You)
TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Our moms in THE BRA MITZVAH (Moore Rhys & Jasmin Singer), will cook and serve you a Jewish Vegan meal in your home for you and another who you deem worthy!
You will also receive:
- A shoutout from us on Social Media
- A link to the Jen & Zoe Playlist
- Your name in our credits!
- A link to the final film before it is released publicly (2020)
Claimed: 0 of 1
$500
A True Mensch!
TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Thank you for your support!
You are now an Associate Producer of The Bra MitzvahYou will also receive:
- A shoutout from us on Social Media
- A link to the Jen & Zoe Playlist
- A link to the final film before it is released publicly (2020)
- Associate Producer credit on IMDB
$750
Oy Vey, You Are Great!
TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Thank you for your support!
You are now a Producer of The Bra Mitzvah
You will also receive:- A shoutout from us on Social Media
- A link to the Jen & Zoe Playlist
- A link to the final film before it is released publicly (2020)
- Producer credit on IMDB
$1,000
The Mitzvah
TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Thank you for your support!
You are now an Executive Producer of The Bra Mitzvah
You will also receive:- A shoutout from us on Social Media
- A link to the Jen & Zoe Playlist
- A link to the final film before it is released publicly (2020)
- Executive Producer credit on IMDB
-
Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$5
We Love You
You deserve a big shout out on Social Media!
$10
You’ve Come a Long Way, Bubbe!
This is a SUPER-special-BubbeLicious incentive for our last two days of campaign!
At the close of our campaign, we will throw all of the wonderful supporters who choose this incentive into an empty jar of Matzo Ball Soup and choose (1) winner to receive thisBubbe-tastic T-shirt that says “You’ve Come A Long Way, Bubbe!” from our friends at Schmattees!
ALSO:
Everyone who chooses this will also get a special BubbeLicious greeting from our set!$15
Mixtape, Circa 2005
Receive a link to a playlist that our character JEN gave to her wife ZOE when they first started dating!
You will also receive a shout out from us on social media!
$25
A Recipe from Nana's Kitchen
Receive one of Nana's famous Jewish recipes (in digital form)!
You will also receive:
- A shoutout from us on Social Media
- A link to the Jen & Zoe Playlist
- Your name in our credits!
$30
We Puffy Heart You!
Do you puffy-heart love stickers like we do? We'll send you a custom THE BRA MITZVAH sticker!
You will also receive:
- A shoutout from us on Social Media
- A link to the Jen & Zoe Playlist
- Your name in our credits!
$50
Signed Copy of The Bra Mitzvah
Receive a signed (by the director and cast), digital copy of our final shooting script!
You will also receive:
A shoutout from us on Social Media
A link to the Jen & Zoe PlaylistYour name in our credits!
$75
Read a Book!
(5) Lucky Donors will receive a signed copy of cast member,
Jasmin Singer's book, "Always Too Much and Never Enough: A Memoir".You will also receive:
- A shoutout from us on Social Media
- A link to the Jen & Zoe Playlist
- Your name in our credits!
Claimed: 1 of 5
$100
See the Film!
TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Receive a private link to the film before it is released publicly!
You will also receive:
- A shoutout from us on Social Media
- A link to the Jen & Zoe Playlist
- Your name in our credits!
$150
The Nosh!
TAX DEDUCTIBLE
*Los Angeles Only
Stacy, our Director, will cook you a pan of her Nana Golda's famous noodle kugel and deliver it to your door! (For those of you non-Jews, it's a sweet noodle dish with all sorts of yummy goodness inside)
You will also receive:
- A shoutout from us on Social Media
- A link to the Jen & Zoe Playlist
- Your name in our credits!
- A link to the final film before it is released publicly (2020)
Claimed: 0 of 5
$300
A Jewish Vegan Feast! (Just For You)
TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Our moms in THE BRA MITZVAH (Moore Rhys & Jasmin Singer), will cook and serve you a Jewish Vegan meal in your home for you and another who you deem worthy!
You will also receive:
- A shoutout from us on Social Media
- A link to the Jen & Zoe Playlist
- Your name in our credits!
- A link to the final film before it is released publicly (2020)
Claimed: 0 of 1
$500
A True Mensch!
TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Thank you for your support!
You are now an Associate Producer of The Bra MitzvahYou will also receive:
- A shoutout from us on Social Media
- A link to the Jen & Zoe Playlist
- A link to the final film before it is released publicly (2020)
- Associate Producer credit on IMDB
$750
Oy Vey, You Are Great!
TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Thank you for your support!
You are now a Producer of The Bra Mitzvah
You will also receive:- A shoutout from us on Social Media
- A link to the Jen & Zoe Playlist
- A link to the final film before it is released publicly (2020)
- Producer credit on IMDB
$1,000
The Mitzvah
TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Thank you for your support!
You are now an Executive Producer of The Bra Mitzvah
You will also receive:- A shoutout from us on Social Media
- A link to the Jen & Zoe Playlist
- A link to the final film before it is released publicly (2020)
- Executive Producer credit on IMDB
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Stacy Jill Calvert
Writer/ Director
Stacy is a filmmaker/educator who lives in Los Angeles with her wife and two cats (aka little monsters). Stacy is the Film Festival Coordinator for the ClexaCon Film Festival and is a leader of the Los Angeles chapter of the Cinefemme Directors Collective.Rachael Stone
Actor - "Becca"
I was born and raised (for the first half of my life) one hour east of La La Land, until my parents said, "We're moving." Now, here I am. You can often find me stuck in traffic on either the 405 or 5 freeway heading to or from an acting audition or simply trying to get from one spot to another spot in Los Angeles (not an easy task or speedy task.)
Before training as an actress, I was a ballet dancer and was part of many different ballet productions from ages 6-16. I attended Summer programs with the American Ballet Theatre JKO School in New York and in Orange Country and with the San Francisco Ballet School. I even got the opportunity to dance on stage with American Ballet Theatre during their world premiere of Sleeping Beauty at The Segestrom Center in Orange County. It was very exciting. At 16, I took my first acting class and fell in love with it. I've been acting ever since. I hope to continue to grow as an actress and I am loving every step of the way.Jasmin Singer
Actor - "Jen"
Jasmin Singer is the author of the memoir, Always Too Much and Never Enough, the co-host of the long-running Our Hen House podcast, and the Digital Director and love columnist for VegNews Magazine. She was named a "40 Under 40" by The Advocate (which is a relief, because she's 39 and a half); has been seen in lots of thisses and thats including The Dr. Oz Show, a bunch of documentaries about veganism, and a comedy show entitled "Mortified" in which she reads from her middle school journal; and she has a Tedx talk entitled "Compassion Unlocks Identity" that she really, really wants you to watch. She lives between Los Angeles and New York City and does a lot of important things, as well as some completely frivolous things.
Moore Rhys
Actor - "Zoe"
Moore Rhys is a passionate vegan of 25 years, mom to Lucy the dog and stepmom to Stella the cat, real life partners with her movie wife Jasmin, and a prolific sewer of bow ties (as well as other crafts that dismantle toxic masculinity). She grew up in Washington, DC—as a professional performer, not politician. Her strong belief in prison abolition directed her to contribute her time and talents to the California Coalition for Women Prisoners. Years ago, Moore had enough of the misogynistic world of screenwriting, and embraced her career in the field of human research ethics. In addition, she and Jasmin are working on creating a really fun musical about a dead dog.Robin S. Roth
Actor - "Marti"
A real-life Nana originally from Queens, NY, Robin is thrilled to be part of “Bra Mitzvah.” She has loved theater since her debut as a witch in the 4th-grade Thanksgiving play, and will soon be seen in “The Elephant Man” at El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. Her favorite roles have run the gamut from con artist/bank robber to post-apocalyptic warlord, with many mothers in between. Feature films include “Jessie The Golden Heart,” “You Should Meet My Son 2!” “Goin’ Around” and “Alien Anthropologists.” IMDB.me/robinroth Instagram @rothrobin24
Bridget McManus
Actor - "The Concierge"
Bridget McManus is a television host, screenwriter, producer, director and award-winning performer. She created and hosted two television shows for the Logo Network: the award-winning comedy talk show, Brunch with Bridget, and Bridget McManus Presents: That Time of The Month. She hosted the self-help series The Jam, The Stonewall Inn's 40th Anniversary Benefit in New York City, FabFitFun's weekly pop-culture talk show Throwback Thursday and was a correspondent for the 8th International Gay Games in Cologne, Germany. Her writer and producer credits include the original mockumentary series McManusland, the romantic drama series Maybelle, the horror series Buyer Beware, the relationship talk show Happy Wife, Happy Life, the romantic comedy Alice & Iza, and satirical news series We Have Issues.
McManus had a recurring cameo in season four of the Emmy Award-winning Amazon series Transparent.
McManus has been featured in Universal's blockbuster film Wanted, alongside Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy, and in the romantic comedy feature November Rule. She also had a starring role in Guinevere Turner's film festival favorite, Post Apocalyptic Potluck. She has appeared on the MTV comedy sketch series Acting Out, and Netflix’s Bill Nye Saves the World. She was Queen Latifah’s sidekick on The Queen Latifah Show, and was regularly featured on The Jeff Probst Show and Talk Show the Game Show.
McManus garnered a Best Actor nomination at London's Raindance Webfest for her romantic drama series Maybelle. She also earned a Best Writer (Drama) nomination for the series from the International Academy of Web Television Awards. Maybelle won the Best Drama Award at OutWebFest in Los Angeles and the Best Director award at the Raindance Webfest in London.
McManus has starred in five comedy specials: Bridget McManus: Chaos & Cleavage, Bridget McManus: Live at Chicago's Mayne Stage, Laughing Matters: The Next Generation, and Logo TV’s One Night Stand Up and, most recently, Bridget McManus Live at ClexaCon in Las Vegas, which will be released later this year on tello Films.
McManus is one of the few female warm-up comedians in television, and her credits include Fox's Teen Choice Awards, NBC's The Wall and Last Comic Standing, Netflix's Chelsea, Netflix's The Fix, CW's Young Women's Honors, FOX's The Real, Netflix's Awake, the EPIX Wanda Sykes comedy special What Happened...Ms. Sykes?, Facebook Live's Make Up Or Break Up, FOX'S The Preachers and The Boris & Nicole Show, Ellen DeGeneres’ game show Heads Up!, ABC's The FABLife, RUPAUL, USA Network's Big Star Little Star and According To Chrisley, Throwing Shade, Family Fortune, Keke, Breakthrough with Dr. Steve Perry, What Happened Was..., and Sports Desk USA.
McManus graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Drama from Playwright's Horizon's Theater School. She completed The Second City Conservatory Program in Los Angeles and studied at The Groundlings. In 2016, McManus was named Vice President of Development at telloFilms.
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