'Nobody Is on Their Phone': How Beyond the Wings Theater Built a Community Out of Fairy Tale Chaos
Inside rehearsals for Don Zolidis' The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon at Pinellas County's inclusive, all-ages troupe.
Walk into a rehearsal for Beyond the Wings Theater, and the first thing you'll notice is that standard theatrical decorum has left the building.
In one corner, an actor in a plush unicorn hood strikes a dramatic pose next to a young girl brandishing a box of Hostess Twinkies. In another, performers grin while holding red crab claws and poster boards declaring “CRAB LIVES MATTER” and “NARRATORS ARE NOT REAL!” Nearby, royalty gallops around on wooden hobby horses, and Snow White trades banter with a mirror-wielding dwarf.
It is vibrant, delightfully unpretentious, and unapologetically fun.
The Pinellas County non-profit troupe is currently prepping Don Zolidis' The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon—a fast-paced comedy that attempts to mash up hundreds of classic fairy tales into one wild story. But for co-founder Maureen Keplinger, the real story isn't just the hilarious antics happening on stage; it's what happens on the sidelines.
In traditional community theater, off-stage actors often retreat behind backstage curtains, scroll through smartphones, or wait silently for their cues. At Beyond the Wings, the entire cast forms an active, enthusiastic audience for one another.
“One of the things that has surprised me most about this production is what happens when the actors aren't in a scene. We rehearse together in one room, so there isn't really a place for everyone to disappear backstage. Instead, they grab a chair, sit on the floor, or squeeze into whatever space they can find and watch the rehearsal. Surprisingly, nobody is on their phone. They're completely invested in what's happening, laughing at the same jokes they've heard for weeks, cheering each other on, and enjoying every scene like it's the first time they've seen it. To me, that's one of the biggest compliments this show could get. If the people who have watched it over and over still laugh out loud every rehearsal, I think audiences are going to have an amazing time.”
A Shared Stage Across Generations
That level of organic connection reflects the core mission of Beyond the Wings: creating an inclusive, neurodivergent-aware space where performers ranging from age 6 to 80+ share the spotlight equally. Beginners work alongside seasoned actors, running lines in hallways, adjusting each other's props, and building genuine friendships along the way.
“It's also been incredible to watch this cast grow together. Many of them walked into auditions not knowing each other, and now they're genuinely friends. They help each other with costumes, run lines together, celebrate each other's big moments, and never miss a chance to encourage someone who's feeling nervous. There's just a really special feeling in the room. Everyone is rooting for everyone else. Whether an actor has one line or one hundred, they're just as excited to watch their castmates perform as they are to take the stage themselves.”
For Keplinger and the production team, the ultimate goal isn't just opening-night applause—it's the feeling of belonging that stays long after the final curtain falls.
“That's the kind of community we're trying to build at Beyond the Wings Theater. Yes, we're putting on a funny show, but we're also creating a place where people feel welcome, make real friendships, and have so much fun together that rehearsal becomes something they can't wait to come back to. I hope audiences can feel that joy when they walk through the doors, because it's been there since the very first rehearsal.”
🎟️ Show Information & Performance Dates
Show: The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon by Don Zolidis
Venue: Lealman Exchange Community Center (LEX), 5175 45th St. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33714
Performance Schedule
Friday, August 7, 2026 — 7:00 PM
Saturday, August 8, 2026 — 7:00 PM
Sunday, August 9, 2026 — 3:00 PM (Matinee)
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