Suburban Black Girl by Zakiya Urbi Young

Zakiya Young: poster child for racial reconciliation. She code switches with lightning speed. White sorority? Like, no prob. A Black and Latine church with a White pastor? She’ll praise God in Spanish! Broadway? Is it color blind casting or an all-Black show? Yes, she can do it all because this Suburban Black Girl has mastered the art of being ‘non-threatening.’ But when the new political regime begins criminalizing “otherness”, will she remain safe in her glass house of assimilation? Or will current events raze that house into shards of nonconformity?

Why this play now? Turn on the news. Go on social media. People are frightened and angry. Some became activists after the events of 2020, like Zakiya did. Others struggle to figure out where their help is most needed. And many wrestle with the guilt of not taking action – keeping their heads down and working for fear of putting their families at risk.  For marginalized people, especially Black people who live in the suburbs, conformity is the key to success. But with the abrupt and painful transition that is happening in America, now is the perfect time to delve into the realities and consequences of assimilation.

With scenic design by Jonathan Gilmer, sound by Melanie Falcón, projections by Blake McCarty, lighting design by Douglas Gabrielle, costume design by Jen Caprio, and stage management by Arielle Hightower.

Learn even more here: https://www.suburbanblackgirlplay.com/