BLACK GIRL FROM A WHITE SUBURB

SEPTEMBER 4 – OCTOBER 4, 2026

written & performed by artistic affiliate Tania Richard
directed by J. Nicole Brooks

Adapted from her memoir, Black Girl from a White Suburb: Finding My Light, Using My Voice. Signed copies will be available for purchase at the box office.

Tour-de-force solo show by Tania Richard. Growing up in an all-white Chicago suburb, she spent her days dodging microaggressions, striving to fit in, and yearning to see herself reflected. Her transformation began when cast as The Caterpillar in “Alice in Wonderland.” Blending cautionary tales, social commentary, and humor, Tania takes the leading role in a culture that often relegates Black women to supporting characters.

Read our Backstage Guide and the Exec. Artistic Director’s note. (Coming soon)

Read our digital program. (Coming soon)

PERFORMANCE INFO

5627 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago 60659
Box Office: (773) 654-3103

Runs 65 minutes with no intermission
Tickets range $34.50-$64.50.
Recommended for ages 14+

Read Frequently Asked Questions

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE –
Wednesdays: 2:00 PM (9/23 only); 7:00 PM (9/9 only)
Thursdays: 7:00 PM (no 9/24)
Fridays: 7:30 PM
Saturdays: 3:00 PM (9/19 & 10/3 only); 7:30 PM (9/5, 9/12, & 9/26)
Sundays: 2:30 PM

SPECIAL ACCESS EVENTS – $34.50 ticket – call (773) 654-3103
~ ASL interpreted performance – Friday, Sept 18 @ 7:30 PM
~ Touch tour – Sunday, Sept 20 @ 1:30 PM
~ Audio-described performance – Sunday, Sept 20 @ 2:30 PM

Photography by Michael Brosilow; Videos by Marty Higginbotham;
Trailer by Marty Higginbotham & Elyse Dolan. (all coming soon)

BUY TICKETS

ARTISTS

CAST: Tania Richard*

PRODUCTION TEAM: Tania Richard* (playwright), J. Nicole Brooks (director), Shokie Tseumah (scenic), Rueben D. Echoles (costumes), Jason Lynch (lights), Willow James (sound), Breon Arzell (movement director), Tyson Carter* (properties), Richard Lundy* (stage manager), Michael Trudeau* (facilities manager, ME), Trevor Hannagan* (technical director), Lily Walls* (wardrobe supervisor), Manny Buckley* (asst producer), & El Valet* (asst stage manager).

*Ensemble member or artistic affiliate of American Blues Theater.

TANIA RICHARD (writer & performer) is a proud artistic affiliate at American Blues Theater. She was last seen at American Blues Theater in Stand Up if You’re Here Tonight and The People’s Temple. She is also the Inclusion and Belonging Consultant at American Blues. Chicago credits include School Girls; or the African Mean Girls Play; A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theatre), This (Windy City Playhouse), The Song of Jacob Zulu; Everyman; and Nomathemba (Steppenwolf Theatre), Iphigenia at Aulis (The Court Theatre), Old Wine in New Bottles; Slaughterhouse 5, Cattle 0; Brother, Can You Spare Some Change?; and Studs Terkel Is Not Working (The Second City), Truth Be Told (Fleetwood Jourdain), and Voyeurs de Venus (Chicago Dramatists). Broadway credits include The Song of Jacob Zulu. Regional credits include Blues for an Alabama Sky and Valley Song (Portland Center Stage) and Nomathemba (The Kennedy Center). Her film and television credits include Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Justice, Empire, and The Chi. Tania is an award-winning playwright; her podcast is “Tania’s Take” and her commentary has been featured on NPR, Out Chicago, The Chicago Tribune, and WTTW’s Chicago Tonight. Tania’s memoir, Black Girl from a White Suburb: Finding My Light, Using My Voice, is available wherever books are sold.

PRODUCTION TEAM BIOGRAPHIES

J. NICOLE BROOKS (Director)

SHOKIE TSEUMAH (Scenic design)

RUEBEN D. ECHOLES (Wardrobe design)

JASON LYNCH (Lighting design)

WILLOW JAMES (Sound design)

BREON ARZELL (Movement director)

TYSON CARTER (Properties design) is a proud artistic affiliate of American Blues Theater.

RICHARD LUNDY (Production Stage Manager) is a proud artistic affiliate of American Blues Theater.

MICHAEL TRUDEAU (Lighting Supervisor / Facilities Manager) is a proud ensemble member of American Blues Theater.

TREVOR HANNAGAN (Technical Director)

LILY WALLS (Wardrobe supervisor)

MANNY BUCKLEY (Assistant Producer) is a proud ensemble member of American Blues Theater.

EL VALET – they/them (Assistant Stage Manager) is a proud artistic affiliate of American Blues Theater.

GWENDOLYN WHITESIDE (Exec Artistic Director)

Coming soon

COMMUNITY SERVICE

We raise awareness of other non-profit organizations’ great causes through creative collaborations. We’re proud to partner and amplify NAMI Chicago and Northwestern University’s The Family Institute. We also offer complimentary tickets to Chicago Public Schools students.

MORE INFORMATION ON BLACK GIRL FROM A WHITE SUBURB

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SEPTEMBER 4 – OCTOBER 4, 2026