Review of ‘Black Girl from a White Suburb’: A Play on Race and Identity

Tania Richard’s solo play, Black Girl from a White Suburb, is currently onstage at American Blues Theater. The performance begins and ends with Richard’s focus on breathing rather than speaking. Before addressing the audience, Richard performs yoga stretches, creating an intimate moment. At the show’s conclusion, she encourages the audience to breathe collectively, offering a shared moment of reflection after an hour of exploring her world view.

Richard, a Chicago-based actress with a rich history in notable theaters such as Goodman and Steppenwolf, is both an artistic affiliate and the inclusion and belonging consultant at American Blues Theater. Her memoir, published in 2025, titled Black Girl from a White Suburb: Finding My Light, Using My Voice, served as the foundation for this commissioned play, directed by J. Nicole Brooks and premiering for the first time.

Richard’s parents, originally from Haiti, immigrated to Canada for medical school before moving to Chicago. They chose to settle in Western Springs, a mainly white suburb, upon recommendations for raising a family. This decision led Richard to be the only Black student in her school throughout most of her education. In high school, there was one other Black student, but he fit a typical stereotype.

Her development as an artist involved overcoming challenges. Despite facing microaggressions from her middle-school drama teacher, an opportunity to portray the caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland was transformative for her, showing her how to find her identity beyond societal constraints.

Richard’s narrative shares a quieter yet significant aspect of being Black in America. Her experience, though cushioned by parental success, was marred by everyday indignities with deep-rooted implications. She reflects on national events, such as witnessing the 1991 Rodney King beating and the subsequent acquittal of the officers, while performing in The Song of Jacob Zulu, a play addressing Apartheid, which amplified her awareness of racial disparities.

The theme of breath permeates the play. It’s especially poignant as Richard relates Eric Garner and George Floyd’s cries of “I can’t breathe” to her medical encounters. Richard, who suffered long COVID and asthma, highlights inequalities in medical treatment, emphasizing the basic act of breathing as a symbol of discrimination.

The production is presented in a thoughtfully designed office setting by Shokie Tseumah, with props by Tyson Carter, enhancing the storytelling. Richard’s emotional journey to discover her voice and narrate her own story resonates deeply, inviting audiences to engage with her experiences.

While Richard’s closing appeal could delve deeper, her effort to inspire through ordinary experiences carries authenticity. The play doesn’t rely on dramatic spectacles but instead offers its narrative strength through everyday realities, inviting viewers into a shared space of understanding and introspection.

Review: “Black Girl from a White Suburb” (3 stars)
When: Through October 4
Where: American Blues Theater, 5627 N. Lincoln Ave.
Running time: 1 hour
Tickets: $34.50-$64.50 at 773-654-3103 and americanbluestheater.com