The Effect of Ultraviolet Light by Claire Rice

Roger Arliner Young is the first African American woman to receive a doctorate degree in zoology in the United States. She was not recognized in her time for her contributions. This play takes place at the end of her life as she begins to lose control of her ability to keep the past and the present in order. The character relives all the fear, loss, and disillusionment of a woman who’s dreams were ripped from her hands.
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The Effect of Ultraviolet Light

Recommended by

  • Rachel Bublitz:
    25 Sep. 2019
    “ Poetic and visceral. I love historical work that feels urgent and immediate, and Rice achieves this with this play. The script also is a gift to designers, Rice leaves space for so much creativity and collaboration in developing the world and the control loss experienced by Roger Arliner Young. Read it!!! ”

Character Information

  • Roger (Roger Arliner Young)
    Thirties to Fourties,
    African American
    ,
    Female
    Roger Arliner Young is the first African American woman to receive a doctorate degree in zoology in the United States. She was not recognized in her time for her contributions. This play takes place at the end of her life as she begins to lose control of her ability to keep the past and the present in order.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Fanny
    A coworker at the Marine Biological Laboratory and a figment of Roger’s imagination.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Loud and Unladylike
    ,
    2015