Single Black Female

by Lisa B. Thompson

SINGLE BLACK FEMALE (Samuel French, 2012) is a two-woman show that uses rapid-fire comic vignettes to examine the lives of thirty-something African American middle class women as they search for love, clothes, and dignity in a world that fails to recognize them among a parade of stereotypical images.

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Single Black Female

Character Information

SBF 1

A mildly androgynous literature professor with dreadlocks, a bookish, style and clothing accented with “Afrocentric” accessories. She wears Dansko clogs and eccentric eyeglasses.

Character Age

30s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

African American/Black

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  30s,
  
  40s
- Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
  
  Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Woman
SBF 2

She's an attorney who sports a flowing perm or hair weave and wears sexy business suits. SBF 1’s best friend, confidante and alter ego.

Character Age

30S

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

African American/Black

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  30s
- Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
  
  Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Woman

Production History

Type Professional, Organization Ground Floor Theatre, Year 2020
Type Professional, Organization Congo Square, Year 2019
Type Professional, Organization Jubilee Theatre, Year 2019
Type Professional, Organization Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. , Year 2019
Type Professional, Organization Soul Rep Theatre Company, Year 2018
Type University, Organization Prairie View A & M University, Year 2017
Type Community Theater, Organization Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, Year 2016
Type Professional, Organization Crossroads Theatre, Year 2016
Type Community Theater, Organization East Cleveland Theater, Year 2015
Type Fringe, Organization St-Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival , Year 2013
Type Community Theater, Organization New African Grove Theatre Company, Year 2012
Type Professional, Organization National Black Theatre Festival, Year 2009
Type Professional, Organization New Professional Theatre, Year 2008
Type Professional, Organization New Professional Theatre, Year 2006

Awards

Black Theater Alliance Award Best Play

Selection

2019
Lorraine Hansberry Award for Best Writing of a Play

Black Theater Alliance

Selection

2019
Irma P. Hall Black Theatre Award Best Play

DFW Black Arts

Winner

2019
Best Comedy

LA Weekly Theatre Awards

Finalist

2005

Genre

comedy,

experimental,

satire,

zoom

Subject Matter Keywords

women,

dating,

Race

Length

90 minutes to two hours

Cast Size

Age of Intended Audience

ages 14-17,

ages 18 and up

Narrative Attributes

Centers Characters of Color,

Centers Female Characters

Supporting Materials

Published Script

http://www.samuelfrench.com/p/6518/single-black-female

Reviews

Chicago Reader

“
Playwright Lisa B. Thompson sets out to lift up the lives of middle-class single Black American women, a demographic largely bypassed by mainstream media in favor of voyeuristic and exploitative narratives of downtrodden poor single mothers.
”
LA Times

“
Thompson stands her stereotypes on their heads, to apt and funny effect. These right-on feminist sisters want equal rights and equal pay, but they also yearn for steamy romance and Jimmy Choo shoes, not necessarily in that order.
”
Variety

“
hugely entertaining theater
”
The New York Times

“
. . . a socially significant and very entertaining . . . show that manages to be simultaneously self-deprecating and proud.
”