The Mamalogues

by Lisa B. Thompson

The Mamalogues portrays the experience of parenting while black, unmarried, and middle class in the age of anxiety. During a single mother’s retreat women share their angst about racial profiling on the playground, their child being the “only one” at their school, and the politics of soccer in the hood. The satirical comedy follows the agonies and joys of motherhood as these moms lean in, stress out and guide...

The Mamalogues portrays the experience of parenting while black, unmarried, and middle class in the age of anxiety. During a single mother’s retreat women share their angst about racial profiling on the playground, their child being the “only one” at their school, and the politics of soccer in the hood. The satirical comedy follows the agonies and joys of motherhood as these moms lean in, stress out and guide precious black children from diapers to college in a dangerous world.

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The Mamalogues

Recommended by

  • Heather Meyer: The Mamalogues by Lisa B. Thompson
    “

    THE MAMALOGUES by Lisa B. Thompson shares the stories of Black mothers, motherhood, and life with humor, heart and drama. The three actors take on multiple characters making a rich script for performers and the audience. Thank you!

    THE MAMALOGUES by Lisa B. Thompson shares the stories of Black mothers, motherhood, and life with humor, heart and drama. The three actors take on multiple characters making a rich script for performers and the audience. Thank you!

    ”
  • Jelisa Jay Robinson: The Mamalogues by Lisa B. Thompson
    “

    This play is a love letter to mothers who are Black women. This is appreciation for all that they do. This play had me thinking of the sacrifices that my mother, grandmother and great grandmother made so that their descendants could be here today. This play made me laugh, and think. Thank you for this piece. Thank you.

    This play is a love letter to mothers who are Black women. This is appreciation for all that they do. This play had me thinking of the sacrifices that my mother, grandmother and great grandmother made so that their descendants could be here today. This play made me laugh, and think. Thank you for this piece. Thank you.

    ”
  • Jeanette Hill: The Mamalogues by Lisa B. Thompson
    “

    Thompson takes us on a journey of black motherhood unlike any we've seen. The laughter, tears, disappointment, anger and joy that is an integral part of black motherhood is found here. Grab your real girls, get the glasses, let the wine breath and get ready for one of those deep-soul diving evenings of 'after talk' when the curtain closes. I'd see it more than once.

    Thompson takes us on a journey of black motherhood unlike any we've seen. The laughter, tears, disappointment, anger and joy that is an integral part of black motherhood is found here. Grab your real girls, get the glasses, let the wine breath and get ready for one of those deep-soul diving evenings of 'after talk' when the curtain closes. I'd see it more than once.

    ”

Character Information

  • Tasha Simmons
    Pediatrician. Soulful, sweet, and sassy. She’s wearing a head wrap or has a natural hairstyle (braids or dreadlocks). She’s wearing a colorful dress, and comfortable sandals. She has a son named Omari, and twin daughters, Octavia and Olivia. Her patients call her Dr. Tasha.
    50s
    African American / Black
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Beverly Franklin
    Salon owner. Calm, efficient, forthright and wise. She wears make-up and has straightened hair styled in a simple bob (perhaps with a tortoise shell headband). She is dressed in a shirt, skirt and stylish yet sensible low heels. She has a daughter named Alexandria.
    40s
    African American / Black
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Lauren Holmes
    College professor. Uptight, sarcastic, and tired. She has natural hair and wears minimal make up. She is dressed in a crisp white dress shirt, a colorful & stylish cardigan, black pants and loafers. She has a son named Phillip.
    40s
    African American / Black
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Workshop, Warfield Center of African and African American Studies, University of Texas at Austin, 2017
  • Residency, Hedgebrook Writers Residency, 2017
  • Reading, HipHop Archive, Harvard University, 2011

Production History

  • Community Theater, Black Spectrum Theatre, 2021

Awards

  • Broadway World Regional Award: Best Writing of an Original Work
    Broadway World
    Winner
    2019