can i touch it?

by Francisca Da Silveira

Shay Solomon is many things — a business owner, a single mom, a community leader — but there’s one thing she’s definitely not: a pawn in Patron Bank’s efforts to buy up foreclosed real estate in Roxbury and Dorchester. At risk of losing her beauty supply store to the bank, she’s caught between the personal fight for her family’s livelihood and the systemic fight against gentrification. When pushed to her limits...

Shay Solomon is many things — a business owner, a single mom, a community leader — but there’s one thing she’s definitely not: a pawn in Patron Bank’s efforts to buy up foreclosed real estate in Roxbury and Dorchester. At risk of losing her beauty supply store to the bank, she’s caught between the personal fight for her family’s livelihood and the systemic fight against gentrification. When pushed to her limits, Shay finds herself in the fantastical, peaceful place women of color have to recede into when they get asked stupid ass questions.
A hyper-local conversation-starter by Boston’s own Francisca Da Silveira, can i touch it? examines Black hair politics, the racial inequities faced by Black-owned businesses, and the tangled web of approaches necessary to create real social change.

read more
  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

can i touch it?

Recommended by

  • Samantha Cocco: can i touch it? by Francisca Da Silveira
    “

    Questions Black women entertain regularly in reference to their hair are woven literally and symbolically through Francisca Da Silveira's "Can I Touch It?" Da Silveira creates a world centered around these questions and around hair, a complex aspect of what it means to be a Black woman in America. I saw the Cleveland Public Theatre production of this piece in May 2023 and loved the grounded realism of the piece with just a touch of magic.

    Questions Black women entertain regularly in reference to their hair are woven literally and symbolically through Francisca Da Silveira's "Can I Touch It?" Da Silveira creates a world centered around these questions and around hair, a complex aspect of what it means to be a Black woman in America. I saw the Cleveland Public Theatre production of this piece in May 2023 and loved the grounded realism of the piece with just a touch of magic.

    ”
  • Alicia Margarita Olivo: can i touch it? by Francisca Da Silveira
    “

    Excellent play about the difficult positions that capitalism and white supremacy puts us in, especially when we're forced to choose between our ethical ideals and our family's livelihood. Da Silveira's characters are so real, familiar, and warm, reminding us that we're never alone, even when the world might makes us feel that way. I hope to see this on a stage soon!

    Excellent play about the difficult positions that capitalism and white supremacy puts us in, especially when we're forced to choose between our ethical ideals and our family's livelihood. Da Silveira's characters are so real, familiar, and warm, reminding us that we're never alone, even when the world might makes us feel that way. I hope to see this on a stage soon!

    ”
  • Sarah Passinhas-Bergman: can i touch it? by Francisca Da Silveira
    “

    Saw this as a reading with Company One. Love it and can't recommend it enough. Especially the college conversation; it's a subtle but emotional bit of characterization. And the FAQ was really a fun, abstract twist. Cannot wait to see it on a real life stage one day!!

    Saw this as a reading with Company One. Love it and can't recommend it enough. Especially the college conversation; it's a subtle but emotional bit of characterization. And the FAQ was really a fun, abstract twist. Cannot wait to see it on a real life stage one day!!

    ”
View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

  • Shay
    wears a boss lady wig. think viola davis.
    late 30s, early 40s
    Black
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Ruth
    she's gone natural after years of perms and is still getting used to it.
    also plays: Lili early 20s, Black
    late teens
    Black
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Meeka
    it's short, shaved on the sides. think punk.
    also: Beth, late 30s/early 40s, White
    early 20s
    Black
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Mark
    he might be thinning at the top. it's probably all that 3-in-1 head and shoulders.
    also: Nicky, early 30s, White
    also: Leo, early 30s, White
    late 30s, early 40s
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Reading, The Fire This Time Festival, 2020
  • Reading, National New Play Network, 2020

Production History

  • Professional, Cleveland Public Theatre, 2023