The Girl(s) Next Door

by Nubia Monks

In 1984, Lonnie Franklin Jr, also known as the “Grim Sleeper” claimed his first victim; by 2007, he had claimed the lives of over one hundred African American women. He would hunt them down, lure them with money and crack cocaine, then he would either shoot them with his 25. Caliber pistol or strangle them to death. He would then sexually assault their lifeless bodies before taking polaroid pictures of them...

In 1984, Lonnie Franklin Jr, also known as the “Grim Sleeper” claimed his first victim; by 2007, he had claimed the lives of over one hundred African American women. He would hunt them down, lure them with money and crack cocaine, then he would either shoot them with his 25. Caliber pistol or strangle them to death. He would then sexually assault their lifeless bodies before taking polaroid pictures of them. Once, he was finished, he would mutilate their bodies and leave their parts in alleyways all over South Central, Los Angeles. Among his victims was a little girl named Princess Berthomieux; she was only fifteen years old when she was murdered.

The Girl(s) Next Door is centered around Princess and the spirits of the Grim Sleeper’s victims. Princess is on a mission to completely dismantle an injustice system that continues to allow violence against Black women to go unchecked. She will not stop until justice is served for her, and the many lives lost to The Grim Sleeper.

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The Girl(s) Next Door

Recommended by

  • Rachel Teagle: The Girl(s) Next Door by Nubia Monks
    “

    A visceral and imaginative dissection of pain, privilege, privilege and empathy. A beautiful, difficult piece that sinks its claws directly into the audience.

    A visceral and imaginative dissection of pain, privilege, privilege and empathy. A beautiful, difficult piece that sinks its claws directly into the audience.

    ”
  • P.C. Verrone: The Girl(s) Next Door by Nubia Monks
    “

    Despite the play’s terrifying subject matter, Nubia’s deft and deeply loving writing guides you through these girls’ stories with a firm and sure hand. This is a powerful play that demands we acknowledge society’s shortcomings in protecting Black girls, and examines what we can do about it.

    Despite the play’s terrifying subject matter, Nubia’s deft and deeply loving writing guides you through these girls’ stories with a firm and sure hand. This is a powerful play that demands we acknowledge society’s shortcomings in protecting Black girls, and examines what we can do about it.

    ”
  • Lana Scott Stringer: The Girl(s) Next Door by Nubia Monks
    “

    A concept that absolutely demands complete engrossment of the audience, and a bone-chilling conclusion. A deeply fascinating examination of activism and “activism.”

    A concept that absolutely demands complete engrossment of the audience, and a bone-chilling conclusion. A deeply fascinating examination of activism and “activism.”

    ”
View all 6 recommendations
1. There are fifteen Black women in this play who do not speak. They are spirits that help Princess. They have a strong presence, and they represent the other victims whose lives were lost to the Grim Sleeper.

2. Please explore the possibility of the audience being able to hear the text messages as they are happening. This would require casting three white actors for the voice overs.