Daughterhood

by Lindsey Lunsford

"Daughterhood" is about a mother and daughter clashing over potato salad minutes away from the arrival of the daughter's husband and parents. The women spar over colorism, motherhood, and fertility as they question what it means to be accepted.
Black women fertility, Colorism, a mother's love, black motherhood, adult daughters, adult daughters, A Family drama

"Daughterhood" is about a mother and daughter clashing over potato salad minutes away from the arrival of the daughter's husband and parents. The women spar over colorism, motherhood, and fertility as they question what it means to be accepted.
Black women fertility, Colorism, a mother's love, black motherhood, adult daughters, adult daughters, A Family drama

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Daughterhood

Recommended by

  • Laura Cahill: Daughterhood by Lindsey Lunsford
    “

    Lunsford's writing gets to the heart and guts of a mother-daughter conversation as quickly as it happens in life. It's never just about the potato salad. I see my own mother and I see my own daughter in this deep look at ordinary problems. Colorism, independence, disappointment, generations, fertility, marriage, family. Wow. This is a wonderful and important little play. It could be expanded into a full length. There's so much more to hear from these characters.

    Lunsford's writing gets to the heart and guts of a mother-daughter conversation as quickly as it happens in life. It's never just about the potato salad. I see my own mother and I see my own daughter in this deep look at ordinary problems. Colorism, independence, disappointment, generations, fertility, marriage, family. Wow. This is a wonderful and important little play. It could be expanded into a full length. There's so much more to hear from these characters.

    ”
  • Shaun Leisher: Daughterhood by Lindsey Lunsford
    “

    An excellent short play that explores issues like infertility and colorism through the lens of a complicated mother-daughter relationship. So much is packed in so few pages. Really enjoyed this play.

    An excellent short play that explores issues like infertility and colorism through the lens of a complicated mother-daughter relationship. So much is packed in so few pages. Really enjoyed this play.

    ”

Character Information

  • Dr. Catherine Belle
    CATHERINE, late 20s - 30s, light-skinned Black woman. Over-educated but still not sure if she chose the right path in life, and still kinda mad about childhood.
    late 20s - 30s
    Black
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Mary Belle
    MARY, 60s, brown-skinned Black woman. She gives Angela Bassett 60s. Confident, sexy, and seemingly oh-so-in-control. Her makeup is flawless and her edges are impeccably laid. Everything looks great on the outside but she’s basically clinging to youth and sex appeal.
    50-60s
    Black
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female