Plays In Performance - The Black Belle

This play includes misogynoir, misogyny, racism, violence, death, and talks of body image and appearances.

Playwright’s Note

I am a fourth-year Theatre & Performance major, concentrating in Playwriting and a Global Black Studies minor. She came to the decision to write this play after coming across a reading about the treatment of Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog. Of course there are many other inspirations and influences that pushed me to write this play, but I have also taken the aspects of Black women and girls’ different life experiences. All of these inspirations have shaped my play to become to satire that addresses many things that it is now.

I would like to thank my family, friends, cast, crew, and those who have helped me along this journey.

Thank You’s
Family & friends
The cast & crew
Andrea Thome
Mariel Rodney
Jordan Schildcrout
Jeana Scotti
Crystal Mayo
Adrienne Torres
Isaiah Martinez
Frankie Eiesenhut

Mack Gomes (she/they) (Director) is a Junior Theatre and Performance Major with a
concentration in directing who is honored to be directing her first Purchase performance! Mack has many years of theatre credits, and is so beyond excited to work with such an incredibly talented cast and playwright on such wonderful and enriching material. She would like to thank her parents and professors for all their support, and the entire cast and crew of The Black Belle for offering such a wonderful experience. They hope you all enjoy the show!

Jadonna Williams (she/her) (Anuli) is an Indo-Caribbean American from Yonkers, New York who’s a double major in Arts Management and Theatre and Performance. Purchase credits: Hunter Hollingsworth X Friends. Thank you all for coming out and be supportive!

Cara Jordan (she/her) (Fairy Godmother) is a senior at Purchase College and is so excited to be playing The Fairy Godmother in the Black Belle. Theatre Credits include Purchase POV Fest’s Looking for a Home (Suzanne), A Walrus in the Body of a Crocodile (Costumes), No Longer Human (Stage Manager). Outside theatre credits include WCT GenZ Outloud When Your Friends With That One Girl Crying at the Function (Lucy).

Lily Wolpert (she/her) (Amelia Lumley)
Brisa Nunes (she/her) (Lady Oriana Lumley)

Rossy Veras (she/her) (Claudette) is a fourth year BA actor of Theatre & Performance from Yonkers, New York. Past credits include: Hunter X Hollingsworth & Friends: Who Tells Your Story? (Maria) and Macbeth (Witch #3). She would like to thank the production team for their beautiful work in creating a fun story. As well as an immense gratitude to her family, friends, dogs, and mentors for supporting her throughout all four years of college.

Rachel Williams (she/her) (Noelle) is a third year theatre and performance and history double major from Harlem, New York. Purchase credits include No Longer Human (sound design and operation). She would like to thank everyone on the team, friends, and family who have been supportive of her ambitions.

Isabel Bigotti (she/her) (Clementine) My name is Isabel Biagotti. I use she/her pronouns, I am from upstate NY and I am a senior Literature and Theatre Major. I am working on a career in acting for film and writing for screen!

Edie Gregg (she/they) (Prince Victor/Ensemble) is a Directing student in the Theater and Performance, but she is delighted to be able to lend her acting abilities to this project. Credits include acting in Shrew (2020) and props charge for Frame(D) (2021). She is also acting in another reading in this festival, My Body, My Health, My Choice! Best of luck to the graduating seniors!

Jahnae Pitter (she/her)

Qasim Sonson (he/him) (Anuli’s Father/Ensemble) is 21 year old actor and writer from Brooklyn. He is a junior at SUNY Purchase, majoring in Theatre and Performance and a minor in Screenwriting. Qasim has been immersed in theatre for many years as an acting student, with a particular interest in classical work and comedy. He loves comedy, and aspires to either be on or write a great sitcom in the future.

Arianna Conti (she/her) (Narrator) is a second year Theatre and Performance major with a minor in screenwriting. Credits include A Walrus in the Body of a Crocodile (Wardrobe Crew) and Thank you, Mrs. Pike (Camera Operator).

Deborah Hoffman (she/her) (Ensemble) is a psychology major with a literature and latinx and caribbean minor, she is from Brooklyn, New York. She has a small interest in acting but has experience in dancing. She would like to thank her parents Ricardo and Maricela Hoffman and her boyfriend, Jose Luis Rodriguez and lastly Assasta Andrews, her best friend.

Mack Gomes (she/they) (Director) is a Junior Theatre and Performance Major with a concentration in directing who is honored to be directing her first Purchase performance! Mack has many years of theatre credits, and is so beyond excited to work with such an incredibly talented cast and playwright on such wonderful and enriching material. She would like to thank her parents and professors for all their support, and the entire cast and crew of The Black Belle for offering such a wonderful experience. They hope you all enjoy the show!

In our teaching and art, the Conservatory values inclusiveness, equality, and excellence. Upholding all of our training is our aim to train and graduate citizen artists: multifaceted people with a strong sense of purpose in approaching an arts education.

What is a citizen artist? Citizen artists seek to discover how their unique voices can contribute to our world. They understand what it means to be an artist, and what they are here on earth to say and do and make.

The Conservatory trains future citizen artists in three degree programs:

+ BFA Actor Training. The BFA is an intensive professional training program offered to a highly select and diverse group of students. The professional training is anchored in four years of study in acting, voice, speech, and movement, complemented by offerings in dramatic literature and analysis, history of the theatre, stage combat, improvisation, mask work, acting for the camera, and the business of acting. As one of five schools in the Consortium of Professional Theatre Training Programs, Purchase is one of a handful of colleges in the world capable of training artists at this level—and of drawing a faculty from the ranks of professional theatre

+ BFA in Theatre Design/Technology. Emphasizing studio and classroom training, our professional training program in theatre design/technology gives students the guidance and support of established and theatre industry professionals. Many of our alumni are recognized at the top of their field, and have received Tony, Emmy, Obie, and Drama Desk Awards, among other honors. Quite literally, Purchase grads are working in or have worked in every theatre on Broadway, in all tristate venues, and with countless touring productions

+ BA program in Theatre and Performance. From traditional theatre to cutting-edge interdisciplinary work, the theatre and performance major encourages creativity, intellectual curiosity, social engagement, and critical thinking. The core requirements combine scholarship and practice to provide students with a strong foundation in theatre history and dramatic literature, with mandatory stagecraft/production courses. Theatre and Performance majors are encouraged to expand the scope of their education by studying abroad, as well as pursuing coursework in other programs of study within the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Purchase College