Attending performances (theater, musical, concerts, opera, dance): 2 points

 

Earlier this month, I attended the Spelman Theatre Department’s production of “Single Black Female,” and it was one of the most beautiful theatre productions I’ve seen in a long time! Not only did I love supporting my classmates in the production, but I also truly enjoyed the show's themes. It was a hilarious, yet heartfelt and relatable exploration of the pressures of Black womanhood: the show tackled the “compare and despair” feelings of insecurity that competitive HBCU culture evokes for many, the difficulties of dating, familial pressure to adhere to societally acceptable timelines around marriage and family, and the “burden” of representation, including the respectability culture that shapes how we express ourselves and our sexuality, to name just a few topics. I also got to see some of the behind-the-scenes work of the production, as my close friend served as the dramaturg for the show, helping cast members understand crucial historical and cultural context to better inform their performances. The show was a beautiful reminder of the sanctity of my experience as a Black woman and that I shouldn’t compare my journey (academic, professional, romantic, etc.) to anyone else's. I loved this production and will definitely attend more Spelman theatre productions going forward! -Nila Roper