A Spanish Little Black Girl Shares Her Story

Photos by Alex Del Cueto

The playbill for “A Spanish Little Black Girl.”

From Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, “A Spanish Little Black Girl”, an original play written by theater and performance (THP) senior Rayna Brown, was played in the Humanities Theater.

For the THP senior project, students are tasked with either writing, producing, directing or acting in a show that is put up on campus. Brown decided to write, produce and play the lead for her show.

“A Spanish Little Black Girl” is an autobiographical coming-of-age story about Brown and her struggles as an Afro-Latina and her being able to find her own voice. These moments are showcased several times throughout her life, including at home, at school and with her friends.

The play starts with Brown as a child going home with her family and going through her life all up until the present moment when she is doing her show.

Even with all the struggles she faced growing up, Brown found a place for herself in theater. She wanted to use this show as an opportunity to highlight the importance of finding a space that makes you feel seen. 

“This play is my story of coming to the place I fell in love with, which is the theater,” said Brown. “This play is representing those who felt like an outsider.”

Rayna Brown entered the stage for her open monologue.

Brown got her hair braided by her Mami (Summer Carty) as she sings “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey.

Brown went to see her Papi (Orion Morgan) and found him asleep on the couch.

Brown after she lost a play fight with her Papi.

Brown in her English as a Second Language (ESL) class where she often felt targeted by her teacher (Ethan Luce).

Brown after being ridiculed by her teacher and classmates after struggling to say “Sally Sells Seashells.”

Brown and her friends danced at a pool party.

Brown’s brother, Ricky (Izzy Cardona), took her home from the pool party after she had a panic attack caused by her identity struggle.

Brown broke down after her family also started questioning her identity.

Brown’s family helped her through the breakdown and showed that they love her.

Brown sung her solo in “Tomorrow" from “Annie” during choir class.

Brown at the nail salon with her nail tech, Kim (Sofía Laboy-Espinell), when a Spanish lady (Akemis Ortiz) talked about her in Spanish, assuming Brown can’t understand her.

Brown recreated the production of “A Spanish Little Black Girl” with herself as the director.

The cast and crew took their final bow.