UPDATE: Steppenwolf Theatre’s highly anticipated LookOut series kicks off this weekend with the urgent debut of Tania Richard’s solo show, “Black Girl from a White Suburb,” running from October 3-4, 2025. This series is set to shine a spotlight on diverse Chicago artists, showcasing a rich array of performances that includes music, storytelling, and comedy.
Richard’s 70-minute performance draws directly from her memoir, exploring her life as the daughter of Haitian immigrants in Western Springs, Illinois. She reflects on her family’s pursuit of the American dream and the challenges she faced growing up in a predominantly white environment.
“The Wizard of Oz” serves as a recurring theme in her narrative, symbolizing her transformative journey into a community filled with Black identity, which she experienced while performing in the play “The Song of Jacob Zulu.” Richard shared, “It was the first time I really got to be in community for an extended period of time with Black people, and it was crucial to my development in terms of my identity as a Black woman.”
This compelling show taps into deep emotional themes, highlighting Richard’s struggles and triumphs as she navigated an all-white high school where she was not cast as Dorothy in “The Wiz.” She describes the experience as both hilarious and traumatic, stating, “It left me good and messed up in the head for years.” Richard emphasizes that storytelling is a vital political act, aiming to connect with audiences by sharing her lived experiences in a relatable manner.
The LookOut series does not stop there. Following Richard’s performance, the lineup includes several other urgent shows, such as:
– “The Sun at the End of the Road” (Oct. 16-Nov. 2): Celebrating the latest book by Chicago artist Tony Fitzpatrick.
– “No Stars in Jefferson Park” (Oct. 28): A poignant look at Maggie Anderson’s memoir, reflecting on love and loss in Chicago’s theater scene.
– “D-Composed: Our Stage” (Nov. 6-9): Featuring a musical tribute to Chicago’s Black theater history.
– “In Process: God Complex” (Nov. 21-22): A thought-provoking exploration of modern masculinity by Teatro Vista Productions.
The entire LookOut series will take place at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theatre, located at 1700 N. Halsted St., Chicago. Tickets are priced between $23-$33 and can be purchased at steppenwolf.org/lookout.
As the opening night approaches, the excitement is palpable, and audiences are urged to secure their tickets now to experience these groundbreaking performances. Stay tuned for more updates as this series unfolds, showcasing the vibrant voices of Chicago’s artistic community.
