Chiaroscuro

Chiaroscuro, written by Black Arts Movement writer Aishah Rahman, is named after the Italian artistic term referring to the stark contrast between dark and light. The play explores the social implications of such contrast as it relates skin color, specifically within the Black community. The play is set on a love boat-type cruise ship for Black singles where “pretty” means light-skinned, all the men are dark, and Papa Legba, the African trickster spirit, is disguised as a ship steward.