“Wherever you are, you belong.” The line reverberates through the space in my mind. How powerful, how demanding such a statement is. Queens Girl: Black in the Green Mountains is the final part of a trilogy written by Caleen Sinnette Jennings and now proudly gracing the stage of Everyman Theatre. This prodigious play is a work of artistry that continually challenges the notion of belonging as a Black girl in America. A young Black woman arrives in the year 1968 at Bennington College in Vermont. At this all-woman college, she is still in the minority. She is one of 12 Black girls in attendance in this very expensive, and what most consider progressive, institute of higher learning. This part of her journey gives audiences a real opportunity to see what life is really like on this side of the fence. Deidre Staples in ‘Queens Girl: Black in the Green Mountains.’ Photo by Teresa Castracane Photography. The utmost talented actress Deidre Staples was phenomenal. While she depicted all the characters in the play, her main role was that of Jacqueline Marie Butler. With peals of joy, I was completely transfixed and lost in her journey as she struggled, bubbly and bright, to find her place in the school community, her major, her home, her friends, her relationship, her path, her life. Her experience was so relatable for me. From the daily microaggressions to the pressure of being the only Black face in a classroom, it hit home in a variety of ways. Even though she carries the weight of history, others’ expectations, her fears, and challenges, she gives you hope. She gives you courage. She embodies change in an era that was in a state of perpetual turmoil. While Deidre Staples played all the supporting characters, one of the more notable ones was that of Gloria, Jacqueline’s freshman-year roommate. Gloria represents the quintessential naïve Caucasian girl who means well, but she is just plain exhausting to be around. All the questions she asks of Jacqueline are centered around her Blackness, not her as a person, even down to the infamous question ”Can I touch your hair?” And just to be clear, the answer to that almost always will be no. The picture I have of Gloria in my mind is that of Friends character Janice, Chandler’s ex-girlfriend. The voice and the mannerisms were pure comedic gold but still showed what life was like for Jaqueline trying to find her peace while always being mindful of potentially hurting her roommate’s feelings even to her own discomfort. Jacqeline’s Soul Sistas continue to show her breadth of talent. You have the angry, militant poet on one side and the Southern debutante (think Whitley from Different World) on the other. They were often the compassionate and truthful support system in what turns out to be a lonely existence. They were love and adventure. They were the trumpeters that heralded her evolution. And then there’s her theater teacher, the sherpa to her burgeoning path in a world that already typecast her as insignificant. Even though she struggles with her choices, his support and constructive praise allow Jaqueline to see a future where she can shine as bright as the brightest star. And I’m here for his over-pronounced drama and the genuine laughter he brings. Deidre Staples in ‘Queens Girl: Black in the Green Mountains.’ Photos by Teresa Castracane Photography. While the weight of history hangs heavy overhead, Queens Girl: Black in the Green Mountains allows you to experience the past anew and through a lens so often ignored. While there is plenty of laughter to be had such as the journey to a concert 100 miles away and the curse of the scarlet letter V, it won’t hide or deny the social ills of then and what is still going on now. This play, admirably directed by Danielle A. Drakes, will give many the first real opportunity to see history, the present, and perhaps their future, a little differently. So I say a job well done and thank you. Running Time: 75 minutes with no intermission. Queens Girl: Black in the Green Mountains plays through Novembe 17, 2024, at Everyman Theatre, 315 West Fayette St., Baltimore, MD. Purchase tickets ($74–$89) online or contact the box office by phone at 410-752-2208 (Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., and Saturday, 12-4 p.m.) or email [email protected]. Accessibility: Everyman emphasizes their commitment to accessibility for all, including those with economic challenges, with Pay What You Choose prices. The cast and creative credits are online here (scroll down). COVID Safety: Masks are encouraged, though not required. Everyman’s complete health and safety guide is here. Queens Girl: Black in the Green Mountains By Caleen Sinnette Jennings Directed by Danielle A. Drakes Set Design: Daniel Ettinger Costume Design: Danielle Preston Lighting Design: Harold F. Burgess II Sound Design: Sarah O’Halloran Wig Design: Earon Chew Nealy Dialects: Kim James Bey Stage Manager: Molly Prunity