Crystal Roman Brings Black Latina to Chicago

A story about identity, belonging, and the freedom to be fully yourself.

For nearly 20 years, playwright Crystal Roman has been telling a story she felt was missing.

Black Latina the Play was born from Roman’s experience as an actor, when she noticed that Hollywood often struggled to capture the full experience of women who are both Black and Latina.

There were stories about Black women. There were stories about Latinas. But there were not enough stories about women who were both”

What began as a collection of monologues grew into a larger production exploring identity, colorism, belonging, and the pressure to feel like you have to choose one part of yourself over another.

More Than One Identity

At the center of the play is a simple but important message: being Black and Latina are not mutually exclusive.

Roman addresses the misconceptions and anti-Blackness that can exist within Latino communities, while also exploring the ways Black history has been erased or minimized in conversations about Latin America.

But Black Latina is not simply a history lesson.

Through emotional monologues centered on fear, love, empowerment, anger, and sadness, the production explores what it feels like to grow up questioning where you fit.

Some experiences are specific to Black Latina women. Others are universal.

The desire to belong. The feeling of being different. The pressure to prove you are enough.

Roman believes there eventually comes a point when you stop looking for permission from others and become comfortable with who you are.

A Story Still Worth Telling

Roman began this work in 2008, but she says revisiting older versions of the script continues to remind her why the story matters.

While reviewing an earlier version, she found a line she had written in 2016 about issues that were still relevant years later.

“I’m always reminded that we have to revisit these conversations because of how powerful they are and what we’re still going through,” she said.

After a three-year break from the stage, Black Latina returns with new material and a renewed creative team.

Now, the story is coming to Chicago.

Black Latina the Play

The production runs October 16–18, 2026, at UrbanTheater Company on Paseo Boricua.

Showtimes:

Friday, October 16th 7:00 PM

Saturday, October 17th 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM

Sunday, October 18th 3:00 PM

Tickets and additional information are available at blacklatinamovement.com.

For Roman, the goal is ultimately simple: to create space for people to see themselves and to understand that they never have to shrink one part of themselves to make someone else comfortable.