The musical has been developed through several key workshops and residencies, including the Fearless New Play Festival at the University of Maryland (2023), a Winter Incubator residency at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center (2023), a workshop at the University of Rochester (2024), an Abortion Storytelling Panel at the American Studies Association Annual Meeting (2024), selection as a finalist for New Works, New Voices at Syracuse University (2024) and a presentation at the 2025 BabelFest New Works Festival at Redhouse Arts Center.

The story follows Naima, a Black woman in her 30s, and Ashley, an Asian American teen who meet in a waiting room in Chicago, seeking abortions. Though they couldn’t be more different, the women share a brief moment in time in which they confront family expectations, fears around parenthood, intersecting systems of oppression and the reality that access to choice has never been guaranteed.

In a joint statement, Ealey and Afsar said Silhouettes was born from their need to process the emotional and political aftermath of Roe’s fall. “We continue to see that history is cyclical and equity is fleeting,” they said. “But when policy fails, art has the opportunity to step in. Silhouettesis a musical about choice, sisterhood and intergenerational courage.” They added that presenting the work in Dallas reflects their commitment to community-building in states like Texas where bans and restrictions have made women and gender minorities particularly vulnerable. “We want this musical to be a safe and brave haven amid attempts to create a culture of fear and a reminder that people are not alone.”

The cast includes Johanna Nchekwube as Naima and Mira Are as Ashley, with Ari Afsar performing in the role of Sheena. The Silhouettes are played by Analyse Melendez, Samantha Padilla and Sienna Riehle. Jordan Ealey will participate as a visiting playwright.

The readings, co-produced by Liz Sankarsingh and Kateri Cale, are directed by Kateri Cale with musical direction by Vonda K. Bowling.

Silhouettes is sponsored by The Center for Cultural Power, the Bath House Cultural Center Echo Theatre, and anonymous donors. Community partners include AVOW Texas, TEA Fund, Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas and the South Asian Impact Foundation.

About the Playwrights

Jordan Ealey is a multidisciplinary Black feminist scholar-artist whose work explores cross-historical encounters, feminism and intimate relationships. Their plays and musicals include Silhouettes, Jeannette, I Don’t, Women Without Virtue, Lift Every Voice and Self Portrait With Dirty Hair. Ealey is a 2025 Playwriting Fellow with the Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts and an assistant professor in the Department of Black Studies at the University of Rochester. Ealey co-created and co-hosts the Black feminist theatre podcast Daughters of Lorraine.

Ari Afsar is an actor, writer and activist whose musicals include I & You, That Girl, Silhouettes and Jeannette. She originated Eliza in Chicago’s Hamilton and has appeared in Bhangra Nation and Netflix’s Wedding Season. Afsar has opened for Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris, Gloria Steinem and Hillary Clinton and is the recipient of the Georgia Bogardus Holof Lyricist Award, an AAUW Development Grant and fellowships with BAC and the DGF. She is an NYU MPA graduate.