An interplay with a former co-worker impressed Colette Robert to jot down The Cotillion, at present taking part in off-Broadway on the New Georges in New York Metropolis. “He talked about how large debutante balls have been the place he was from in St. Louis,” she shares. “As he was speaking, I imagined a grand, glittery room with Black ladies and ladies of all shapes and shades sporting white ball robes, twirling and dancing, and I assumed to myself, that’s a play!”
Also referred to as The Harriet Holland Social Membership Presents the 84th Annual Star-Burst Cotillion within the Grand Ballroom of the Renaissance Lodge, the music-infused drama follows 6 younger ladies who’ve been primped and prepped for a 12 months beneath the watchful eye of Madame President, who will enable for nothing lower than perfection on their popping out day. However we rapidly be taught that this glittery world masks a number of non-public demons and trauma. The play turns into an interrogation of social hierarchy, racism and sexuality points.
Right here Robert shares how The Cotillion got here into being and the that means behind its commentary.
EBONY: What kind of analysis did you do on Black social golf equipment and fraternal organizations?
Colette Robert: At first, I assumed the play would happen in New Orleans, so I learn rather a lot about the entire balls hosted by numerous Mardi Gras krewes. I learn concerning the historical past of debutante balls in America, the historical past of African People and dance and the Black higher class. After which I interviewed a whole lot of pals and acquaintances about their private debutante experiences. I used to be within the analysis stage for a couple of 12 months and a half earlier than I truly began writing.
Did you do any analysis into the Divine 9 and different Black social and fraternal organizations for the play?
I’m not in a sorority or a part of a social group like Jack and Jill of America, however I’m adjoining to these worlds. I went to a principally white non-public highschool in Los Angeles, and several other of my pals debuted with The Hyperlinks. I even have a whole lot of relations and pals who have been in sororities, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, particularly. I drew on a whole lot of private experiences from my childhood and adolescence, and there’s part of my experiences in every of the characters.
Why do we have to study themes of sexism and racism behind debutante balls?
Going into the writing course of, my large query was about how are we presenting and valuing Black women and girls in America and what’s that historical past. The Cotillion takes place throughout a Black debutante ball, however the points I needed to discover—classism, colorism, respectability politics—are systemic. In an workplace or a subway automobile and on our favourite TV reveals, we make assumptions and judgments simply based mostly on what we see. My hope is that The Cotillion challenges a few of these assumptions.
How did a New York Metropolis grant, the New Georges and The Motion Theatre Firm assist deliver this present to life?
I got here up with the thought for The Cotillion virtually 9 years in the past and New Georges and The Motion Theatre Firm have been supportive of the play from the very starting. In 2018, they reached out and mentioned they needed to use for a giant arts grant in New York Metropolis. In the event that they received the grant, they might produce The Cotillion, they usually have been true to their phrase! Them saying sure to this present really introduced it from a Phrase doc on my laptop to a dwelling, respiration, totally realized manufacturing.
What different themes would you prefer to discover in your writing as a commentary on Black society in America?
There’s rather a lot to touch upon! My second play, which I principally wrote throughout the stay-at-home a part of the pandemic, may be very loosely impressed by Black Arctic explorer Matthew Henson. It explores Black our bodies and white landscapes and our relationship to nature.
The Cotillion is taking part in at New Georges in New York Metropolis via Might 27, 2023.
