“Porcelain Dolls and Chocolate Dreams,” a new student-written and student-directed play by UW–Madison African American Studies alum DeOnna Garrison, brings a rare spotlight to Black experiences on predominantly white campuses, and the cast says the collaboration behind it is just as powerful as the performance.
Jnae Thompson, cast member and African American Studies Class of 2024, says the production marks her first time participating in a fully student-led play. “It’s great to see DeOnna’s brilliance be transferred from the classroom to the stage,” she said. “Being a part of that is an honor.” Jnae plays Asa, the older sister of Aliyah. She was drawn to the role because of “the dynamic ways that DeOnna has written Black women into this play”. The “older Black sister,” she noted, is often portrayed as a caretaker. “To see that role played with in such a different light has been transformative for me.”
Joseph Bolden, a current undergraduate at UW, plays LeVar Jones. Joseph described his character as “pretty fun” and “comical,” but also someone who represents complicated ideas about “racial pride” and what it means for “all Black people to stick together”. Across the cast, the praise for Garrison’s direction was unequivocal. “DeOnna’s direction has been phenomenal to say the least,” Joseph said. “She was able to flesh him out so well as a character,” pushing him to reread the script and discover new depths.
Undergraduate student, lead actress, and co-director Jayda Smith, added that having both the writer and director in the room creates a unique environment for character development, especially in the space Garrison builds as a Black woman director. Cast member and co-director Alan Tejeda described rehearsals as emotionally demanding yet full of care. The room is “laid back,” he said, but also capable of holding the “heavy and emotional” weight of the story Garrison has penned: “We’re going to show up and we’re going to show out”.
Garrison wrote the play to expand opportunities for actors of color at PWIs. “I wasn’t happy with the representation of women in media,” she said, explaining how she subverted familiar tropes to create complex roles. “I want to give opportunities to people in institutions like this beyond the spring semester.”
“Porcelain Dolls and Chocolate Dreams” will be showing December 4-7, 2025 in UW’s Hemsley Theater. Reserve a seat at no cost here.