By The Way Meet Vera Stark

Lynn Nottage‘s
By The Way Meet Vera Stark

Sheafer Lab Theater
Durham, NC

November 2024

Directed by Angelisa Gillyard
Scenic Design by Josafath Reynoso
Costume Design by Hannah Haverkamp
Lighting Design by John Alexander
Projection Design by Ethan Eldred
Sound Design by David Wilson
Stage Manager: Khiyali Pillalamarri

Produced by Duke University Department of Theatre

Photo Credit: Les Todd

By the Way, Meet Vera Stark is a comedy by Lynn Nottage that examines race, gender, and Hollywood’s history through the lens of Vera Stark, a fictional African American actress in the 1930s. The play is set in two acts, blending satire, historical commentary, and film elements to critique the limited roles available to Black actors during the Golden Age of cinema.

In Act One, Vera works as a maid for Gloria Mitchell, a white movie star, while also pursuing her own acting dreams. She lands a minor but pivotal role in a Southern epic, where she plays a maid—a reflection of the roles available to Black actors at the time. Vera’s ambition and determination are evident, even as she navigates the constraints of systemic racism in the industry.

Act Two shifts to decades later, examining Vera’s legacy through the lens of a modern-day academic panel discussing her life and career. The play uses humor and dramatic irony to critique the erasure of Black contributions in Hollywood and explore how Vera’s identity and choices were shaped by her era.

Nottage uses archival-style footage, multimedia, and contrasting timelines to explore themes of representation, resilience, and the complexities of navigating an oppressive system. The play is both a tribute to trailblazers and a sharp critique of the systemic barriers that persist in the entertainment industry.