Drama Queens, a five-star arts journal focusing on female artists

Khadijah Davis, a Jamaican-American artist and recent graduate of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, will debut her solo show, SHADE, at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. The performance is a poignant coming-of-age story that uses spoken word, storytelling, and movement to explore themes of identity, truth, and self-discovery. The show is an American premiere and will be performed at the Yellow Bicycle Theatre on September 27 at 1:00 PM and September 28 at 5:00 PM. 🎭

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The Story Behind the Show

SHADE originated as Davis’s undergraduate thesis project in Kingston, Jamaica. The play follows the character of Kissandra, a Jamaican-American girl grappling with the conflict between her personal ambition and the pressure to conform. The narrative charts her journey as she faces the world’s expectations and limitations, forcing her to decide whether to “shrink herself to fit in” or embrace her true identity.

Davis, who is returning to her hometown of Philadelphia, describes the show as a significant moment in her artistic career. The core question posed by the play is: “Why try to fit in, when you were born to stand out?” The performance is a reflection of Davis’s “Jamerican” identity and her belief that live performance can “open hearts and spark connection.”

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Performance Details

• What: SHADE
• Where: Yellow Bicycle Theatre, 1435 Arch Street, Floor 2 (on 15th Street)
• When: Saturday, September 27 at 1:00 PM and Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 5:00 PM
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Tickets: $25, General Admission, available online.