Philly Fringe 2025: Dr. Karen Moore presents Kindled by Nina: A Four-Women Requiem Multimedia Invocation of Black Womanhood

Simone sings about each of the women, who embody a specific societal archetype, reflecting a different facet of the experiences of Black women in America. Thulani Davis of The Village Voice called the song "an instantly accessible analysis of the damning legacy of slavery, that made iconographic the real women we knew and would become."

“Hear their cries”

The show opens with Moore performing a monologue on the struggles and triumphs of Black women from the past to the present, urging the audience to “hear their cries.” To Moore’s right, drummer Karen Smith accompanies her oration, offering a powerful, non-verbal extension of the performance. Smith’s rhythms are incorporated throughout the show, transforming the performance into a full sensory experience that pulls the audience into the emotional flow of the production more deeply than a monologue could do alone. Next, Moore highlights Black women’s painful struggle, resilience, and deep sense of communal experience. Moore proclaims she is “tired of everything” while a variety of images of Black women flash on the screen behind her.

In between Moore’s monologues, the show incorporates four video soliloquies representing each of the women highlighted in Simone’s song. First is Aunt Sarah, a symbol of the resilience of Black women who have endured generations of oppression. Next is Saffronia, a mixed-race woman voicing her struggles between the two worlds of her white father and Black mother. Later we hear from Sweet Thing. With “hips that invite you and a mouth like wine,” she highlights the sexual and economic exploitation of Black women. Finally, we meet Peaches, a woman full of righteous rage over the historical and ongoing injustices endured by her people. As the production continues, Moore proclaims she was inspired by Simone’s song because she found herself in these women.

Owning the stage

Moore, an artist and writer who focuses on the lives of Black women, personal restoration, and self-conception, commands the stage with raw honesty and passion while video monologues bring Simone’s four women to life. Moore established I AM The Colour of Beautiful Productions to celebrate deeply melanated skin, and mounts multi-platform media that merge verse, cinema, and ceremony. Her expression is courageous, contemplative, and grounded in authenticity. I appreciate Moore’s mission to not only entertain, but to also heal and transform society.

Moore’s ability to own the stage is crucial, as there are no elaborate sets or special effects to rely on. To elevate the production, a subtle but impactful use of video monologues with Simone’s four women helps delineate scenes, adding a layer of professional polish without a large financial output. Ultimately, this show relies on Moore’s raw talent and storytelling, proving that a compelling narrative needs little more than a powerful voice.

Rich, personal, and instructive

The show is a love letter to Black women, celebrating their resilience, strength, and experiences. Allies will gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and triumphs faced by Black women. Among other revelations, I was glad to see a monologue highlight how colorism affects lighter-skinned Black women. The show is rich with moving personal moments, but its purpose is ultimately to instruct rather than to reveal, moving beyond stereotypes to educate the audience on the nuanced perspectives of the lives of Black women.