Rashanique Williams, also known as Rashanique the Writer, is a native Houstonian who has a lot to be proud of by presenting her 15th play as part of the Fourth Annual Houston Black  eater Week at the historic Deluxe theater on Lyons Avenue. Most of her plays have been featured at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, however, this one is different. The plot is based on ‘The Wife of My Youth,’ written by Charles Chestnut and published in 1899. Chestnut was born to newly freed slaves and had one white grandfather who was also a slave master. Therefore, his family history gave Chesnutt intimate knowledge of the tangled racial hierarchies he would later explore in his fiction.

Rashanique heard of the story over a casual conversation with her soon-to-be producer Roderick Taylor in July 2026. Needless to say, that conversation inspired Rashanique to adapt the story into a play with a few plot twists. “At its heart, the play is a story about honoring the past, embracing identity, and recognizing that genuine connection is never de ned by the color of our skin,” said Roderick Taylor.

By August 11, 2026, they had their first table reading. The conversation also inspired Roderick to bring his wife, Qiana Taylor, in as a co-producer. “ This story challenges us to examine divisions and ask ourselves how far we have truly come. It’s more than a story about the past. It’s a re ection of who we are today,” shared Qiana Taylor. Casting Occurred in September 2026.

According to Rashanique, “I was looking for a venue to host the play, and went to tour the Deluxe  eater. While I was there, I was encouraged to apply for Houston Black theater Week.” A er reading her play, Harold Trotter of 1989 Dream Productions o ered her a spot in Houston Black  eater Week. This year’s theme of Houston Black theater Week is Rooted in Culture, Alive  rough Story. The play, entitled ‘Are You Blue Mr. Ryder?’ is set in 1901 on the day of the annual Blue Vein Ball.  e play follows Alfred Benoit Ryder, a formerly enslaved man who built a life de ned by education, success, and social status. When a woman from his past arrives searching for the husband she once knew, Ryder is forced to confront the identity he left behind and the true cost of acceptance. The other featured play for Houston Black theater Week is ‘What Lies Behind this Hospital Bed’ by LaQuandra Gray.

Rashanique began writing plays in 1991 while still in high school and her first play was performed in the chapel at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. She is an actress, and has also created documentaries and films, too. “I think this talent comes from the influence of my family. My hope is that ‘Are You Blue Mr. Ryder?’ is still in production a year from now. It is a timeless story of colorism, identity, and underscores the importance of loving yourself.”

It is fitting that the Fourth Houston Black theater Week takes place at the Deluxe theater. It is a landmark of Fifth Ward, with a rich history tied to African American cultural life, civil rights, and community revitalization. It opened in April 1941 to Black patrons during segregation. The theater operated for 28 years, serving as a cultural hub for Black Houstonians until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ended segregation in movie theaters, after which it closed in 1969. It reopened in 2015 due to a partnership between the City of Houston, Texas Southern University, and the Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation. The Deluxe theater is now a 125-seat proscenium theater with modern lighting, sound, and multipurpose areas. Its history reflects the resilience of Black communities in Houston.