Dear Ex
Dear Ex is all about the big break up. In Dear Ex, the protagonist Be writes letters to her ex as she stumbles through the stages of breakup grief. This Black, queer falling-out-of-love story comes to life through the pop and soul music of musician Be Steadwell. Featuring an all BIPOC, queer and trans cast, Be Steadwell’s musical tells the story of heartbreak in a series of letters, scenes and songs. Dear Ex explores self-love, addiction, twerking, sex, life and death through the lens of a heartbroken, queer Black woman.
The Writer
Be Steadwell (They, She, He, Be) (Book, Music, Lyrics) is a queer pop composer and storyteller from Washington DC. Be’s original music features earnest lyricism, unabashed corniness and affirming queer content. Be’s goal as a musician is to make other black girlies, introverts and weirdos feel seen and loved. Be earned a BA in Black Studies from Oberlin College and an MFA in film from Howard University. In 2019, Be wrote and directed A Letter to My Ex, the musical. A Letter to My Ex imagined a queer black woman’s experience of healing after a breakup. In 2021 Be released their latest album, Succulent. In 2023, Be joined the cast of Parable of the Sower the Opera by Toshi Reagon and Dr Bernice Johnson Reagon. Be currently works as a full-time musician and part-time lecturer at Howard University’s School of Communications.
Development History
From 2018 to 2019, this musical sold out three workshop runs at Joe’s Movement Emporium in Mount Rainier, MD and Mills College in Oakland, CA.
Connect
Bonnie Davis bdavis@bretadamsltd.net 212-765-5630 Ext. 101