I Used to Love Her
About this Event
About the Performance:
A proudly Black, Queer, and Academic musical written and composed by Janelle Lawrence.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of contemporary academia and grassroots activism, I Used to Love Her explores the delicate balance of personal evolution, systemic pressures, and the echoes of past romance. The story centers on Jahne, the 32-year-old Black Latinx lesbian CEO of Express It, a successful grassroots company dedicated to radical education for underserved communities. Jahne is celebrating a massive $100,000 corporate grant to expand her activism alongside her long-term partner, eX . eX is a 40-year-old, non-binary, masculine-leaning professor at Howard University who has just achieved a major milestone: being named Chair of the Gender Studies Department. While they appear to be a powerhouse couple living the "Black Queer American Dream," deep structural fractures begin to show. Jahne struggles to fully acknowledge eX's non-binary identity within her strictly defined "lesbian grassroots" platform , while eX keeps massive personal developments hidden—including an upcoming top surgery—vowing to only tell Jahne once it is officially scheduled. The foundation of their relationship is pushed to the brink when Dre, an Oscar-winning film producer and Jahne’s deeply captivating past lover, unexpectedly re-enters the picture. Dre arrives at Express It with an irresistible professional offer: a collaborative media project exploring the diversity of trans and masculine identity. As Jahne and Dre try to maintain professional boundaries, an undeniable, lingering romantic tension threatens to unearth buried secrets, forcing everyone involved to face who they have truly grown to be.
To ensure all audiences have a safe and comfortable experience, please note that I Used to Love Her includes the following thematic elements:
Mature Language & Dialogue: Features strong language, contemporary R&B/Rap flows, and mature dialogue regarding identity and relationships.
Exploration of Gender Identity & Transition: The narrative features deep discussions surrounding gender affirmation, including a character’s personal journey toward top surgery and navigating non-binary pronouns.
Romantic & Interpersonal Conflict: Depicts intense emotional stress, themes of past infidelity/relationship boundaries, and the lingering emotional fallout of past partners.
Cast & Creative Team
Writer/Composer: Janelle Lawrence
Director: Jean Carlo Yunén Aróstegui
About the Lead Artist:
Janelle / jei is a storyteller who explores the complex layers of our lives by blending music, soundscaping, poetry, body movement, and more to illuminate the special and shared aspects of our experiences. Their work has been developed with Primary Stages, The John F. Kennedy Center, Legoland New York, Joe’s Pub, Seattle Public Theater, and more. Storytelling has always been at the heart of jei's ethos. Through their craft, jei invites you to see the world through different lenses; celebrating beauty & complexity: the duality of our shared humanity.
www.janellelawrence.com
About the CWP Evolution Festival
The fifth annual CWP EVOLUTION FESTIVAL presents original works of theater, dance, music, comedy, and interdisciplinary performance by NYC-based artists at venues across Manhattan in June and September 2026. Participants receive free performance & rehearsal space, marketing & technical support, a guaranteed artist fee, performance photography and archival videography, and more! Learn more about the festival and the 20+ other shows on the schedule at www.centeratwestpark.org/evolution-festival-2026
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00 to USD 55.20
