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Intimate Apparel

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description Intimate Apparel Overview

Intimate Apparel is a play by Lynn Nottage set in New York City in 1905. It follows Esther, an African American seamstress who makes intimate garments for women from different social backgrounds while saving money and corresponding with a Caribbean laborer working on the Panama Canal. Through her relationships and economic circumstances, the drama examines race, gender, class, loneliness, labor, and the risks attached to intimacy.

help Intimate Apparel FAQ

Who wrote the play Intimate Apparel?

Intimate Apparel was written by the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage. It is one of her most beloved and frequently produced theatrical works. Nottage is highly celebrated for her compassionate, detailed portraits of working-class Black women.

What is the setting of Lynn Nottage's Intimate Apparel?

The play is set in New York City in the year 1905. It vividly portrays the diverse, segregated social backgrounds of the city through the eyes of a gifted seamstress. The historical setting highlights the severe racial and class limitations placed on women at the time.

Who is the main character in Intimate Apparel?

The story follows Esther, an African American seamstress who creates exquisite intimate garments for a variety of women. She has spent years saving her money and enters into a risky romantic correspondence with a Caribbean laborer. Her journey is one of loneliness, hope, and resilience.

What does Esther do for a living in Intimate Apparel?

Esther is a highly skilled seamstress who specializes in making beautiful lingerie and intimate apparel. Her diverse clients range from wealthy white socialites to Black prostitutes. Through her work, she gains intimate, secret knowledge of the city's women and their desires.

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