It's Giving...Single - Philadelphia Fringe Festival

It’s Giving…Single

Malaika Carpenter

Comedy & Improv, Immersive & Interactive Experience, Solo Show, Spoken Word & Storytelling, Visual Arts

It’s Giving... Single is a playful, profound, and interactive one-woman show exploring the joy, pressure, and misconceptions of being a modern-day single Black woman.

Literary artist and comedic storyteller Malaika Carpenter delivers five sharply crafted monologues—woven with music, poetry, visual arts, and improv—that bring the emotional landscape of modern singleness to life with humor, heart, and bold vulnerability. Each story reveals a facet of the single experience: desire, dating drama, societal judgment, heartbreak, and radical self-love. Together, they chart a journey of growth, reminding us that singleness isn’t a plight—it’s a powerful space for becoming.

Audiences are invited into “the group chat” through fun, interactive call-and-response and improv games. Come ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe even chime in.

This isn’t a pity party or fairy tale. It’s raw, real, and witty—a love letter to anyone who's ever been asked “Why are you still single?” and answered with a smirk. Whether you’re coupled up, curious, or confidently solo—pull up a seat. This show holds space for all of it.

Details

Run Time: 90 mins

Ticket Price: $35

Venue: Billy Penn Studios

Dates: September 26, 2025

Buy Tickets

September 26, 2025 7.00pm

1516 N 5th St

Floor 3 (The Alloy Loft)

General Admission: $35

About the Artist

Malaika Carpenter is a storytelling powerhouse—an award-winning web content designer, writer, performer, and creativity coach—who uses art to bring clarity, joy, and connection to the stories we tell. She’s the founder of Shine Brightly Crew (@shinebrightlycrew), a purpose-driven initiative that helps people in career transition tap into their creative power through writing, mindfulness, and artistic self-expression.

Her poems, creative nonfiction, and comedy sketches often explore the richness of Black American culture, the complexities of modern womanhood, the hidden layers of overlooked identities, the inward journey of faith and self discovery, and the unifying force of laughter, love, and connection.

She brings her work to life on the page and on stage through poetic language, lyrical wordplay, soulful sounds, and embodied movement—each artistic expression shaped by quiet conversations with God and a deep belief in art as a bridge to truth, joy, and connection. She invites audiences into moments of reflection, laughter, and release.

Malaika honed her performance skills through improv, acting and sketch writing training at Upright Citizens Brigade, Philly Improv Theater, and George Street Playhouse. She produced and hosted Tokens R Us, a storytelling comedy show featuring ethnically diverse comedians of color that debuted in Philadelphia, sold out in Brooklyn, NY, and headlined as a monthly series at Philly Waterfront’s Summerfest. She also co-produced the Mad Ethnic Comedy Festival, a vibrant two-day showcase of Philadelphia’s BIPOC comedic talent.

Now she’s warming up her vocals and gearing up her dance moves to step into the spotlight with her boldest, most personal work yet. It’s Giving... Single is her one-woman show debut and Fringe Festival world premiere—it’s all of Malaika's soulful, witty, vibrant energy all in one show.

Jennifer MassenatCreative Directorjennmassenat@gmail.com
Caitlin KingSet Designercaitlinking85@gmail.com
Madeline FolerStage Managermaddy.foler@gmail.com
Ana KolaHouse Manager / Box Officeana.kola2@gmail.com
Chris EsperanceGreetercespy5@gmail.com
Anne BrashierDramaturgarbrashier@gmail.com
Quentin WilliamsMarketing Supportquentin@dragontreemediagroup.com

Accessibility & Content Considerations

Contact the Fringe Festival Box Office for up to date accessibility information.

This event is appropriate for ages 18+

Adult Language

Strobe/Flashing Lights

Audience Interaction

This show contains adult language, mature themes (including references to sex), and light audience interaction (typical of an improv show)—think call-and-response moments or “dropping a reaction in the group chat” energy.

Covid-19 Safety policy

This event does not require masks to be worn