Shay Mace
Quaz Degraft was one of the inaugural winners of the Binge Fringe Black Performers’ Award last August, when he presented his solo semi-autobiographical piece In The Black, exploring visibility, ambition, identity and belonging in Wall Street, and following a man torn between love, family expectations, and the relentless pursuit of success, as he navigates power, class, and identity in a system never built for him.
We caught up with Quaz for a pixelated pint to find out what’s made him bring the show back across the Atlantic for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe again this year, and what he’s been up to in the meantime.
You can catch In The Black at Daisy at Underbelly, Bristo Square on August 5th – 31st (not the 18th) from 14:45 (60mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Shay: Hi Quaz, tell us about exploring the story of a black man on Wall Street and why you have decided to bring this to the stage now?
Quaz: In The Black began as a way for me to process my own experiences navigating spaces where I often felt both highly visible and invisible at the same time. For many Black professionals, and particularly first-generation ones, there can be immense pressure to succeed not only for ourselves, but for our families as well. That pressure can lead us to question who we are and what we’re willing to compromise to achieve it. Wall Street is often portrayed as a world of power, wealth, and ambition, but I was interested in exploring the cost of chasing those things. I felt compelled to bring this story to the stage now because conversations around identity, belonging, and representation are as urgent as ever.
Shay: How has the creative process been of putting the show together? Give us an idea of the journey you’ve been on with it so far.
Quaz: The show began after I took a solo performance class during drama school at the University of Southern California. After learning the tools to create a solo play, I dove into the work of artists such as Michaela Coel, John Leguizamo, and Whoopi Goldberg for inspiration, since it was a medium I hadn’t really been exposed to before. During my final year at school, I’d find a secluded corner and write whenever I could. After a first terrible draft, I began working with one of my professors, Lee Chemel, who pushed me to go deeper with the material. The following year, I was introduced to a director, lighting designer, and sound designer who helped take the show to another level. I’m excited to bring the show back to Edinburgh Fringe this year and continue sharing it with audiences from around the world.
Shay: What will be the first thing the audience sees, feels, and hears as they enter the space?
Quaz: Without giving too much away, the audience’s first encounter with In The Black will be entering a world that feels both familiar and unsettling. I want them to feel a sense of anticipation and curiosity from the moment they walk into the space.
Shay: What are you hoping the audience might take away from the experience, if anything?
Quaz: Despite the heavy themes, the play explores them through deeply humorous characters. I hope audiences are able to see themselves in some way, whether through the characters, their struggles, or the choices they make. More than anything, I hope audiences leave reflecting on the stories we tell ourselves about success and the price we sometimes pay to achieve it. In The Black explores ambition, identity, belonging, and the pressures that come with trying to succeed in spaces where you may feel like an outsider.
Shay: What journey has the show been on to find itself at EdFringe 2026?
Quaz: The show began as a personal exploration of my own experiences working in finance and navigating questions of ambition, identity, and belonging as a first-generation Ghanaian-American. The show travelled to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2025, where it exceeded every expectation. The response from audiences, critics, and industry professionals was overwhelming. The show received multiple five-star reviews, was shortlisted for the Popcorn Writing Award, and received both the Bobby Award and the Binge Fringe Black Performer Award. Those experiences affirmed that this very specific story could speak to audiences from all over the world.
Since then, the piece has continued to evolve through further development, including sold-out presentations at La Jolla Playhouse’s DNA New Works series. Each iteration has deepened the storytelling and sharpened the questions at the heart of the play. This next chapter will be the best version of the show yet.
Shay: With EdFringe now just around the corner, what are you most excited for?
Quaz: I’m most excited to put the show in front of audiences again. One of the things I love most about Edinburgh is that every audience is different. You have people from all over the world coming together in one room, and that creates a really special energy. I’m also excited to see all the incredible shows that will be on this year. I find the entire festival incredibly inspiring.
Shay: Given the themes of Binge Fringe, if your show was a beverage of any kind (alcoholic, non-alcoholic – be as creative as you like!), what would it be and why?
Quaz: A Manhattan on the rocks with a splash of Four Loko. The Manhattan was the first drink my manager at the private equity firm suggested I try. Before that, I was ordering Long Islands, vodka cranberries, or stopping by the bodega for a can of Four Loko (which I definitely don’t recommend). It was the first time I felt like I had an adult “go-to” drink in a more upscale environment. That combination feels a lot like In The Black itself: one part Wall Street polish, one part chaos. Though, if I’m being honest, I still prefer a vodka cranberry.
A reminder, you can catch In The Black at Daisy at Underbelly, Bristo Square on August 5th – 31st (not the 18th) from 14:45 (60mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Image Credit: Sarah Rose Nelson
