Perceptions Theatre

12/08/2025

Some of our Washerwomen were able to join ETA for their annual Gala where they honored some of the most amazing artists in the Black Theatre spaces in Chicago! So many of the guest were excited to see them again 💜

12/02/2025

Today is Giving Tuesday! GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. This Giving Tuesday we encourage you to learn more about us at Perceptions Theatre by watching the video below of how we came about, subscribing to our newsletters, following us on our socials, volunteering with our origination, submitting to be on our board or even donating something monetary or physical to our efforts.

Donation Link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-perceptions-theatre-going-in-2025-beyond

If you do decide to donate monetarily anywhere between $5-$20 or more if you are feeling even more generous, it will help us continue to bring theatre to the Southside community of Chicago! This past year we have been able to have our own office building on 79th street in Chicago, where we are able to hold small community events and rehearsals and we want to make sure we keep our building into many years to come when we upgrade to an even bigger space in the next 5 years to come.

We have raised $5,430 of our $20k goal for our 2025-2026 season!

Unfortunately due to tax cuts one of our biggest grants for the year hasn’t been unable to renew as they have cut their grant funding. This grant was worth $20k and it allowed us to be able to do a full production, BIPOC Play Fest that employs at a minimum 5 playwrights, 5 directors and 10 actors a year and Winter Staged Reading Series that employs at a minimum 2 playwrights, 2 directors and 5-7 actors. That funding also allowed us to continue to keep our ticket prices reasonable to reflect our communities income. We always aim to make all of our art related events affordable for our community members to attend.

Special thanks goes out to our recent donors:

Jo Schaffer
Kezia Waters
Estefania Unzueta
Nicholas Zepeda
The Joseph & Janice Feinberg Foundation

*As a reminder all donations are tax exempt as we are a 501 c3 non profit.*

11/30/2025

🫧HAPPY CLOSING TO OUR WASHERWOMEN🧽

We are so excited to take hang up our last piece of clothing and take our final bow at the clothesline. 768 of you came out in Chicago on the Southside to watch “The Wash” by Kelundra Smith and Directed by Artistic Director, Myesha-Tiara and Assistant Directed by Executive Director, Jerluane “Jae” Jenkins! We couldn’t be more thankful to have you share in our 5th year of theatre in Chicago. We can’t wait for you to see our next production!

See you at the theatre 🎭

Cast:
ANNA: Nikki Carpenter
JEANIE: Audrey D. Allen
THOMASINE: MJ (Myah Jackson)
CHARITY: A’Keisha Lee
JEWEL: Rita Wicks
MOZELLE: Jill Iverson
US THOMASINE/CHARITY: Marcia Eastmond
US JEWEL: Raven Williams
US MOZELLE: Teagan Fitzpatrick

Creative Team:
Artistic Director/Director: Myesha-Tiara
Executive Director/Assistant Director: Jerluane “Jae” Jenkins
Choreographer: A’Keisha Lee
Dialect Assistance: Shadana Patterson
Dramaturgy: Antonia Laché
Stage Manager: Autumn Dancy
Assistant Stage Manager: Madie Barnas
Scenic & Costume Designer: Mari DeOleo
Lighting Designer: Jerluane “Jae” Jenkins
Sound Designer: Autumn Dancy
 Literary Manager: Ken Bell

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11/28/2025

🎭Only 1 chance left to see The Wash🎭
Photo Credit .photography

We are officially SOLD OUT for TONIGHT & SUNDAY’S SHOW! If you want to see us at the clothesline then make sure you get your ticket for tomorrow’s 7:30pm performance.

Saturday Ticket Link: https://www.perceptionstheatre.org/event-details/the-wash-2025-11-29-19-30

Black Friday Discount Code: Use code FRIDAY25 for $10 off your ticket, there is a limited number of Black Friday tickets available so snag them while they last!

*can be used for Saturday’s shows.

About The Wash: In 1881, Black laundresses in Atlanta led a strike weeks before the International Cotton Exposition came to town. Demanding $1/dozen pounds of laundry, the Atlanta Washerwomen’s Strike of 1881 was one of the largest, successful in*******al labor strikes of the post-Civil War era. “The Wash” offers an intimate and often funny look at ordinary women who went from workers to fighters– and won.

Cast:
ANNA: Nikki Carpenter
JEANIE: Audrey D. Allen
THOMASINE: MJ (Myah Jackson)
CHARITY: A’Keisha Lee
JEWEL: Rita Wicks
MOZELLE: Jill Iverson
US THOMASINE/CHARITY: Marcia Eastmond
US JEWEL: Raven Williams
US MOZELLE: Teagan Fitzpatrick

Creative Team:
Artistic Director/Director: Myesha-Tiara
Executive Director/Assistant Director: Jerluane “Jae” Jenkins
Choreographer: A’Keisha Lee
Dialect Assistance: Shadana Patterson
Dramaturgy: Antonia Laché
Stage Manager: Autumn Dancy
Assistant Stage Manager: Madie Barnas
Scenic & Costume Designer: Mari DeOleo
Lighting Designer: Jerluane “Jae” Jenkins
Sound Designer: Autumn Dancy
Literary Manager: Ken Bell

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11/26/2025

🎭20% Show Day🎭

We are so honored to partner with Gyrls in the H.O.O.D. Foundation for our 20% show day! What this means is that 20% of all ticket sales for our Saturday, Nov 29th date will go towards a donation to their organization! We love supporting our fellow Southside organizations that missions align with ours. So grab your ticket for this Saturday while they last as they are going quickly! 👩🏾‍🤝‍👩🏿👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏾

Ticket Link: https://www.perceptionstheatre.org/event-details/the-wash-2025-11-29-19-30

The origin of Gyrls in the H.O.O.D. is grounded in the needs of our target population of young Black women, meeting their immediate direct needs so other types of development and health can be addressed.

Gyrls In The H.O.O.D. Foundations’ core principles are HEALTHY, OPTIMISTIC, OUTSTANDING, AND DETERMINED (H.O.O.D.), and are integrated through our programs which revolve around sexual health education, community service, and excellence recognition.

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11/24/2025

🎭Only 2 chances left to see The Wash🎭
Photo Credit .photography

It’s been a long ride and now we are at the end of our wash cycle and The Wash must close this Sunday, Nov 30th but don’t fret! Although our Sunday show is SOLD OUT, you can still see The Wash on Black Friday after a day of shopping and/or relaxing with family and friends, after Thanksgiving Day or Saturday night after you just ate your Thanksgiving leftovers for lunch. Trust us you don’t want to wait until the last minute when there will only be stand by tickets available and door sale tickets will be first come, first serve and we would hate to tell you we are SOLD OUT for the night, so grab your tickets in advance. Link in Bio

Black Friday Discount Code: Use code FRIDAY25 for $10 off your ticket, there is a limited number of Black Friday tickets available so snag them while they last!

*can be used for both Friday & Saturday’s shows.

About The Wash: In 1881, Black laundresses in Atlanta led a strike weeks before the International Cotton Exposition came to town. Demanding $1/dozen pounds of laundry, the Atlanta Washerwomen’s Strike of 1881 was one of the largest, successful in*******al labor strikes of the post-Civil War era. “The Wash” offers an intimate and often funny look at ordinary women who went from workers to fighters– and won.
 
Cast:
ANNA: Nikki Carpenter
JEANIE: Audrey D. Allen
THOMASINE: MJ (Myah Jackson)
CHARITY: A’Keisha Lee
JEWEL: Rita Wicks
MOZELLE: Jill Iverson
US THOMASINE/CHARITY: Marcia Eastmond
US JEWEL: Raven Williams
US MOZELLE: Teagan Fitzpatrick

Creative Team:
Artistic Director/Director: Myesha-Tiara
Executive Director/Assistant Director: Jerluane “Jae” Jenkins
Choreographer: A’Keisha Lee
Dialect Assistance: Shadana Patterson
Dramaturgy: Antonia Laché
Stage Manager: Autumn Dancy
Assistant Stage Manager: Madie Barnas
Scenic & Costume Designer: Mari DeOleo
Lighting Designer: Jerluane “Jae” Jenkins
Sound Designer: Autumn Dancy
 Literary Manager: Ken Bell

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11/23/2025

🎭Today’s show is almost SOLD OUT & only a few walk up tickets are available🎭

You can catch The Wash at 2pm today then after that only 3 more chances before it leaves Chicago for the year, so grab your tickets before the last weekend completely sells out

About The Wash: In 1881, Black laundresses in Atlanta led a strike weeks before the International Cotton Exposition came to town. Demanding $1/dozen pounds of laundry, the Atlanta Washerwomen’s Strike of 1881 was one of the largest, successful in*******al labor strikes of the post-Civil War era. “The Wash” offers an intimate and often funny look at ordinary women who went from workers to fighters– and won.
 
Cast:
ANNA: Nikki Carpenter
JEANIE: Audrey D. Allen
THOMASINE: MJ (Myah Jackson)
CHARITY: A’Keisha Lee
JEWEL: Rita Wicks
MOZELLE: Jill Iverson
US THOMASINE/CHARITY: Marcia Eastmond
US JEWEL: Raven Williams
US MOZELLE: Teagan Fitzpatrick

Creative Team:
Artistic Director/Director: Myesha-Tiara
Executive Director/Assistant Director: Jerluane “Jae” Jenkins
Choreographer: A’Keisha Lee
Dialect Assistance: Shadana Patterson
Dramaturgy: Antonia Laché
Stage Manager: Autumn Dancy
Assistant Stage Manager: Madie Barnas
Scenic & Costume Designer: Mari DeOleo
Lighting Designer: Jerluane “Jae” Jenkins
Sound Designer: Autumn Dancy
 Literary Manager: Ken Bell

***********

11/22/2025

🎭We have a DOUBLE SHOW DAY TODAY! 🎭
You can catch The Wash at 2pm and at 7:30pm and walk up tickets at the door are available, so don’t worry if you decide last minute that you want to join us on the clothesline. See you at the theatre!

Ticket Link: https://www.perceptionstheatre.org/thewash

We close Nov 30th, so make sure you don’t wait until then to get your tickets because they may not be available at the door if we sell out online first.

This Weekend:
Saturday, Nov 22nd 2pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, Nov 23rd, 2pm

About The Wash: In 1881, Black laundresses in Atlanta led a strike weeks before the International Cotton Exposition came to town. Demanding $1/dozen pounds of laundry, the Atlanta Washerwomen’s Strike of 1881 was one of the largest, successful in*******al labor strikes of the post-Civil War era. “The Wash” offers an intimate and often funny look at ordinary women who went from workers to fighters– and won.

Cast:
ANNA: Nikki Carpenter
JEANIE: Audrey D. Allen
THOMASINE: MJ (Myah Jackson)
CHARITY: A’Keisha Lee
JEWEL: Rita Wicks
MOZELLE: Jill Iverson
US THOMASINE/CHARITY: Marcia Eastmond
US JEWEL: Raven Williams
US MOZELLE: Teagan Fitzpatrick

Creative Team:
Artistic Director/Director: Myesha-Tiara
Executive Director/Assistant Director: Jerluane “Jae” Jenkins
Choreographer: A’Keisha Lee
Dialect Assistance: Shadana Patterson
Dramaturgy: Antonia Laché
Stage Manager: Autumn Dancy
Assistant Stage Manager: Madie Barnas
Scenic & Costume Designer: Mari DeOleo
Lighting Designer: Jerluane “Jae” Jenkins
Sound Designer: Autumn Dancy
Literary Manager: Ken Bell

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11/19/2025

So proud of these ladies and glad their hard work has paid off in an incredible way! So honored to be producing the amazing show in Chicago 💜

⭐️⭐️Congratulations to the team of THE WASH on their 4 AUDELCO wins last night!⭐️⭐️

Best Playwright - Kelundra Smith
Best Sound Design - Bill Toles
Best Best Ensemble - Rebecca Haden, Bianca LaVerne Jones, Alicia Pilgrim, Margaret Odette, Kerry Warren, and Eunice Woods
Best Production - THE WASH

11/18/2025

🎭We have a few generous out of town donors who have donated a total of 14 tickets, 7 for this Wednesday and 7 for this Thursday, towards our Chicagoland audiences being able to see The Wash and we couldn’t be more excited!🎭 Grab them while they last!

Wednesday Ticket Link: https://www.perceptionstheatre.org/event-details/the-wash-2025-11-19-19-30

Thursday Ticket Link: https://www.perceptionstheatre.org/event-details/the-wash-2025-11-20-19-30

We close Nov 30th, so make sure you don’t wait until then to get you tickets because they may not be available at the door if we sell out online first.

This Week:
Wednesday, Nov 19th, 7:30pm (pay what you can)
Thursday, Nov 20th, 7:30pm (industry night & pay what you can)
Friday, Nov 21st, 7:30pm
Saturday, Nov 22nd 2pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, Nov 23rd, 2pm

About The Wash: In 1881, Black laundresses in Atlanta led a strike weeks before the International Cotton Exposition came to town. Demanding $1/dozen pounds of laundry, the Atlanta Washerwomen’s Strike of 1881 was one of the largest, successful in*******al labor strikes of the post-Civil War era. “The Wash” offers an intimate and often funny look at ordinary women who went from workers to fighters– and won.

Cast:
ANNA: Nikki Carpenter
JEANIE: Audrey D. Allen
THOMASINE: MJ (Myah Jackson)
CHARITY: A’Keisha Lee
JEWEL: Rita Wicks
MOZELLE: Jill Iverson
US THOMASINE/CHARITY: Marcia Eastmond
US JEWEL: Raven Williams
US MOZELLE: Teagan Fitzpatrick

Creative Team:
Artistic Director/Director: Myesha-Tiara
Executive Director/Assistant Director: Jerluane “Jae” Jenkins
Choreographer: A’Keisha Lee
Dialect Assistance: Shadana Patterson
Dramaturgy: Antonia Laché
Stage Manager: Autumn Dancy
Assistant Stage Manager: Madie Barnas
Scenic & Costume Designer: Mari DeOleo
Lighting Designer: Jerluane “Jae” Jenkins
Sound Designer: Autumn Dancy
Literary Manager: Ken Bell

***********

11/17/2025

🎭TODAY’S SHOW IS SOLD OUT🎭 We love to see it! There will be no walk up tickets available for today, however join us this upcoming week for one or more of our 6 upcoming performances 🧽🫧🧼

www.perceptionstheatre.org/thewash

Wednesday, Nov 19th, 7:30pm
Thursday, Nov 20th, 7:30pm
Friday, Nov 21st, 7:30pm
Saturday, Nov 22nd 2pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, Nov 23rd, 2pm

About The Wash: In 1881, Black laundresses in Atlanta led a strike weeks before the International Cotton Exposition came to town. Demanding $1/dozen pounds of laundry, the Atlanta Washerwomen’s Strike of 1881 was one of the largest, successful in*******al labor strikes of the post-Civil War era. “The Wash” offers an intimate and often funny look at ordinary women who went from workers to fighters– and won.

Cast:
ANNA: Nikki Carpenter
JEANIE: Audrey D. Allen
THOMASINE: MJ (Myah Jackson)
CHARITY: A’Keisha Lee
JEWEL: Rita Wicks
MOZELLE: Jill Iverson
US THOMASINE/CHARITY: Marcia Eastmond
US JEWEL: Raven Williams
US MOZELLE: Teagan Fitzpatrick

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