ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar
The Chicago Women of Color
Puppetry and Performing Arts Fringe Festival 2025
Celebrates its First Year at the Zhou B Art Center, 4th Floor Women of Color Theatre,
1029 West 35th Street Chicago
Now Playing Through Sunday, March 16, 2025
The festival focuses on artists who create works about biodiversity, activism, human rights, oppression, race/racism, genocide, gender, LGBQT issues, being a woman, being Black, being indigenous, current events, the prison industrial complex, social justice issues, consciousness, spirituality, mental health, trauma, Black futurism, fantasy, empowerment, history and much more.
Where art meets storytelling ✨
Women of Color Productions brings powerful narratives to life through breathtaking puppetry and stop-motion magic. These striking creations by Jacqueline Wade are more than art—they’re a movement, a voice, and a celebration of culture.
🎭 Elevate your love for the arts and support women creators redefining the industry!
They also encourage artists to bring old and new works including works-in-progress that have been rehearsed. They welcome everyone. This is a festival that is on the edge of the mainstream and gives voice to the voiceless and encourages experimental works. It is a festival that is "open access" and gives opportunities. It is high energy with independent artists.
The festival is also very supportive of artists who challenge the audience and themselves in creating works that make positive change; it is about community and mentorship and people of all ethnic backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations and abilities who want to come together to celebrate puppetry, performing arts and film.
Snap from the fest a couple weeks back of Steven’s performance: “The Gum Rappers”, Yo-yo, Sloop and Thin Ice, played by David C. Herzog, Jacqueline Wade, and Steven Widerman, performed at the Chicago Women of Color Fringe Festival on MLK day. Photo by Alex Griffin.
Are you a performing artist? Do you have art that you would like to share? Join us for our upcoming slams on 2/21, 2/28 and 3/14! DM us or reach out the festival website to be in touch and learn more.
Puppets by Tarish “Jeghetto” Pipkins
Sadly, two days of shows, film screenings and events with Puppeteer Tarish “Jeghetto” Pipkins happened last weekend, but I have caught his work two different years as part of the Chicago International Puppet Theatre Festival and his work is incredible! Saturday 2/8 join us for a screening of JUST ANOTHER LYNCHING with director Jeghetto @jeghettos_puppets followed by a Q&A and a puppet meet! Shows at 2pm and 8:30pm! I have seen this film and it's thought provoking, moving, and expertly done. I've also caught his futuristic film, 5P1N0K10 and it's quite creative and visually fun.
JUST ANOTHER LYNCHING is a puppet show that dives deep into the culture of racism and oppression during the Jim Crow era in the United States. Puppeteer Tarish “Jeghetto” Pipkins joins forces with a cast of Boston-based puppeteers to confront haunting truths about our country’s past, present, and future. Audiences experience the tale of a man who loves his family, but who nevertheless meets an unfortunate end at the hands of racism. Framed as one man’s eulogy to his lost childhood friend, the play unfolds as a series of touching memories that refuse to be ignored or mis-remembered. Jeghetto’s ghostly, large-scale puppets combine with extraordinary sound and projections, creating a space where contemporary audiences can reflect, bear witness, and engage in radical honesty. The performance will be followed by an open discussion between Jeghetto, the community, and the creative team.
On Sunday 2/9 more featuring the work of Jeghetto:
5P1N0K10 Dir by Jeghetto, part of the special collection of Handmade Puppet Dreams screening at 12:15
Performance of “Jim Crow The Puppet” at 5:30pm
Screening of JUST ANOTHER LYNCHING at 10pm
Check out the upcoming schedule HERE:
https://chicagowomenofcolorfest.com
https://www.instagram.com/womenofcolorproductions
