The Founder of the Nation’s First Black Gay Theatre Returns to the NYC Stage with a Sharp Standoff on Identity and Family
A FEATURED EVENT of The Fresh Fruit Festival MAINSTAGE
Reginald T. Jackson, a legendary figure in the New York arts landscape and a “National Shakespeare Pioneer,” is set to bring his latest work, When We Practice to Deceive, to the Fresh Fruit Festival Mainstage this April. The production will run from April 23–25 at The Wild Project (195 E 3rd St), adding a comedic yet provocative spark to the city’s premier LGBTQ+ arts showcase.
The Play: A Restaurant, a Revelation, and a Standoff
In When We Practice to Deceive, a quiet evening at an expensive restaurant takes a chaotic turn. Hilarity ensues when a mother accidentally overhears her son’s transgender girlfriend in the bathroom, igniting a comedic standoff that forces a family to confront their secrets, their prejudices, and each other. Jackson utilizes his signature wit to explore the intersections of love, identity, and the “raw truth” of family dynamics.
Performance Schedule:
- Thursday, April 23 @ 6:00 PM
- Friday, April 24 @ 6:00 PM
- Saturday, April 25 @ 12:00 PM (Noon)
A Legacy of “Firsts” and Cultural Impact
Reginald T. Jackson is a titan of the New York stage. In 1988, he founded the Rainbow Repertory Theatre, the nation’s first Black Gay Theater, a landmark institution that continues to champion LGBTQ+ People of Color. Jackson’s influence extends from the Public Theater—where he was named a National Shakespeare Pioneer by Joseph Papp—to the New York State Regents Board, where his playwriting curriculum, Writing on Your Feet!, remains the gold standard for arts-in-education.
Highlights of a Master Career:
- Award-Winning Drama: His play Straight Boys was named the “Best Gay Play of the Decade” by the NYC Gay Cable Network (1993).
- International Musicals: Commissioned to write and direct Aretha: Queen of Soul for the St. Pauli Theater in Germany and Bigger Than Bubble Gum for Lincoln Center.
- Literary Excellence: A founding member of the Other Countries collective, Jackson is a 2x Lambda Literary Award nominee for poetry collections, Hejira and Sticks and Stones.
- Film Success: Winner of the 2013 Screenplay Award at the Harlem International Film Festival for his Tupac Shakur feature, The Rose That Grew From Concrete.
“Reginald T. Jackson doesn’t just write plays; he builds movements,” says Frank Calo, artistic director of the Festival, “Having a pioneer of his caliber at the Fresh Fruit Festival is a testament to the event’s ‘lightning-fast’ growth and its status as the North Star for LGBTQ+ brilliance.”
About the Fresh Fruit Festival
The 2026 Fresh Fruit Festival Mainstage continues to redefine “inclusive” by hosting the industry’s most essential voices. From the historical reclamation of Cassandra Rose’s Billy To His Friends to the world premieres of Dennis Bush and Michael Raimondi, the festival offers a “behind-the-curtain” look at the evolution of queer storytelling.
Festival Details & Tickets
The Fresh Fruit Festival remains the city’s premiere venue for LGBTQ+ brilliance, redefining “inclusive” arts for over two decades.
- Venue: The Wild Project | 195 E 3rd St, New York, NY
ARTIUM: OMNI 