jessica charles
I write dark comedies and absurd realities that make you laugh. And when you wonder why you're laughing, you realize it's funny because it's true. And you're laughing to not cry or possibly to experience some joy.
Playwright | Storyteller | Cultural Worker | Creative
Jessica Charles is a Black queer storyteller who submerges her art in Fabulism and the culture to uplift historically underrepresented voices. Her passion is both archiving and bringing to life the magically nuanced stories of people like her/(us). Proud to be born and raised in Oakland, CA, the rich tapestry of Black people, culture, her ancestry, and her upbringing shape the way she walks, talks, sees, and writes about the world. She graduated from Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and the University of California, Berkeley. Most recently, her play Antiquated F*ckery had its off-Broadway debut at 59E59 Theaters. She is a member of National Black Theatre’s Keep SOUL Alive Micro Development Reading Series, a finalist for the 24/26 NBT I AM SOUL Playwriting Residency, and a SPACE on Ryder Farm 2024 Creative Resident. Jessica has also been a member of New Roots Queer+ Artist Residency 2025, Liberation Theater Company’s New Voices Writing Residency 19/20 and a finalist for The Lark’s Van Lier New Voices Fellowship. Her plays include Antiquated F*ckery, [THE BLACK WOMAN] and The Myth, Geeky, "the american hunger show!", In the tradition, The Road Trip, Inflatables and more.
Upcoming:
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Hot Girls Making Out – A 2027 production coming to a gay bar near you ;)
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National Black Theatre – Keep Soul Alive: Micro-Development Series, March 2026
Past:
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Hot Girls Making Out by Jessica Charles; The Tank Presents Reading, May 2025
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My Black Job Productions – Sweet Tea: Artist Salon – Producing Artist
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New Roots – Walhalla Farm, Creative Resident
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Antiquated F*ckery by Jessica Charles ; 59E59 Theaters – Oct 8 - 28, 2023; Part of The Pool Plays 3.0 and 59E59's Makers Program
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I AM SOUL Playwriting Residency, Finalist – National Black Theatre 24/26
Upcoming
SEE WHAT'S IN MY FUTURE
Hot Girls Making Out by Jessica Charles
The Tank Presents
An Industry Reading
I write now because I have to.
I write because my story is important.
The people who look like me, feel like me, push through this world like me are
important.
Nuanced people, colorful people, sad people, joyful people, people just trying to survive – our stories are
important.
I write to capture the complexity in the mundane.
I write to archive.
I write to question.
I write to listen.
I write to connect.
I won’t stop writing until our voices are centered on the biggest stages in the world.
I don’t just write to see POC and/or queer people on stage. I write to tell the nuances and intricacies of our lived experiences.
I write because as a Black, queer woman, I fear if I don’t tell you my story is important and equal and resonant, it will only be a whisper to you.
And I write because I WANT TO F*CKING SHOUT!
