The Chicago Women of Color Puppetry and Performing Arts Fringe Festival

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 in 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.

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.