With When We Practice to Deceive, performed at The Wild Project in Spring 2026, renowned playwright Reginald T. Jackson lets the trans community know that he sees, hears, and supports them. The delightful production is mostly lighthearted; as Jackson has observed, many theatrical dishes on pivotal subjects are best served with humor. Thus the characters are instantly familiar, sympathetic, and believable.

Veterinarian Kevin Cooper (Maddoux) is catching up in NYC with his Louisiana-residing mom Martha (Yvette Dingwall). He is late because he had just been in surgery to remove a dog’s spleen. “This is what you do with that expensive medical degree you have?” chides Martha, who wants to know when he’s going to find a nice partner. He in fact, has, in Lady Jasmine (Sunna Bee), and nervously plans to have them meet. He confides in Beth (Jasmyn Green), his friend at the hospital, over how to broach the subject that Lady Jasmine is a transgender woman to his kind-but-conservative mom. But Martha finds that out on her own, when sharing a restaurant restroom with Lady Jasmine before realizing that she’s her son’s new partner. The exchanges to follow are tense and realistic but with a light touch that keeps the audience engaged and sympathetic to all the characters. Martha claims to not drink (“you can’t serve both the lord and the bottle”) but then orders and chugs a Manhattan after the revelation. Bee pulls at the heartstrings as Lady Jasmine, wanting to be seen and accepted for who she is after being tragically disowned by her own parents. Cooper’s relatable Kevin is stressed to the high heavens, terrified that he will have to choose between Lady Jasmine and his own mother. But the wise and loving Martha comes around, embracing Lady Jasmine and (over) enthusiastically planning the wedding after the couple gets engaged right in front of her. “Don’t be so surprised, I’m capable of growth!” she announces to laughter and relief.

A charming and believable performance from Dingwall gives the story a warmth and realism; this is aided by a hilarious and effervescent Chetan Rao as Lady Jasmine’s BFF Diamond Dupree. Amiere A . Bell is Charlie the bartender, who oversees the events and provides a calming presence, as does Green’s charismatic Beth.

The entire cast brings a heart and depth to their characters that realize Jackson’s intent, and bring tremendous life to his witty and thoughtful dialogue. The road to the wedding is incredibly fun, but balanced with a sad moment when Lady Jasmine is once again confronted by her intolerant, dead-naming parents. It is a scene that is heartbreaking but necessary, as a reminder that violence against the trans community, both emotional and physical, is a tragic epidemic (as Jackson has observed).

Deftly directed by Kubbi, When We Practice to Deceive is, a Jackson puts it “a love letter to the trans community.” It’s an essential work that comes at a pivotal moment, and a triumph for Jackson and the cast and crew.