Welcome to the stage: Lena Waithe!

The Emmy-winning writer and producer (“Master of None,” “The Chi”) will make her theatrical acting debut in “trinity,” a new play she penned, premiering at Baltimore Center Stage. BCS describes the play as such: “In a single room, three people slip between fantasy and reality, acting out the moments they’re too afraid to live in real life. What begins as playful role-play becomes a raw excavation of longing, connection, and the emotional legacies passed.”

They’re offering the show with a limited engagement running Feb. 12 through March 8, 2026. Waithe wrote the piece and will perform in the production, and it’s directed by BCS Artistic Director Stevie Walker-Webb. Deadline reported “trinity” as a world premiere. 

“trinity” is described as an intimate, genre-defying stage work that explores love, identity, and the transformative power of imagination. It also marks Waithe’s first major project as a playwright and actor onstage. 

“Stepping into playwriting in this way feels both thrilling and deeply personal,” said Waithe in a statement to Deadline. “This production holds so much heart and intention. It’s about telling the truth boldly and creating space for voices and stories that deserve to be seen and felt. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built and excited to share it with audiences.”

In the shifting culture of entertainment, writers like Waithe find themselves exploring new avenues to share their talents. This bold transition to the stage creates the opportunity for a creative challenge beyond screenwriting. For Waithe, her stage debut provides an opportunity to test material live and engage with audiences in real time. Joining her on stage are entertainment greats like Courtney Sauls (“Dear White People,” “Legends”) and Megalyn Echikunwoke (“Weathering,” “Late Night”).

BCS said “trinity” aims to blend the sharp wit of a romantic comedy with the searching depth of an existential drama, and they claim it’s as funny as it is fearless. Waithe’s TV writing, whether that famed Angela Bassett-laced Thanksgiving episode of “Master of None,” or the thrills “The Chi” has taken viewers on in eight seasons, one common thread connects them: Lena’s undeniable emotional truths. “trinity” promises to offer that same powerful empathy.