Dewayne Perkins: How Being Black And Gay Made Me Better Than You!

Presented by The Den Theatre

This event has a 2 item minimum.

A true multi-hyphenate, Dewayne Perkins is a writer, producer, actor and comedian who has emerged as one of the most-watched Black creatives in film and television today. Named one of Variety's “Comics to Watch,” Vulture's “Comedians You Should and Will Know,” and one of The New York Times' “Queer Young Comics Redefining American Humor,” Perkins has steadily built his comedic portfolio over the years, and his work has earned him Emmy, WGA, and NAACP Image award nominations.

Perkins can currently be seen starring opposite Seth Rogen in the critically acclaimed, award-winning Apple TV+ comedy series “The Studio.” The series premiered on March 26, 2025, and quickly emerged as one of the most celebrated freshman comedies of the year. The series has been widely honored across major award platforms, making history as the most Emmy-winning first-season comedy series of all time, with 13 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series. Perkin’s role in “The Studio” premiered on the heels of his most recent on-screen appearance opposite Keke Palmer and SZA in Sony’s feature film “One of Them Days,” which has been hailed by critics and earned a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

In 2023 Perkins co-wrote, produced, and starred in the award-winning feature film "The Blackening" (Lionsgate) based on his critically acclaimed Comedy Central digital short of the same name that went viral with over 15 million views. ”The Blackening" premiered as a 2022 Toronto International Film Festival Midnight Madness selection and had its theatrical release in June 2023, with critics saying “’The Blackening’ is hands-down one of the best comedies of the year,” (Deadline), “… screenwriter Perkins delivers a star making performance… your attention never leaves Perkins when he’s onscreen” (Los Angeles Times), “‘The Blackening’ works so triumphantly…” (Wired) and more. “The Blackening” earned nominations from the NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture, the GLAAD Media Awards for Outstanding Film, and the Black Reel Awards for Outstanding Ensemble. Alongside film nominations, Perkins was individually nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture) category, as well as for a Black Reel Award for his Outstanding Breakthrough Performance. Perkins is currently in development with MRC and Lionsgate on the film’s sequel alongside Tracy Oliver and E. Brian Dobbins.

Other writing credits include Netflix’s "The Break with Michelle Wolf,” Fox’s smash-hit comedy series "Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” Peacock’s "The Amber Ruffin Show,” which earned him an Emmy nomination, and he holds producing credits on NBC's "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," Peacock's "Saved by the Bell," and Amazon’s “Sausage Party,” to name just a few.

As an actor, Perkins has appeared on Netflix's "The Upshaws," Peacock's "Saved by the Bell,"and IFC's critically acclaimed sketch series "Sherman's Showcase." On the writing front, he has written for the WGA Awards, The Webby Awards, and the White House Correspondents Dinner, where one of his jokes was listed in The New Yorker's "Best Jokes of 2018."

As a stand up comedian has been named one of Comedy Central's "Up Next" comedians, a 2019 “New Face” at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, one of TimeOut New York's "Breakout LGBTQ Comedians to Watch" and was also a finalist on NBC's "Stand Up." He has also performed at Comedy Central's Clusterfest, SF Sketchfest, and NBC's Breakout Festival.

Perkins currently splits time between New York and Los Angeles, where he remains hard at work on a multitude of projects currently in development.

The Den Theatre and comedy club is pleased to host Dewayne Perkins: How Being Black And Gay Made Me Better Than You! on April 30, 2026 at 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood.

Tickets are currently available at thedentheatre.com or by calling (773) 697-3830.