Crystal Lucas-Perry can move from a historical figure to six characters in a single play. Her stage work has brought her a Tony nomination and recognition from the Lucille Lortel and Obie awards. Before those New York audiences, she represented Powers Catholic in Storytelling at the 2006 MIFA State Finals.
A Michigan beginning
Lucas-Perry studied theater performance at Western Michigan University. She has credited department chair Joan Herrington as an important mentor and often returns to a lesson Herrington shared: “The charge of the artist is to bring theatre to where there is none.”
She continued her training at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, earning an MFA in acting. Her interests also led her to drama therapy, teaching and a practice as a licensed creative arts therapist.
Many ways to tell a story
Her theater work has taken her to the Public Theater, Lincoln Center and regional stages. In 2022 she played John Adams in the Broadway revival of 1776. She also performed in Jordan E. Cooper’s Ain’t No Mo’, taking on six roles across its sketches. That performance earned her a 2023 Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play.
Work in The Great Privation and Pericles: A Public Works Concert Experience brought further recognition with a 2025 Obie Award for Distinguished Performance.
For Michigan’s Storytelling students, there is something especially fun about finding a fellow competitor in so many different characters. Lucas-Perry’s career offers plenty of performances to discover.
On record
Our results archive is still being built and has gaps, so this is simply what we hold today.
