ATLANTA – “How come I have never heard of this before?”

That single question changed Atlanta native Kelundra Smith’s life. And now, with her world-premiere play “The Wash,” Smith is hoping nobody will need to ask it again.

“The Wash” tells the real-life story of the 1881 Atlanta washerwomen strike, during which Black laundresses led a strike for better wages in the weeks leading up to the International Cotton Exposition.

“The Atlanta washerwomen strike was one of the first and largest successful labor strikes of the post-Civil War era,” explains Smith. “African-American laundresses who were fed up with being stiffed on their wages decided to take their power back, and they said, ‘No pay, no wash.’”

Smith first became aware of the story during a 2017 trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The writer says she was astounded that she hadn’t previously learned about the historical event, and upon further research, became inspired to write about it.

“When I think of clothes flying in the street, people getting their laundry back wet or soiled, people wrestling each other to say, ’No, you’re on strike now, we’re not working anymore,’ it felt theatrical to me,” Smith says.

“The Wash” was chosen by the National New Play Network for its Rolling World Premiere initiative, which means three or more theaters premiere distinct productions of the play within an 18-month period. The play opened at Atlanta’s Synchronicity Theatre last month and is set to take the stage at The Academy Theatre in Hapeville in a production from Impact Theatre Atlanta from July 11 through 28. It is then scheduled to open in theaters in St. Louis and Chicago in 2025.

For more information on the upcoming Impact Theatre Atlanta production (directed by Brenda Porter), click here. 

For full interviews with Kelundra Smith, director Brenda Porter, and actor Nevaina, watch this weekend’s all-new “Behind the Scenes with Paul Milliken” at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, streaming on all FOX 5 Atlanta platforms.

After a series loss at Truist Park, the Atlanta Braves gear up to host the division rival Philadelphia Phillies for a three game set beginning tonight at 7:20 ET. The Braves enter the series at 47-38. The Phillies, however, enter play at 57-30 and have a nine-game lead over the East.

Max Fried, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Reynaldo López are each penciled in to start against Aaron Nola, Ranger Suárez, and Michael Mercado.

This series will wrap up the long homestand before the Braves head out West to end the first half.

More Braves News:

The Braves dropped the series finale to the San Francisco Giants 4-2. Chris Sale’s dominance and a quiet offense headline the takeaways from the series loss.

Orlando Arcia was out once again due to a tooth infection and is questionable for the upcoming series.

Our 2024 draft preview series continues with third basemen.

Dylan Lee is back in midseason form, and he’s been an underrated piece of the 2024 bullpen success.

Eli White had a ridiculous Wednesday in Triple–A with two homers and two doubles. More in the minor league recap.

Justin Toscano of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution highlights the Braves’ trends when opponents score four or more runs.

MLB News:

The Philadelphia Phillies top the AJC’s latest power rankings.

The Washington Nationals selected the contract of Juan Yepez, who will likely see some time at first base after the club optioned Joey Meneses.

The New York Mets released outfielder Trayce Thompson, per the transaction log. The 33-year-old joined the Mets on a minor league deal during the offseason.

The Pittsburgh Pirates placed right-hander Jared Jones on the 15-day injured list with a right lat strain. Jones exited his start on Wednesday after five innings and 78 pitches.

The Miami Marlins selected the contract of right-hander Matt Andriese, who will take Tim Anderson’s spot on the 40-man roster.

The Atlanta Braves are in the process of getting a slew of arms healthy for the big-league club. However, it’s not just the likes of Ian Anderson and AJ Smith Shawver that are working back to full strength, former 2022 first-round pick JR Ritchie will begin his rehab assignment this week as well according to a source.

Ritchie is scheduled to pack his bags for the Braves’ Single-A affiliate August GreenJackets, a source told BravesSI. The GreenJackets have been in the news recently, because that’s where Anderson got a start this week.

The plan now is for Anderson to start on Saturday night in Augusta, and then Ritchie will take his place on the roster as Anderson takes the next step towards getting back to Atlanta. Anderson was strong in his third-rehab start and appears ready to move at least one step up the Braves’ ladder.

Ritchie underwent Tommy John surgery in May of 2023. He was throwing partners with Anderson as they were on similar timetables with the same injury.

He’s made three appearances with the FCL Braves including July 4th. He hadn’t allowed an earned run in his previous-two appearances, but was roughed up by the FCL Pirates in 2.1 innings for five-earned runs on Thursday. Ritchie walked three batters, but he also struck out four of his nine outs.

The Braves liked what they saw from Ritchie enough to move him to Augusta where he should get a start next week.

Ritchie was the 35th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, and celebrated his 21st birthday last week.