Junebug Productions is the successor to the Free Southern Theater (FST), which was formed in Jackson, Mississippi in 1963 as a cultural arm of the Civil Rights Movement—”a theater for those who have no theater.” FST was a major influence in the Black Theater Movement; Junebug’s artistic director, John O’Neal, was a co-founder of the organization and a guiding force throughout its existence.

FST moved its home base to New Orleans in 1965. The organization dissolved in 1980, but a few of its members remained in New Orleans and established Junebug Productions. In addition to presenting original plays with titles such as Don’t Start Me To Talking or I’ll Tell You Everything I Know: Sayings from the Life and Writings of Junebug Jabbo Jones, Junebug presents national touring companies and artists in New Orleans, hosts festivals, and, through its National Color Line Project, collects stories from people who were involved with or whose lives have been significantly influenced by the Civil Rights Movement.