Out Front Theatre Company produces Southeastern premiere of ‘BLKS’

Chicago native Robby Myers can remember his first time reading the script for “BLKS” in 2019.

The play, written by poet and writer Aziza Barnes, made its debut at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, in his hometown that same year.

He heard about the play through a Facebook group he was in with other Black theater-lovers who shared scripts they were reading in a folder. As he turned the pages, he connected and empathized with the struggles, humor and scenarios the Black and queer women characters experienced. He realized that theater could unite communities, artists and provide an alternative to reading news headlines.

“I wasn’t just reading some play anymore. It was very engaging, and I felt like I was right next to those girls, what they’ve been through, the laughs and jokes they’re cracking. I wanted to make sure everyone felt that same thing and be part of this experience with no wall separating that,” Myers told UATL.

Myers is directing the Southeastern premiere of “BLKS” at Out Front Theatre Company, which opened Jan. 29 and closes on Feb. 14. The sitcom-style production follows three Black LGBTQ+ women having a girls’ night out filled with partying and sex in New York City in 2015.

He wanted to re-create a homelike atmosphere to give the show a familiar feel onstage. “We take a really beautiful dive into the lives of these young Black women in their living room, at the club, and it touches on some of the things Black women have to go through while also reminding everyone that they’re human,” Myers said.

Barnes was a spoken word artist and television writer with credits on “Snowfall,” “Rap Sh!t” and the “Game of Thrones” spinoff “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.” They died by suicide in 2024 at age 32.

Myers said Barnes’ experimental writing is an entertaining blend of comedy, verse and activism.

“They understood what the rules are but knew how to break them in a way that’s still engaging. There’s a structure they’re able to develop on their own while still following the rules of getting their message across,” he said.

“BLKS” is Myers’ directorial debut with Out Front, which produces theatrical works spotlighting LGBTQ+ experiences. He’s held positions with the theater company as an apprentice, video projection designer and box office manager since 2019.

Myers, who moved to Atlanta from Chicago in 2019, said each role allowed him to understand how to make theater welcoming and inclusive. “I got to see the audience coming in, and you always want to make sure the audience understands the story, participates, and who the play is intended for has their story heard,” he said.

At rehearsals, Myers chatted daily with the cast about their day-to-day lives. He collaborated with assistant director Lauren Alexandra to produce and make the show relatable.

“I’m not the boss but the leader of a team. I made sure there’s trust and conversations in this process to ensure we’re telling their story appropriately and correctly,” he said.

“These characters are in their early 20s, and she (Lauren) had feelings like them. I’m looking at a bigger picture, so it’s always nice to have someone to incorporate their human experience.”

'BLKS' makes its Southeastern premiere at Out Front Theatre Company. It debuted under Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago in 2019.

Out Front’s production of “BLKS” arrives at a time when Black women are the largest demographic for losing employment, corporations are rolling back diversity and inclusion efforts and the current administration continues to approve anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and cut arts funding.

Myers said the play reinforces how Black women have resilience and pride in themselves. “There’s so much they carry on their shoulders, life experiences they deal with that we go through every day with people are expecting them to, and it’s heartbreaking how strong they have to be,” he said.

“Adding sexual and gender identities make these women triple threats, and even though people may sit and think we’re in much better times to be open and free, it’s hard and scary to want to be yourself.”

Myers hopes “BLKS” will encourage audiences to use theater to look beyond gender, race and appreciate humanity.

“People will always be against the way you live, how and who you love, but you have to be surrounded by people who are happy for who you are and remind you the sun is always there through the clouds,” Myers said.

“There’s so much happening in the world, but theater is the medicine that gives hope, joy, understanding and an escape from reality.”