Three friends. One messed up night. A whole lot of growing pains.
About This Show
Messed up stuff happens. After an unsavory wake-up call, Octavia decides to put off her troubles and have one last turn up with her friends. In poet Aziza Barnes’s ingenious portrait of a day in the life of four young black women discovering life’s uncomfortable truths in New York City, BLKS explores the joy and anguish of growing up and out. Riotously funny and distinctly rendered, Barnes’s playwriting debut marks the arrival of a truly original contemporary American voice.
Watch & Listen
Running Time
Content Advisory
BLKS includes coarse language, sexualized violence, nudity, frank depictions of consensual sex and documentary footage of police brutality. May not be suitable for people under 18.
Events and Offers
Tuesdays – $20 Cultural Industry nights (use code CULTURAL)
Wednesdays – 2-for-1 credit nights for RED and Black Card members
Thursdays – $2 off drinks at Front Bar w/ ticket stub
Fridays – pre-show Live DJ at Front Bar
Saturday & Sunday Matinées – Digest & Recover: 50% off matinees with brunch receipt (use code BRUNCH)
Additional Information
Special Performances
Preview Performances:
December 7 - 17
Open-captioned:
Saturday, January 6 at 3pm
Audio-described and touch tour:
Sunday, January 14 at 1:30 touch tour, audio-described performance at 3pm
BLKS SALON SERIES
Cast & Artists
The Artists
- Author Aziza Barnes
- Director Nataki Garrett
- Scenic Design Sibyl Wickersheimer
- Costume Design Trevor Bowen
- Lighting Design Marcus Doshi
- Sound Design and Original Music T. Carlis Roberts
- Projection Design Rasean Davonte Johnson
- Company Vocal Coach Gigi Buffington
- Artistic Producer Anna D. Shapiro
- Casting Director JC Clementz
- Stage Manager Malcolm Ewen
- Assistant Stage Manager Cassie Calderone
Featured Ensemble Members
Reviews
"Poignant blast of a comedy... laugh-out-loud funny, all night long"
– Chicago Tribune
"Raw, blistering, hilarious and enraging"
– Chicago Sun-Times
"Brilliant new play"
– New City Stage
"Charged with immediate nostalgia"
– Stage and Cinema
"Must see"
– Let's Play