MCC Theater's production of Aziza Barnes' comedy BLKS is a wild, refreshing look at three young, charismatic black women living together in 2015 Brooklyn—think the relatability of HBO’s Girls but with the jaw-dropping fun of Girl’s Trip. These characters drink, smoke, and f#ck. In the course of the one day the play takes place, we become friends with these women and see them through their triumphs and heartbreaks. The show is anchored by a trio of amazing performances by Paige Gilbert, Alfie Fuller, and Antoinette Crowe-Legacy.
Scroll on as we hear from each of the ladies about relating to their characters, building a bond onstage and off, and how they like to turn up during the day with their girlfriends.
Paige Gilbert (Octavia)
1. What stuck out to you or attracted you most the first time you read BLKS?
The very first scene pulled me in. The language of BLKS is exactly how I talk with my friends and I never read a play so close to my personal vernacular. I had to do a double take. It was unbelievable.
2. What line in the show feels so real it might be a personal attack?
“White women are fucking nuts!” is a line I love so much. I always get a little nervous when it comes up because I never know how the audience may feel about it but it’s definitely one of my favorite lines.
3. You and your friends are about to turn up during the day. What are you listening to and what are you sipping on?
We’re starting off the day with a vibe to Ari Lennox’s new album Shea Butter Baby while drinking wine. Then we turn it up to Lizzo’s “Tempo” while sipping on vodka or whiskey or tequila depending on where we’re going.
4. The play takes place in 2015, where do you think your character is today in 2019?
Octavia has a lot more room to be who she is and has gotten more comfortable in her sexuality. She’s also progressed in her art and is working on her own movie scripts about Afrofuturism.
5. How did you three develop your relationship and how do you see your character’s role in this trio?
We were blessed with amazing casting by Telsey. As cheesy as it may sound, we immediately got along and dug each other’s vibe. We had hangouts and created group chats and stuff, but it was out of genuine connection—not because we wanted to manufacture relationship for the show. I think the actors in BLKS are so exceptional that we would still be able to tell the story without being friends, but, luckily, we are friends! Our table work set a strong foundation and we all embellished and learned more about our relationships by playing every day. Octavia is the glue that holds the trio together.
6. What’s your favorite thing about the apartment Clint Ramos designed for you three?
The apartment is AMAZING. There are so many details that serve me every night. I love our word magnets on the fridge that make out a bunch of sentences about weed. I also love our stick of Palo Santo sitting in a bowl on our book shelf. I truly could go on and on.
Alfie Fuller (Imani)
1. What stuck out to you or attracted you most the first time you read BLKS?
I always know a script is good when I read it for the first time and have to immediately read it again. I did that with BLKS. Just on the page, it’s incredible—laugh out loud funny, poignant and heartbreaking at times. It’s right on the pulse of the culture. I’d never read anything like it and I’m honored to be a part of it.
2. What line in the show feels so real it might be a personal attack?
“Get off the fucking stage!” lolol
3. You and your friends are about to turn up during the day. What are you listening to and what are you sipping on?
Any song from the golden age of Southern rap (2006-2011), Megan Thee Stallion, Drake, NJ club mixes I find on YouTube. And I absolutely have a martini in my hand.
4. The play takes place in 2015, where do you think your character is today in 2019?
Imani is still figuring out how to be a human being and writing for a show on Comedy Central.
5. How did you three develop your relationship and how do you see your character’s role in this trio?
I was beyond lucky to be cast by Telsey with three remarkable women—as artists and as humans. Brilliant, open, generous, hilarious...I could sing their praises all day. I immediately meshed with them and honestly, I never want to stop meshing with them—as artists and as humans. Imani is the caretaker and the jester.
6. What’s your favorite thing about the apartment Clint Ramos designed for you three?
I mean, we live in a rotating apartment! That’s pretty incredible. I’m also partial to the accurately stocked bathroom, the toilet tissue that lives 7 feet above the kitchen sink and the various pictures of our actual friends scattered around the apartment. Clint’s attention to detail is unmatched; he’s a master.
Antoinette Crowe-Legacy (June)
1. What stuck out to you or attracted you most the first time you read BLKS?
The language. It felt so much like me and my friends talking when we were fresh out of college. Trying to grow up and not knowing what that meant and making mistakes and pushing forward. I don’t think I have ever seen anything so close to me on a stage and that was really exciting.
2. What line in the show feels so real it might be a personal attack?
Ry asking Octavia to commit: “I’m down for the former. I’m not down for this pseudo open waste of my time. You just have to tell me what’s good.” Hits every night.
3. You and your friends are about to turn up during the day. What are you listening to and what are you sipping on?
We are listening to Lizzo, Beyoncé, and Megan Thee Stallion and we are drinking mimosas and vodka sodas (summertime).
4. The play takes place in 2015, where do you think your character is today in 2019?
I think she’s been promoted at least once at her job and finally broke up with her boyfriend. I think her career is on the rise and her personal life is a hot mess.
5. How did you three develop your relationship and how do you see your character’s role in this trio?
We had a long talk about how we all knew each other and how we ended up in the apartment, and I think we all just let our relationships grow and move out of that. June is definitely an outsider in this trio, because she is not an artist and she’s more straight-laced than the girls. But I think she wants to be more free and fun and being friends with these cool women gets her closer to that.
6. What’s your favorite thing about the apartment Clint Ramos designed for you three?
The beautiful yellow wall and all the amazing posters. Details. It's amazing.
Don't miss this incredible trio in BLKS at MCC Theater through June 2.
