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Steppenwolf Theatre Rehearses World Premiere of BLKS

Nataki Garrett directs the new play from Aziza Barnes.

| Chicago |

November 22, 2017

Celeste Cooper, Nora Carroll, and Leea Ayers star in BLKS, directed by Nataki Garrett, at Steppenwolf Theatre. — Celeste Cooper, Nora Carroll, and Leea Ayers star in *BLKS*, directed by Nataki Garrett, at Steppenwolf Theatre.
(© Juli Del Prete)

Steppenwolf Theatre's world premiere production of Aziza Barnes's BLKS is currently in rehearsals ahead of its run scheduled for December 7-January 28, 2018. Directed by Nataki Garrett, the production is set to open December 18.

Kelly O'Sullivan and Celeste Cooper rehearse a scene. — Kelly O’Sullivan and Celeste Cooper rehearse a scene.
(© Juli Del Prete)

The play is described as follows: "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.''

Kelly O'Sullivan, Danielle Davis, Nora Carroll, and Celeste Cooper rehearse a scene. — Kelly O’Sullivan, Danielle Davis, Nora Carroll, and Celeste Cooper rehearse a scene.
(© Juli Del Prete)

Featured in the production is Steppenwolf ensemble member Namir Smallwood alongside Leea Ayers, Nora Carroll, Celeste Cooper, Danielle Davis, and Kelly O’Sullivan.

Nora Carroll and Namir Smallwood work through a scene.
(© Juli Del Prete)

The creative team includes Sibyl Wickersheimer (scenic design), Trevor Bowen (costume design), Marcus Doshi (lighting design), Rasean Davonte Johnson (projection design), and T. Carlis Roberts (sound design and original music). Gigi Buffington is the vocal coach, Malcolm Ewen the stage manager, and Cassie Calderone the assistant stage manager.