Who We Are

We Are...

Womxn have always been at the forefront of stage performances; making strides and breaking barriers that no one saw coming, particularly black womxn. However, black womxn have also faced more than their fair share of scrutiny, hate, and violence on the stage. Those same womxn have also taken the time and effort to address the pain that black performers were suffering and valiantly helped within their communities.

Times have changed, and now more than ever, more and more black womxn stage performers are taking charge and making names for themselves while still connecting with their communities and honing their crafts. Diversity is still needed across all art forms, and black womxn are still creating those opportunities. This is what BLAQN is all about.

Since beginning in December 2018, Black Literature and Art Queens Network exists to promote black womxn stage performers in various stage art forms, acknowledge their hard work within their communities, and promote diversity in ALL Michigan stage outlets; Theater, Improv/Comedy, Drag, Poetry, Dance, Music, Burlesque, and more.

BLAQN Team

Ashley M. Lyle

CEO and Founder >

Ashley is a lover of the arts in various forms, but her true love is performing on stage. She studied with John Forman from The Detroit Performance Workshop for 6 years and started off in student films and local television shows. Her recent theatrical credits include Detroit Rep Theatre - House on Poe St., Matrix Theatre - Who Will Sing for Lena, and UnTheatre: Too Much Light Make the Baby Go Blind. She wanted to create something to recognize the efforts of Black Womxn performers on stage and within their communities and to help promote more diversity in Michigan theater.

Amber Price

Administrative Assistant >

Amber Nicole Price is an actor and writer born and raised in Detroit, MI. Her most recent gigs include performances at Planet Ant and Fringe Festival with Black and Brown Theatre; Speak Up, Speak Out at the DATC; and recurring stints with UnTheatre Co. performing Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind. She's interested in creating spaces where black womxn can create all kinds of art, and hopes to help expand on the work the black womxn before her have already started.

Dinah Tutein

Ticket and Sales Co-Lead >

Originally from Westchester County, NY, she's been involved with performing since the age of eight; at first musically, then theatrically since seventeen. She is very proud to be a part of BLAQN, and getting the message out that our voices now rise to a crescendo for all the world to hear!

Shardai Davis

Event Lead >

Shardai Davis has been involved in theatre, music, and dance since she was very young. She studied theatre and music at HFC and EMU and has spent several years training in everything from ballet to traditional hula at Prysm School of the Arts. Some of her performances include Polonius in Hamlet, Calpurnia in To Kill A Mockingbird, Mrs. Walker in Tommy, and as a special appearance vocalist in The People’s Temple. Shardai also can be seen touring with the JET Educational Youth Outreach Program, the CRLT Players, and the Brainstormers crew. Aside from performing, Shardai is a stage mgr., scenic designer, director, and teaches theater to Drama Kids of Oakland County.

Alex Meitz

Stage Manager >

Alex is a comedian and actor in Detroit. She is a cast member and writer with Untheatre Co., and writes and produces her comedy show "Alex Knows It All". Alex has been a part of the Planet Ant community for 2 years and is excited to work with all of the talented ladies involved with BLAQN.