Between The Heartbeats: Producer Marcus Collick on the Joys of Celebrating Black Queer Love

Growing up in Maryland, raised by my grandmothers, I never thought that this is where I would be in life today. We didn’t have money for the finest things in life, but every need that I had was always met. As a result, I was able to take part in my high school’s tradition of seeing a Broadway show every spring semester. Memphis the Musical was the first Broadway show that I saw, and it really gave me the bug and made me want to do it for myself. It was the first time I saw so many people who looked like me on a big stage in front of a massive crowd. From there, I went on to land a role in my high school’s first musical in 30 years. Landing a role in this production helped to solidify that being in the arts was what I wanted to do.

Though I took a detour to get my training in teaching primary school, I knew in the back of my mind that theatre was something I would pursue. I took part in many local theatre productions and college productions, and soon landed my first professional contract in 2023, my final year of teaching. Balancing these jobs made me realise I needed to choose between them, as they both require a lot of effort, discipline, and focus. Theatre won, and I quit my teaching job, moved to London, and earned a master’s degree in theatre—a decision I will never regret. Moving to London has afforded me many opportunities that I am incredibly grateful for. It has also allowed me to meet and collaborate with many amazing artists and creatives. One of those is Emmanuel Akwafo, lead producer of No Name Creatives. This friendship and partnership with Emmanuel has led to my joining No Name Creatives as an associate producer, and I could not be more thrilled. From having a dream to produce a concert celebrating Black talent in the West End to now producing a concert that celebrates Black queer love, Emmanuel has said yes to helping me make these visions a reality.

Between the Heartbeat is a concert that I hold close to my heart. As a queer man who came out after divorcing his wife, I longed for spaces where I could love openly and authentically. This concert is a reflection of that—a space where like-minded people can come together and celebrate. We are so grateful that many West End talents such as Tosh Wanogho-Maud (Kinky Boots), Jeevan Braich (Starlight Express), Laura Delaney (Hadestown), and Ivano Turco (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) have agreed to help make this night a success, and to King’s Head Theatre for giving us a space to be unapologetically Black and queer. We hope people will join us, as we are stronger in numbers. The world can be a scary place, and if we can be a beacon of light in the darkness, we will.

No Name Creatives is a company that prides itself on bringing Black and queer stories to the stage. It is a passion shared and lived out by every member of the company. It is not an easy feat, so we would love for partners to join and invest in the work we are doing and hope to continue doing in the future. Do not hesitate to reach out to me or Emmanuel Akwafo to learn more about how you can partner with us and support No Name Creatives in its mission and vision.

Between The Heartbeats is on 28 June 2026, 7pm, at King’s Head Theatre, 116 Upper St, London N1 1QP, United Kingdom.

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More About Between The Heartbeats “A Pride Concert”

This Pride season, No Names Creatives presents “Between the Heartbeats,” a powerful live concert celebrating the brilliance, resilience, and artistry of Black queer performers in the West End.

The event features an impressive lineup of LGBTQ+ artists and allies, promising an evening filled with powerful vocals, personal storytelling, and dynamic live performances. More than just a concert, “Between the Heartbeats” is a vibrant celebration of identity, artistry, and community. It provides a platform for artists who refuse to be muted, marginalised, or overlooked, allowing them to take centre stage unapologetically.

The concert will also feature acclaimed West End performer Lauren Azania, along with Cameron Drews and Christopher Patten-Walker. Additionally, the production will introduce two newly graduated performers making their Pride concert debut. They will share the stage with established theatre talent in a celebration of emerging Black queer artistry and the next generation of performers.

At a time when Pride is at risk of being reduced to mere corporate branding, and when trans communities are facing renewed hostility and political scrutiny, “Between the Heartbeats” seeks to reclaim space for the voices that have always been instrumental in shaping queer culture. This concert celebrates legacy, resistance, survival, pleasure, and power, reminding audiences that Black queer stories are not marginal or temporary; they are foundational.

A portion of ticket sales will be donated to a Black LGBTQ+ charity that supports essential work for Black LGBTQ+ communities.

Tickets: https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/between-the-heartbeats-concert-q7ct

All images supplied.