Published on January 14th, 2021 | by Dr. Jerry Doby

Black Female Suicide Survivor Takes Her Story From the Stage to the Screen

Sold-out new musical Get Out Alive to debut online. Written & performed by independent artist Nikki Lynette; Directed by Roger Elli

Get Out Alive is theatre remixed for the internet. This autobiographical, afrogoth musical blends art, technology, and performance to share one woman’s personal journey with mental health. Equal parts raucous, tender, intelligent, and triumphant, Nikki’s offbeat approach to sharing her story shows that even when life leads us to a bad place, we can always make it out alive.

Originally debuting as a part of Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s LookOut Series, this sold-out stage show has been reimagined to invade the internet. The show will premiere online on January 30, 2021.

Get Out Alive is an afrogoth celebration of life, loss, and the lessons we learn along the way. Recounting Nikki’s personal journey marked by abuse, grief, sexual assault, and suicide, this tech-forward production raises awareness around mental health all through the lens of a hip hop concert. Utilizing documentary footage, visual media, and new material filmed this summer on the south side of Chicago, the show exemplifies the transformative and healing power of art. With art direction by Nikki herself and featuring over a dozen new songs, the show celebrates the singular voice of a survivor and helps destigmatize the conversation around mental health. The first project of its kind, this is not theatre like you’ve seen it before.

Early Bird Ticket Pricing is now available, with 3 payment tiers that make theater accessible to everyone.

A creative powerhouse, Lynette is an indie artist whose style is equal parts hip hop, alternative, and pop. Her music has been featured in popular shows on Netflix, Hulu, Showtime, Fox, and MTV. Since her return to the public eye, she has written articles about mental health, depression, and suicide for prominent black publications, and is currently working on a mental health documentary Happy Songs About Unhappy Things — the inspired product of Lynette’s sit-down with renowned director Spike Lee.

Lynette’s passion for mental health advocacy stemmed from her own personal experience with PTSD and an anxiety disorder:

“Music that deals with mental health doesn’t have to be sad or corny. If these are issues we navigate everyday, then it should be the soundtrack to people’s real lives,” Lynette said. “When I went into the psyche ward after a suicide attempt, I met all these people with the same issues as me, and they felt alone, too. I told them when I got out, I would use my platform to tell our stories — and I’m keeping my word.”

Follow Nikki Lynette on Twitter, Instagram, and/or Facebook.

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About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.