Dubbed “The Apollo of the South,” the live talent experience invites singers, actors, comedians, and musicians to perform before a real audience and get on the radar of Palmer House Studios.
ATLANTA, GA. Palmer House Studios, co-founded by actress, writer and producer Racquel Palmer, is bringing a new live entertainment experience to the Atlanta area with Black Box Live, taking place Friday, September 25, 2026, in Marietta, Georgia.
Designed as a high-energy showcase for emerging and undiscovered talent, Black Box Live will give singers, comedians, musicians, and actors the opportunity to step in front of a live audience, showcase their abilities, and potentially catch the attention of Palmer House Studios for future creative opportunities.
Organizers describe the concept as “The Apollo of the South,” an environment where performers are encouraged to take risks, command the stage and show an audience exactly what they can do. For Palmer, the mission behind the event is personal.
Best known for portraying Blue on BET+’s All the Queen’s Men, Palmer’s television credits also include Sistas, FBI, Wu-Tang: An American Saga and Grand Crew. Her career became a national conversation after she boldly invested in a billboard declaring that she was Tyler Perry’s next leading lady.
Years later, Palmer’s focus has expanded beyond being cast in other people’s projects to helping create opportunities through Palmer House Studios, which she founded alongside her husband and creative partner, Dorsea Palmer. That evolution, from fighting to be seen to creating spaces where others can be seen, is at the heart of Black Box Live.
“This is about giving talented people a room where they can actually show us what they have,” Palmer said. “There are so many gifted actors, singers, comedians and musicians who simply need the right opportunity to get in front of the right audience. Black Box Live is about creating that space.”
Palmer House Studios develops original projects across film, television and live performance with an emphasis on emotionally honest storytelling, creative ownership and community. Its growing slate includes projects such as His & Hers, The Black Box and Abby.
Black Box Live will also serve as an opportunity for Palmer House Studios to discover new talent as it continues developing future productions, including the next chapter of Abby. Participation in the showcase does not guarantee casting or employment, but performers will have an opportunity to be seen by the Palmer House Studios team while building their visibility before a live audience.
More Than a Talent Showcase
Black Box Live is also being created as an entertainment experience for the audience.
Guests who are not performing are encouraged to attend for an evening of live talent, food, drinks and entertainment, making the event an option for date night, a night out with friends or anyone interested in discovering Atlanta-area talent before the rest of the world does.
The experience reflects Palmer House Studios’ larger philosophy that creativity thrives in community. Rather than waiting until artists have major credits, large audiences or industry representation, Black Box Live creates a space where emerging performers can demonstrate what makes them worth watching.
Performers Wanted
Black Box Live is currently seeking:
• Singers
• Actors
• Comedians
• Musicians
Artists interested in being considered to perform may submit their information to blackboxliveatl@gmail.com.
Event Details
Black Box Live
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Location: Marietta, Georgia / Atlanta Metro Area
Presented by: Palmer House Studios
Talent Submissions: blackboxliveatl@gmail.com
Tickets: Available via Eventbrite
About Racquel Palmer
Racquel Palmer is an actress, writer, producer, and entertainment entrepreneur best known for her role as Blue on BET+’s All the Queen’s Men. Her television credits also include Sistas, FBI, Wu-Tang: An American Saga and Grand Crew. Palmer gained national attention through an unconventional billboard campaign declaring herself Tyler Perry’s next leading lady, a move that became part of a larger story about perseverance, self-advocacy and refusing to wait for permission.
Today, she is expanding her work behind the camera as co-founder of Palmer House Studios and continues developing opportunities for emerging performers through creative projects and actor-development experiences.
About Palmer House Studios
Founded by husband-and-wife creative team Dorsea and Racquel Palmer, Palmer House Studios develops bold, emotionally resonant content across film, television and live performance. The company is rooted in the belief that art should reflect truth, storytelling can spark change, and creativity thrives in community.
Through original productions, talent development and live experiences such as Black Box Live, Palmer House Studios is building a creator-led platform designed to tell authentic stories while creating opportunities for new voices.
MEDIA CONTACT
Berry Dynamic Agency
Media Relations for Racquel Palmer & Palmer House Studios
Email: connect@berrydynamicagency.com
Phone: 713-829-2081
