An immersive play centered around the affect of HIV on black gay men is set to open this week in New York City, Billboard reports.

The play, called As Much As I Can, will emphasize the importance of a having a support system when it comes to dealing with HIV. The play is a part of ACCELERATE!, an initiative by ViiV Healthcare dedicated to spreading HIV/AIDS awareness among black gay men.

“It's a reflection of the resilience, faith, love and hope black gay men need to carry on against the odds and stigma,” Marc Meachem, ViiV Healthcare's head of external affairs, said.

According to Meachem, the play was specifically created with audience interaction in mind to give them an opportunity to connect with the subject matter.

“Theater people describe immersive theater as removing the 'fourth wall,' a barrier between the performance and the audience,” he said. “Removing this barrier creates the opportunity to bring about a deeper connection with the subject. The audience engages at a different level, and we believe this can help people look at their own biases, as well as those of society, more objectively.”

This work is important because the HIV rates among gay black men are staggering.

“If current trends continue, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that 1 in 2 black men who have sex with men will acquire HIV. With current advances in treatment, the advent of treatment as prevention data, and the availability of PrEP, we have the biomedical tools necessary to reduce these disparities,” Meachem said.

“However, people need know about these advances, and that means having access to care," he added. "We need to focus on increased awareness and usage of biomedical interventions in the most affected populations.”

As Much As I Can will run at Harlem Parish in New York from May 8 to May 24. Free tickets are can be acquired at amaicny.com.

As Much As I Can

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