In a comedy landscape where Black women remain significantly underrepresented, two best friends from South Central Los Angeles are breaking barriers one laugh at a time.
"Homegirls in Outer Space," a new short documentary directed by filmmaker Ben Guest, follows Mattia Day and Ashlei Theard as they compete for a coveted residency at the Westside Comedy Theater, one of Los Angeles's premier improv stages. The film captures their audition alongside more than 40 teams vying for just 12 spots.
"I am petrified because in the audition we only have 15 minutes," Day says in the film. "We could literally be out there for 15 minutes with no laughs."
What begins as a straightforward audition story evolves into a deeper exploration of identity, representation and the power of Black female friendship in a predominantly white comedy space.
The documentary blends humor and heart while examining themes of ambition, belonging and resilience. Against a backdrop where few Black women perform improv, Day and Theard's journey becomes one of courage and creative self-definition.
Guest said he was drawn to the project because of the women's mutual support, a contrast to typical media portrayals of female friendship.
"We often see depictions of friends who are rivals, or jealous of one another," Guest said. "This was the opposite, a story of two women who support each other. Additionally, depictions of Black female friendship are not often seen on the big screen."
The film's structure mirrors a sports movie, building toward the high-stakes audition day. But as Day and Theard brought on coach Patrick Rowland — who also serves as a producer — the documentary's focus expanded.
"Now we have three Black people working together in the improv space, themes of representation naturally came out," Guest said.
Those themes include stark statistics about diversity in comedy. In the film, Rowland discusses auditioning for "Saturday Night Live" in 2013. Today, only 20 of the 153 cast members in SNL's history have been Black, including just eight Black women.
"I want to see more people like us on these stages," Rowland says in the documentary.
Rowland speaks from experience as often the only Black person on his improv teams and at shows. Now he's mentoring the next generation, including Day and Theard, as the comedy landscape slowly diversifies.
Guest moved to Santa Monica three blocks from the Westside Comedy Theater and began taking improv classes there. He was struck by the mix of students, from finance professionals and think-tank employees to comedians and actors.
"It was a great slice of life," Guest said. "And I want to give the Westside Comedy Theater their flowers. With their combination of improv and stand-up shows and classes, they are the hub for comedy on the West Side."
The film also serves as a call to action for viewers to step outside their comfort zones.
"I also hope the film can serve as an example for people to get out of their comfort zone and try something new," Guest said.
Shot with vibrant cinematography and fast pacing, "Homegirls in Outer Space" maintains an authentic emotional core. The film resonates with anyone who has dared to create in spaces not built for them.
The documentary, produced by Guest, Day, Theard and Rowland, recently completed post-production and has begun its festival run. A work-in-progress version received honorable mention at the Athens International Art Film Festival.
Guest said he hopes the film will premiere at the Santa Monica International Film Festival before appearing at several festivals in 2025.
"Santa Monica is a diverse place and it is important we see that represented on film," Guest said. "I'm lucky enough that Mattia and Ashlei and Patrick trusted me to tell their story."
The film's portrait of Black female friendship, set against the competitive world of Los Angeles improv, offers both celebration and critique — honoring the performers while highlighting the work still needed to diversify comedy's stages.