Marc Marcel has been declared, “One of the most controversial and consciously aware spoken word artists ever,” by radio host Palmetto Star. Born and raised in Baltimore, MD, Marcel was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 10.
“It took me over a decade into my profession for me to realize poetry isn’t my gift,” Marc reveals, “Poetry is just a tool I’ve been using, to spread my gift through.” With his many artistic outlets, it is difficult to restrict himself to the labels of the art form. If one were to categorize his efforts, a philosopher would be more fitting.
Five Spoons
FIVE SPOONS is a uniquely interactive, community-building theatre piece for adults and children alike. Created by the “powerful” Maryland-based devising team of Natasha Mirny and Tia Shearer Bassett, the piece combines clowning, object puppetry, meditation, and physical theatre (thru Zoom!) to guide you through an experience based on a Hindu parable of the Powers of Life.
Join these two brilliant kooks as they make silly, beautiful magic (with the help of YOUR brilliance!) from their cozy homes. You are invited to sit around the table with them as, together, you cook up an experience that will leave everyone more connected to the self and to each other, like the best meals do.
Recommended for ages 7 to 117.
Join these two brilliant kooks as they make silly, beautiful magic (with the help of YOUR brilliance!) from their cozy homes. You are invited to sit around the table with them as, together, you cook up an experience that will leave everyone more connected to the self and to each other, like the best meals do.
Recommended for ages 7 to 117.
Medium: online live zoom performance
Year: 2021
Details: 1 hour long
AntiCone
Inspired by Sophocles’ Antigone, AntiCone is the largely wordless story of an immigrant who is put to work building a wall against her country of origin (and, therefore, her brothers), under the dangerous eye of new leader, Creon, and against the pull of her ancient namesake. Scored by the evocative and visceral original music of Alexander Nikitin, the play combines physical theatre, clowning, and audience interaction, with unique, powerful dances choreographed and performed by Moscow-trained Natasha Mirny as Antigone. Tia Shearer, who has been called one of DC’s “most versatile actors” (BroadwayWorld) and a “straight up chameleon” (DC Theatre Scene), plays the five characters surrounding Antigone, including Creon, her brother, and the Chorus. The team is rounded out by 25 bright orange traffic cones. AntiCone was awarded funding through the Montgomery County government and the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County for its premiere just outside Washington, DC in the fall 2017. It was also an official selection of FringeNYC festival in the fall 2018 and BorderLight International Festival in the summer 2019. The show is 50 minutes long and recommended for ages 13 and up.
Details: 50 minutes run time
Femi Lawal or Femi the DriFish has been a professional spoken word artist and slam poet for more than 10 years. Best known as one half of the spoken word/Hip Hop-influenced duo, THE 5th L, and the frontman for the Hip-Hop Rock band the Out of Water eXperience, Femi uses his artistry to encourage his listeners to discover their own unique voices and identities in his writings, performances, and teachings.
Gayle Danley is one of Maryland's most beloved teaching artists. Recently she launched Poetry Pros, an agency devoted to poets who are experts at weaving art into learning. She has worked as an independent MSAC teaching artist and was a roster artist for Young Audiences of Maryland where she was named both Maryland Artist of the Year and Young Audiences National Artist of the Year.
After winning the International Poetry Slam in Heidelberg Germany, poet Gayle entered the classroom teaching thousands of children how to access their emotions through the force of words.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Molly is an actor, teaching artist, and director. As a Roster Artist for Young Audiences of Maryland, Molly performs an assembly program for elementary school students called: “Miss Molly’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Molly’s specialty is Shakespeare. She is a Resident Acting Company member at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company in Baltimore where she acts, teaches, and is the Children’s Director for the annual production of A Christmas Carol. In addition, Molly is a frequent guest drama teacher and co-director at Roland Park Country School.
Khaleshia Thorpe-Price is the Owner and Master Teaching Artist of Dramatic-Play. She has worked in the field of arts education for over 20 years. She is a versatile creator and educator. She aims to dazzle participants with the love of play and creative exploration.
Israeli-born Noa Baum is an internationally acclaimed storyteller and author. With mesmerizing voices, impeccable timing, and warm authenticity Noa captivates audiences of all ages, with stories drawn from diverse cultures that highlight our similarities, celebrate our differences and encourage curiosity, and acceptance. In a world where peace is a challenge in the schoolyard and beyond, Noa’s work builds bridges of understanding and compassion.
Black Matter Lives
This video titled Black Matter Lives is a crankie performance that debuted in February 2021 at the Festival of Miniature Crankies organized by the Western Massachusetts's Puppetry Guild. It was also part of a virtual event in March 2021 called the Spaghetti Dinner, organized by Great Small Works out of Connecticut.
Black Matter Lives is dedicated to all those that act with dedication toward making a better world for all life on our planet.
Black Matter Lives is dedicated to all those that act with dedication toward making a better world for all life on our planet.
Medium: Puppetry theater/film/illustration
Year: 2021
Details: running time 6:11