On Nov. 9, Award-winning poets Marcus Amaker and Taria Person visited campus for a spoken word poetry workshop, inside Gilbreath Hall at the Bud Frank Theatre.
The Department of Literature and Language hosted the event, followed with open workshops to demonstrate preparing and performing spoken word poetry. This was an opportunity for the ETSU community to engage with writers and have personal conversations with them about what they know best.
“It was so great hearing from both of the poets, and after the workshop I know that my writing will improve so much,” said a student in attendance.
Amaker, a member of the Academy of American Poets, is an award-winning graphic designer of national music journal, “No Depression.” Amaker is also a musician, and his poetry has been recognized by publications such as the Washington Post.
Person is a graduate from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. They are the author of “Rainbow Elephant,” a book about poetry, and “At the Summit.” They are also the recipient of several awards regarding their work and has performed at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. They remain active with the University of Tennessee through working as an annual young writers’ workshop instructor.
Hearing from both of these poets was an honor for all those in attendance at Bud Frank Theatre, and they hope for more events like this in the future. The Spoken Word Poetry Workshop was sponsored by the Mary B. Martin School for the Arts, as well as the Bert C. Bach Written Word Initiative.
For information about future events, call the Department of Literature and Language at 423-439-4339 or email at litlang@etsu.edu.
