You give me word, I give you a poem.
That’s how it started.
THE STORY
Back in January, I set up a table with my 1940’s Smith-Corona typewriter and started writing instant poems for people at an East Austin event called Feast of Fools. It turned out to be the beginning of a year-long quest to write and give away 1000 poems in 2015. Now, eleven months, forty-two events, and three worn out typewriter ribbons later, I’m almost done.
Along the way, I’ve had the honor of writing poems inspired by everything from celebrating weddings and birthdays to coping with cancer and loss, from dealing with fear to giving voice to regeneration, hope, and joy. And I’ve been posting them here.
THE PLAN FOR THE SHOW
For the 1000th poem, I wanted to do something special. I’m teaming up with Austin Playback Theatre to put on a one-of-a-kind collaborative show to celebrate the art of instant creation.
Austin Playback Theatre is an amazing improv troupe that creates interactive and spontaneous theater based on stories from the audience. They do with stage improv what I do with typewriter poetry. I had the chance to freestyle with them this fall and I’m thrilled that they will join me for this show.
I’ll start off the show at poem #995, and throughout the night write five more original poems, integrating my writing with Playback’s storytelling on stage. We’ll ask for stories and suggestions from people in the audience, then create instant and improvised theater and poetry on the spot.
The last scene of the night will also be the 1000th poem created live on stage. It’s going to be amazing!
THE BENEFIT
Finally, I’m thrilled to say that a significant portion of the proceeds from this show will go directly to support Austin Bat Cave programs. Austin Bat Cave is a 501(c)3 non-profit that provides a diverse population of young writers (ages 6-18) with workshops and opportunities to develop their creative writing skills with a vibrant community of adult volunteers in Austin. For every $25 we raise, we fund a month’s worth of workshops for one young Austin writer. If you don’t know about the awesome writing workshops that Austin Bat Cave puts on, learn more about them here.
THE END
It’s a show about celebrating 1000 poems, about honoring the human experience through collaboration, and about raising some money to support young writers.
Join us!