Cast Bio’s:
Dominique or “Dom” as she is affectionately known by friends and family is an Akron, Ohio native, who has been residing in Charlotte for 6 years. She has been writing poetry since the age of 10. She credits her mother for evoking the love of words in her at an early age by having her memorize her favorite poem “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes. Dom hopes to use her life experiences through poetry to help other men and women recognize that it’s okay to be the “different” one. She currently is attending Belmont Abbey College majoring in Elementary Education and would like concentrate on troubled youth. She wants to incorporate poetry and art in the class room to give the somewhat overlooked child a way to express his or her self.
Dom's Myspace page
Camille “Cami Brown-Shuga” is a newcomer to the poetic scene but no stranger to words. Cami fell in love with poetry at the tender age of 9. She is a part of the up and coming performance group “The Experience”. She is the representation of the “Love” in the group giving you a taste of a sassy mystique that creeps up on you. She is a vital element in making “The Experience” a life changing moment. Cami uses poetry to evoke visions that tell her-story.
Cam's Myspace Page
Joseph “Church da Poet” born in Nashville, Tennessee is no stranger to the stage. Poet, spoken word artist, writer, composer, organizer and playwright, Church started his poetic path at the age of 14 to release emotions not easily shared. He is the co-founder of the performance group “The Experience” and the “Heart” element in the group. He is also the Co-Producer of Black Poetry. His thoughts are provoking, capturing, and informative. He writes to inspire and educate through “L.I.F.E” (Lyrics Injected For Education)
Church's Myspace page
Dasan Ahanu is a poet, writer, emcee, activist, and educator from Raleigh, NC. He is currently artist-in-residence at St. Augustine's College and the Hayti Heritage Center. A performance artist for over 8 years, Dasan recently released his debut album of music entitled The Jim Crow Jackson Experiment on Amp Truth Records. He has also released two other independent CDs of poetry and a book entitled The Innovator. Dasan is the Playwright of H.E.R.S.tories which is a series of stories about love and relationships written to educate the community and bring awareness to the masses of the struggles we all face.
Dasan's Myspace page
Kennethia “K E M E T” Jacobs is a vocalist, songwriter, poet, novelist and mentor originally from Upstate, NY. Kemet not only enhances Black Poetry Theatre’s productions with stirring vocal arrangements, but elevates minds with thought provoking poetry. She is also a part of the up and coming performance group “The Experience” representing the element of soul.
Kemet started singing professionally at the age of 12 in her family’s production company, but has keeping a pen and journal in her pockets since the age of 7. Crafting compositions full of emotion and melody she reciprocates her love for philosophy, alchemy, spirit and jazz to bring you a Khemetic fusion.
Kemet's Myspace Page
Guitarist/Vocalist – Sherita “Rita” Young Based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Sherita is nothing short of an organic worshiper. Refreshingly simple and honest, her lyrics reveal a heart longing to embrace the peaceful presences of God. Her Debut Album "Quiet Places" is a wonderfully crafted project that ushers you into a relaxing meditative state. She states, "My heart is to enjoy the presence of God and share as transperant as possible the lessons I've learned, the truth I've gained, the grace and love of Our Creator has shown me".
Sherita Cdbaby Page
The Experience
Love, Heart and Soul of a Poetic Journey
If you were ever in need of an Experience, now is the time to receive it This group brings you 3 elements of emotions and truth to direct you there……
The Experience has been able to grace the stage with some of the most innovating poets around from Queen Sheba, Saul Williams, Monica Daye and Dasan Ahanu to name a few. Goes to show you that when these 3 are in effect, you will get the ultimate “Experience”.
The Experience Myspace Page
Elizabeth “Lizh” Herrera ~ If you were born and raised in New York City, there’s something undeniable about you: you are part of a cultural melting pot. Lizh is a first generation Dominican-American, with a strong passion for classic rock, the sultry sadness of the blues, the spirited expressionism of soul and funk and the deliberate awareness of spoken word. Her debut soul/rock album, “Let’s break it down”, brings together all the contrasting elements of the world around her into one soulful, powerful voice.
Lizh Music Website
Leigh Lester Holmes - Moved to Durham in 1995 from Los Angeles, California. She began her theater career at 14 and attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts where she majored in vocal performance and production. This is where she began focusing on leadership roles in production. Upon graduation, she attended the University of California at Berkeley where she majored in Rhetoric and Theatre. She produced and performed in several musicals with Bear Stage Productions including an original piece entitled Kim. She has performed recently with Both Hands Theatre Company, Little Green Pig Theatre Company, Justice Theatre Project, and New Traditions Theatre Company. She is the narrator and co-producer or the Black Poetry Theatre productions Black Poetry and H.E.R.S.tory of Love: A Stronger Daye.
Leigh Holmes (APET THEATRE PAGE)
Samantha Washington was born in Charleston, SC, but raised all over the world as an Army brat. The oldest of 5 children, Samantha is a case manager that works with middle school aged children in Raleigh, NC and has a passion for helping with the healing of today's youth. She has been living in Raleigh for less than two years harboring a passion for poetry that she never acted upon. Since moving to Raleigh she has been surrounded by people who are passionate about poetry and in turn have fueled a fire in her heart. Through Black Poetry Theatre she finds her passion for the arts being nourished
Sam's Myspace Page
Elliot Miley better known as Axiom is a spoken word artist, poet, photographer, and video-grapher from NY. He was an important part of the Columbia, SC poetry scene before relocating to the Raleigh-Durham area a couple of years ago. He has released a CD and chapbook and has been a two time member of the Bull City Slam team.
Axiom's Myspace Page
Chauncey Taylor -Instructor/Vocalist - Native of Durham North Carolina Chauncey is no stranger to the stage or his community. He has performed in “Contents Under Pressure” at the famous Manbites Dog Theater and has worked in collaboration with Durham’s own Chuck Davis, Artistic Director of the African American Dance Ensemble. Chauncey’s music background started at childhood from congregation testimony services of the United Holiness Church, progressed with the infamous Northern High school Gospel Choir (Durham NC) and from Wright Touch Music Ministries