A Taste of the Biscuit Content
Poets We Looked At
Danez Smith – They/them
Smith is a genderqueer poet from Minnesota, US. “Poems have helped me figure out a lot about queer sexuality, it is a big wall to climb. The ability to transform myself in poetry helps me imagine myself differently in the real world” (2018). Their poems explores gender, identity, race and HIV.
Notable work:
A note on the Body (2017)
The 17 year Old & the gay bar (2017)
where I be & you just might (2013)
Joshua Jennifer Espinoza – She/her
Espinoza is a California based trans poet and her work has been featured in the American poetry review. She is open and unapologetic to readers about her experiences after transitioning. Consistent themes in her writing are gender, queerness, and dreams.
Notable work:
Personal Statement (2017)
Pardon my Gender (2017)
The Moon is Trans (2016)
Carol Ann Duffy – She/her
Duffy is prestigious British poet and playwright. She is the first woman in history to hold the title of poet laureate, and the first lesbian to also hold this title. She is currently a contemporary poetry professor at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her work addresses feminism, love, power & time.
Notable work:
Forest (2019)
Hour (2005)
Text (2005)
Regie Cabico – He/him
Cabico is a multi award winning performer & poet, proud of his gay sexuality and American Filipino descent. Cabico describes himself as an ‘accidental poet’ and specialises in spoken word. His work draws on his experiences of racial discrimination & homophobia.
Notable work:
Christ on a Crock Pot (2020)
A Queerification (2016)
A Carpapalooza: An American Anthem (2014)
Ember – She/her
Ember is a British Queer Creative who draws on her own thoughts and feelings around femininity and identity. She uses nature imagery to bring these ideas to life, and invites the reader to join her through personal experiences exploring how she views herself as a woman.
Notable work:
Skirt (2021)
Mirrors (2019)
Roots (2018)
Also mentioned/shared:
- Dean Atta
- Kevin Kantor – They/them
- Ocean Vuong – He/him
- Dean Atta – He/him
- Andrea Gibson – They/them
- Sienna Burnett – She/her
Resources:
- Interview with Regie Cabico (2020) – ‘Slam Poetry is a confrontation that is intimate, theatrical, and a gospel sermon’: https://pinehillsreview.com/2020/05/07/regiecabicoqa/
- Carol Ann Duffy told me I was gay – article (2019) : https://divamag.co.uk/2019/02/28/carol-ann-duffy-told-me-i-was-gay/
- Reimagining Masculinity by Ocean Vuong (2019): https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2019/06/10/no-homo/
- Interview with Danez Smith (2018): https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jan/28/danez-smith-interview-poetry-dont-call-us-dead-dear-white-america
- Selected poems by Joshua Jenifer Espinoza published between 2015-2019: https://joshuajenniferespinoza.com/poems
Work We Studied/Discussed
- Hamlet: The Wooster Group (2012)
- A Bloody Mess: Forced Entertainment (2004)
- Dr Faustus Lights the Lights: Gertrude Stein (1938)
- Medeamaterial: Heiner Müller (1988)
Postdramatic Elements
- Non-liner narrative
- No characters
- No plot throughout
- Deconstruction of framework: crew members are seen and addressed
- Sound and dialogue are juxtaposed
- Minimal rehearsal
POTUS acronym
- Performance Aspects
- Opinions
- Themes
- Use of Language
- Structure
Queer Theatre Themes
- Challenging Traditional Etymology (the origin of words)
- Self Sabotage (Comedic & Satirical)
- Nature Imagery
- Identity
- Acceptance/Rejection
- Gender
- Unapologetic Attitude
- Coming Out
- Biographical
- Dark or Difficult Narratives
- Strong Attitude