2013-15 Tacoma Poet Laureate
Lucas Smiraldo
Lucas Smiraldo is a Pacific Northwest
writer, performing poet and twelve-time produced playwright. His
performance credits include opening poet at Def Poetry Jam’s College
Tour, featured poet at the National Black Pilot’s Conference,
commissioned performances at the Tacoma Art Museum and the Museum of
Glass, and featured poet during Seattle’s Hip Hop Awards. He has
recently joined forces with master griot and kora player, Foday Musa
Suso, to present a unique performance of spoken word, song, and social
and political narrative.
Smiraldo
received the Tacoma Arts Commission’s Arts Projects funding in 2010
and Tacoma Artists Initiative Program funding in 2008 to create two
spoken word projects combining film and music. In 2010, he created an
original touring work in affiliation with collaborating writers,
entitled “Eleven Days in the Life of Dr. King,” which explored Dr.
King’s life through 12 original spoken works put to stage with music
and choreography. Smiraldo recently completed a new touring play
with co-writer April Nyquist in affiliation with the Broadway Center
titled “The Bridges: A Civil Rights Journey.”
If you are interested in working with Lucas Smiraldo or having him
perform for your school, organization or event, please contact him at:
vanillasoul@clear.net
253.202.3473
Upcoming Workshops and Events:
Information will be posted when available.
Tacoma Poet Laureate Overview
The Tacoma Poet Laureate
position was founded in 2008 by Urban Grace Church as a way of focusing
attention on
Tacoma’s literary talent by organizing and hosting public readings and
workshops in local schools and community events.
Starting
in 2011, the Poet Laureate position is being administered through the
City of Tacoma's Arts Program.
Past Tacoma Poet Laureates
2011-13 - Josie
Emmons Turner
2010-11 - Tammy
Robacker
2009-10 - Antonio
Edwards, Jr.
2008-09 - William
Kupinse
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