“Give Me The Mic!” is a one-woman show, weaved with original poetry and narrative that follows the journey of a young African-American female poet in search for courage and self-worth.

This 45-minute one-woman show is directed by Trezana Beverley, winner of the coveted Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway show, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf .

We join this journey backstage at one of New York City 's most prestigious and popular Slam Poetry Competitions. It is here that Aquaila (aka lil' black poet girl ) nervously prepares to compete against 79 of the hottest poets in New York City . Haunted by years of self-doubt and pleas from her critic voice, “ Am I good enough? ”, Aquaila struggles to simply find her own voice.

As she practices her slam piece, memories surface of a time when it wasn't so difficult for this poet to express herself. Through the eyes of a lil' black poet girl, we journey back into the world of a promising talent from the Midwest who knew at age 9 that she wanted to be a writer. Yet, she goes off to college torn between her desire to write and the desire of others for her to be a Mechanical Engineering. “Give Me The Mic!” unveils the internal struggle of a lil' black poet girl whose many artistic achievements are mixed in with social pressures, racism, a 3-year marriage ended in divorce, and a move to the Big Apple at a time when terrorism strikes the U.S.

This journey ultimately brings us back to where we began. With newfound realizations and a celebration of all she has accomplished, lil' black poet girl realizes that everything she has been searching for, she already has within. Her number is called. “#77 to the stage please!”

With renewed courage, self-worth and most of all her own voice; lil' black poet girl walks through the door to her opportunity.


Though "Give Me The Mic!" shares a personal account -- this one-woman show gives voice to those of us who have been silent about our fears, regrets, disappoints and hopes. The raw emotion, witty humor and blatant honesty allows the audience to look inward and come to grips with our own pasts"
-- Renee Watson, Writer

This is a wonderful piece and should be shared with all ages! It surely brought back memories of my younger days. Thanks.
-- Deborah, Educator and Poet

_RECENT & UPCOMING PERFORMANCES:
  • 10/14/07 - Purdue University
    (West Lafayette, Indiana)
  • 08/28/07 - The Center for Arts Education
    (New York, NY)
  • 06/29/07 - University of South Africa - UNISA (Pretoria, South Africa)
  • 06/14/07 - Madame C.J. Walker Theatre
    (Indianapolis, Indiana)
  • 05/12/07 - Triad Theatre
    (New York, NY)
  • 04/23/07 - Bowery Poetry Club
    (New York, NY)
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