Photo Flash: Mayhen Poets at CTC

Formed in 2000 by Rutgers University students Kyle Sutton and Scott Raven Tarazevits as an "open-mic" forum, "Mayhem Poets" melds contemporary world issues, dynamic hip-hop artistry, spoken word, and audience participation into a nationally renowned theatrical performance, which Broadway World says "leaves audiences changed forever."

"Mayhem Poets" was selected by CTC's teen seen council, an active group of teens chosen to influence CTC's teen programming. "Through the course of their year-long term, the teen seen council read and analyzed countless scripts," says a CTC spokesperson. "They are an astute group, with their pulse on what is new and interesting for teens. We honor their selection by bringing it to the stage and allowing them to introduce it to their peers."

In 2006, "Mayhem Poets" unique approach to spoken word led to a first place finish and $100,000 grant in the Microsoft Idea Wins Challenge. Since then, the group has been touring internationally, collaborating with hip-hop legends, such as KRS One, and world-class musicians, including Greg Patillo (beat box flute) and Joshua Henderson (violin). Their full-length CD Reverse Birth was hailed as one of the Top Spoken World CDs and their music video Rent is currently in rotation on MTV and BET.

In addition to Sutton (aka Black Skeptik) and Raven Tarazevits, "Mayhem Poets" includes Mason Granger and violinist Josh Henderson. 

"Mayhem Poets" will perform on CTC's Cargill stage from Oct. 16 through Nov. 7, 2009. For more information about "Mayhem Poets," visit childrenstheatre.org or mayhempoets.com.

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