CONSCIOUS LANGUAGE 2015 Set for the wild project

Poetic Theater Productions presents the second annual CONSCIOUS LANGAUAGE: Workshops, Conversations and Performances on the Power of Language. CONSCIOUS LANGAUAGE is a 5-day generative workshop designed for poets interested in writing poetic theater (by invitation only), which culminates in four evenings of performances and conversation with leaders in the field (open to the public). This year CONSCIOUS LANGAUAGE includes the Conscious ARTIST SUMMIT, Conscious BODY, Conscious LYRICS, and Conscious Language IN PRACTICE. Single evening tickets are $20, with 4-day passes available in advance for $40. Seating capacity is limited, advance purchase is recommended. Buy tickets online at www.poetictheater.com or by calling OvationTix at 866-811-4111. All events take place at Wild Project (195 E 3rd St, between Avenues A & B).

6:30PM Wednesday, August 26th

The Conscious ARTIST SUMMIT is a gathering for artists throughout the city to drink, celebrate our successes and engage in lively discussion around the future of conscious art. Poetic Theater Productions invites you to an evening of live theater and music with refreshments provided by local restaurants and breweries.

7PM Thursday, August 27th

The Conscious BODY panel will focuses on questions concerning how and what the body can communicate when used as the primary vehicle for art. What does the image of our body in the world relate to how we live and express our art? The evening will include performances and a panel including Mahogany L. Browne (HBO's Brave New Voices, REDbone: A Biomythography with Poetic Theater Productions), Shakina Nayfack (One Woman Show at Joe's Pub, 2015 Lily Award Winner) and Jason Samuels Smith (Bring in Da'Noise Bring in Da'Funk, Idlewild, "So You Think You Can Dance," "Dancing With the Stars").

7PM Friday, August 28th

Moderated by Craig 'muMs' Grant (HBO's OZ, Paradox of the Urban Cliché with Poetic Theater Productions, A Sucker Emcee with Labyrinth) the Conscious LYRICS panel explores the importance of lyrics in language-based art forms. How do the views and ideas expressed in music and lyrics - particularly Hip Hop - influence the community in 2015? The evening will include musical performances and a panel including Mikal Amin f/k/a The Hired Gun (Fresh Roots Music, Re:Education and Say Word Entertainment), Toni Blackman (Hip Hop Artist Ambassador), Baba Israel (Boom Bap Meditations), Abena Koomson (FELA!, Van Davis), and Miles Marshall Lewis (Arts & Culture Editor at Ebony.com, author: Irrésistible, There's A Riot Goin' On).

7PM Saturday, August 29th

The Conscious Language IN PRACTICE panel will explore varying definitions of what it means to be a Conscious Artist. What - if any - responsibilities do artists have to the greater community? The evening will include brand new 10-minute plays developed in the Conscious Language Workshop and a panel including Raquel Almazan (La Paloma Prisoner, Death of the Doll), Kyoung Park (Sex and Hunger, disOriented), and Liza Jessie Peterson (The Peculiar Patriot, Love the Hard Way, Bamboozled).

About the curators

Craig 'muMs' Grant is an American Actor. He has performed on New York City stages for more than 20 years. muMs is best known for playing Arnold Jackson aka Poet on the HBO hit show "OZ." muMs is a proud member of the Labyrinth Theater Company, debuting in such productions as the critically acclaimed Last Days Of Judas Iscariot, A View From 151st and Penalties and Interests, all performed Off-Broadway at the NYC's Public Theater. muMs was last seen in his own production of A Sucker Emcee and Lucy Thurber's The Insurgents. Some of muMs' other acting credits include: "Birdman", "The Knick", "Nurse Jackie", "Side Effects", "Law and Order SVU," "Law and Order," "Cold Case," "Blue Bloods," "Boston Legal," "Law and Order Criminal Intent," "The Sopranos," amongst others. muMs' is also a proud company member of Poetic Theater Productions who recently produced the critically acclaimed world premiere production of his play Paradox of the Urban Cliché which was developed with the Labyrinth Theater Company.

Lauren Whitehead is a writer, educator and Master of Fine Arts recipient in Dramaturgy from Columbia University where she was a Schubert Presidential Fellow and an Undergraduate Writing Teaching Fellow. Lauren has performed around the country including at The Sundance Film Festival, The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, The Nokia Theater and The Nuyorican Poets Café. She was featured on HBO's documentary, "Brave New Voices" and has appeared on NPR's "Talk of the Nation." Her play "stunning, still" was read at the Vineyard Arts Project, Naked Angels 1st Mondays Play Reading Series and at Chicago Dramatists. Lauren Whitehead was the festival dramaturg for The Fire This Time Festival. A company member of Poetic Theater Productions, Lauren was the assistant director and did the dramaturgy for the company's critically acclaimed production of Craig 'muMs' Grant's Paradox of the Urban Cliché.

Poetic Theater Productions (Jeremy Karafin Artistic Director) is an award-winning New York City theater company committed to working with poets and playwrights to create a visceral, poetic theater that addresses important social justice causes within our communities and society. Highlights include productions of Goliath, faith, Underground, Foreign Bodies, REDBone: A Biomythography, BACK, Paradox of the Urban Cliché, Dijla Wal Furat: Between the Tigris and the Euphrates, Conscious Language and the annual Poetic License Festival. Through readings, workshops, full productions, special events and an annual festival, Poetic Theater Productions supports a diverse community of artists working in the mediums of poetry and theater to develop, produce and promote theatrical works that celebrate diversity of storytelling and historical background, culture and social justice. www.poetictheater.com.

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