PAPAYA to Close Season with MAYHEM POETS, 5/13-17

PA Performing Arts for Young Audiences (PAPAYA) wraps up its 2015 International Series with an appearance by spoken word artists The Mayhem Poets. Inspiring audiences with the power of language, these beat box bards take center stage as part of PAPAYA at the Bride, an International Family Series presented in partnership with the Painted Bride Art Center. The Mayhem Poets will have seven performances, including three school matinees May 13-17. Shows will take place at the Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine Street, Philadelphia. Tickets for PAPAYA at the Bride public performances are $20 for adults, $15 for students, and $12 for youth (12 and under). For tickets visit www.PAPAYAlive.org or www.paintedbride.org or call the Bride Box office at 215.925.9914.

Using words, humor, and extreme hip-hop energy, the Mayhem Poets raise poetry to a playful and powerful new level. Both witty and wise, their show has been described as "The Simpsons meets Malcolm X at a Notorious B.I.G. concert." Theatrically trained and comically gifted, they deliver clever, eclectic riffs that are as much Mad Magazine as Maya Angelou. An excellent introduction to the high energy world of spoken word, the show is recommended for anyone ages 12 and up.

Following The Mayhem Poets performances the PAPAYA Lab will offer interactive experiences in response to the shows. The Lab will be facilitated by PAPAYA's Sebastienne Mundheim in collaboration with Philadelphia Poet Laureate Frank Sherlock of Write Your Block, Tierra Rich and Donnell Powell of Rock the Pen, and Jacob Winterstein of the Philadelphia Youth Poetry Movement. Participants will work with Philly's finest to find a mic, a wall, a friend, and many, many voices in this immersive post-show PAPAYA experience.

Mayhem Poets School Performance Schedule
Wednesday, May 13th at 10am

Thursday, May 14th at 10 am

Friday, May 15th, at 10 am

Mayhem Poets Public Performances
Saturday May 16th, 1 pm and 5pm

Sunday, May 17th, 12 pm and 4 pm

About The Mayhem Poets
"Let's go see a poetry show." That is a sentence rarely proclaimed and usually responded to with cringes and excuses. The Mayhem Poets are on a mission to change that. Having been dubbed "an amazing ride" by the New York Times, these theatre trained, comically gifted, lyrical virtuosos seamlessly blend raw elements of hip hop, theatre, improv and stand up comedy to tell gut wrenching truths that leave audiences forever changed.

The Mayhem Poet's unique approach to spoken word has landed them feature spots on The Today Show and Eyewitness News, after winning 1st place and a grant for $100K in the Microsoft Idea Wins Challenge in 2006. Since then they've been touring internationally collaborating with the likes of hip hop legends such as KRS ONE as well as world class musicians including Greg Patillo (beat box flute) and Jane Hunt (violin). Their latest CD, Reverse Birth was hailed as one of the Top spoken word CD's of 2007 by about.com's poetry section. Their NYC based educational training operation Slam Chops is providing opportunities for aspiring poets of all ages.

The Mayhem mission originated At Rutgers University in 2000, when Kyle Sutton (aka Kyle Rapps) and Scott Raven T started an open-mic on campus called Verbal Mayhem. Their idea was to find a way to access people from all walks of life with spoken word. As a result they reached out to prisons, fraternities, churches, and hip hop/poetry fans alike to attract the most diverse poetry open-mic scene in the world. The spirit of Verbal Mayhem convinced the two young performers to craft a show and go on a mission to change people's lives and reshape society's view of poetry.

Always up to date with contemporary world issues, this one of a kind Tour de Force stays fresh no matter what the venue. From theatre festivals to Hip Hop or Rock concerts, Community events to Youth Education series, Mayhem is the future.

PAPAYA, or PA Performing Arts for Young Audiences, is a recently formed partnering organization that co-produces and co-presents performing arts for families and youth that is accessible to all ages, but especially designed to enrich the lives of children by stimulating their imaginations, challenging their minds and touching their deepest emotions. To that end PAPAYA has joined forces with the Painted Bride Art Center, Philadelphia's premiere presenter of contemporary artists, to create a series that offers young people and families the chance to experience together outstanding performances by international artists in a variety of artistic genres.

PAPAYA's season is made possible with generous support from the Philadelphia Foundation's Donor Advised Fund, The Philadelphia Cultural Fund, John and Teresa Rollins, GSK, the Virginia & Harvey Kimmel Arts Education Fund, The Connelly Foundation, the Wyncote Foundation, and individuals throughout the region.

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