Today we’d like to introduce you to John Lewis Iv.
Hi John , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have been in the arts in some way shape or form my whole life. Be it an arts class in grade school, dance in jr high, theater in high school and college. I didn’t start doing poetry until my early 20’s; started as a way to understand what I know now as mental health. It was a method of processing emotions I had no way of understanding. Since the beginning I told my self if I can perform a play writes work and portray it the way it was written I can do that with my own story/journey in this thing we call life.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a good journey with moments of “yeah I don’t want to write” or “I don’t want to perform” because I didn’t like the mental space I was in. Now I still write regardless I may not memorize the work just yet but I still keep my muscle (brain) working.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a spoken word artist, slam poet, slam master, author, host, semi comedian, curator, advocate of the arts and a supporter.
I create shows to display the work of my fellow artists be it visual, vocal/musician, poets anything I do I tie poetry into it in some way. I like being able to put funds in Artist pockets because I’m a firm believer if asked they should be paid for their gifts.
I created an event called Spoken Easy a prohibition style open mic were I provided food an drink and live im entertainment be it local artists or nationally known poets I have had the pleasure of meeting as I’m on my journey.
Being able to pull from my professional training as a stage actor helps me portray my work a different way from others completing the visuals I’m painting with my words and using my face, body, arms to sometimes teleport to another place
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was a play young cat always wanted to be outside in the sun or playing video games. I still to this day love movies it was like a past time for me growing up catching a movie or 2 or a Friday. I was talkative somewhat of a class clown but I made good grades believe it or not. However being a class clown the down side was the punishments like reading the encyclopedia and coping it or the dictionary which is possibly why I like words so much today.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamhypocrace?igsh=MTdkMWg3YWY0c3YyMg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CZA3HrQUw/?mibextid=wwXIfr
