Pitt's Kuntu Repertory Theatre 3rd Annual "Poetry Slamm" To Feature Live Performances

October 1, 2002

PITTSBURGH—The University of Pittsburgh's Kuntu Repertory Theatre will hold its 3rd Annual "Poetry Slamm" Contest at 7 p.m. on Thursday Oct. 3, 2002, in the Mellon Financial Room on the fifth floor of Alumni Hall, formerly the Masonic Temple, 4227 Fifth Avenue, in Oakland. For the first time, the competition will feature live performances of original material by the contestants. The performances are open to the public.

Judges for the competition are Rob Penny, Pitt professor of Africana studies, founder of Kuntu Writers Workshop, and Kuntu playwright-in-residence; Anji Corley, cohost of the morning show on WAMO-FM; Kamau Ware, founder and president of Bridgespotters, a Pittsburgh-based artist organization; and Annabelle Clipper, coordinator of the Pitt Arts Program.

The winner will receive a cash prize and other gifts, courtesy of Kuntu and Oakland-area stores. In addition, the top three finalists will present their poems Oct. 17 and 19 during intermission of Kuntu's season-opening production of "Hieroglyphic Graffiti," a modern hip-hop play by Chadwick Boseman. "Hieroglyphic Graffiti" will be performed from Oct. 17 through Nov. 2 in the Seventh-Floor Auditorium of Alumni Hall.

For more information, call 412/624-7298 or 412/648-2011, or e-mail jar4@pitt.edu.

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