Mission– Green Earth Poetry Theater engages, inspires, entertains and challenges audiences with theatrical productions that range from the classics to new works; we train and support the next generation of theater artists; we provide arts education programs that promote life-long learning to a diverse community; and we celebrate the essential power of the theater to illuminate our common humanity.
Green Earth Poetry Theater completed our inaugural stage play “You Are Who You Eat” over a two day period at Kumble Theater for the performing arts. Some of the unedited, unsolicited reviews:
“I was visiting a friend in Brooklyn Heights when she said there is a play at Kumble that we should check out as we missed a movie we were planning on seeing. At first, I was hesitant to go as I have never been to Kumble. I went and was BLOWN AWAY AT THE TALENT! I cannot believe that this play was so good. It had me laughing, at the edge of my seat, waiting anxiously for every scene to come next. My favorite character was Tiffany, she was outstanding! They all were great, but I relate to her best (hint – hint: our dating habits match). And not to create a spoiler, but when she did that poem, I felt it inside and it made me really rethink how I have been doing things in my life concerning men. Please tell her thank you for playing that role to the “T” as it really touched me. I am so happy that we missed our movie, this play was a MUCH better choice. I can’t wait to see it again.”-Abecca Ling
” Hey friends & Brooklynites. I saw a performance of You Are Who You Eat tonight with a friend at the Kumble Theater and it was a treat. Really brilliant, dope artists using spoken word, humor, and performance to juxtapose relationships and food consumption. Support your local artists (and let’s be real, support your local artists of color – I was one of maybe five white folks in the audience and the lack of diversity in the room was frustrating for me. My white peeps are always looking for action items – supporting folks with $$ is one of them!). Money well spent and any seat in the house is a good seat. Purchase your tickets at www.kumbletheater.org to see tomorrow’s show + be a part of a Q&A with the cast and CEO of Green Earth Poets Cafe. And if you can’t make it, stay tuned for more.& before you ask, I have zero affiliation with the org, just a lot of love for what they’re doing.”-Elise Tiralli
“I am so proud of my Green Earth Poet family! Tonight’s play was simply fantastic!! They did an amazing job.
The next show is tomorrow at 3:00 p.m., same location! Please come on out!! You will not be disappointed!
We really ARE WHO WE EAT! Bravo!!! “-Taneeka L. Wilder
Ensemble Members:
Artistic Director- Tarishi M.I.D.N.I.G.H.T. Shuler
Tarishi Shuler is an artist who goes by the name M.I.D.N.I.G.H.T. His pseudonym is an acronym which stands for Messiah Is Dominant Now Inspired GOD Helps Tarishi. Tarishi being his birth name is Swahili for messenger. He was raised by the three most important women in his life, his Great Grandmother, Grandmother and Mother. These three women were the ones that shaped him into the person he is today. Having all of these ingredients and most importantly the main element in his life GOD, has brought M.I.D.N.I.G.H.T. to this junction on his journey. Tarishi uses are the tell his and other people stories through spoken word. Poetry has giving him the opportunity to meet new people and learn in the process.
Tarishi Shuler is a native of New Haven, CT now he lives in Brooklyn, NY. He has performed and won various poetry slams across the country. Places such as The Nuyorican Poets Café in NYC, The Nuyorican Café in Old San Juan Puerto Rico, Yale University, New Haven, CT The Lizard Lounge in Cambridge MA, Da Poetry Lounge in Los Angeles, CA and many more.
Accolades:
Tarishi has opened for very notable individuals such as Saul Williams, Grammy nominated Neo Soul Artist Dwele, Abiodun Oyewole of The Last Poets, Def Jam Comedian Talent and former US President Bill Clinton. He has won the Yale Peabody MLK & Zannette Lewis Invitational Slam in 2017 & 2016
- He as won the title of Lizard King of The Lizard Lounge in Cambridge, MA in 2017
- He has won the McDonald’s McCafe Poetry Slam in NYC in 2016, 2013, 2012 & 2010
- He has performed on New York’s radio station HOT97 for 15th anniversary of 9/11
- He was the Slammaster of the CT National Poetry Slam Team Verbal Slap in 2016
- He has won the title of CT Grandslam Champion in 2016, 2012 & 2011
- He has been competing on the national level at the National Poetry Slam each year since 2011
- His work has been featured on Russell Simmons All Def Poetry in 2016
- He also won 3rd place on the World’s Famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, NY
Besides doing art, Tarishi has previously worked for Love 146. A non-profit organization that advocates against human trafficking & child sex exploitation. Now he works for the Discovery Center. A non-profit, diversity and antiracism training program serving elementary and middle school’s throughout Connecticut while still living in Brooklyn, NY
Not only is Tarishi a poet, he is a model and an actor. Tarishi was portrayed as a heroin addict in his first film titled “Love Unconditional”, a Mobley Production. He landed roles in stages and other indie projects. GOD willing he hopes to continue showing the world his talents and give back to the community as well. To know more about Tarishi you can visit his website at www.13thmidnight.com
Project Manager-Nicole “Najmah53” Abraham
Nicole Najmah Abraham aka “Najmah53” a spoken word artist, motivational speaker, writer, radio personality, event promoter and entrepreneur. She is a proud New York native representing Brooklyn, New York who started writing short poems at the age of 8. By age 11, her love of hip hop culture, lead her to start rapping and doing graffiti art. When her family moved to South Carolina, she continued to hone her artistic and lyrical skills. By high school she was rapping in talent shows, on the local radio stations and in clubs.
At age 17, after returning to New York, Najmah53 was offered a recording deal and an opportunity to be the hip hop member of an R&B female group touring Europe. This also meant changing her image to fit in with the current trends of wearing hair weaves, fake nails, short skirts and selling sex. She refused to compromise who she was and quickly turned down the deal. Najmah53 eventually decided to give up the headaches of the mainstream hip hop industry.
Public Spokesperson/actress- Kamla Millwood
Kamla Karina Millwood is a Vincentian-born published author who is the Owner, Founder and CEO of Palatial Publishing LLC which is located in New York. Her website – www.peachtheduck.com highlights the books that she has authored as well as a video game that is based on her children’s book character called “Peach The Duck.” Her publishing company has not only published several of her children’s books and video game as well as conducted numerous book readings at various venues; but it also has edited the work or other authors and guided them to publish their work as well. By combining an award winning personality with strategic marketing techniques (which she learned while attending Harvard Business School and St. Francis College) with animated storytelling and word-of-mouth, Kamla has gained both domestic and international fans and increased her book sales exponentially each year. Kamla is the official Public Spokesperson for Green Earth Poets Café and Green Earth Poetry Theater. She also serves as a core ensemble member for Green Earth Poetry Theater’s performances. This multi-talented woman who is an author, publisher, editor and poet – is also a community advocate and activist, entertainment and photography manager, political advisor, motivational speaker, mentor, event hostess, fashion model and role model. She is a health and fitness enthusiast whose hobbies are skydiving, running, reading and modeling
Jashua Sa Ra
Jashua Sa-Ra is an author, award-winning performance poet, event producer, host, healer, lecturer, and musician. As an active artist in his community, he has produced and/or hosted several critically acclaimed performance events, including open mic venues, showcases, slams, and a variety of special events. Currently Jashua is the Creative Director and host for Nicholas Brooklyn’s open mic, the largest and most well attended open mic in Brooklyn, NY. He also produces and co-hosts a monthly concert series called Sunday Funday. He has published two CD’s and a DVD of his poetry, and recently released his first book of poetry, “Black Whole.” Jashua also hosts a radio talk show called “Black Whole Talk” where he addresses issues that are relevant to the healing of the African diaspora. Jashua has been creating and implementing arts-infusion curricula for over a decade. He currently teaches in NY and NJ at various educational facilities. He is the Artistic Coordinator for the annual Artiso Residency at the world-class theater house Kravis Center for Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, FL. He works with schools and varied childcare programs through non-profit organizations as well as his own endeavors. His workshops include percussion, creative writing, stage performance, hip hop, creating a poetry café, event hosting, and holistic health. Mr. Sa-Ra’s work outside of stages and classrooms are still artistically inclined. As a Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Holistic Health Consultant, Jashua has been involved in healing arts for over 10 years, influencing his work as a stage artist and educator. He has integrated his many aptitudes into each other, and refers to himself as a communications artist, to embody the purpose of all his work.
Theresa Taylor aka Ms. Reign
A lil’ N’degeocello mixed with Da Bratt, Ms. Reign is a soulful lyricist with roots in Jamaica, Queens. She began her journey as a writer and poet while residing at the YWCA shelter in Greater Harrisburg. Since then she’s appeared in a Nike shoe commercial, the off-Broadway play Dimensions and regularly volunteers at Rikers Island Prison with Green Earth Poets Café. Her life goal is to use her art as a means to invoke others in pursuit of their dreams. She is truly a #dreamcatcher. Find out more about her and her art @ http://MissReignProductions.
Danyeil Green aka Poetic Black
Born and raised in Brooklyn NY Poetic Black is the voice of struggle. One of three co founders of the Pop Poetry group The Composition founded in 2012. Poetic Black hit the scene in 2010 with his debut album The Ink of a Poet followed by Black Pain a collaboration album with other co founder and member Writteninpain. All material can be purchased on website www.threeshadesofblack.weebly.
Leslie “Aziza” Sterling
Leslie Sterling (aka Aziza) is a Brooklyn-born freelance writer and Administrative Consultant. Her passion for the arts started early on with her first job through the Summer Youth Employment Program where she worked as an actress, writer and workshop facilitator for Street Theater Youth Company, an ensemble production company in White Plains, New York. A highlight at STYC was collaborating as a writer and actress on a play commissioned by the Mental Health Association on autism, where she also conducted drama workshops for public and high school students.She was a member of an experimental theater production company called The Dragon Kings, where she honed her writing skills, began drawing, was immersed in literature and music, and performed all aspects of theater production work. Her most memorable experience with The Dragon Kings was performing at La MaMa Theatre in the East Village
Darnell Skill aka DreamCatcher
Dream.C-Atcher was born and raised in Bed Stuy Brooklyn, N.Y. Growing up in a low income house in a poor neighborhood (pre gentrification) Dream.C-Atcher saw and witnessed struggles unimaginable to some. These were all life lessons that has made him the fighter he is today. He started writing poetry ,rap and short stories at the age of two and put his fantasies, thoughts and experiences into words.
Now at 30 he has become an amazing hip-hop artist releasing a Mix tape called Remix Renaissance at years beginning and has just wrapped up his first album Poetry PRO-Fected being released October 7th at his Listening Party. He has also competed and won poetry slam throughout NYC and has joined Green Earth Poets Theater Company. Adding his strong lyrics to the fold among a cast of talents. Dream.C-Atcher is on Instagram @dreamccatching.
