From Page to Stage: The Art of Public Reading

David Gonzelez and participants from From Page to Stage: The Art of Public Reading

In the recent Poetry Barn workshop “From Page to Stage” taught by David Gonzalez I was taken on a journey that was key in combating my stage fright. The tenets of David Gonzalez’s method is truly one of inclusivity. The idea that space and the performed word both have unifying qualities was central to my experience. We began the workshop in a circle, performing different vowel exercises, synchronized beats and movements, ending with the recitations of our own poems.

But the most powerful moment came in the exercise of standing in a circle and staring at each one of my fellow workshoppers. It felt confrontational at first, but as their eyes reflected the anxiety in mine, I realized that what was actually being confronted were my own insecurities. Ultimately, the techniques I learned in this workshop will dictate my performance of poetry for the rest of my life.

I will now think of performance as a communal act, one that takes my poetry and leaves it in the hands of the audience. I will no longer feel possessive of my work but think of my performances as the audiences and deliver it in a way that is respectful of that reciprocity. Truly this is a workshop that advanced my ability as a creator. I cannot thank David Gonzalez enough for sharing his talent and knowledge with us.

—Ryan Clinesmith