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Feedback from Get Lit Players 2009 In-School BLITZ
Made Possible by the Flourish Foundation
Franklin High:
“Thank You so much for bringing Get lit to Franklin HS. Your students were incredible. I don't think there has been one
group that has performed at my school that has kept my students complete attention. Your kids were talented, original,
inspirational and yet approachable. The whole experience was fantastic. Getlit players blended modern and classic
poetry seamlessly and allowed my students to see connections between hip hop and Herman Hesse. They invited two
of my students to participate and they were so nurturing and reassuring that my students felt comfortable enough to
come and share their poetry too. I can't say enough about what you have created here. I have some students who are
interested in auditioning so please let me know about audition dates. Once again Getlit players knocked it out of the
park and entertained and educated my often apathetic students. Thanks Getlit, come back as soon as you can.”
David Levine, Lead Teacher, MEGA Academy, Franklin HS
Paramount High:
“Thanks for the wonderful performance. Your original poems were moving and powerfully performed. The language
and images were stunning and SO TRUE. The poems you performed by other authors were well-chosen! My
students were inspired to pay more attention to language and to even write some of their own poetry. You did more in
50 minutes than I can accomplish in a week with the textbook!”
Tony Durante’s Junior level Language Arts Classes, Paramount High School
Paramount Student’s – from Tony Durante’s Class:
“The performance was awesome! You guys inspire me and you guys made me cry.” Amiel jai Zubiri
“The performance was very good! Every poem was full of emotions. I believe every poem made many people open
their eyes to see the world differently!” Sonia Maldonado
“I loved the fact that they used feelings and emotions when they read the poems out loud, it actually gave me the chills
when they was talking with such feeling.” Deyanira Garcia
“I really enjoyed the poems. The poems were powerful and they spoke the truth… This presentation gave me a respect
for poets and there art.” Manuel Gonzalez
“I had a great opportunity watching all you perform, it was a great experience to see something different, it made
realize how people use words to express their feelings, one day I might become a poet.” Jerramie Jackson
“I loved your guy’s performance yesterday; it taught me to express my opinions more and emotions rather than
keeping them in and letting it all build up into frustration. I now know that poetry can be a problem-solving method.
Thank you.” Amber Rios
“Hey Get-Lit… I really enjoyed your performance yesterday. The poems all of you shared with us really grasped my
attention. I felt the pain and the other emotions that were coming through the poems. It had even inspired me to
continue writing poetry again.” Kyra Medlock
“I really enjoyed the poetry and how you can make your own poem out of you life experience.” Hilary Rojas
“You guys were great keep it up and represent for LA.” Alejandro Ruiz
“I liked the performance yesterday it was very inspiring because it taught you a lot about literature...“ Ashley Torres
“Your guys performance was outstanding an each one of you was unique an I loved it, you made me want to read
poems and express myself my artistically.” Lillian Vega
“The Get Lit Performance was amazing. It was something I did not expect it to be. I would love to see them again
perform. It was very unique and original. I’m not much of a writer of a poet, but I do know some stuff about literature. I
really appreciate that you guys took time to come here and perform.” - Octavio Alarcon
“I enjoyed the poems. I have never really been interested into poetry but yesterday’s performance was great! I liked it
because they talked about conflicts us teenagers go through everyday.” Yaritza Zamudio
“When the group Get Lit performed their poems it inspired me a lot to express myself on paper.” Christian Reyes
“I really enjoyed the poems it was great having u guys read your original poems they were really good, I like that they
were deep they got to me and I know they got to others too.” Jose Lopez
From Nancy Himel
“Today I was so amazed at the thank you letters my students wrote. They still remembered lines, how Dario's home
didn't feel like a home, how Jazmine saw wings on a girl, and how sad they felt for some of the words in Brianna's
poem. My kids felt empathy and were willing to admit that poetry could astound and bring people together…The Get Lit
Players send out such an aura of delight and confidence as they perform their poems that students and teachers alike
cannot help but be drawn in. What an amazing inspiration they are!”
Nancy Himel, Lead Teacher, Paramount High
Paramount Students - From Nancy Himel’s Class:
“Your poems sent shivers down my spine through the whole performance.” Richard Hency
“My spirit was lifted by the ways you guys showed me how fun poetry can really be!...I know Get Lit touched many
people’s hearts and cheered people up…. Your performances were outrageous!” Erick Soza
“Your performance at PHS was the bomb… All those poems seemed like they were knocking on the door of my heart.”
Kerry Nelson
“…I think that you were put in the world to inspire people.” Daniel Zavaleta
“…I felt you guys spoke the truth and nothing but the truth, which made it more interesting and inspiring. I was
astonished to see how teens, just like me, could be so creative when writing a piece of their unique work. It seemed
as if you guys not just connected with me, but with the entire audience, and for that I loved I had the opportunity to be
there.” Isaac Torres
“Your confidence and emotion shown while reciting your poems left me speechless. When it seemed as if you guys
were pouring your heart out while reciting your work, I began to think I should do what I enjoy also. With your words, I
began to take into consideration that with a bit of effort, great things are produced. Your words, inspiring and
motivating, made me believe I should feel free to do what I desire, despite what others think…” Jackie Chavez
“To tell you the truth I don’t like poems but somehow I like yours.” Iram Soto
“Your performance at Paramount High School was a success to me because each one of you poets inspired me to
write poems when I’m alone in the car or when I’m bored. When I heard that a group of teenagers were going to come
to our high school I wasn’t looking forward to it. I always thought poetry was boring, but when you guys performed for
us Paramount High School students I was speechless.” Omar Herrera
“Poetry was never really my thing, but now because of the way that all you told us, it made me see it a whole different
way.” Ernest Jammill
LACES High:
“Great experience . . I love poetry and performing and seeing Get Lit inspired me to start writing poems again.” Srishty
Amarnari
“It opened the world of poetry to me.” Mariele Saunders-Schultz
“Opened my eyes to poetry.” Max Jurand
“I used to think poetry was boring, but now it has opened my mind.” Katie Scott
“Your performance got me thinking about Literature.” Noah Reyes
“The performance inspired me to write poetry.” Anna DeSanto
“Loved it . . . different from anything I’ve ever seen.” Sue Chang
“Amazing . . . poetry is more than nursery rhymes to me now.” Rozelle Bustos
Van Nuys High:
“Teachers and students alike have been talking about you guys!! They LOVED the performance. I have overheard
students talking about the fact that it really made them think about life more deeply… You and your storytellers were a
fabulous hit!!! Thank you so much for sprinkling the magic of poetry into our lives.”
Suzanne Ozman, Head Librarian Van Nuys High
Fairfax High:
“The performances were very worthwhile and communicated meaningfully with the audience. Thank you for identifying
such talents and working so deeply with these students. The messages they convey are profound and important. I am
certain that under your guidance they have grown immeasurably and will continue to do so.”
Pat Abrams, recently retired Head of English Department Fairfax High (booked show)
Zane Grey High:
“They were all so fantastic. I wish we could find funding to have you guys come regularly!”
Mayda Yetenekian, teacher
Camino Nuevo High:
“The GetLit Players were phenomenal in their capacity to connect with our students and to engage them in meaningful
dialogue about the power of the spoken word. Our students were enraptured by the various voices and styles brought
by the GetLit poets, and displayed a rarely seen focus and passion for the presentation. GetLit’s fine balance of
approachability and highly refined skills encouraged our budding poets to apply some of the observed techniques in
their own nascent poetry.”
P.Tiller 10th Grade Humanities Teacher, Camino Nuevo High School
“I think that the poets who came were great. It was amazing to see that there are groups out there to help students
who like poetry to fulfill that dream. I think it’s really great that at a young age some students are capable of such great
poetry” Marcella G., Grade 10
“I really enjoyed how you showed emotion with your poetry. I really felt something when you were performing.”
Brenda V., Grade 10
“Something that I enjoyed was when two poets recited a poem at the same time. I also enjoyed the way all of the poets
used different literary devices like, rhyme, rhythm, repetition that we had been learning in English.” Nestor F., Grade 10
John Wooden High:
Dear Diane,
Whoa! My students got lit! Thanks so much. My students declared this the best assembly they have seen!
Your team was fantastic in every way. Great personalities, talented, easy to work with. I had about 8 students who
wanted to perform and more wanted to, once they experienced what was happening. I was so proud of my students,
some who were shy, but volunteered anyway, and I had some very talented students, who really appreciated this
opportunity. All of them were so proud of themselves to get up and take a chance. I had tears in my eyes-I was so
moved. My students were texting other students who weren't in school today and telling them how great it was!
I am so thrilled to see the fruits of your labors of love. Our principal came over and was equally impressed. Everyone
wants them back, so if that's a possibility, please let me know. You always have a place here!
Brenda Young, teacher John Wooden High
"The students are still talking about the Get Lit performance several weeks later. In fact, several students have
approached me to start a poetry/spoken word club at our school. I love it!"
Brenda Young, teacher John Wooden High
John Wooden Student’s
"The poetry you guys come up with is epic and mind-blowing. You have inspired me to a great extent. I never knew
that expressing yourself through poetry could be so enjoyable.” Marlon Galario
"I learned that if you are speaking from your heart you can touch people so deeply you can make them cry." Devontae
Russell
"To be honest, I'm not too fond of poetry, but Get Lit has changed my opinion quite a bit. You have also given me the
reassurance that I have the potential to change the social environment around me." Paul Quintero
"Get Lit was nothing short of amazing, you must inspire a lot of teens. I know you have inspired me. I write basically
every day now since the performance." Jason Letinsky
"I really think that Get Lit's performances influence the way people think about literature and English because they said
things that really matter in the world, but in a way that really catches peoples' attention and I acknowledge and
appreciate that." Kezzy Jaictin
2009 Get Lit Player BLITZ!!! - day to day blog – A.Antoinette
This BLITZ was made possible by the Flourish Foundation!
Day 1
It’s really early, and my hope is that this “BLITZ” goes swiftly with some success. Let’s be honest, when you ask kids
(high school kids at that) about their joy for reading, well, one should have little to no expectations.
None the less, it’s early and I am ready. This is year four with Get Lit-Words Ignite; this is “my life’s work” and I have
been gone out of corporate America too long to pick up where I left off, so…you should meet our BLITZ crew before I
go on –
Me, I am Azure Antoinette. Artistic Director/Coach/Poet – basic, I run around with the GLP’s and my Executive Director
Diane.
Dario – resident beatboxer, 3 year GLP and SOUND for the crew. He is “that guy.”
Bri – newest GLP all the way from UTAH, talent is ILL, she makes me want to take a trip there someday, but not today.
rd
Jazmine – she is tall, and happens to be 3 year GLP too, this one can write, perform and bring the house down in a
stanza.
Jordan – youngin, baby gap, oh yeah and a POETRY PRODIGY, don’t sleep on this kid, he has Laureate written all
over his palms.
Ryan – MC, resident hip hop of the GLP’s 3-year vet as well, and lets just say we go to the end of the earth to pick him
up and make sure he is at the show, Ry never disappoints.
Diane – that is our fearless leader, she is the mastermind behind Get Lit, booked this BLITZ for us, the reds of my
eyes, thank her…and now for the story.
Zane Grey High School
We (Dario, Briauna and myself) arrive at the office of Zane Grey, in the valley, normal looking continuation school, lots
of grey, the blank looks from students, all the “emotion” we are used to.
Get in the class, and it is starting to feel a little warmer, I open up with commentary mixed with performance and you
can start to see the expressions melt into interest, then here comes Dario, followed by Bri, and wouldn’t you know it,
we got some laughs, some author names, and a grip of questions! Zane Grey was a great way to start the BLITZ but I
never could have guessed what was waiting for us at John Wooden HS just down the block…
“They were all so fantastic. I wish we could find funding to have you guys come regularly!” - Mayda Yetenekian,
teacher
John R Wooden High School
Now, in spoken word, there is “LIVE”, there is “FLY” and then there is just plain “BANANAS”! Wooden HS was one of
the highlights of my year and a definite high point for the BLITZ. The students were alert, FULL of energy, never let the
vibe drop and 11 students got up for the official “OPEN MIC” that we do at the end of each show. Ya’ll should know 11
is doing BIG things, MONUMENTAL.
There were so many performers in the audience that we let them perform throughout the show as opposed to waiting
to the end, we had singers, writers, and MC’s. Dario on the vocal 1’s & 2’s (that’s beatboxing) and the MC’s calling the
tempos and slinging the rhymes. The energy of the left side of the auditorium was so palpable it gave me chills.
If I could summarize the experience into one sentence it would be this –
Schools like Wooden is why Get Lit is necessary, the youth is hollering for someone to pay attention, to recognize that
they are present and have a voice.
No sooner did the assembly finish, my blackberry was buzzing, it was our Executive Director, Diane Luby Lane, she
says “hey honey, how did it go?”
I said “yo Di, it was sooooo FLY!” I preceded to fill her in on the pandemonium that ensued.
Day 1, was a success, and that is putting it mildly.
“Whoa! My students got lit! … My students declared this the best assembly they have seen!” - Brenda Young, John
Wooden teacher
"The poetry you guys come up with is epic and mind-blowing…” Marlon Galario, student
Day 2
Fairfax High School
I was 23, the whites of my eyes were less pink then they are now, this was my first HS show, Fairfax HS, nestled in
that part of Hollywood where people aren’t really sure what trend to follow, so, they follow as many as they can.
Fairfax will always be special to Get Lit, this is the HS where we cast our first troupe of Get Lit Players, who have gone
on to UCLA, SMCC, and universities out of state.
Get Lit has had avid support from Pat Abrams, facilitator of the “Poetry Club” and (recently retired) head of the English
department. This year we were invited back for the 2009 BLITZ by Jaime O’Halloran. Interesting tidbit, Ms. O’Halloran
is the SOLE reason that I got involved with Get Lit 4 years ago. I found the website through a blog thread that she
posted, otherwise, I never would have known…thank God for technology.
Coming to Fairfax is familiar and the performance and environment is always welcoming. We had 2 shows back-toback, good crowd and even had a few students come through for the open mic. All and all, a “good look” for day 2.
“The performances were very worthwhile and communicated meaningfully
with the audience. Thank you for identifying such talents and working so deeply with these students. The messages
they convey are profound and important. I am certain that under your guidance they have grown immeasurably and
will continue to do so.”
- Pat Abrams, Fairfax High
“As the words flowed out of their mouths I couldn’t help but think, this is what I want to be about!” – Lily Varga, student
Day 3
Van Nuys High School
Can I just say – BEAUTY.
Yes, that is the only word to describe this theatre, and the tech guys (two amazing teens we want on our crew!) were a
prayer that we had never prayed.
We travel a great deal, in state and out, and it is so rare to be treated with such compassion from the administration
and the students.
Van Nuys was, intro music from Jay-Z, a sprawling stage that I ran side to side for the official Get Lit “audience sound
check” and again, the LEFT side was SUPER LIVE! Van Nuys HS was FRESH, like new pair of Nike Dunks FRESH.
Van Nuys was a HUGE crowd but the thing that sticks out to me the most was the silence when I asked for the
audience to “give it up” for literacy. It was staggering, and by no fault of the students. Books are not touch screen, they
are not instant, nor bbm or app capable. So to the current generation, they are becoming obsolete, and for some, they
simply don’t exist. I digress, to paraphrase, “how many of ya’ll are reading currently?!” (cricket, cricket) “okay okay,
why don’t you shout out the names of the songs that on in rotation on your ipod?!” (verbal chaos from the crowd). I
want the cheers to be equal, like screams and excitement dipped in sincerity, cause when I think of the poetry, the
excerpts, the novels that have taken residence in my memory I get chills, if only we could recite classic and canonical
literature and poetry through the form of spoken word…OOPS we DO!
We performed twice at Van Nuys, back-to-back and when we left we were sated. I believe the classic poems mixed
with the original pieces gave the student body something to think about. Here is to progress, here is to the work of
CHANGE.
“Teachers and students alike have been talking about you guys!! They LOVED the performance. I have overheard
students talking about the fact that it really made them think about life more deeply… You and your storytellers were a
fabulous hit!!! Thank you so much for sprinkling the magic of poetry into our lives.” - Suzanne Ozman, Head Librarian
Van Nuys High
Day 5
Camino Nuevo
Former Get Lit Player, Gabriel Cortez said “ya’ll really pack em in”…he speaks only truth.
Camino Nuevo looks more like a MOCA exhibit than a High School, there is concrete in an artistic way and metal
mesh and steps, and, and, and. In other words, this is not the high school I remember.
There is a different vibe here, the teachers project a peace that I don’t normally encounter in LAUSD High Schools,
Camino is a charter. The students are in uniform here and the smiles are free. We head to the auditorium after we
were offered fresh coffee and fruit - yes this is the good life.
The students file in, teachers in tow, who by the way go in the ‘chillest staff EVER column’, before long the students
line the walls eager to see what we are bringing. I have a full Get Lit crew today, Bri, Dario, Ryan, and Jordan. I open,
per my usual, and you would have thought I gave all of them gifts, I must say there is no greater joy than the
connection a performer feels to the audience when they are ‘feelin’ you. The GLP’s smashed the show, it was smiles
abound and I had no critique. I was full of thanks and gratitude to see tax dollars at work, and so blown by the beauty
of the students, teacher and that eloquent campus.
Camino, Get Lit wont forget you, and once more, we will be back.
“The GetLit Players were phenomenal in their capacity to connect with our students and to engage them in meaningful
dialogue about the power of the spoken word. Our students were enraptured by the various voices and styles brought
by the GetLit poets, and displayed a rarely seen focus and passion for the presentation. GetLit’s fine balance of
approachability and highly refined skills encouraged our budding poets to apply some of the observed techniques in
their own nascent poetry.”
–P.Tiller 10th Grade Humanities Teacher, Camino Nuevo High School
“… I enjoyed when two poets recited a poem at the same time. I also enjoyed the way all of the poets used different
literary devices like, rhyme, rhythm, repetition that we had been learning in English.” Nestor F. Grade 10, Camino
Nuevo High School
Day 6
LACES
This was great day, and not to mention two of Get Lit’s most notable players attend and graduated from this fine
establishment.
Ryan Jafar graduated in 2008 with honors. (We met him as a Junior at LACES and now he is a freshman at UC
Riverside.) He’s made his mark on the teen poetry world as well as the hip-hop globe at large (no joke).
Jordan Jace is known to us as “The Prodigy” - joined Get Lit back in April and is 13. He gives ALL (I do mean to
include myself) a run for the money we don’t have.
I arrive with one of our interns and Ryan - we are greeted by his “fan club” with conversation like, ‘we miss you’ and
‘how is your life?’. Ryan is what we call “low key” and a ladies man so he just shrugs, smiles, says I’m good, and I miss
you too’. Oh man, it is funny runnin’ round with these guys. They keep me grounded and laughing. Swear this campus
looks just like Bayside High.
We met several LACES students who were very excited to see Ryan and Get Lit do their thing, as such the library
filled up. Briana, Ryan, Jordan and myself did a 50 minute set, talked with the audience and had 4 open mic
performers. This audience was astute, however still quiet on the “does anyone know what literacy means?” tip. They
knew, but no one wanted to hip me (smile).
“It opened the world of poetry to me!” Mariele Saunders-Schultz, student
FRANKLIN HS
So you got your Starbucks and cafeteria, but have you ever seen a coffee lounge in a public high school. We did, it
was here at Franklin, one word. DOPE.
We performed at Franklin last year, it was just Dario and myself, our thought about it, “okay, let’s do this, one more
show”…right.
It blew the two of us away completely, we walked into a low light space full of bistro tables, facing a stage with red
lights, chalk full of students, it was an in-school café/open mic. To say the least, we were excited. Oh right, the show,
well that was a success this year and the last, our favorite part about this school is the energy of the students and the
man behind it all, David Levine.
If you are ever going to talk of love for what one does or going the extra mile, make sure you include Mr. Levine.
“Get Lit players blended modern and classic poetry seamlessly and allowed my students to see connections between
hip hop and Herman Hesse… I can't say enough about what you have created here… Once again Getlit players
knocked it out of the park…” - David Levine, Lead Teacher, MEGA Academy, Franklin HS
Day 7
Paramount HS
We were invited here by Nancy Himmel - a teacher who completely embraces the arts. She booked the Get Lit
Players for a teacher’s conference earlier in the year which was a huge success - however, teachers versus students,
well that is a Grand Canyon of difference.
I couldn’t have expected that Paramount would have turned out to be the show that it was. The auditorium was full, the
students LIVE for back to back shows, and we had SEVERAL students come up perform for the open mic session.
Not to mention the heart felt letters we received, we will let you read excerpts for yourselves… We have one school left
to go.
“The Get Lit Players send out such an aura of delight and confidence as they perform their poems that students and
teachers alike cannot help but be drawn in. What an amazing inspiration they are!” - Nancy Himel, Lead Teacher,
Paramount High
“Your performance at PHS was the bomb… All those poems seemed like they were knocking on the door of my heart.”
Kerry Nelson, student
Day 8
Hamilton HS
Much like Fairfax, Hamilton is like 2nd skin, Jazmine Williams who is a "seasoned" GLP hails from these halls, as does
Daniela (an original GLP) who has gone onto college, but her dad still resides as President of the Get Lit Board.
Hamilton holds a special place for Jazmine and me - I performed at this very drama classroom 3 years ago where
Jazmine in the audience decided to audition for the GLP's based on my performance. This was the last show for Get
Lit in 2009 and the best way to end the Blitz.
Dario, Briauna, Jazmine and Jordan ushered out the year with a moving performance, an eager handful of open
mic'ers. I must say that overall, this is the best work, the kind of work that really isn't.
Thank you for reading, this is Azure Antoinette, peace poet, saying “write now, or forever hold your PEACE.
Look for us in twenty10, it is going to be the YEAR, we can feel it.
Azure Antoinette, Artistic Director Get Lit-Words Ignite,
The Mission of the Get Lit-Words Ignite program is to use classical performance poetry to increase teen
literacy.