Lucas Smiraldo
Primary Discipline: Literary Arts
Areas of Specialty: Spoken Word, Improvisation, Poetry
Additional Disciplines/Specialties: Theatre
Based in: Tacoma
Phone: 253-202-3473
Email: lsmirald@ix.netcom.com
Biography: Lucas Smiraldo has been teaching poetry, spoken word and drama in classrooms for the past four years in affiliation with the Washington State Arts Commission. His innovative spoken word projects include a "slam style" play created with students at Spanaway High School and performance poetry inspired by themes of adversity. The performance poetry was presented at a Museum of Glass exhibit and funded with a First Step grant at McIlvaigh Middle School. Mr. Smiraldo has been the Poetry Out Loud teaching artist for the past two years and through this program has offered workshops to students and teachers in over twenty schools. Recently, Smiraldo received funding to develop an original CD and performance work entitled Voice of the Americas: A Post 911 Millennial in Five Movements. The work fuses spoken word with sound and composition to weave a picture of the United States preceding 911 and to explore its aftermath.
When asked about his approach as a Teaching Artist, Mr. Smiraldo wrote this: “My residencies in the schools encourage personal journeywork. For many students it will be the most personal, introspective experience they will have during the year. Students are asked to reflect on external bodies of information, for example, math, science and social studies. They start with the personal and then radiate that information outward, finding how their observations and feelings might link to other themes they have been exploring in the classroom. In order to create a safe environment for sharing, the class works in a circle. Skill building games and warm ups prepare the students for their own presentations. They learn to use their voices and bodies within set contexts and then transfer those skills to a performance of their own work. When I work with students I allow myself to be vulnerable. I take all of the risks that I ask of them. I give students full respect and celebrate their gifts. Many students come away from my residency with a love of poetry. They learn to love not only the art form, but also their ability to express their own messages within poetry. These experiences may help them reclaim their own life force and their view of the world.”
Suitable for Grades: K-12
Preferred Grades: 3-12
Curriculum Integration Possibilities: Literacy, Reading, Writing, History, Social Studies
Additional Interests/Experience:
- Leading Professional Development workshops for K-12 Teachers
- Working with at risk students
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