Spoken Word and Performance – with Testament
Learn ways into writing spoken word and using it as part of storytelling and theatrical practice. Why do we use heightened language in stories? What effects can we achieve? And how do we even start? Testament is an experienced workshop facilitator and keen to not only discuss the power of poetry but give practical and transferrable tricks, exercises and ideas that can be used across multiple mediums.
We’ll be looking at everything from traditional meter, lyric, rap and modern spoken word and how they can be used in exciting ways to express feeling, suspend disbelief, make abstract concepts tangible and get an audience immersed in a story.
About the tutor
Testament is a playwright, poet, rapper and world record breaking human beatboxer. Theatre work includes writing for The Royal Court, Leeds Playhouse, Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester, Opera North and The Roundhouse. Television work includes work for BBC, Channel 4, Netflix and Disney Plus. His work as a musician includes the celebrated Hip-Hop album Homecut: No Freedom Without Sacrifice.
Testament is the writer of the UK Theatre Awards nominated 2018 play Black Men Walking (Eclipse Theatre/Royal Exchange Manchester/Royal Court) and more recently Testament’s BBC Radio 4 drama Daughter was nominated for the Prix Europa and won special commendation for Best Single Audio Drama at the BBC Audiodrama Awards 2023. Testament wrote, composed and performed in acclaimed show Orpheus In The Record Shop (Opera North/Leeds Playhouse) which was televised on BBC Four.
Testament is writer on the Netflix anime series Castlevania Nocturne which was nominated for Best Adaptation at The Game Awards 2023.
Testament was 2019 write-in-residence at The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, and a supported artist of the theatre’s Open Exchange in 2018. He is currently the 2024 Black Nature Writer-In-Residence for The Yorkshire Dales National Park.
About First Tuesday Writers
First Tuesday Writers is here to keep your writing fresh. Taking place on the first Tuesday of every month, each 90 minute session offers a deep dive into a writer’s creative world – designed to challenge and energise you, and lead you to new creative discoveries.
Every writer and every form of writing has something unique that we can learn and put to use in our own work. These workshops are all opportunities to learn from radically diverse writers – including poets, bloggers, crime writers and much more. Drop in for one or two events or sign up to them all: either way, you’ll leave buzzing, and ready to do your best and most innovative work.
Low cost places available
We believe the price of our courses should never be a barrier to your learning. If you are unable to pay for a place on this event, contact us to apply for a bursary place.