MG Kids reporter enjoys an evening of Wordplay in Morristown

alyse jefferson diego ortiz
MG Kids Correspondent Alyse Jefferson interviews poet Diego Ortiz at MG Wordplay, Fun With Words. Photo by Ashley Jefferson.
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Note: We have just posted video of last month’s show, MG: Wordplay, Fun With Words. Here is a report from that evening by MG Kids Correspondent Alyse Jefferson, with photos by MG Kids Photographer Ashley Jefferson.

By Alyse Jefferson, MG Kids correspondent

On May 17, we held an event called MG: Wordplay, Fun With Words. This event included 8- and 9-year-old orators, a series of poets, teen hip-hop artists, a one-women show and a teen improvisation group.

alyse jefferson diego ortiz
MG Kids Correspondent Alyse Jefferson interviews poet Diego Ortiz at MG Wordplay, Fun With Words. Photo by MG Kids Photographer Ashley Jefferson.

I got to talk with the young orators, Anjali Blow, 9, and Ariya Blow, 8, who enjoyed themselves at the event and thought they did a great job. Ariya recited a book by Barack Obama called Of thee I Sing: A Letter To My Daughters and Anjali spoke about Max Lucado’s I Am Special. These two did a remarkable job. I was amazed.

After the sisters performed, many poets went on stage after them. I got to talk with one of the poets, Diego Ortiz, and I wanted to know what inspired him to be a poet.

“The people who maybe haven’t been to school, who can’t read, who can’t write or can not speak English,” says Diego. “I am inspired to share their stories with everyone.”

Aidan Keefer Vicki Birmingham
Aidan Keefer and Vicki Birmingham at MG Wordplay, Fun With Words, at the Morristown EcoCenter. Photo by MG Kids Photographer Ashley Jefferson

To end off the evening, the Morristown High School teen improv group, Tomfoolery, came up and gave everyone a laugh. They had different improv games planned out, and the crowd had to come up with a scenario.  For example, an Internet blind date and they are eating at the gas station — this is one of the scenarios the crowd came up with.

I caught up with Vicki Birmingham and asked what inspired her to get into improv. Her reply was: “Sport season ended and I liked acting, so I tried out and it was fun.” This is Vicki’s third year being in the improv group. The group’s next performance is June 13 at Morristown High School at 7 p.m.

At the end I also met up with another poet, Bimpe Fageyinbo, who actually published a memoir called So Maybe That’s the Bee’s Weakness. (To purchase the book, leave a message on her website here or e-mail her at Bimpe@bimpefageyinbo.com.)

Do you like to write? MG Kids welcomes junior reporters for our staff. We also encourage kids of all ages to submit artwork, poetry and fiction for publication on our site. Click here for more information.

VIDEO: ‘MG WORDPLAY, FUN WITH WORDS,’ FIRST HALF

VIDEO: ‘MG WORDPLAY, FUN WITH WORDS,’ SECOND HALF

anjali and ariya blow with alyse jefferson
MG Kids Correspondent Alyse Jefferson, center, with sisters Anjali and Ariya Blow, ages 9 and 8, respectively, of the New Jersey Orators, at MG Wordplay, Fun With Words. Photo by MG Kids Photographer Ashley Jefferson.

COMPLETE COVERAGE OF ‘MG AT THE ECOCENTER’

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