CLEVELAND — Morgan Paige and Tom Parker are the co-creators of Poetry Unplugged, a monthly spoken word poetry open mic that has been taking Cleveland by storm. But as they explain, their writing journeys began long before these events.
"I used to get in trouble for writing on my walls, writing on furniture, stuff like that, but I told my dad I wanted to be a writer," Paige recalled. "He was like, 'writers don't make no money. You got to be an accountant like me'."
But four years ago, Paige says she took the leap into performing her work.
"2019 was like my year one when I could say, 'oh, I wrote a poem' and then I started performing at open mics around Cleveland and it was like, this is what I want to do."
Paige and Parker first met at one of those open mic nights, and soon realized they shared a common vision.
"I met Morgan at B Side on Coventry in [Cleveland Heights], and I had just started. I'm like, 'oh man, she's really good.' It seems very effortless when she's up there speaking and I was like, 'hey, could you help me'? It was at times for me especially, nobody would really listen to me because I'm new at this, but I want to be heard," Parker said.
And after meeting and agreeing on a mutual principle that everyone should be heard, the duo began Poetry Unplugged.
"I think for Cleveland it's super important because a lot of the time we are in households, we grow up in households where we're not able to share feelings," Paige said.
That's another thing they agree upon - the therapeutic elements of the art form itself.
"I definitely think it is a coping mechanism to being around people and sharing your art and other people being able to say, I can relate to that," said Paige.
Cleveland has responded positively to the event series as well, with partnerships with MOCA, Contrast High, Lounges CLE and record turnouts for the events. Today, Poetry Unplugged is becoming a staple for the city's art scene.
"Being a fan of poetry, the poets that went up there, the stuff they was spitting, it was impactful. It was greatness. That's when I was like, 'oh, this is real,' Parker recalled.
And the pair encourage all to come out and give it a try.
"Poetry Unplugged is not a popularity contest," Paige said. You don't [have to have experience] so many people that never even performed before wanted to get up on the mic and share something, even if you've never done poetry, it's just good to experience."
The next Poetry Unplugged will be held on Dec 14, 2023, from 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM at St's Place at 1258 E 105th St, Cleveland, OH 44108. Bring in an item for their holiday drive and you can save $5 off your ticket price - more information can be found here.