Jennifer Falu has made performing poetry her life. Recently, she transformed
one of her celebrated poems into a one-woman theatrical show entitled, ?LOVE, above all things: testimonial of a woman who loses things?praise gave it back.?
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Approximately one year ago, during a Sunday service at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, led by the renowned Rev. Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood, Jennifer Falu, an award-winning spoken word artist, recited her poem, ?Loses Things? to the congregation.? The feedback was overwhelming! In this poem, Falu shared with the audience her story about losing things like her keys and the painful experience of temporarily losing custody of her children to the foster care system.
The one woman show is a journey into the first few days of the three-plus year battle that Falu is still fighting to get her children back. ?Initially, it was like watching a movie about my life and I was invisible and powerless,? she explains. ?I felt like a broken-down loser inside, as the reality of the accusations and the impact of it all set in on me and my kids.?? The story is also about the opportunity for growth, joy and love.
Falu?s family, church family and friends rallied around her for support. With the unwavering loyalty and blessings of her pastor, Rev. Youngblood, church member Denise Gray, Producer and President of SeasonWalk Productions and Obie award-winning Director Jesse Wooden, Jr., Falu was encouraged to share her story and be the catalyst for healing. “Jennifer Falu is a gift to the world that ought to be experienced,? states Rev. Youngblood. ?For those of us who do, our lives are made better.? And for those of us who do not, well…”
* The performance runs from Thursday, March 27th through Saturday, March 29th at 7:30 pm and ends with a matinee at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 30th.? Performances are at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, Spann-Washington Hall, located at 760 DeKalb Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11216. For information and tickets,? call 347-915-2729.
About Jennifer Falu
Falu recently won first place in NBC TV?s Amiri Baraka Poetry Slam and is currently ranked third internationally in the Women of the World Poetry Slam. She is a celebrated performance artist throughout NYC and across the country. As a member of the 2006, 2009 and 2012 Nuyorican Poets Caf? Slam Teams, she became the top female poet of the year in 2006, and ranked 3rd in both 2009 and 2012. As a performer, Falu has shared the stage with singers Jennifer Holliday, Carl Thomas and Patti LaBelle. She makes her film debut in the soon-to-be released movie, ?Mania Days? alongside Katie Holmes.
