'A Night of Poetry' reopens historic Playmakers Theatere

The reopening of the Playmakers Theatre was nothing short of poetic.

The nearly 150-year-old building, renewed by a fresh coat of paint and red velvet cushioned seats, was filled with students’ voices raised in song, dissent, praise and laughter as part of “A Night of Poetry,” the event celebrating the theater’s reopening.

But the night also brought to light some of the lingering deficiencies in the building.

Def Jam poet and host of the evening Shihan Van Clief remarked he did not have time to visit the restroom before going onstage, because he would have to trek to the next building.

Recent renovations on the theater did not include the bathrooms in the basement or the lobby.

Furthermore, the intimate venue, ideal for Tuesday night’s poetry reading, could not accommodate all interested students.

A line of shivering students stood outside the door peering into the theatre.

Despite these setbacks, the night was a success, members of the Carolina Union Activities Board said. CUAB hosted Tuesday’s poetry night with the Ebony Readers Onyx Theatre.

EROT performers began the night with verses of diversity and adversity.

Brave student poets followed during the open mike portion of the night, spouting lyrics of empowerment.

One of the night’s most compelling pieces came from a male duo with a biting piece which criticized the second amendment. Each verse was punctuated with snaps from the crowd, and the performance received a standing ovation.

Violence, oppression, and the institutions which impose them were attacked in the work.

Themes and motifs which date back to a time prior to the building itself were given a new rhythm.

After a brief intermission and an a cappella performance by student vocal group Harmonyx, Van Clief took the stage.

His dynamic and comedic storytelling and conversational poems thrilled the audience.

He might be confused with a comedian rather than a poet. The variety within his performance shifted between severity and lightheartedness.

Van Clief closed with a request for his most famous piece, “This Type Love.”

The theater, now open for student and academic department use, can be booked online from the office of the executive director for the arts.

“It’s fantastic that the University has one more space to give our students a creative outlet,” said Harry Kaplowitz, marketing manager for the office of the executive director for the arts.

Not many people have reserved the new space yet, said Michael Johnson, director of operations for the office of the executive director for the arts.

Johnson added, once groups start to use the space, more requests will roll in.

Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.