Introducing: Ana Paz

Performing for the first time with us is Ana Paz, 14:35-15:00 Friday; 12:05-12:30 Saturday. If she’s new to you/ you’d like a reminder, read on:

In her own words:

“Ana Paz is a spoken word artist of African and Portuguese decent from south east London. With a background in theatre and performing arts, Ana trained at Identity Drama School as well as studying a degree in Performing Arts for Television, Film and Stage at Buckinghamshire New University, graduating in 2011. Her work includes themes such as mental health and well being, female empowerment, Blackness, racism, discrimination and the importance of perspectives within working class communities.

“These narratives are brought to life by the spoken word poetry, the mechanism for therapy, often influenced by Hip Hop. Through this writing, Ana has devised three short theatre pieces: August 5th (2014), Linhas (2014), FlyButterfly (2017). This was featured and performed at venues such as The Place, Richmix, Attenborough Arts Centre, The Cookie, The Y Theatre and Canada Water Space. Overseas, Ana has featured and delivered workshops for Bankstown Poetry Slam, Australian Poetry Slam, Spoken Word Adelaide. In 2015, Ana was the runner up at the first ever Poetry Olympics held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and subsequently won an Arts residency there. In 2017, she released her first spoken word EP titled Talking Therapy, which aired on BBC Radio Leicester introducing and Demon FM the same year. Most recently, Ana has worked as a guest speaker for a variety of organisations across Europe, including The Economist, SheDecides, Global Citizen, Swedish Institute and Women Deliver, reinforcing the issues she addresses through her work in these performances.”

Fay’s words:

Ana’s work is new to me. Well, I think it is – there’s something powerfully familiar about her voice, but that may just be the incredible immediacy she brings with her presence and her words. She reminds me of the both the liminal drift, and the preacher-like rhythms and inspirational, fist-pumping visions of Kate Tempest, Lauren Hill, and Janelle Monáe, but with a style that is all her own. One minute you’re dreamily lost at sea with her, the next nodding emphatically, wanting to shout “Hell, yes!” and bring everyone else along with you. It’s rare to find a poet you want to dance to, but she’s definitely one of them! Really looking forward to seeing her live and feeling that rush of recognition and vision.

Sneak preview:

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