By Alexandra Mandalakis
Fordham Experimental Theatre’s Black Sheep Performance Poetry Troupe performed its first show of the semester this past weekend. Their Valentine’s Day show, entitled “Spread the Love,” was a love-themed experience, the stage decorated for a romantic evening with paper hearts and lights.
Before entering the Black Box Theatre, the team provided tea and encouraged the audience members to write valentines and place them on stage before finding their seats. Between performances, co-captains Rowan Hornbeck, FCRH ’18, and Declan Murphy, FCRH ’18, shared the audience’s personalized notes – a great way to promote audience participation and add to the fun.
The troupe performed poems on various themes of love and what love means to them. There was a statement on self-love by Sophia Guidici, FCRH ’19, a declaration of a war on love by Simon Rodriguez, GSB ’20, and various poems on love not only between romantic interests, but between friends, families and strangers. All present team members recited beautiful poems.
At the end of the show, Black Sheep introduced its two newest members, seniors Katelyn Slaney, FCRH ’18 and Will Charles, FCRH ’18. Both had notable performances, Slaney stating in her piece that love is a “thank you,” and Charles mentioning the power of music and the reminder to give friends the love they deserve. Both gave very impressive first performances, and are great additions to the team.
FET’s Black Sheep provides an opportunity for students to step outside their comfort zone. According to Murphy, Black Sheep is “a creative outlet unlike anything else I’ve ever done. The ability to grow as a writer, alongside other amazing writers, and to put on innovative shows is really unique.”
Black Sheep means a lot to Hornbeck as well. “I’ve been a part of Black Sheep for most of my time here at Fordham, and it’s where I’ve made some of my closest friends” said Hornbeck. “There’s something just so amazing about connecting with different people who love the same art form you do”.
Black Sheep’s “Spread the Love” was one of the team’s best shows. “We love doing Valentine’s shows. I think that really opens people up to poetry who are normally hesitant in coming to our shows” said Murphy. Rowan also commented on the success of the Valentine’s weekend. “The energy was great and it was a super-fun show. Our new members did an amazing job, as did the rest of the team. This show made me really excited for what the rest of this semester has to bring.”
Check out Black Sheep Performance Poetry on Instagram at @blacksheep_poetry for more information.
