With Friday's showcase performance in the NHCC's Bank of America Theater looming, Voces students were asked by facilitators Carlos Contreras and Mikaela Wittmore-Renz to prepare a second performance piece and "audtition" on Wednesday afternoon, June 24.
The auditions would determine which Voces students would be able to perform a second poem on Friday night -- a move made necessary by the increased number of Voces students this year (27) and the desire to keep Friday's showcase a reasonable length.
Below is the first video of Sam Sainz, performing her poem "Prayer," along with text of the poem and a self-critique by Sam.
"Prayer"
By Sam Sainz
I don’t know what prayer does, or if it even works,
but sometimes it does make me feel better,
some people pray for peace,
forgiveness or strength.
Prayer is one thing where it doesn’t matter your religion, color, or gender
What do I pray for?
Words mostly.
Words for poetry to make this world a better place,
or just a little happier.
Sometimes when I pray
I don’t know who I’m praying to.
God is always changing
Some days she eats posole, and tacos,
or sings opera.
Other days she is waltzing through the desert sands.
But she is steady in her promises.
I’m always answered.
No is an answer too.
My god doesn’t need statues or ceremonies to know we believe.
I don’t force others to believe.
what I do.
I’m not going to accept everything I’m told in church
Why are there no books in the bible written by women?
Why can’t I say Christmas break in school?
Why do parents tell their children that they’re going to hell,
For liking the same sex?
Why am I a murderer if I have an abortion?
I’m going to fill in my bruises with colors that aren’t black and blue
The love of people, kindness, and unique thought.
I’m not going to waste
my time here.
Sam's self-critique
I think my performance could improve a lot by (Friday).
I need to get off page, so that means memorize, memorize, memorize.
I need to be more direct and with a purpose with my movements.
Other than that I must slow down, and remember to breath, also be more confident in my writing.
The auditions would determine which Voces students would be able to perform a second poem on Friday night -- a move made necessary by the increased number of Voces students this year (27) and the desire to keep Friday's showcase a reasonable length.
Below is the first video of Sam Sainz, performing her poem "Prayer," along with text of the poem and a self-critique by Sam.
"Prayer"
By Sam Sainz
I don’t know what prayer does, or if it even works,
but sometimes it does make me feel better,
some people pray for peace,
forgiveness or strength.
Prayer is one thing where it doesn’t matter your religion, color, or gender
What do I pray for?
Words mostly.
Words for poetry to make this world a better place,
or just a little happier.
Sometimes when I pray
I don’t know who I’m praying to.
God is always changing
Some days she eats posole, and tacos,
or sings opera.
Other days she is waltzing through the desert sands.
But she is steady in her promises.
I’m always answered.
No is an answer too.
My god doesn’t need statues or ceremonies to know we believe.
I don’t force others to believe.
what I do.
I’m not going to accept everything I’m told in church
Why are there no books in the bible written by women?
Why can’t I say Christmas break in school?
Why do parents tell their children that they’re going to hell,
For liking the same sex?
Why am I a murderer if I have an abortion?
I’m going to fill in my bruises with colors that aren’t black and blue
The love of people, kindness, and unique thought.
I’m not going to waste
my time here.
Sam's self-critique
I think my performance could improve a lot by (Friday).
I need to get off page, so that means memorize, memorize, memorize.
I need to be more direct and with a purpose with my movements.
Other than that I must slow down, and remember to breath, also be more confident in my writing.
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