From verse to better

The stage is set and the show is about to begin. The actors have taken their places. But this isn’t some elaborate performance at a Center City theater. There are no curtain calls, costumes or high-priced tickets.

It is theatrical simplicity at its best, and the performers say they are more concerned with relaying their optimistic messages than receiving a standing ovation.

"Through our poetry, we show there is always a positive way of looking at things," says Will Little, founder of the group Poetry in Motion.

Little and his team of 12 South Philadelphia performers are spreading their can-do message throughout the area, using such outlets as poetry reading, singing and acting.

Ranging in age from 12 to 43, the players come from different backgrounds, but asked why they joined the four-month-old group, they express similar reasons.

"Poetry in Motion is so important because it gets across ways of dealing with inner-city trials and tribulations in a positive way," says Poetry in Motion’s oldest member, Ren�e Chamberlain.

The team’s creative juices start flowing at their biweekly practice sessions at Jazz-U-Up Barbershop, 15th and Tasker streets, where Little works. The poets of the group start things off by reciting their latest works to the others. Then, the group brainstorms for ways to mesh the words into a performance.

During the skits, the poet will recite his or her story while the actors put it into motion, describes Little. Certain skits include only a few members, while others incorporate the entire cast.

"We have skits dealing with many issues, ranging from self-development to ways you can improve the environment you live in," says Little, 30.

The players have taken their talents on the road and have performed throughout the city, including locally at Vare Recreation Center, 26th and Morris streets.

Poetry in Motion has a permanent gig at Warmdaddy’s, Front and Market streets, on the first Monday of every month, performing such skits as "Domestic Violence" and "I Don’t Want to be Like Him," in which the poet explains how to overcome the wrongdoings of one’s parents.

The skit "Heaven and Hell" deals with one’s choices in life and how they will affect the afterlife, Chamberlain says.

Little, of the 2000 block of Pierce Street, says audiences are very receptive to the messages his group is trying to relay.

"People who come and see our shows for the first time are overwhelmed at what they see," he says.

The idea for Poetry in Motion arrived, quite literally, as a message in a bottle.

Ever the innovator, Little would store scrolls of his own poetry in bottles, each relaying an uplifting message to its recipient. He sold his custom-made "Poetry in a Bottle" for special occasions and holidays at the Plymouth Meeting Mall.

But like any artist, Little wanted to reach more people, so he started Poetry in Motion. He still sells the bottled poetry, for $15-$25, after every performance.

Through a network of friends and people he met at the barbershop, Little was able to tap other creative individuals to form his troupe. As the group’s popularity has increased over the past few months, so has the number of performers, he says.

"When we started in June, this was the first time most of the actors and poets performed in front of a crowd," says Little. "Now, we do it to a perfection that people think we’ve been doing this for years."

The energy from those appreciative audiences motivates the members, who all work as volunteers. The players (also known by their "show names") say they have no problem working for free, since their performances are meant to benefit the community.

"It’s important younger people grow up with something positive," says member Carlie Matthews, also known as "Crush." "They can then pass on our message to the following generation."

Matthews, of the 1500 block of South 21st Street, says youths are being exposed to the wrong influences through television and even in their own neighborhoods.

"Television is not really teaching anything to the young," says Matthews, 34. "What Poetry in Motion does is show there is more to life than sex, drugs and violence."

Younger members of the group say participating has even had an impact on their own lives.

"Being a part of this group really brings out the best in me," says 15-year-old Carla Gamble.

Rhisheen Jackson, also known as "Hollywood," was drawn to the group by the energy of its performers.

"Everybody brings something different to the group, and together we make music," says Jackson, 23.

All of the members credit Little with bringing his vision to the stage — whatever stage that might be at the moment.

"A lot of people said it couldn’t be done," says 19-year-old poet Jermar Washington, of the 1900 block of Wharton Street. "They didn’t see the big picture. Will planted the seed and it was grown."

Little says his main goal remains showing people that there are ways to overcome adversity.

"Even though you might be in a negative situation, there’s always a positive way of looking at it," he says.