In March 2021, Thasia and her gang of faithful WOW-iers took the stage for year ten at Erie, Pa’s Blasco Library.
Heidi: Where did you get the inspiration for WOW?
Thasia: It was autumn of 2009. I was recovering from my fall and subsequent brain injury and had begun hanging out on Friday nights at a local book store. Such a cool atmosphere with a fireplace and welcoming poets. I had produced a chapbook about domestic violence in the early nineties and used it to help heal other survivors. I was sitting in the bookstore and a tall warrior type gorgeous red haired woman went to the mic and read a poem on domestic violence. I was immediately struck with how her poem spoke to one of mine.
A couple weeks later someone read a poem on the loss of a child. I have an unpublished collection of poems about the loss of my 26 year old son. Again I was struck with the thought her poem spoke to mine. That was the seed of using poetry to talk about difficult situations. Over the years we have tackled many difficult and upsetting subjects in a calm respectful way that allows the audience to contemplate both sides. Subjects included: domestic violence, rape, incest, PTSD, death and loss, human trafficking, abortion, poverty, addiction, gun violence and many others.
Heidi: What are some differences between year one and year ten?
Thasia: Year one was virginal in this whole aspect. I called it Women of Word, and it was only female participants of varying ages. Heidi, you are one of my original Wow-iers. The event was held in Smith Chapel at Penn State Behrend. We always start the show with each poet stating a negative word on our yearly theme, and end the show on a positive word. The first year it was feelings about women and our 80-something wonder woman, Marge Wonner, yelled “Slut” in the Chapel! I knew immediately we needed a more progressive space! By year two, I already felt the need to add some phenomenal male voices to the mix. We have since been known as Women of Word featuring a few Man Made Words. WOW.
Heidi: How many people have been involved over the years?
Thasia: We have showcased close to 40 voices of nearly all ages. Heidi you have been in all but one. There are two of you with that distinction, you and Marjorie Wonner. I am so proud to include 5 professors, 2 world class dancers, 5 social workers, 1 Poet Laureate, and an adjunct instructor/ teacher. WOW was previously held at 2 Universities, Penn State Behrend and Edinboro University. All of it in a one of a kind show that started right here in Erie County, PA.
Heidi: Are any past WOW performances available for viewing?
Thasia: In the past they were all videotaped on one camera, which made for a very amateur looking video. This year I received a grant to hire the local CAM media crew, and with three cameras the results are pretty amazing. I also jumped into live performance in 2021 by live streaming. There were so many new aspects this year. We had a new venue with the Erie County Raymond Blasco Library offering up the Hirt Auditorium that will be our new home. Much bigger and brighter. Also to live stream we all needed to have lavalier mics, which was a complicated first. We joined up for the first time with Sovereign ballet, and went from one dancer to four. Another first was Gisele Littrell with two original songs on guitar that fit beautifully.
Heidi: Where do you see WOW going in the future?
Thasia: With our new venue with triple the seating capacity that we had on the Edinboro University Campus, so many more folks can experience live poetry in a completely different way than they have in the past. Also with the live streaming in its infancy with WOW, I was able to determine by the comments left for us that we reached NYC, Buffalo, LA., Oregon, Orlando, Winter Haven, and Davenport, Fl., Meadville and Erie, PA.
Heidi: What is your favorite aspect of producing WOW?
Thasia: Seeing the voices in my head become reality. Hearing a song on the radio, and with no dance experience finding someone who can make that happen. How we have represented Erie and been spoken of in other countries such as India, several African countries, and educated so many on such a varied array of subjects.
Heidi: Thasia, thank you so much for speaking with me today! Women of Word is still going strong and that makes me so happy. I can’t wait to see what you think up for us next year!
To view WOW 2021, the ten year celebration, you can go online to CAMErie.PA The edited version will be aired 4/ 9 @ 7pm and 4/10 @ 5pm. If you have any questions or comments, Thasia can be reached at tannetaf@gmail.com
The CAM schedule changes monthly and Thasia can let you know when to catch WOW on tv.
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