Beyond Theater Blog

There’s power in the pen, and Mila the Phoenix is proof. A poet, performer, and practicing therapist, Mila merges her love for the stage with her mission to raise mental health awareness in every line she delivers

When Charles Fears Jr steps to the mic, it’s more than a performance, it’s a ministry in motion. With a heart full of purpose and a voice shaped by faith, Charles has been using music as a vessel for transformation since the age of 14

With a pen in one hand and unapologetic truth in the other, Ms Marquita Writes is redefining what it means to show up boldly, honestly, and free. A rising voice in Philadelphia’s spoken word scene, Marquita may have only been performing for a year, but her impact already reads like a veteran’s chapter.

With a name that echoes classical greatness and a voice that pulses with raw, present-day power, Bae Thoven isn’t here to entertain, they’re here to unearth. A multidisciplinary artist whose creative journey began on the theater stage

For The Stuttering Poet, poetry isn’t just performance, it’s personal liberation. Growing up with a speech impediment, he often felt like his voice didn’t land the way he intended. But instead of shrinking in silence, he chose a mic

There are artists who perform, and then there are artists who embody purpose. Knowbody, this year’s featured performer at the Jasai Open Mic, is the latter, an all-in-one lyricist, musician, dancer, and educator whose journey is rooted in legacy, authenticity, and evolution

When Naima the Self Love Poet steps on stage, she’s not just performing—she’s healing, inspiring, and awakening the love we often forget to give ourselves. Her poetry is a revolution wrapped in rhythm, vulnerability, and truth

Eboni Ferguson is more than a poet. More than a filmmaker. More than a producer. She is a force of creative intention, using every word, frame, and project to educate, uplift, and represent

For over a decade, I-Know Brasco has been a respected name in the Philadelphia rap scene. A lyrical force and community-minded creative, Brasco brings more than rhymes, he brings responsibility

For Haiti Ock, music isn’t just a passion, it’s purpose. With more than 15 years in the game, this seasoned recording artist has graced stages nationwide, opened for industry heavyweights, and brought powerful energy to every performance.