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Jason N. Smith is a poet and has read at the National Theatre, Bet355 and the Royal Festival Hall, London's St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, Six Towns One City Carnival and featured in BBC 4 Listener programme and National 'Prison Radion at BBC Broadcasting House.
Jason's work addresses themes of personal and social struggle and he has been involved in various projects and performances highlighting diverse talents.
Jason has created works in response to the demolition of a shopping center in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, and clashes between left-wing groups in England. His poetry frequently aims to heal, teach, and share the joy of life, blended with personal experiences.
His workshops focus on motivational speaking, creative expression, and well-being, providing inspiration and insight drawn from life experiences.
Jason has worked for the Probation Service as a Community Support Worker as a development coach and has published poetry collection Beyond Words released an album titled: The Word, as I Witness (Available on all platforms) and is an Expert Citizens member.
Writers CV
Performances, Workshops, Keynote Events & Publications
2024 Keynote Speaker and performance at Expert Citizens National Insight Awards. Catalyst Hall, Staffordshire University, Stoke on Trent.
2024 Commision: B-Arts Micro Scratch Performance.
2023 performance at Wolverhampton Literature Festival. Mander Centre, Wolverhampton.
2021 Facilitator of Four workshops at HMP Hewell. Using creative writing to provide voice to POC after George Floyd tragedy Workshops 1.5hrs long each, including time for introductions and a break.
2021 Facilitated four workshops over a two day period at HMYOI Aylesbury using creative writing to provide voice to POC after the George Floyd tragedy. Workshops 1.5hrs long each, including time for introductions and a break.
2020 Workshop: Poetry development at Ruff and Ruby, Potteries Centre Hanley, Stoke on Trent.
2019 BBC 4 Listening Project: a shared discussion with Darren Murrias stored in the National British Archives, recorded at BBC Stoke Radio.
2019 Panellist on National Prison Radio at BBC Broadcasting House, London.
2019-2020 Organising a poets corner where over twenty artist shared poetry and music.
2019-2020 Mainstage Performances: Six Towns One City Carnival, Stoke on Trent.
2019 Haiku poetry slam winner at thebigfestival Appetite at Mitchell Art Centre.
2019 Poetry Slam Winner: Word season 1 Episode 8 Poetry Slam.
2019 Commission: Produced spoken word and acted in a video raising awareness of mental health service: Liaison and Diversion. In collaboration with Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust & Junction 15 Film and a professional cast.
Watch the video on YouTube
2019 Headline Performance at Shrewsbury Literature Festival in support of Dean Atta.
2019 Judging Spoken word Awards at Koestler Arts Centre.
2019 Commission: Workshop and Performance with HMPPS National Care Experienced People Conference at Leicester Race Course.
2019 Commision: Totem: A brand-new mixed-arts event, where dissimilar artists will combine work.
2019 Commission: Performance at Anne Peaker Lecture event at New Vic Theatre London.
https://artsincriminaljustice.org.uk/events/ncjaa-past-events/anne-peaker-lecture-2019/
2018 Tate Modern as a speaking book with the Human Library.
2018 Workshops to develop poetry for performance at a cumulative event where students shared a stage with celebrated poets, Poet Laureate of Staffordshire, Nick Degg, Gabriella Gay. at Stoke City Sixth Form College.
2018 Workshop and Performance at Warwick University addressing the Prison crisis.
2018 Commission: Produced spoken word World Social Work Day 2018 at Bet365 Stadium Stoke on Trent, in conjunction with Keele University and North West Midlands Social Work teaching Partnership. Two hundred delegates.
2018 Performance: at Koestler Trust ‘I’m Still Here’ exhibition, South Bank Centre, London, Literature Festival.
2018 Poetry Slam win at Shrewsbury Literature Festival.
2018 Keynote Speaker at Expert Citizens National Insight Awards. Kings Hall, Stoke on Trent, delivered poetry and spoken word addressing importance of community.
2017 Poetry Slam Winner: Word Shrapnel, Stafford.
2017 Commission: Produce and perform poetry at Festival of Hope and Talent St Ethelburga’s Centre, Bishopsgate, London
2017 Commission: Produced and perform spoken word marking the demolition of Hanley’s old bus station and shopping centre. The Last Bus
2017 Workshop with Younger Mind, Minzone creating poetry for wellbeing at Hanley Royal Volunteer Centre.
2017 Roadshow Workshops on overcoming fear with Ruff and Ruby at Burslem and Cauldon Colleges, Stoke on Trent.
2017 Commission: Produced and perform spoken word for SafeGround Symposium, 'A Matter of Life and Death,' at Roundhouse, London.
https://www5.open.ac.uk/research-centres/herc/blog/prisons-and-matters-life-and-death
2016 Commissioned spoken word performance at National Theatre, London to launch SafeGround's MOVING/HOME Symposium.
2016
Roadshow workshops with Ruby Girl and Ruff Diamonds promoting positive belief at Burslem and Cauldon Colleges, Stoke on Trent.
Publications:
2010 In The Book That Saved My Life, published by English PEN as a runner up.
2017 Short Story published in Stoke on Trent City Voices anthology, Connections.
2011 A West Midlands Platinum Award for 'Never to Fall' novella, featured in Koestler Arts 'Arrow in the Blue' exhibition.
2012 A Platinum Award from Koestler Arts and performance at Royal Festival Hall, Southbank, London.
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.