Francesca DeRosa
Arts & Entertainment Editor
What inspired you to start performing?
I’ve always been into creative writing, and I haven’t been getting enough of it done. More often than not it’s hard to find a way to perform. I guess who really started it [performance poetry]all was Taylor Mali, who became a Youtube star. I saw one of his videos, and it really started it for me. I was so inspired that I decided to try some of my own.
When did you start?
It’s relatively new. I started in September. I always try to find new ways to express myself, and this a really unexpressed art form.
What inspires your poetry?
They’re all original poems. It’s funny, the writing process is relatively short. It basically comes once my mind goes to a specific subject. Most of my poems come from conversations I have with my friends, the music I’m listening too. I try to draw inspiration from the entire spectrum. Variety is the spice of life – that’s what makes work original.
Do you get any help producing your videos?
No, most of them are self-produced. Usually I get them done in about an hour tops. It’s just a matter of rehearsing them and then getting it out there.
What do you like best about performance poetry?
I see poetry, as opposed to all the other activities I’m involved in, as a sort of therapeutic art form. I see it as a way of standing up and voicing my opinions. There’s a famous poet – George Watsky – who said “I write because I’m not the kind to fist-fight”.
What plans do you have for the future?
This year a friend of mine – Tyler Gigi – and I are starting a club called NCHS Voice. It’s a way to perform with open mic. All is welcome. It’s basically getting your voice across – our motto is “speak up, New Canaan”. We’ve had a couple of meetings already, so we’re test-driving it.
To learn more about Nick and his poetry:
Join Nick’s Facebook group: “N.J. Zanca (performance poet)”
