Aaron Jafferis

Aaron Jafferis (he/him) is a hip-hop poet and playwright whose works Activist Songbook, The Ones, (Be)longing, Stuck Elevator, How to Break, Kingdom, Shakespeare: The Remix, and No Lie have been produced or presented by The Old Globe, American Conservatory Theater, Long Wharf, Collective Consciousness and many others. Honors include a Creative Capital Award, Richard Rodgers Award, Sundance Institute/Time Warner Fellowship, NEA Art Works Grant, NEFA National Theatre Project Grant, and multiple MacDowell Fellowships. Aaron is also a former Open Rap Slam champion at the National Poetry Slam Championships.

Aaron will be working with Hi-ARTS through our CRITICAL BREAKS Residency on his project, “How to Break.” An electric collision of theatre, breaking, and lyrical flow, “How to Break” is a compelling new musical about two teen dancers battling for control over their own bodies.

Differences in race, class, and language between Ana, Joel, and their treatment team – a doctor, music therapist, and beatboxing nurse – create life-threatening rifts and reveal the hidden strengths of vulnerability.

Image courtesy of Aaron Jafferies