Every January, Tigertail Productions produces SpeakOut—a performance, series of community workshops and poetry slam focused on LGBTQ teens led by a nationally recognized LGBTQ poet. This year Arab-American spoken word poet Andrea Assaf will be in residence, and she’ll lead school and community workshops, a poetry slam for LGBTQ youth and a reading for a general audience. During her residency, Assaf will perform and lead workshops for students at a number of Miami-Dade high schools, giving local teens and the community the opportunity to experience the power of spoken word.

Andrea Assaf.

“SpeakOut is an astounding transformative project,” said Mary Luft, Tigertail Productions’ executive director. “We very much look forward to bringing Andrea Assaf here for the first time to work with our local teens. She brings a fresh perspective that is sure to fascinate our teens.”

Andrea Assaf is the founding Artistic Director of Art2Action, which “creates, develops, produces and presents new and devised theater work, interdisciplinary performances, performative acts and progressive cultural organizing.” She is also the former artistic director of New World Theater (2004-09) and program associate for Animating Democracy (2001-04).

SpeakOut Open Mic and Slam: The youth component of the residency culminates in an event for LGBTQ teens hosted by Andrea Assaf on Thursday, February 5 at 6 p.m. at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens, 2000 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach. There is no charge to attend, but each participant must be between 13 and 19 years old, and material must be gay-friendly. No reservations are needed. Those interested in the Open Mic and Slam must register at the event between 5-6 p.m.  Performance: Assaf will read and perform her writings and poetry on Friday, February 6 at 8 p.m. at The Betsy Hotel, 1440 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach. This event is free and open to the general public. All events are free. For more information on all events, call 305-324-4337 or visit www.tigertail.org.