Self Awareness in Showmanship

David Gaines is a Black writer, filmmaker and performer based in his hometown of Philadelphia. His work examines Blackness, masculinity, Christianity and mental health through an intersectional lens, and has been featured in the National Black Arts Festival, International Human Rights Art Festival, Write About Now, among many others. David has won numerous national slam poetry championships and placed 4th at the 2017 Individual World Poetry Slam. In 2020, he became the Poet Laureate of Montgomery County, PA and his poetry short film "Fine china." received international acclaim. Using written, visual and physical languages he hopes to make audiences laugh, think and reflect.