As writer’s week approaches at Antioch Community High School, one performer students should visit is Joel Chmara. He is currently a professor at the College of Lake County teaching communication.

Chmara started poetry slamming in 1997 at Green Mill in Chicago, IL. He has traveled throughout Europe and America. Some significant events in his career are, placing top ten at the 2002 National Poetry Slam, featured on the 2003 HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, a member of the Uptown Poetry Slam Troupe. The Uptown Poetry Slam Troupe is a traveling poetry group created by Marc Smith. He has written and performed poetry and comedy on The Loop, 97.9 FM radio station, and parody songs for the Harry and Spike show, 1000 AM. He co-hosted the Mental Graffiti open mic and poetry slam in Chicago. He has contributed to The Encyclopedia Show, which is a live variety show.

Joel is scheduled to perform on Wednesday, April 1, at ACHS. Visit Joel in his workshop in the auditorium during first and second hour, and in a classroom workshop during fourth hour.

To sign up for Chmara’s workshop visit the workshop enrollment page or email English teacher Katharine Giertych at [email protected].