Sarge Lintecum

Approval Type

Community Based

Artistic Discipline

Multi-disciplinary

Teaching Artist Approach

I believe that teaching others to tell their stories through poetry and music is inspiring work because I know from personal experience that writing can literally save one's life. By giving an honest presentation about my life, including my struggle with the aftermath of my Vietnam War experiences, students are eager to share their own stories. The sharing of these stories is vital to the intent of my program, so immediately following my introduction performance, I engage the students in conversation and questions. I believe that being genuine with and accessible to the students adds to the comfort level of their learning experience which in turn opens avenues to communication. Interaction between my self and the students and between the students themselves is stressed in my program because it helps us all reach new levels of self-awareness, creativity, and expression.

Resume/Bio

 Sarge Lintecum's Bio

Program Description

My residencies are designed to motivate and inspire students to write and tell their own stories through poetry and song. I begin by introducing them to the idea that most people love poetry even though they may think they don't, because most people love music, and songs are just poetry turned into music. I show the students examples of turning poetry into music by performing my "Vietnam Blues" music and Slam (performance art) Poetry. After my performance, I answer students' questions and tell them my own compelling story. I then present several writing styles and get the students started on their own pieces. I recommend students begin with free verse poetry so their writing can flow more freely by being able to focus on their stories instead of rules. Students are encouraged to engage in group brainstorming and sharing their stories with peers during the writing process. This technique nurtures class enthusiasm, unique creativity, peer acceptance, and fun! My program also includes performance instruction, microphone use, delivery techniques, and stage presence to prepare students for the culminating event called the "Poetry Slam". The Slam is an exciting way to reward the students because it gives them a chance to perform their work before their school and their community. The Poetry Slam is always a huge hit with both the students and the community because it's a high-energy, fast-paced competition where five audience members are randomly picked to judge the poets and their poetry "Olympic Style". Fun is had by all, prizes are won, and no student goes away empty handed or empty hearted!
As far as the age-appropriate aspect of my program, I have taught kindergarten through college classes quite successfully. I must admit that when I was doing a 30 day residency in Williams, Arizona for K-8, the kindergarten teachers first looked at me like, "What's this guy going to do for MY class?" I had it covered, though, because I have a lot of material not related to Vietnam, although I must brag that I'm able to grab the attention of all age groups with my Vietnam Blues songs (which sometime include humor), powerful music, and high energy performance.

Areas of Interest

Grades K-6, Grades 7-12, In School, After-School / Out-of-School, Young Adults, Adults, Older Adults, Intergenerational, Persons with disabilities, At-Risk, Underserved

Technical Requirements

When teaching students how to write and perform poetry and songs, my standard equipment is a microphone, a microphone stand, a music stand, an amplifier, and a CD player. For some classes, I also use a TV, a DVD player, and a slide projector. For auditorium and stage performances, I use the equipment listed above with the addition of a monitor and sitting stool.

Space Requirements

My performance space ranges from classroom size to concert band shells and I can easily adapt to whatever space is provided to me. Generally, though, in educational settings I use a classroom, a multi-purpose room, an auditorium, and/or a theatre stage. I don't have any storage or security requirements when performing in classrooms because I take my equipment to and from class each day. When performing in the larger settings, I'm provided with a sound system and any additional required equipment which is stored and secured by the school.

Supply Requirements

I use the standard school blackboard with chalk or message boards with markers for student instruction and composing poems with the class. For residencies 30 days or longer my program includes publishing a school "chapbook" composed of the students' poems, so I need access to a computer with book publishing software, a colored printer, and printer paper.

Special Considerations

When doing a residency program that culminates in a Poetry Slam, rehearsal space is required in the same space where the Slam will take place. When my program includes a student chapbook for a school fundraiser, a space is needed for the books to be sold at the Slam.

References

Patrick & Cheryl Fries, Owners, Arrowhead Film & Video
522 E. 6th Street Austin, TX 78701
www.intheshadowoftheblade.com Phone: 512.302.1100

Lee Oskar, Owner, Lee Oskar Harmonica Company
P.O. Box 1120 Duvall, WA 98019
www.leeoskar.com Phone: 425.844.9889

Lee Andresen, Lake Superior College Professor, Author, "Battle Notes: Music of the Vietnam War"
2101 Trinity Road Duluth, MN 55811
www.battlenotes.com Phone: 715.392.5340

Clarke Rigsby, Owner, Tempest Recording
P.O. Box 1007 Tempe, AZ 85280
www.tempestrecording.com Phone: 480.968.9506

Sarge Rodriquez, Nam Jam Director
Vietnam Veterans of America, Tucson Chapter #106
juanrodriguez11@msn.com Phone: 520.790.8485

Fees

Please Contact Artist to Negotiate Fees