File, Digital Video

Authors Series
2003 Eady
Masterclass
Master

Digital video transferred from a MiniDV tape containing raw footage of Cornelius Eady's masterclass session held at Marygrove College on April 11, 2003, in conjunction with his appearance in the Contemporary American Authors Lecture series.

The recording begins with an introduction from Dr. Frank Rashid. He acknowledges the participating schools, and members of Marygrove's staff. Dr. Loretta G. Woodard then provides an introduction for Cornelius Eady.

Eady begins his presentation by reading a series of his poems--"Poetry," "Florida," "The Woman," "Double Team," "Sanctified," "I'm a Fool to Love You," "Almost Grown," "Leavin' Trunk," "Why Was I Born: A Duet between John Coltrane and Kenny Burrell," and "Gratitude." He then takes questions from the audience. His responses deal with getting into writing poetry in high school, rap, Cave Canem, and advice for young writers. He then reads several pieces from "Brutal Imagination," "How I Got Born," "My Heart," and "Who Am I?" He then takes more questions from the audience. These concern the character based on Susan Smith's false police report that these poems concern, his research for the project, and his "Running Man" opera. The latter question leads to a reading of his poem, "Sex." He's next asked to read "My Face." He addresses more questions from the audience, these ones dealing with a line in "Susan Smith's Police Report," the role of imagination, and research. He's then asked to read "Piss." After the reading, he takes a question about his role in the African American poetic tradition.

The recording ends after Marygrove student Alia Harvey-Quinn presents Eady with a gift on behalf of the college, and Dr. Rashid returns to deliver some closing remarks.