File, Digital Video

Elizabeth Alexander
Master Class
Marygrove College - Detroit, Michigan - The Contemporary American Authors Lecture Series - Friday April 124[sic], 2009

Digital video taken from a DVD-R containing edited footage of Dr. Elizabeth Alexander’s masterclass presentation at Marygrove College, held on April 24, 2009 in conjunction with the 21st Annual Bauder Contemporary American Authors Lecture. In addition to the masterclass presentation, the disc also ends with a video slideshow of Alexander with the students.

The occasion is hosted by Dr. Donald Levin, the Chair of English and Modern Languages at Marygrove, who appears at the podium to provide an orientation, and recognizes the participating schools as well as contributing staff members. Next, Dr. Loretta Woodard, the Associate Professor of English and Head of the Honors Program, provides the introduction to Dr. Alexander.

In her presentation, Dr. Alexander introduces then reads a series of her poems, then she takes questions from the audience. She opens by reflecting on the inauguration of President Barack Obama as a turning point in history, then she reads her poem "Emancipation." After talking about the role of art in interpreting history, she reads her poem "Nat Turner Dreams of Insurrection." Next, she prefaces her reading of Tanner's Annunciation" by discussing the titular painting. "Praise Song for the Day," which she read at President Obama’s inauguration is her final reading in this section.

In the question and answer segment, she responds to questions about poetry as a source of income, the craft of poetry, influences, her favorite works, winning the Anisfield-Wolf Award for Lifetime Achievement in Poetry, hip-hop and poetry, form and length in poetry, what it was like reading a poem at the inauguration, rhyme schemes, how and when she writes, her poem "Tina Green" (which she then reads), early acknowledgements as a poet, the artwork on the covers of her books, writing prose, influential classes she took, why she was chosen to be at the inauguration, what inspired her to study African American literature, her trajectory as a poet, and whether she feels like her own life is at a turning point.

Dr. Levin then returns to the podium to introduce Briana Williams, a Marygrove student, for some closing remarks.
The disc ends with a slideshow, set to music, of Alexander posing with the grounds of attending students.