Howard Roland Teen Writing Retreat

Registration is now open for the
Howard Roland Teen Writing Retreat

July 29 through August 3, 2026

 

Open to All Genres of Writing
REGISTER NOW

Atlantic Center for the Arts is happy to announce Jive Poetic as its featured artist for the 2026 Howard Roland Teen Writing Retreat.

“A Brooklyn-based writer and DJ intermingles hip-hop-inflected sensibilities with different media forms to create a ‘printed mixtape’ of his life… The author’s genre-bending fearlessness and the compelling way he expresses his quest for identity and wholeness through words, images, and music make for a one-of-a-kind read. An emotionally rich and complex work.” —Kirkus Reviews on Skip Tracer

“Jive Poetic blends and bends genres of literature and music into odes to family and community. Multiple rhythms and algorithms, several crates of records, a little Nintendo, some reel-to-reel, some bell hooks, and various portraits live in his pages.” ―Terrance Hayes, author of American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin

“Finally, we get to hear from the poet and educator who has lit fires under hundreds of young poets. Jive Poetic mixes history, family, and social commentary to bless us with a one-of-a-kind cross-genre collection.” ―Nicole Sealey, author of The Ferguson Report: An Erasure

Jive Poetic is a writer, organizer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. His work has been showcased on PBS News Hour, BET, and season four of TVONE’s Lexus Verses and Flow. International recognition and support for his work has come from the British Arts Council; U.S. Embassies in Australia, Brazil, and Poland; and the Minister Of Culture in Antigua and Barbuda. Jive is the founder of Insurgent Poets Society, Carnival Slam: Cultural Exchange, and the co-founder of the Brooklyn Poetry Slam. In 2017, Jive was the first recipient of the John Morning Award for Art and Service. When he is not on tour, Jive teaches poetry and hip-hop workshops to at-risk youth in New York City and the surrounding area. Jive received his BA in Media Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo and his MFA in Writing and Activism from Pratt Institute.

Jive is joined by writers Mareya Norris (narrative writing) and Algie Hendrieth (spoken word):

Mareya Norris

Mareya Norris is a playwright and theatre artist based in Orlando, Florida. She holds a B.A. in Theatre Studies from the UCF and studied theatre abroad in London through IES Abroad. Her original works include We Are Young, Another Shot, It’s a Match, and Two-Faced, which is currently in development. Mareya’s plays have been featured in UCF Project Spotlight’s One-Act Festival, and she has contributed to productions as a writer, director, actor, and dramaturg.

Returning to the Atlantic Center for the Arts for her second year, Mareya continues to explore storytelling rooted in real-life experiences and authentic dialogue. With her foundation being in playwriting, she has experience writing one-acts, full-length, musicals, and more recently, expanding her creative work into short stories. This year’s workshop reflects that evolution, introducing elements of fiction and nonfiction writing alongside script development.

Mareya is passionate about helping writers transform personal moments into compelling narratives, guiding participants through character development, authentic dialogue, and shaping ideas that finalize their written work.

Algie Hendrieth

Algie Hendrieth is a spoken word poet, performer, and storyteller who believes everyone has a story worth telling—and that the right words can shake a room. He has performed across the country at open mics, poetry slams, showcases, and churches, bringing energy, honesty, and a little bit of fire to every stage he steps on.

Algie started performing in local theatre during high school and discovered spoken word poetry during his freshman year at the University of Central Florida. Since then, he has shared stages with some of the country’s most respected performance poets and continues to use poetry as a way to connect, inspire, and express truth.

He’s also a self-published author, a proud husband, and the father of five amazing kids who constantly remind him that life itself is one big story waiting to be told.

Algie is excited to help young writers find their voice, take creative risks, and discover just how powerful their words can be.

 

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