Give Now  »

Noon Edition

Poet, Performer, and Filmmaker Kelly Tsai

Kelly Tsai wearing loose-fitting velour shirt with horizontal blue and black stripes

At the poetry slams [in the mid- to late-90s], the real vision was like, it doesn't matter how many degrees you have, it doesn't matter how many books you’ve published, it doesn't matter if you’re like a big fancy whatever—what matters is just like what you have to bring to the mic tonight.

Kelly Tsai is a writer, performer, and filmmaker who aims to use the arts to effect social change on issues such as cultural identity, feminism, immigration reform, and voter enfranchisement.

Her work as a performance poet has been featured at over 700 venues worldwide including the White House, Lincoln Center, and the Apollo Theater.

Tsai was honored as a Woman of Distinction by the American Association for University Women and one of NBC’s News’ Asian American Poets to Watch.

Music Heard On This Episode

Loading...
Support For Indiana Public Media Comes From

About Profiles