Carlos Thompson and I met through WonderRoot’s now-defunct Dance Chance program, though not at one of those much-missed showcases. Dancer/choreographer Morgan Carlisle Thompson recognized me at what was probably the second Dance Chance evening I attended, and she introduced herself. Later, at a literary salon I organize, I met her husband, Carlos, who read aloud some poetry he wrote during his deployment with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. That verse led to a sobriquet I have now applied to him numerous times: warrior poet.
Having had the pleasure to hear Carlos talk about some of his planned performance art and, even better, to be present for (and take a small part in) a participatory work of his during a recent residency by members of Atlanta’s glo dance troupe, I felt more people should know what he’s up to.
Since the recording of this interview, the Thompsons’ recent receipt of the first Margaret Kargbo Artist as Activist Grant from Idea Capital makes that feeling of mine look like a soon-to-be fait accompli. In the interest of full disclosure, note that Carlos and Morgan are both my fellow board members with the arts nonprofit Eyedrum Art and Music Gallery.
[This clip is an edited and condensed excerpt of an hour-long StoryCorps session.]
BURNAWAY’s audio program is supported in part by Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. Georgia Council for the Arts also receives support from its partner agency, the National Endowment for the Arts.
