Lizabet

Lizabet is a native of Omaha, Nebraska and a committed Spoken Word artist. Her repertoire extends a well rounded view into her life, from exploration of her life's struggles with multi-ethnicity, to her intimate relationships, childhood experiences and initiation into motherhood. Coming up in her teens under the mentorship of theatrical & historical Gurus Idu Maduli and Laura Partidge-Nedds in the traveling troupe Soul Fire helped make performing a natural component in her life. In her youth she also participated in events like the NAACP ACT-SO competitions, school plays and talent competitions. Following the footsteps of her mother and her grandmother she began to explore her self identity and write her observations of life into poetry. Many of her early poems were lost or thrown away, however she managed to keep a hold of a notebook with some of her earliest writings. She has written poems since she was about 8 years old but was more interested in painting and drawing as a child. Now the tables have turned. Drawing is an outlet that she protects as a hobby although many people in her life have encouraged her to pursue a career that utilizes the talent (possibly following in her grandfather's footsteps as an architect). She maintains that art is one of her undisciplined stress outlets, one of the talents that comes out when it wants to and goes dormant when put under too much demand. After graduating high school, completing a few college courses and spending a few years in "the real world" she gave birth to her daughter at age 25. Determined to provide a good life for her new baby, she sought entrance back into the University of Nebraska at Omaha. In 2001 she was accepted into the Goodrich Scholarship Program at UNO, where her writings became more refined. She was published in the Goodrich Anthology in 2002 with a short story. She also began to write her autobiography under the guidance of Troy Romero. (other strong influences in Goodrich were Mike Carrol, and Imafedia Okhamafe). She naturally started her studies as a theater major but with a wide range of interests and introduction to the National Council of Negro Women on her campus, she found her calling in the non-profit world. In 2003 she was discovered performing at a campus event that she co-created called Color Me Human Week by a Human Relations Professor and Dance Choreographer, Josie Metal-Corbin. Josie Metal Corbin and Choreographer Mary Waugh-Taylor orchestrated Lizabet’s first public spoken word performances outside of the University setting. Placing her poem, 'testimony of a mixed girl' to dance was inspiring both for the artists as well as the audience. Stephanie Sinclaire and understudy Chai Estes worked with Lizabet over a two year span performing on campus, in the Moving Company Salon, Lauritzen Gardens art exhibit and the UNMC women’s conference. This experience was the seed for her current spoken word touring project.Lizabet graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a BGS in Communications and secondary emphasis in Speech and Psychology and a Minor in Black Studies. She stays busy with her 2 children, community involvement and her poetry. She moves on from her college career with many memorable life experiences and moments to be proud of including graduating from the Goodrich Scholarship Program, being the first student to be presented with the Chancellor’s Commission on Multicultural Affairs’ Diversity Award, initiating various cultural programs that continue to be offered to the student body, sharing the stage with poets like Jane Cortez and Sonya Sanchez, performing in a University production of the Vagina Monologues as the Angry Vagina under the directorship of Sonali Kumar, being a founding member of the University organization S.P.O.W. Kun Words, etc.Performances include: UNO Martin Luther King Luncheon, UNO Cesar Chavez luncheon, Color Me Human Week Banquet, NCNW Poetic Odyssey, The Moving Company's Salon, Lauritzen Gardens, UNMC Women's Conference, UNO Black Studies Malcolm X Festival, Opened the stage for 3rd Eye Open in Omaha, UNO African American Organization PanAfrican Youth Empowerment Conference, Host of community spoken word venue “Tell it Like it Is Tuesdays” at the Seville, Brent Crampton’s “Loom: Weaving the Social Fabric through Dance”, Malcolm X Memorial Foundation Malcolm X birthday celebrations, Aframerican Bookstore Juneteenth celebration, performed a duet with spoken word artist Clarence ‘Nabraska’ Barbee at the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation Black August Omaha. Lizabet can also be heard in a duet called 'She Understood Me' that was recorded at Versatile Studios in Omaha, in May of 2006 with Clarence 'Nabraska' Barbee which was included on his fourth cd release entitled "the ‘E’ cd" (listen at www.cdbaby.com/nabraska), as well as on a cd called Better Days: a tribute to Hurricane Katrina survivors. (listen at http://www.jasminesmom.com/). Lizabet is currently working on a collection of poems and a performance tour.for booking please contact [email protected]