CHRISTIAN COLLIER
Christian CollierChristian Collier performs spoken word, has sold hundreds of copies of his chapbook and just finished his first album. But it’s all poetry to him.
“With everything I do, I never want to be boxed in,” Collier says.
His Speakeasy open-mic and Manifest series provided a platform for poets of all pedigrees in town to perform their work. In many ways, Collier is the face of spoken word in Chattanooga; he calls himself an “ambassador” for the craft he deems vital.
He once embarked on an entire year dedicated completely to poetry that he called “The Forced Exposure Tour.”
“If I could get up and speak, I would perform. Everywhere I possibly could. It laid the foundation for everything,” Collier said.
And Collier doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon. He’s a mainstay at the Barking Legs Theatre, and he chronicles his upcoming performances via his blog. You can also see him
April 10th at the Hunter Museum of Art in a performance inspired by their exhibit on the Harlem Renaissance.
Occupation: Family Service Advocate/Artist
Check out his website.
Native or transplant? Transplant.
Why Chattanooga? My family moved here in the late 80’s. I moved to FL after I graduated from high school, and I moved back in 2006 to be closer to them again.
How did you start with poetry and how has yours evolved?
I started studying and writing poetry in 1998 in an attempt to woo a girl I went to high school with. Very quickly, I fell in love with the craft and the possibilities.
My work has evolved a great deal over the years, actually. I think that it’s become a lot easier to determine what a piece needs and to allow my voice and personality to come through.
In a live capacity, I continue to feel more and more at home. I’ve reached the point where I’m comfortable letting each performance be what it’s going to be, and that’s enabled me to take my focus off of perfection and place it onto just having fun.
How has your poetry influenced Chattanooga and how has Chattanooga affected your work?
I think my work has influenced Chattanooga in several ways, actually. My Speakeasy open-mic provided a forum where academic poets, slam poets, emcees, etc. could showcase their work, develop stage presence, etc.
Outside of that, I think I’ve brought spoken word to a diverse group of venues and audiences, and I’ve been fortunate to show people that it’s a really important, evocative artform, and one that deserves its due in the city.
I think that Chattanooga, specifically, has allowed me to experiment and establish myself as an artist and a brand. I’ve had the opportunity to run an arts series called MANIFEST that featured dance, music, poetry, etc., and serve as kind of an ambassador of spoken word, which has been interesting because, to a certain degree, it’s resulted in me being viewed as the hub of the craft in the city.
What’s the future for poetry and spoken word in Chattanooga?
Good question! I think the future for poetry in the city is that it’ll continue to grow. Since 2009, more and more opportunities for readings have popped up, and I feel like that’s going to continue, especially with all of the coffee shops that are opening here. Historically, they’ve been great venues for poetry. I also think that more funding will come through for projects that utilize spoken word and poetry, in general, either as educational tools or otherwise.
Favorite place to read in Chattanooga?
I have several favorite places to perform in Chattanooga, but to list a few, I always love performing at Barking Legs Theater. The energy of the space alone is incredible. Also, every time I get to perform at The Hunter Museum of American Art is personally special for me, too.