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Def Poetry Reunion at New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Dates: 10/15/2026 - 10/17/2026
📍 Theatre: New Jersey Performing Arts Center
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Def Poetry Reunion brings together a lineup of accomplished poets who were part of the original Def Poetry Jam, Russell Simmons' groundbreaking spoken word HBO series. The event is part of the Dodge Poetry Festival, North America's largest poetry festival, produced by NJPAC and headquartered there since 2010. The festival, reimagined in 2024 with a focus on poetry as a performing art and as a tool for social justice advocacy, also features poet and punk rock icon Patti Smith, U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, Elizabeth Acevedo, and Pulitzer Prize winner Tyehimba Jess, among others.
Cast and Creative Team for Def Poetry Reunion at New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Cast
Arthur Sze
Ensemble
Patti Smith
Ensemble
Elizabeth Acevedo
Ensemble
Tyehimba Jess
Ensemble
Kimberly M. Blaeser
Ensemble
Stephanie Burt
Ensemble
Anthony Cody
Ensemble
Meg Day
Ensemble
Terrance Hayes
Ensemble
Marc Bamuthi Joseph
Ensemble
Adrian Matejka
Ensemble
Carol Moldaw
Ensemble
Aja Monet
Ensemble
Chanda Prescod-Weinstein
Ensemble
Naomi Shihab Nye
Ensemble
Evie Shockley
Ensemble
Danez Smith
Ensemble
Frank X Walker
Ensemble
Michael Wiegers
Ensemble
Creative Team
David Rodriguez
Executive Producer
Ysabel Y. Gonzalez
Producer
News About Def Poetry Reunion at New Jersey Performing Arts Center
DEF POETRY JAM REUNION to Take Center Stage at NJPAC During Dodge Poetry Festival
June 03, 2026 NJPAC will host an exclusive DEF POETRY JAM reunion during the Dodge Poetry Festival, featuring alumni performances and a tribute to Abiodun Oyewole, founding member of The Last Poets.
The Dodge Poetry Festival Will Return To Newark In October
April 23, 2026 North America's largest poetry festival, produced by NJPAC, will present Patti Smith, U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, a Def Poetry Jam reunion, and writing workshops at its upcoming Newark edition.About the Theatre
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New Jersey Performing Arts Center Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
What shows are coming up next at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)?
The North to Shore Festival (6/13/26-6/28/26)
Dodge Poetry Festival (10/15/26-10/17/26)
Patti Smith: Songs and Stories (10/15/26-10/17/26)
Dodge Poetry Festival (10/15/26-10/17/26)
Patti Smith: Songs and Stories (10/15/26-10/17/26)
What shows have played recently at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)?
New Jersey Ballet - New Voices. Bold Visions. (4/24/26-4/25/26)
Nimbus Dance & NJ Symphony Present Firebird and Dark Water (3/7/25-3/9/25)
Backstage Pathways (10/3/24-5/17/24)
Hillary Clinton Live (9/17/24-9/17/24)
Nimbus Dance & NJ Symphony Present Firebird and Dark Water (3/7/25-3/9/25)
Backstage Pathways (10/3/24-5/17/24)
Hillary Clinton Live (9/17/24-9/17/24)
What shows are coming up next at New Jersey Performing Arts Center?
Dodge Poetry Festival (10/15/26-10/17/26)
Patti Smith: Songs and Stories (10/15/26-10/17/26)
Hablando Huevadas (10/28/26-10/28/26)
15th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition (The SASSY Awards) (11/22/26-11/22/26)
Patti Smith: Songs and Stories (10/15/26-10/17/26)
Hablando Huevadas (10/28/26-10/28/26)
15th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition (The SASSY Awards) (11/22/26-11/22/26)
What shows have played recently at New Jersey Performing Arts Center?
The North to Shore Festival (06/13/26-06/28/26)
Ben Folds with New Jersey Symphony (06/13/26-06/13/26)
New Jersey Ballet - New Voices. Bold Visions. (04/24/26-04/25/26)
Nimbus Dance & NJ Symphony Present Firebird and Dark Water (03/07/25-03/09/25)
Backstage Pathways (10/03/24-05/17/24)
Hillary Clinton Live (09/17/24-09/17/24)
Ben Folds with New Jersey Symphony (06/13/26-06/13/26)
New Jersey Ballet - New Voices. Bold Visions. (04/24/26-04/25/26)
Nimbus Dance & NJ Symphony Present Firebird and Dark Water (03/07/25-03/09/25)
Backstage Pathways (10/03/24-05/17/24)
Hillary Clinton Live (09/17/24-09/17/24)
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A Beat of Our Own McCarter Theatre Center (10/07-10/25) |
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Jessica Vosk Mayo Performing Arts Center (9/18-9/18) |
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What the Constitution Means to Me Pioneer Productions Company/Morris Museum (9/19-9/20) |
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The Lost Virginity Tour Barn Theatre (9/18-10/04) |
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The Old Ladies Bar Players Guild of Leonia (9/18-9/27) |
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Season Finale: Ravel's Boléro with Xian Zhang Richardson Auditorium (6/11-6/11) |
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Dvořák's "New World" Symphony New Jersey Performing Arts Center (5/02-5/02) |
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Flawless Premiere Stages at Kean University (9/03-9/20) |
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Married, Single, and a Baby Robert Shackleton Playhouse (9/27-9/27) |
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The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Barry Bostwick State Theatre New Jersey (10/03-10/03) |
