Donald Jenkins
Poet. Writer. Producer. Educator. Facilitator. Rapper.
A spoken word artist, writer, rapper, professionally qualified youth worker and teacher.
He is also a commissioned community poet and performer, experienced facilitator of writing and performance workshops, producer and host of cultural events and creative community projects.
Services
Rapper.
A lifelong fan of HipHop, Donald loves to rant and rhyme with high energy performances about giant onion bhajis, serial killer poets and his addiction to rave music. His debut EP – Late Bloomer got airplay on Radio Newcastle and YCTR.
Facilitator & Educator.
Trained by national writer’s development organisation, Arvon on their Fire in the Flint Youth and Community Education Residential for poets and theatre makers, Donald further developed his skills as facilitator by running accessible workshops for educational, arts and community projects all over the UK.
Poet.
Stage and Page
A slam winning poet who has performed at events across the UK including Glastonbury Festival and at the Royal Albert Hall. His one-man spoken word theatre show ‘Still Raving in your 40’s?’ debuted at The Newcastle Fringe Festival in 2024 .
Producer.
Donald is a curator of live performances, having organized hundreds of eclectic arts events over the last four decades. He has been commissioned to run pop-up events and stages on behalf of Lindisfarne, Words Weekender, Summer Streets, Little Lindi, START and Newcastle Poetry Festivals.
Poetry
The right poem for the right moment
Do you need a poem for a special occasion, community event, film, documentary, TV, online, radio, public art piece, album, book, to celebrate an area, venue or advertise your business?
Donald can bring together the right words to capture any moment, crafting quality poems to suit your needs and budget.
Past clients include: Historic England, Tyne and Wear Buildings Preservation Trust, Curious Festival, Helix Arts, Elswick Community Pool and Leisure Centre, Cobalt Studios and 24 hours in Isolation.
Say it Loud
Sat in a hipster eatery at the Monument,
grazing on a poke bowl with edamame beans,
the dwindling noise of a city centre protest
plays out in front of us.
Get your words worth.
Are you looking for a writer who can:
– Help you shout about the artistic work that you are making?
– Create content that will tingle the senses of audiences you want to entice?
Specialising in poetry, music, contemporary and traditional dance I write and pitch articles for publication:
- Event previews and review
- Artist interviews and features
- Website content
Get in touch to find out more.
Bad Boy Chiller Crew Preview
Bradford’s finest export-The Bad Boy Chiller Crew land at the Middlesborough Empire for a night of club-charged anthems, tongue-in-cheek lyricism, and addictive basslines.
End of Orchestras Feature
As Northern Ballet announces cuts to live music from some of its shows, what is the future for the art form? Donald Jenkins reflects.
Beauty and the Beast Review
A contemporary yet vintage take on fairy tales has never been more magically reimagined than by Northern Ballet’s adaptation of Beauty and the Beast.
James Wilton Feature
Using an exciting range of experiences and physicality including martial arts, athletics and folklore, this company of dancers are constantly in pursuit of finding new things to do with the body.
Hijikata, Mon Amour Review
Crafting its shape, unfolding its story, ‘Hijikata, Mon Amour’ is a contemporary solo piece of experimental Butoh that focuses on the splendour of puppeteering and dancing with a costume.
Workshops
I’m in the game of amplifying voices, painting pictures with words, supporting others to tell stories, share thoughts and indulge their imagination.
I believe when presented in a relatable and accessible way, the writing and performing of poetry, stories, lyrics and theatre is an incredibly powerful tool, one which boosts self-confidence, develops public speaking skills and provides a fun and safe outlet for people to escape or process difficult emotions.
Unlike many other art forms, creative writing is immediate. It can be produced by anyone and requires few materials. It can also be synchronised with visual arts, music and digital media so that it can be quickly engaged with by audiences.
I have a toolkit of adaptable workshops using fun and exciting approaches to writing. I have found these can engage some of the most reluctant participants including those with low levels of lliteracy/ English isn’t their first language.
Other Services
Jenkins has completed the Choreview Writers program run by Music Arts Managemen/New Writing North where he was trained as a dance journalist. He has since writen previews, reviews and features about ballet and contemporary dance for Narc Magazien and Dance Art Journal.
Here is a piece about award winning company: James Wilton Dance Athletic choreography: James Wilton Dance: ‘Lore puts audiences in touch with nature’ – dance art journal.
Stories of the Stones
These poems are part of a Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust funded project to celebrate the lives of people buried at St John’s & Westgate Cemeteries in the Westend of Newcastle. Working alongside residents of the area, I have written poems about their friends, family and ancestors who have been laid to rest in these two sites.
Not Just an Epitaph
There is – a stone that connects me to a place I never lived,
stories with nostalgia from a childhood that wasn’t mine,
fairytales that were told, my eyes feel they didn’t dream,
heroes I have met who were gone before I learnt to breathe.
Who is He to Me?
I thought dad’s arm only cared for one thing –
downing Broon, sinking pints of Exhibition,
repetitive strains from lifting loopy juice
that weighed us down, again and again.
She Will Always Be a Traveller
The amplified chime of Greensleeves fills the estate,
pricking up the ears of every child within a half mile,
like excitable metal detectors who’ve located some treasure,
we scurry along back lanes to claim our prize.