Exploring the people behind the talent is what we’re all about and it’s a pleasure to add the wonderful Maia Watkins to our creative roster. The actor, poet, reiki and sound practitioner has turned tragedy into triumph after suffering a brain haemorrhage in 2022. Poetry has become her healing outlet ever since and she has shared her story to inspire others that have gone through similar experiences.
Before taking over poetry stages across London, Maia focused her efforts on her acting career which included theatre, TV, film, and voice over work. She realised the monologues she would recite at competitions and events sounded much like poetry, and the feedback she received from audiences confirmed it. Maia won the Triforce Promotions Monologue Slam three times which allowed her to perform at venues such as Rich Mix and Theatre Royal Stratford East. Winners would receive prizes such as acting jobs, free headshots, and agent support.
Winning the Monologue Slam three times really helped launch my career in acting and performing.
Whilst working with young people in schools, prisons, PRU’s and youth centres, Maia worked with a charity called CHIVA who support the health and wellbeing of young people living with HIV. The young people spoke about their experiences growing up with HIV and this was then translated into a poetry film as a therapeutic outlet to express themselves safely and to ensure their voices were heard. You can watch the short film here.
Working with young people has always been a passion of mine. I’ve worked with youth from marginalised backgrounds to help create safe spaces for expression and healing.
After falling seriously ill in 2022, Maia faced a long road to recovery. Her acting career was on pause and she turned towards writing affirmational poetry, learning reiki, and sound healing to aid her rehabilitation. As she went through the process of re-building her confidence, Maia began to perform at local open mic nights including our beloved Wordplay & Flow Live event in Queens Park. Last year she scooped our Best Female Spoken Word Artist award at the Wordplay Awards, and she has recently published her poetry collection, The Dressing Gown Poet: Life. Loss. Love. Her book covers themes such as gratitude, but also touches upon sensitive subjects such as violence, Grenfell, and loss.
Maia turned her ‘Surviving a Brain Haemorrhage’ poem into a short poetry film with the aim of raising awareness about brain injuries and inspiring others using her own experience. Her sold-out screening at the Everyman Cinema in Maida Vale raised much needed funds and awareness for the SameYou charity. Her latest screening was at the Rapport Film Festival at the Ritzy Picturehouse in Brixton. The festival focuses on arts created by African diaspora practitioners and artists by giving them a platform to celebrate their work.
You can purchase The Dressing Gown Poet: Life. Loss. Love. here and get an exclusive reading session from Maia at our upcoming Wordplay & Flow Live event on the 15th of July. To find out more about Maia’s work and screenings for Surviving a Brain Haemorrhage you can find her website here.
Creative Director: Tannika Taylor
Photographer: Tannika Taylor
Editor: Shariar
Graphic Design: Torrin Westerman