Zena Edwards facts for kids

Zena Edwards (born in the 1960s) is a British writer, poet, and performer. She is known for her unique way of blending poetry with music. Zena explores her African roots in her work. She has performed all over the world at festivals, schools, and colleges. Many people say she has "one of the most unique voices" in performance poetry from London.

Who is Zena Edwards?

Early Life and Education

Zena Edwards was born in Hackney, London. She grew up in Tottenham, North London. Her family has roots in the Caribbean and Africa. Zena was an only child, raised by a single parent.

She studied Drama and Communications at Middlesex University. She also learned more about performing at the London International School of Performing Arts. These studies helped her become the artist she is today.

Her Journey as a Performer

Zena has been a performance poet for over twenty years. She has traveled widely, sharing her art with many audiences. Organizations like the British Council and Apples and Snakes have supported her travels.

She has performed alongside famous artists. These include poets like Linton Kwesi Johnson and Lemn Sissay. She has also worked with visual artists and dancers. Zena has toured with musicians such as Hugh Masekela and Baba Maal.

Zena's Amazing Works

Special Projects and Awards

Zena has created works for BBC Radio 3 and Radio 4. She also worked with the Birmingham Rep theatre. For four years, she was an Associate Artist at the Albany Theatre in London. She was also the Resident Poet at the Poetry Café in Covent Garden.

In 2007, she was nominated for the first Arts Foundation Award for Performance Poetry. She later won the Hidden Creatives Award in 2012. These awards show how talented she is.

Her Solo Shows and Music

Zena has written and performed three solo shows. Her show Security (2009) was praised by critics. One reviewer called it "an absolute tour de force about humanity." Another said Zena is a "superb performer." She can easily play different characters.

After Security, she created Travelling Light (2011). Her third show was called The Fury Project. Zena has also released music CDs. These include Healing Pool and Mine 4 Life. Healing Pool is described as a mix of "soulful and African traditional vibrations."

Her Published Writings

Zena's poems and writings have appeared in several books. Some of these include:

• Dance the Guns to Silence: 100 Poems for Ken Saro-Wiwa (2005)
• Security (2012)
• No Condition is Permanent (2010)
• Reflections From Mirror City
• New Daughters of Africa (2019), edited by Margaret Busby

Other Activities

Zena Edwards is also the founder and Creative Director of ©ViD. This company combines creative arts with activism. It shows her passion for using art to make a difference.