From its inception in 1988, the Theater and Poetry Project was designed to offer quality arts education in the Paterson Public School System Created by Maria Mazziotti Gillan, executive director of the Poetry Center and Cultural Affairs Department at PCCC, the program began modestly, offering a limited number of plays in the first year. It didn’t take long for the initiative to expand, and today it continues to present an aesthetically exciting, comprehensive program that is free of charge.
Maria Mazziotti Gillan is winner of the 2014 George Garrett Award for Outstanding Community Service in Literature from AWP, the 2011 Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award from Poets & Writers, and the 2008 American Book Award for her book, All That Lies Between Us. She has also received The Clara Lemlich Award for Social Activism (May 2022), and a Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award from the Center for Creative and Performing Arts at Salem State University (March 2020). She is the Founder/Executive Director of the Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College, editor of the Paterson Literary Review, and Professor Emerita in Creative Writing at Binghamton University—SUNY. She has published 23 books, including her latest book, When the Stars Were Visible (Stephen F. Austin University Press, April 2021). Mazziotti Gillan is a self-taught artist who has exhibited her work at galleries in California and New Jersey. You can visit her art website at mariamazziottigillan.com.
Lisa Coll Nicolaou, a graduate of Yale University, is a lifelong educator and writer. She was a recipient of a Scholastic Art and Writing Teaching Award and was named to the Educator Advisory Panel. After decades of inspiring her students to write, Lisa finally embarked on a writing journey of her own. Lisa’s narrative poetry explores her complex roots, from the villages of Puerto Rico to the shtetls of Eastern Europe. Her prose and poetry have been published in a variety of magazines and literary journals including The Paterson Literary Review, LIPS and Oprah.com. For the past six years, Lisa relished the opportunity to share her love of poetry and her love of teaching as a visiting poet in the Paterson schools. She tried to motivate the students to realize that they all have stories to tell. She is excited to be coordinating the TAPP program and is thrilled about the new cadre of poets who will be inspiring the students.
Felicia is a published author, published poet, and freelance journalist. She is also a writing and publishing consultant and poetry workshop leader, whose poetry was nominated for a PushCart Prize in 2024.
She is the Vice President for the Board of Directors at Word Seed Inc., a Paterson literary arts organization whose mission is to promote the art of writing through youth workshops, literacy programs, and its annual production of the Paterson Poetry Festival. Feliciais a child advocate by trade, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Montclair State University in New Jersey. Felicia studied Creative Writing at Rosa Parks High School for Fine and Performing Arts in Paterson, New Jersey.
Melida Rodas, the Poet Laureate of Jersey City (2025-2026), has over twenty years of experience as an educator focused on empowering students through literacy and the arts.
Her teaching methods embrace a wide range of literature that reflects the varied experiences of all students, fostering a classroom atmosphere that promotes open dialogue, mindfulness, and introspection. This NJCU alumna cultivates a passion for memoir and is a past Dodge Poetry Festival School Coordinator. Rodas is set to serve as a judge in the upcoming New Jersey Poetry Out Loud youth poetry competition. Melida inspires students to see themselves as artists and critical thinkers. She is excited to join the roster of amazing poets and work with the students of Paterson, New Jersey.
Hailing from the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution and station stop on The Underground Railroad Paterson NJ, Jaquair is an actor, poet, and a producer.
He is a three time featured poet at the legendary Nuyorican Poets Cafe in NYC. He is the annual open mic host of Paterson Poetry Festival and has performed in poetry cafes and venues across the U.S from New York City to Los Angeles. He recently released his highly reviewed debut spoken word poetry book entitled “Defiance & Desperation”, and a festival award-winning film entitled, “3rd & 4th Chapters” available on Youtube. He has performed in featured roles on Orange is The New Black, Godfather of Harlem, Tommy, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Law & Order: Organized Crime. Jaquair continues to stay active in his hometown as a co-founding committee member of Paterson’s Green Acre Community Garden and as a commissioner on The Paterson Arts Exchange.
Rashad is the poet laureate emeritus of Jersey City, New Jersey and a teacher on behalf of the Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Foundation , Passaic County’s Theatre & Poetry Program, and New Jersey’s Young Audiences.
He is a graduate of New Jersey City University, receiving his BA in English: Creative Writing. He is the author of Romeo’s Whiskey and Papa’s Tango. He recently was a member of the 2023 New Jeru Slam Poetry team whom placed second in the country at the Southern Fried National Poetry Slam. He was New Jeru’s 2024 grandslam champion and is currently on Rock Slam 2025. Rashad has also been awarded First Place at the Walter Glospie American Academy of Poets Prize, being inducted into the Academy of American Poets. He can be found on multiple podcasts and radio interviews most notably NPR’s Here & Now and WBGO.
Jason Craig Poole is a prize-winning poet, teacher and performer. He received his BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University and worked as an actor in New York City.
For seven years, he worked with Midori & Friends, a non-profit music education organization,
sharing stories and songs with New York City’s students in all five boroughs. Jason’s story and
original songs are featured in the documentary, Sons of Hālawa. He received his MFA in Writing
(Poetry) from Pacific University. His work has appeared in Paterson Literary Review, Brevity
Blog, Molecule and riksha. Jason is thrilled to be in the classroom again, sharing his love of
poetry with the kids! He lives with his family in New Jersey in a little house near the big hill.
