Lillian Allen moved from Spanish Town, Jamaica, to North America in 1969. She studied at the City University of New York, and has a B.A. from York University in Toronto. She is a leading exponent of dub poetry, a highly politicized form of reggae poetry that has been set to music. She has spent over a decade and a half writing, publishing, and performing her work in Canada, the U.S., and England. Lillian is currently a part time creative writing instructor at the Ontario College of Art and Design. Her poetry has appeared in several dozen magazines and anthologies and has been played on hundreds of radio stations worldwide.

Awards
Juno Award, recordings of poetry with music, 1986, 1988.
Margo Bindhardt Award, 1998.

Selected Publications
De dub poets (recording), 1984.
Curfew Inna B.C. (cassette), 1985.
Revolutionary Tea Party (album), 1986.
If You See Truth. (Frontline, 1987).
Let the Heart See (cassette), 1987.
Conditions Critical (album), 1988.
Nothing But a Hero. (University of Toronto Press, 1992; cassette, 1992).
Why Me. (Well Versed Publications, 1991).
Women Do This Every Day. (Women's Press, 1993).
Freedom & Dance. (CD), 1999.

Books in Print
Allen, Lillian
Why Me. Well Versed Publications, 1991. $5.95 ISBN: 1-895248-02-7.
Women Do This Every Day. Women's Press, 1993. $12.95 ISBN: 0-88961-192-0.

Poet in the School
(Toronto)

phone: 416-651-7418

Lillian Allen has several awards and citations for her writing and performances. She lectures and performs to a wide range of groups and communities across Canada, Internationally in Europe, the US and the Caribbean. She has extensive teaching and workshop experience with students and young people of all ages. She also has experience working in teacher education. Recordings for young people includes Nothing But A Hero. Books for young people include Why Me If You See Truth and Nothing But A Hero. Her other recordings include Revolutionary Tea Party, De dub Poets, Conditions Critical and Revolution from de Beat (video). Her latest book is entitled Women Do This Every Day.

Grade Levels: all

Fees: $150 per half day/ $250 per full day

Classroom Approach:

Allen's approach involves techniques that teach young people to develop their own artistic vision. Students are encouraged to give expression to personal, social, cultural as well as artistic values. With creativity and innovation, students explore language and rhythms, and apply these to the art of writing poetry and creative, expressive writing. Students will generate several individual pieces as well as group work.