Blonde Jesus
Performing at the Loft Literary Center as a part of the culminating performance of a group of writers funded under the Loft Literary Center's Grants.
I am the front woman of an art rock / spoken word band that has shared the stage with Saul Williams, Marc Kelly Smith, Marty McConnel, Nikki Patin, and many others.
Award-winning writer, poet, performer, & educator! Mojdeh is an internationally competing slam poet, has performed in front of thousands, and runs workshops in US, UK, and EU! She uses her work to explore life through the lens of a half black, half middle eastern woman during times when movements like #BlackLivesMatter and #YesAllWomen are all over the media. She has been called "The Margret Cho of Poetry," so you will laugh when she channels her eccentric immigrant parents and you will have conversations with your own empathy when she explores the resilience of a nerdy bi-racial child who is constantly afraid of the homelessness that could be around the corner.
7 reviews
Tj M.
February 3, 2019From our initial contact, to the post show details, Mojdeh was in communication every step of the way. What I loved so much was their initiative to check in multiple times leading up to the event and then finally after. During the check ins, Mojdeh was asking the right questions that I wish every performer would ask leading up to an event because when they got there, they were able to join in and amplify the vibe to another level. Finally, the check in after our show was very appreciative. To have an artist ask After a show what they could've done better or what the producer would've liked to see more of, is a true testament to someone who is taking their craft seriously. On stage and off, Mojdeh and the National Poetry Slam Team were a great act to have at our show and I hope others learn by their example of professionalism at all levels of their artistry.
Hired as: Motivational Speaker, Spoken Word Artist
Mallory E.
January 31, 2019I have worked with Mojdeh several times since November of 2015 and it has always been a joy. She is always conscientious, creative, and well-prepared for whatever event she is involved with. She is an excellent communicator, detail oriented, and easy to coordinate with. As a workshop facilitator, she has an easy levity which never fails to engage the crowd. She brings with her a wealth of experience and her workshops are well-organized and focused. In short, she is a joy to work with!
Hired as: Motivational Speaker, Spoken Word Artist
John S.
January 30, 2019I have seen Mojdeh perform at numerous shows and have enjoyed taking part in shows she has produced. My great admiration for her work led me to commission her to write and perform a new poem for my book release party at Columbia College. She wrote “Blonde Jesus” which was one of my favorite memories of the show and later became a hit on Button Poetry (see the video on her profile page). She connects with diverse audiences in a way that is both humorous and thought provoking, making us laugh and causing us to question how we can make positive change in the world. I plan to continue collaborating with her in the future.
Hired as: Spoken Word Artist
Noah J.
January 27, 2019The Sick Muse Magazine had the pleasure of having Mojdeh perform at our Issue 10 Release Party. Not only is Mojdeh's art deeply moving and emotionally frank in its content, but she does the work to ensure people are really listening and engaged when she performs, occasionally even moving through the audience with assured ease. The audience was captivated from the moment her performance began. Off-stage Mojdeh was also a pleasure to work: straight-forward, kind, professional, and understanding. As for her art, I love her words and music, reflecting on how our mind/soul process the past to create our futures, reframing trauma and happiness in the metal of metaphor and language, forged in a fire of immediacy and tension.
Hired as: Spoken Word Artist
Matt M.
January 25, 2019We brought in Mojdeh for a festival and poetry slam and are glad we did. Mojdeh knows how to move an audience, choosing the right poems and delivering them in a way custom-suited to the crowd. The bonus is how Stoakley is also an experienced teacher who knows how to bring that out on stage as well as being able to be brought in for educational opportunities, when possible, outside of just a performance.
-Matt Mason, Nebraska State Poet and Executive Director of the Nebraska Writers Collective
Hired as: Spoken Word Artist
Price range: $400 ‐ $4000
Languages: English, Persian
Gig length: 10 - 60 minutes
Expect an interactive performance experience. Shows with Mojdeh can behave as one-woman-theater or as a give-and-take. If event producers and/or audiences are willing, she will bring them into the fun and story. She tells inspirational and humorous stories, performs prepared poetry pieces, and can even run writing and performance workshops.
Mojdeh Stoakley is a 5x award winning writer, performer, photographer, researcher, & educator. She burst into the performance scene at 14, her theater & music talents captured the attention of an agent at 16, and has shared the stage with folks like Saul Williams, Pere Ubu, and John Legend since. Her photography & writing & contributions as a community commentator have been aired or published by many media sources & journals such as WBEZ, Alarm Press, Chicago Now, and Muzzle Magazine, among others. She's released 5 albums of music & poetry independently and as a member of »radiant devices«, recently published her first book "born into dissonance," and has an album on the way. She has represented Chicago multiple times at the National Poetry Slam, Individual World Poetry Slam, & Southern Fried Slam in addition to coaching youth competing in Louder Than A Bomb. She's also been an executive producer for festivals like Lethal Poetry's Nights of Sight & Sound, the world's largest mobile art show Art On Track, and one of Chicago's PSi certified slams, Words That Kill. Mojdeh received her BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and is the founder Lethal Poetry Inc and LUCID Art Lab, and board member of Surviving The Mic arts organizations that activate artists as social servants. She is interested in how the arts can effect social and cognitive development among youth and populations who've experienced trauma. When she's not being a creative savant and community leader, she is engaged in HIV prevention research at the University of Illinois at Chicago's School of Public Health. Find out more about Mojdeh at (link hidden)
I can perform anywhere! Of course, a stage is nice! But as long as I'm in a space that is accommodating I am very adaptable! A sound system is important for any space that is larger than 12' x 12'. Intimate library or gallery performances are fine without a microphone, but most other places it's preferable to have the option - to ensure the audience has the richest experience possible.
Sunday
St Louis - accepting bookings
8:00am - 11:00pm (Mon)
Friday
St Louis - Rustbelt Regional Poetry Slam
12:00pm - 10:00pm (Sat)
Thursday
St Louis - accepting bookings
7:00am - 11:00pm
Thursday
Poetry Foundation: Performance for Chi Poetry Cntr
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Thursday
Performance at Daniel Wright Elementary
8:00am - 10:00am
Tuesday
Performance at Vernon Public Library
7:00pm - 11:00pm
Thursday
Motivational + Performance: Greyslake Central HS
8:00am - 4:00pm
Thursday
DC + Baltimore Area - available for more bookings
1:00am - 11:00pm
Wednesday
Performance at TILDEN HS
9:00am - 12:00pm
Sunday
TBA - Evening Performance
6:00pm - 11:00pm
Saturday
Ann Arbor MI - avail. for more bookings
1:00am - 11:00pm
Friday
Gallery Cabaret with BlackerFace
8:00pm - 11:55pm
Wednesday
Workshop: Saint Francis Xavier
8:00am - 12:00pm
Tuesday
Workshop: Muslim Community Centers
8:00am - 12:00pm
Sunday
TBA - Evening Performance
6:00pm - 11:00pm
Saturday
Ann Arbor MI - avail. for more bookings
1:00am - 11:00pm
Friday
DDD Residency Featured Performance
8:00pm - 11:55pm
Thursday
Blk History Performance: Randolph Elementary
7:00am - 9:00am
Wednesday
Blk History Performance Segundo Ruiz Belvis Center
11:00am - 12:00pm
Tuesday
Blk History Performance: Arthur A Libby School
11:00am - 12:00pm
Friday
Performance with Eve Black at Coles
8:00pm - 11:00pm
Thursday
Workshop: College Preparatory School of America
8:00am - 12:00pm
Wednesday
Poetry Foundation: Poetry Out Loud Judge
7:00am - 5:00pm
Monday
Moth Story Slam - Grand Slam
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Wednesday
Poetry Foundation: Poetry Out Loud Judge
7:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday
Northern IL University - Showcase at House Cafe
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Thursday
Workshop: College Preparatory School of America
9:00am - 12:00pm
Wednesday
Friends By the Fire Performance Series
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Monday
Lumpen Women In Music Radio
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Sunday
Women Made Gallery Poetry Series
2:00pm - 5:00pm
Sunday
London's Wacky Racists - Anti-Racism Showcase
7:00pm - 11:00pm
Friday
London UK - Private Satire Writing Workshops
8:00pm - 2:00pm
Wednesday
Berlin Kreusberg Slam - Featured Performance
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Monday
Private Performance/Writing Workshops
11:00am - 9:00pm (Tue)
Saturday
Berlin Poetry vs Comedy Showcase
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Sunday
Berlin Germany - private workshops + performances
12:00pm - 12:00pm
Wednesday
The London Original Slam - Farrago
7:00pm - 11:00pm
Friday
London UK - private workshops and performances
12:00pm - 12:00pm
Thursday
Workshop: Chicago Jewish Day School
8:00am - 12:00pm
Friday
LC Femme Showcase Chicago
8:00pm - 11:00pm
Friday
Performance: Keller Regional Gifted Center
8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday
Workshop: Sacred Heart School
8:00am - 12:00pm
Tuesday
Workshop: Sacred Heart School
8:00am - 12:00pm
Wednesday
Performance: Boston Poetry Slam
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Tuesday
Performance: Lionel Hampton Fine Arts School
8:00am - 10:00am
Thursday
Kibbitznest Books - Poetry Showcase
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday
Performance + Workshops: Heartland Conference
12:00pm - 12:00pm
Wednesday
Workshop: Chi Lit Alliance
9:00am - 3:00pm
Tuesday
Workshops: Sacred Heart School
8:00am - 12:00pm
Monday
Emcee: Surviving The Mic
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Thursday
Workshops: Bernard Zelle School
8:00am - 12:00pm
Sunday
Electronic Poetry Showcase at Lairs Club
8:00pm - 11:00pm
Thursday
Workshop: Muslim Community Centers
7:00am - 12:00pm
Saturday
Emcee: YAS FEST Chicago (youth poetry stage)
9:00am - 3:00pm
Monday
Emcee: Surviving The Mic
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday
Panelist+Workshop Facilitator: GirlUp Summit
7:00am - 4:00pm
Monday
London's More Poetry Showcase
6:00pm - 10:00pm
Saturday
Performance BBC's Proms Festival
12:00pm - 3:00pm
Tuesday
London's Out-Spoken Event
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Tuesday
London UK - private workshops and performances
12:00pm - 12:00pm
Friday
Performance+Workshops: Greenlake Baha'i Conf.
1:00am - 8:00pm
Monday
Emcee: Surviving The Mic
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Sunday
Performance: BACKROOM 312 intimate showcase series
7:00pm - 11:00pm
Saturday
Award Presenter: FINALS STAGE National Poetry Slam
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Monday
Emcee + Director of 29th National Poetry Slam
1:00am - 11:00pm
Monday
Emcee: Surviving The Mic
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday
Poet/Emcee: of PREACH at Improv Olympics
7:00pm - 11:00pm
Friday
Performance: Southshore Fine Arts Academy
10:00am - 12:00pm
Thursday
Performance with »radiant devices« at Empty Bottle
6:00pm - 11:00pm
Wednesday
Performance LUYA Launch Show
7:00pm - 11:00pm
Wednesday
Performance at TILDEN HS
8:00am - 10:00am
Thursday
Workshop: Northeastern Illinois University
12:00pm - 3:00pm
Sunday
Poetry Performance + Interview: What About Chicago
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Friday
Emcee: Chicago Grand Slam
7:00pm - 11:00pm
Friday
SM Magazine Release Perform w/ »radiant devices«
7:00pm - 11:00pm
Thursday
Nat Asian Pacific American Women’s Foundation
7:00pm - 11:00pm
Wednesday
Emcee: Chicago Poetry Slam Qualifier
10:00pm - 11:55pm
Wednesday
Emcee: Lethal Slam Qualifier
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Monday
Emcee: Juneteenth at #LetUsBreathe Center
7:00pm - 11:00pm
Monday
Performance for UIC Radio (Live)
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Friday
Performance: Madison College Juneteenth Event
4:00pm - 11:00pm
Thursday
Emcee: Lethal Slam Qualifier
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Wednesday
Emcee: Chicago Poetry Slam Qualifier
10:00pm - 11:55pm
Sunday
Private in-studio adaptation of German poetry
12:00pm - 7:00pm
Saturday
Private in-studio adaptation of German poetry
12:00pm - 3:00pm
Thursday
Rustbelt Regional Slam (Calibration Poet)
1:00am - 11:00pm
Wednesday
Poetry Foundation: Performance for Chi Poetry Cntr
6:00pm - 10:00pm
Wednesday
Workshop - Hip Hop Poetry at Kelly High School
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Monday
New York, NY - private workshops + performances
12:00pm - 12:00pm (Tue)
Friday
DC/Baltimore - private workshops + performances
12:00pm - 12:00pm
Wednesday
Workshop: Poetry Zines Pt 3 at Kelly HS
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Monday
Emcee: Surviving The Mic
6:00pm - 10:00pm
Wednesday
Workshop: Poetry Zines Pt 2 at Kelly HS
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Monday
Film Interview for TheGate Project
12:00pm - 5:00pm
Sunday
Performance for Underlined Poetry Series
10:00am - 12:00pm
Sunday
Performance for Film: TheGate Project
10:00am - 12:00pm
Friday
Performance for PREACH at Improv Olympics
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Thursday
In-studio Performance+Interview WLUW Radio
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Thursday
Performance: MLK Academy of Social Justice
10:00am - 12:00pm
Wednesday
Workshop: Poetry Zines Pt 1 at Kelly HS
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Sunday
NY Bowery Poetry Club Performance
7:00pm - 11:00pm
Saturday
Performance for film: Izquerdos Sessions
12:00pm - 3:00pm
Thursday
Artist Visit: New York Dida School
12:00pm - 6:00pm
Wednesday
Workshop: Social Justice Poetry at Kelly HS
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Tuesday
New York, NY - private workshops + performances
12:00pm - 12:00pm
Monday
Workshop: WEB Dubois Elementary
8:00am - 4:00pm
Friday
Workshops: WEB Dubois Schl
7:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday
Workshop: Social Justice Poetry at Kelly HS
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Wednesday
Performance: St. Catherine-St Lucy School
10:00am - 12:00pm
Monday
Emcee: Youth Prelim Slam - WEB Dubois Schl
7:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday
Workshop: Social Justice Poetry at Kelly HS
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Monday
Emcee: Surviving The Mic
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Monday
Workshops Slam Poetry - WEB Dubois Schl
8:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday
Workshop: Social Justice Poetry at Kelly HS
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Monday
Workshops Slam Poetry - WEB Dubois Schl
8:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday
Social Emotional Learning Wksp - KHS
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Monday
Workshops Slam Poetry - WEB Dubois Schl
7:00am - 4:00pm
Friday
Workshops Slam Poetry - WEB Dubois Schl
7:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday
Social Emotional Learning Wksp - KHS
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Tuesday
Calibration Poet: Woman of the World Slam DALLAS
6:00pm - 11:00pm
Friday
Performance at Constellation Theater
7:00pm - 11:00pm
Friday
Workshops Slam Poetry - WEB Dubois Schl
7:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday
Social Emotional Learning Wksp - KHS
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Wednesday
Performance+Interview for Vocalo Radio
10:00am - 12:00pm
Friday
Workshops Slam Poetry - WEB Dubois Schl
7:00am - 4:00pm
Thursday
Black History Performances - Pierce Elementary
8:00am - 12:00pm
Thursday
Poet Mentor: Louder Than A Bomb Festival
7:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday
Social Emotional Learning Wksp - KHS
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Monday
Black History Performance - Pierce Elementary
8:00am - 10:00am
Friday
Workshops Slam Poetry - WEB Dubois Schl
7:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday
Slam Poetry Workshop at Kelly HS
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Monday
Emcee: Surviving The Mic
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday
Workshops Slam Poetry - WEB Dubois Schl
7:00am - 4:00pm
Thursday
Performance at KAFIEN POETRY Showcase
6:00pm - 10:00pm
Wednesday
Slam Poetry Workshop at Kelly HS
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Friday
Workshops Slam Poetry - WEB Dubois Schl
7:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday
Slam Poetry Workshop at Kelly HS
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Tuesday
Blk History Performance DuSable Museum
8:00am - 10:00am
Thursday
Performance: Moosheart Youth Center
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Wednesday
Slam Poetry Workshop at Kelly HS
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Friday
Slam Poetry Workshop at Kelly HS
7:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday
Slam Poetry Workshop at Kelly HS
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Monday
Workshops Slam Poetry - WEB Dubois Schl
7:00am - 4:00pm
Saturday
Grand Rapids, MI - Mulligan's Musical Poetry
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday
Workshops Slam Poetry - WEB Dubois Schl
7:00am - 4:00pm
Thursday
Performance at KAFIEN POETRY Showcase
6:00pm - 10:00pm
Wednesday
Slam Poetry Workshop at Kelly HS
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Sunday
Workshop: Interfaith London
12:00pm - 5:00pm
Thursday
Performance at Broadway Barking (London)
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Wednesday
Performance: London's Premier Women Writer's Night
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Tuesday
Berlin Kreusberg Slam - Featured Performance
6:00pm - 11:00pm
Wednesday
Performance Spoken Word Lond'n UK
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Saturday
University of Illinois - Illinois Interfaith Confrence
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Tuesday
Lincoln Middle School
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Tuesday
Ruggles Elementary
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Friday
The Metro Chicago
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Wednesday
Odyssey Festival - Adlai Stevenon HS
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Saul Williams, Gwendolyn Brooks, Maya Angelou, Margret Cho
one microphone, one mic stand, standard PA/speaker system. An input for an ipod is a plus.
Spoken Word Artist