Spoken word artists Ebony Stewart has been a big part of the Austin slam poetry scene for about a decade, but she's never created a full-length solo show until now. Her new one-woman show, Hunger, has been a long time coming, she says.
The show is based on Ebony's difficult relationship with her own father."It basically stems from the idea of me trying to get over my daddy issues," she says. "I feel like I am constantly mourning not having the father that everyone else has." The title Hunger refers her need and desire for a positive male role model. "I crave my dad," Ebony says. "I crave having that experience or that relationship, or being reared by a man."
Ebony's dealing with some serious personal issues in the show, but that doesn't mean it's a complete downer. "It has as lot of roller coaster rides," she says. "There is a lot of joy, there is a lot of comedy... but there is sorrow and heartache and anger."
Ultimately, Ebony hopes the show will have a positive impact on its audience. "I really want people to take away from this show forgiveness," she says, "and to find the joy in the little things."
Ebony Stewart's Hunger is onstage at the Vortex through September 5.
