Devon Glover is a teacher, rapper, poet, playwright and actor from Brooklyn, New York. He performs Shakespeare's Sonnets through Hip-Hop as The Sonnet Man in schools and theaters worldwide. Devon has appeared on NBC, MSNBC, BBC, and Conferences and Shakespeare Festivals worldwide, including Stratford, Ontario, and Stratford-upon-Avon. He has taught with Stratford Shakespeare, Passion in Practice, Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and Southern Shakespeare, among others. Devon has written adaptations of Shakespeare for various theatre companies. In 2016, in honor of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, Devon went on a Sonnet Marathon tour through the US, UK, and Morocco, where he rapped all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets in succession on the Bard’s birthday. In the fall 2017, Devon co-wrote “A Town Divided," an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet based in Tallahassee, FL. In the Summer 2019, Devon was commissioned by Shakespeare Birthplace Trust to write a hip-hop adaptation of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night (Lyrica). In 2022, Glover made his directorial debut, directing Othello for Flagstaff Shakespeare. In the Summer 2023, Devon was hired to compose and create sound design for Prague Shakespeare’s Roman Daggers, a mash-up adaptation of Julius Caesar and Antony & Cleopatra, where he also took on the role of Cinna The Poet.

GVSU Arts Celebration: The Sonnet Man

Monday, October 7, 2024, 7:00 pm, Free
Reception in to immediately follow the performance
Louis Armstrong Theater, Haas Center for the Performing Arts
INT 100 Approved

This captivating performance transcends the boundaries of age and genre. Devon Glover, the visionary behind The Sonnet Man, takes audiences on a dynamic journey through the timeless works of William Shakespeare. The experience unfolds in two captivating acts. First, Mr. Glover delivers Shakespeare's sonnets in their original form, a testament to the enduring power of the Bard's language.

Following this, he masterfully deconstructs the sonnets through a fusion of rap, R&B, blues, and jazz, creating a wholly original soundscape. Each sonnet selection draws inspiration from Mr. Glover's own experiences, weaving a tapestry of personal narrative and historical insight. The program further expands by incorporating soliloquies and scenes from Shakespeare's celebrated plays.

The performance doesn't merely entertain; it actively engages the audience. Throughout the show, attendees become participants, joining in on call-and-response segments, rhythmic chants, and uplifting choral sing-alongs. Prepare to be invigorated by The Sonnet Man. This innovative performance promises afresh perspective on Shakespeare, leaving you wanting more.

GVSU Shakespeare Festival: Romeo and Juliet

October 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 at 7:30 pm
October 6, 13 at 2:00 pm
Louis Armstrong Theater, Haas Center for the Performing Arts
Get your tickets!

Romeo and Juliet is directed by Guest Director Patrick Poole and features Special Guest Artist Devon "The Sonnet Man" Glover as Prince Escalus. “For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”

Romeo and Juliet also features three secondary school student matinees. See Education and Outreach for more information