If you haven’t already heard, poetry is coming to HCAC next semester! Teaching “Spoken Word: Writing & Performing Poetry” is Shivram Gopinath, a seasoned writer and performer.

Shivram has performed alongside internationally acclaimed spoken word artists like Sarah Kay, Phil Kaye, Kosal Khiev and Luka Lesson. He also had his work featured at the Singapore Heritage Fest, Singapore Writers Festival, Singapore Literature Prize Awards, Spore Art Salon, SPEAK, Speakeasy, Lit Up Festival and more.

We ask him 10 questions originally conceptualized by host Bernard Pivot from the French series “Bouillon de Culture”, and made famous by James Lipton, host of “Inside the Actors Studio”.

1. What is your favorite word?

Tongue

2. What is your least favorite word?

Youth

3. Name 3 films you think every actor should see.

Old Boy, Blue Jasmine, Nayakan

4. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

Brutal honesty

5. What turns you off?

Sucking up

6. What is your favorite curse word?

Fuck

7. What sound or noise do you hate?

The third snooze alarm

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Politician

9. What profession would you not like to do?

Theatre producer (only because I’d be terrible at it)

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

Sorry, I’m working on it.