Charlie Petch
BIO
Biography

Charlie Petch (they/them, he/him) is a disabled/queer/transmasculine multidisciplinary artist who resides in Tkaronto/Toronto. A poet, playwright, librettist, musician, lighting designer, and host, Petch was the 2017 Poet of Honour for the speakNORTH national festival, winner of the Sheri-D Golden Beret Award from The League of Canadian Poets (2020), and founder of Hot Damn it's a Queer Slam. Petch is a touring performer, as well as a mentor and workshop facilitator. Their debut poetry collection, Why I Was Late (Brick Books), won the 2022 ReLit Award, and was named "Best of 2021" by The Walrus. Their film with Opera QTO, Medusa's Children, premièred 2022.  They have been featured on the CBC's Q, were the Writer In Residence for Berton House (2023), were long-listed for the CBC Poetry Prize in 2021. Their solo show "No one's special at the hot dog cart" debuted at Theatre Passe Muraille in 2024. 
 

ADDRESS
City: East York, Province/Territory: Ontario
EMAIL
GENRE
Spoken Word
PUBLICATIONS
Publications
Title
Why I Was Late
Publisher
Brick Book
Year
2021
AWARDS
Awards
Name
ReLit
Publication
Why I Was Late
Year
2022
Name
Charlie Petch
Publication
The Sheri-D Wilson Golden Beret award, League of Canadian Poets
Year
2021
LINKS
Links
Website
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS
Presentation details
Audience Size
Audience size
Any size
Presentation Genre
Music and Poetry
Presentation Length
One or 2 hours
Presentation Description
Presentation description

Music and Poetry

Learn how poet/musician Charlie Petch utilizes the Loop Pedal to create atmosphere for poems. Find out how it works with a live demonstration, and also how to work with sound technicians to achieve the right balance when working with pedals or live musical collaboration. 

Presentation Fee(s)
Starting at 200
Workshop details
Audience Size
20 to 30
Intended Audience
Any age, I've done this with 10 year olds, to 80 year olds, especially good for those with social anxiety
Workshop Length
2 hours
Workshop Description
Workshop description

Be Brave Onstage

Bullied for their lateral lisp, Charlie Petch went from silent, to feeling happiest onstage. Part microphone workshop, part performance coaching, award winning theatre and spoken word artist Charlie Petch will show you tips and tricks for public speaking and performance. Charlie will break down the elements of microphone / microphone stands, performing with / without notes, and tips for engaging audience. "Be Brave Onstage" will boost your confidence and have you excited for the next time you're onstage or public speaking. You can interact or just watch, have fun and learn. ​

Workshop Fee(s)
200+
School presentation details
Audience Size
Class to Auditorium
Intended Audience
Any age
Presentation Length
2 hours
Presentation Description
Presentation description

Slam/Spoken Word 101

This is an introduction to what Spoken Word Poetry is and what a Slam Poetry competition is. I talk (briefly) about the history of spoken word, from the earliest Oral Narrative traditions to Hip Hop and how it’s changing the world one you tube video at a time. I stress that it’s important to start out with your own story, something you love, what makes you weird (which is the artist’s greatest strength) and what you care about most.
 
I then go through the rules of a poetry slam and have the kids be the judges of a poem I perform. Depending on the class, I invite them to join the slam and we do this, or I have them be judges of three videos I share of work done by youth at poetry slams. It's always fun and interactive. 
​
Presentation Fee(s)
200+
EQUITY INITIATIVE
As part of the Union’s Equity Implementation Plan, we are committed to increasing awareness of authors who are Black, Indigenous, racialized, LGBTQI2S, or living with a disability. This author identifies as:
Members who identify as:
LGBTQI2S
Living with a disability
Programs & Interests
Interested in participating Union’s Ontario Writers-in-the-Schools program:
All members are eligible for the Union’s Ontario Writers-in-the-Schools program. Are you interested in participating in this pro
Yes
Interested in participating in the Northern Ontario WITS program:
The Union’s Northern Ontario Writers-in-the-Schools program funds in-person visits to northern Ontario schools when possible. Ar
Yes