Shane Koyczan @ Shane Koyczan & The Short Story Long
There seems no shortage of adjectives to describe a Shane Koyczan show. Moving, hilarious, challenging, provocative, or inspirational. Take your pick. Here is a writer that takes you on a tour of your own feelings in a way that leaves you grasping for your own heart just to make sure it’s still in your chest.
His work has become a staple in schools for both its impact and reach. Shane curates a kind of art gallery that displays sculptures of the human experience each time he speaks. Lauded for his sold out live performances Koyczan has carved out his own artistic path and taken his work beyond the conventional. His best known work may be the anti-bullying poem “To This Day” which has over 24 million views on YouTube.
Amidst the interdisciplinary work and international accolades, a powerful connection with his audience remains at the core of who Koyczan is. A commanding presence and a fearless explorer of the highs and lows of the human condition, his poems “touch so deep that emotion crackles in the air around you. And, sure, there are moments of utter, gut-wrenching sadness, but out of this sadness comes such strength, truth and hope that we want to stand up and cheer” (Monday Magazine).
Shane Koyczan was born in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, to a French mother and a father of First Nations heritage. He grew up in Penticton, British Columbia, where he makes his home.
His work has become a staple in schools for both its impact and reach. Shane curates a kind of art gallery that displays sculptures of the human experience each time he speaks. Lauded for his sold out live performances Koyczan has carved out his own artistic path and taken his work beyond the conventional. His best known work may be the anti-bullying poem “To This Day” which has over 24 million views on YouTube.
Amidst the interdisciplinary work and international accolades, a powerful connection with his audience remains at the core of who Koyczan is. A commanding presence and a fearless explorer of the highs and lows of the human condition, his poems “touch so deep that emotion crackles in the air around you. And, sure, there are moments of utter, gut-wrenching sadness, but out of this sadness comes such strength, truth and hope that we want to stand up and cheer” (Monday Magazine).
Shane Koyczan was born in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, to a French mother and a father of First Nations heritage. He grew up in Penticton, British Columbia, where he makes his home.