Beau Sia

Beau Sia is a celebrated slam poet and a Tony Award winner, recognized for his dynamic performances and thought-provoking poetry. Born in Ohio to Chinese immigrants from the Philippines and later raised in Oklahoma City, Sia pursued his passion for the arts by moving to New York City, where he obtained a BFA from the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. His artistic journey took off at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, where he honed his craft and joined the 1996 Nuyorican National Poetry Slam team, earning a spot in the acclaimed documentary SlamNation.

A two-time National Poetry Slam champion, Sia has authored several notable works, including Well Played (2020), The Undisputed Greatest Writer of All Time (2010), and A Night Without Armor II: The Revenge (1998), a witty rebuttal to Jewel’s poetry collection. His poetry often confronts and deconstructs stereotypes associated with Asian Americans.

Sia's contributions to literature have been featured in various anthologies, such as How to Make a Living as a Poet (2005) and Poetry Slam: The Competitive Art of Performance Poetry (2000). He has appeared in films like Rachel Getting Married (2008) and Hitch (2005), and his Broadway performance in Def Poetry Jam (2003) earned him a Tony Award. His work has garnered attention from major publications, including Salon.com and the New York Daily News. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Sia continues to inspire through performances and workshops, including those for Urban Word NYC and Youth Speaks.