Houston’s New Youth Poet Laureate Has Big Plans, Plus John Bolton Stars In “Hello, Dolly!”
Meet teen poet Madison Petaway, who will advocate for mental health and literacy through her new role, as well as Broadway, TV and film star, John Bolton.
Houston Youth Poet Laureate Madison Petaway and Carolee Carmello & John Bolton in "Hello, Dolly!" (Photo Credit: Dabfoto Creative and Julieta Cervantes)
Madison Petaway, Houston Youth Poet Laureate (Photo Credit: Pin Lim)
Madison Petaway gives a speech at the Writers in the Schools (WITS) Gala on November 14, 2019, when she was officially announced as Houston Youth Poet Laureate. (Photo Credit: Dabfoto Creative)
Madison Petaway gives a speech at the Writers in the Schools (WITS) Gala on November 14, 2019, when she was officially announced as Houston Youth Poet Laureate. (Photo Credit: Dabfoto Creative)
Madison Petaway gives a speech at the Writers in the Schools (WITS) Gala on November 14, 2019, when she was officially announced as Houston Youth Poet Laureate. (Photo Credit: Dabfoto Creative)
Madison Petaway gives a speech at the Writers in the Schools (WITS) Gala on November 14, 2019, when she was officially announced as Houston Youth Poet Laureate. (Photo Credit: Dabfoto Creative)
Madison Petaway succeeds Jackson Neal as Houston Youth Poet Laureate. (Photo Credit: Dabfoto Creative)
Carolee Carmello and John Bolton in "Hello, Dolly!" (Photo Credit: Julieta Cervantes)
Carolee Carmello and the company of "Hello, Dolly!" (Photo Credit: Julieta Cervantes)
John Bolton and the company of "Hello, Dolly!" (Photo Credit: Julieta Cervantes)
The company of "Hello, Dolly!" (Photo Credit: Julieta Cervantes)
Carolee Carmello, John Bolton and the company of "Hello, Dolly!" (Photo Credit: Julieta Cervantes)
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In this episode of the podcast "Unwrap Your Candies Now," Catherine Lu chats with Madison Petaway, Houston's fifth Youth Poet Laureate. Appointed in November 2019 by Mayor Sylvester Turner through a joint program of Writers in the Schools and Houston Public Library, Petaway is a junior at Westbury High School and a member of the Meta-Four Houston youth slam team. She talks about how poetry changed her life and how she hopes to serve the city's youth. She also performs her poem "Dictionary."
Then, Ernie Manouse interviews John Bolton, who stars as "Horace Vandergelder" in the national-touring Broadway production of Hello, Dolly!. Winner of four Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival, this new production of the classic musical comedy runs January 7 – 12 at The Hobby Center, presented by Broadway Across America.
Share your comments, questions and ideas at UYCN@houstonpublicmedia.org.
While growing up in Chicago and Houston, Catherine’s love for art, music and creative writing was influenced by her teachers and parents. She was once concertmaster of the Clear Lake High School Orchestra and a four-time violinist of the Texas All-State Symphony. A graduate of the University of Chicago, Catherine...
