Plymouth State students were entertained in Memorial Hall on Friday October 5 with a performance by poet Sean Thomas Dougherty. Dougherty is the author of ten books including his newest, Broken Hallelujahs. The Manchester, NH native brought his rhythmic beats and meaningful commentary to the Plymouth State campus. “If you don’t get money, get kisses and tears,” Dougherty said of writing poetry, before introducing one of his poems entitled “Dear Tiara.”
The Plymouth State University Poets and Writers Club caught word that was Dougherty traveling around New Hampshire performing and asked him to make a stop in Plymouth. Sean Thomas Dougherty is a widely renowned performance poet who combines his ethnically mixed roots with urban rap beats and culture, to create a unique style all his own.
During breaks between his readings, Dougherty chatted with the audience, telling one particularly funny story about finding a line of poetry he utilized written in a bathroom stall. Filling the room with laughter, the humble and modest mannered Dougherty performed his heartfelt poems, crafting stories about his childhood and experiences growing up in an interracial family, and captivating the students attending.
Dougherty dropped out of Central High School in Manchester, NH in the early 80s. “I worked right after high school,” said Dougherty.
“There was a 50% dropout rate from Central, so I worked factory jobs and just read a lot. Whenever I drove the forklift I would just read.” Reading has been a major component of Dougherty’s life, as well as source of inspiration. After working for a number of years at different factories he began to take night classes in the pursuit of his degree.
“Growing up I got a lot of inspiration from my friends and the environment I lived in.” Dougherty grew up in a large interracial neighborhood of Manchester with his Jewish mother and African-American father. “I liked rap a lot and incorporated it into my poetry,” Dougherty explained. “I love repetition; I love to exploit the words. Beats dance in my head and it initiates the pulsing of the poem.”
After working vigorously towards his MFA in poetry in 1995, he began to perform more of his poetry for audiences. While working towards his Ph.D, he taught at small schools before getting offered a teaching position at Pennsylvania State University.
After 7 years of teaching in Erie, PA, Dougherty quit his job only a few weeks before his performance in Plymouth. “I left because I was just sick of it. I looked at my performance dates and chose one or the other. So now I am driving around city to city.” Dougherty’s books are available online for purchase, as well as a great deal of information regarding his other work. For students interested in supporting the work of a fellow artist, a NH native with a refreshingly independent work ethic, check out Sean Thomas Dougherty!