A single spotlight centers on a lone poet standing on an empty stage. Devin Smith, known to his fans as Poetri, begins reciting his verse:

"I wanted to walk by her and snatch her purse.

I mean, that's what she thought I was gonna do anyway,

judging by how tightly she grabbed it and pulled it close to her

like it was her child and I was the evil kidnapper."

His deep voice and cadenced speech delivers his message - whatever it may be. His poems span all topics, from social issues such as race to professing his love for Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

The performer, whose birth name means "a poet," is ready to invade East Lansing on Friday with a few of his poetic friends.

Poetri, of Muskegon, is one of nine poets to be featured Friday in the Wharton Center's Great Hall for Russell Simmons' "Def Poetry Jam."

"It's real because we are not actors, we are poets and we are speaking our truth," Poetri said. "You leave feeling uplifted and energized; it's a totally different feeling from a regular play where people are acting. It's time for something new that this generation can relate to."

Poetri wants the audience to listen and absorb their words without sitting still.

"I'm expecting the crowd to be jumping up and down and screaming and on the edge of their seats the whole night," he said. "It's like call and response - have them hang on every word and it never gets old."

The performance, which recently swept Broadway, showcases young spoken-word and beat poets from diverse backgrounds from all corners of the United States.

"There are so many plays and TV shows where it's all white, you're like, 'The world is not all white or all black, it's many different colors,'" Poetri said. "Portraying that on stage is truth."

The 2003 Tony Award winning "Def Poetry Jam" has been attracting a lot of local attention.

The Office of Racial Ethnic Student Affairs, along with the Black Student Alliance, wanted to offer the chance for as many students to experience the jam as possible. The group bought a bulk number of tickets to sell to interested students at a discounted price.

"It's important to provide an opportunity for students to participate in events on a large scale together," said Robert Biddle, coordinator for ORESA. "(The performance) shows the quality of artists that are placed on the stage and they are able to speak to a large cross-section of society."

Sloane Spencer, a member of MSU's Black Poets Society, has seen the show before and said she can't wait to relive the night again.

"It's indescribable because I've never seen anything like it," the theater sophomore said.

Spencer, a poet herself, said she's found relief in expressing herself through the spoken word.

"There is nothing like putting your heart and soul on a piece of paper and then to read what you wrote in front of people," she said. "Knowing that someone else is feeling the exact same thing at that moment is addictive."

Microbiology senior Sarah Ward has been holding tickets to the Jam since September and says she doesn't know what to expect Friday night.

"I've never seen live poetry performed; I just want to be surprised," she said. "I think it's going to be more about real-life experiences. Broadway shows and musicals are less realistic, this is going to be more about emotion."

Poetri says Ward is exactly right - the evening will surprise and intrigue everyone who's never been around a poetry jam or slam.

"They are going to learn there are many people out there just like them," Poetri said. "We tend to go throughout life thinking, 'It only happens to me.' But, when they see people on stage going through the same trials and tribulations, they realize they're not alone."

Adrienne Broaddus can be reached at broaddu2@msu.edu, Sarah Frank can be reached at franksa2@msu.edu.