
Cynthia (Cyn) Rodriguez is a Staten Island-based poet, curator, and community builder passionate about making the arts accessible and inclusive. Creator of VAUNT showcase and the curator and open mic host of Poetic Drip, a vibrant platform for poets and musicians on Staten Island’s North Shore.
Co-curator of Translating Sonnets, an annual Shakespearean series created by Thomas Fucaloro in collaboration with Staten Island Shakespearean Theater Company that reimagines classic texts for modern audiences.
Her dedication to public art includes co-hosting Poetry in the Park and curating events for CUNY’s Segal Center Arts in the Parks series.
Serving as Vice President of the board for Staten Island Puerto Rican Neighbors, she weaves her Puerto Rican and Dominican roots into her work through bilingual poetry, using language as a bridge for connection, culture, and self-expression.
Through every project, Cyn creates spaces where connection, creativity, and community thrive.
Inquire about availability for bookings to host or perform poetry/spoken word at your next event.
Join us for a night or two or more of open mic and community collaboration.

Do you sing, are you a poet, can you dance? Comedian? Ooh, how about ventriloquism, do you know anyone who can throw their voice? We want to hear it.
Join us and show off whatever your talent is.
Featuring a Poet/Musician/Creativeeach session.
Free Raffle style open mic list capped at 15 entries,
get there early to get your ticket. Free random prize raffle. We do ask that you donate $5 to the venue, to ensure we can keep the doors open, but no one will be turned away for lack of donation.
We gather to showcase Staten Island Storytellers through use of multimedia presentations.

Vaunt, by definition is to boast or praise excessively. During the VAUNT showcase we boast about and praise three local storytellers. Each program offers a chance for local vendors to display and sell their goods as we watch local artists perform and share their stories. Submission for consideration in future VAUNT showcases will be open soon. Stay tuned for updates.

In collaboration with Thomas Fucaloro (Creating Space) we present a night of Shakespeare reimagined. 10 Classically trained actors present a Shakespearean Sonnet in traditional form, and 10 local poets "translate" the sonnet into their own contemporary version. A contemporary twist of classic poetry that can be understood and enjoyed by modern audiences.
Your only limitation is your inability to supersede your capabilities.





















ETG Bookcafe 208 Bay St. Staten Island, NY 10301
Join us for a night of open mic shenanigans. Poetic Drip is more than poetry, come and sing a song, dance, share your comedy...whatever make...
ETG Bookcafe 208 Bay St. Staten Island, NY 10301
ETG Bookcafe 208 Bay St. Staten Island, NY 10301
This is going to be fun!
It's a literary reading, with a comedic twist and open mic. Literature meets Stand Up/Improv.
Featuring: Comedian Fr...
ETG Bookcafe 208 Bay St. Staten Island, NY 10301
Snug Harbor Carpenter's Shop 1000 Richmond Terrace Staten Island, NY 10301
Translating Sonnets showcases contemporary twists of traditional Shakespearean sonnets by modern poets and actors.
This special event will b...
Snug Harbor Carpenter's Shop 1000 Richmond Terrace Staten Island, NY 10301
ETG BookCafe 208 Bay St. Staten Island, NY 10301
This is going to be fun!
It's an open mic, with a comedic twist. Literature meets Stand Up/Improv. Featuring Comedian : TBA
As always, th...
ETG BookCafe 208 Bay St. Staten Island, NY 10301
TBA
2 part special event.
Details to come.
Stay tuned.
TBA
In 2025, Created by Cyn showcased 3 sets of performers who told their Staten Island stories using multimedia art and expression.
We gathered at ETG Bookcafe for the first 2 showcases and culminated the season with
VAUNT FINALE at the Staten Island Shakespearean Theater
where we vaunted for Staten Island artists and local vendors.
Check out the images below.
Join us in 2026 for VAUNT Encore.
VAUNT was made possible by a DCLA Premier Grant from Staten Island Arts, with public funding from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
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Active Depression was featured in Season 3 of Poetry in Motion.
Active Depression explores mental health and how running away from your problems doesn't necessarily fix anything but can help shift perspective through introspection.
Poetry by Cynthia Rodriguez Videography by Elmer Quintero.