In the dimly-lit bar, a single yellow spotlight bounced off the red velvet stage curtains to accent Kyle Houston's black Foo-Fighters shirt and baggy gray shorts.
The San Jose teen stepped behind the microphone and began his poetic message:
"Conform to your individuality without being a conformist individual/
'Cause trying to be like everyone else is not cool."
Houston, 18, looks like a typical teenager but his passion for poetry sets him apart.
He's become a regular at Waves Smokehouse & Saloon in downtown San Jose, which becomes a poetry hot spot each Tuesday. On stage, he criticizes the way young people follow societal trends and compares them to mass-produced products that all look the same.
Poetry slams, much like live theater and improvisational comedy shows, are gaining in popularity among Bay Area teens as an alternative form of entertainment that's competing with movies, concerts, television and Internet surfing. And the hosts of these events are thrilled to see teens becoming more involved.
"We want kids and teenagers to see the importance of bringing art into people's lives," said Jill McIntyre, spokeswoman for San Jose Repertory Theater.
The Rep isn't alone in urging young people to sample live theater.
"We encourage kids to be involved in theater productions - to act, direct, do tech work and design costumes," said Brad Erickson, the executive director of Theatre Bay Area, a San Francisco-based company that works to strengthen and promote theater in the region. "Kids who are involved in theater are more likely to attend shows."
Live performances have several perks that don't exist in other forms of entertainment. The interaction between the performers and the crowd creates a one-of-a-kind pizzazz that isn't found in high-tech forms of recreation, event organizers said.
"Slam poetry is the distillation of emotion," said Rebecca DeKeusfer, who hosts the poetry slam at Waves. "It is energetic, physical and involves the audience. Humans need to hear each other and make a connection."
Comedy Sportz, similar to television show "Whose Line is it Anyway?", is competitive improvisational comedy between two teams, complete with an umpire and an Astroturf stage on the second floor of Bella Mia restaurant in San Jose. The show involves participation from audience members, who offer suggestions to the players. The audience also might have a chance to choose games, call fouls and volunteer for a variety of tasks. Ultimately, the audience decides which team wins.
"I like how it is funny because they are feeding off the audience's reactions so that we feel more involved," said Katie Warren, 19, of San Jose.
Compared to recorded programs, live productions tend to offer their audiences more of a motivational experience, McIntyre said.
"When you see actors in a play in front of you, it is tangible inspiration," she said. "People on television have the perfect life on screen, but the artists in front of you can make you dream. They are more realistic."
Teens have differing thoughts about live entertainment vs. high-tech fun.
"It is hard to act live on stage," said 16-year-old Homestead High School student Shir Hasson. "Movie actors can re-do scenes and make lots of money, but actors in plays have to practice and get it right."
But 18-year-old Orr Golevarg of Sunnyvale saw it differently.
"Live performances are slow," he said. "They are boring unless you know the performers."
Jeff Kramer, a player in the Comedy Sportz show, said there's nothing like seeing something live.
"Picture watching something on television at home as opposed to being there," he said. "The excitement of the crowd is overwhelming. The first thing you would say to someone who didn't go is, 'You should have been there!' "