Perpetuates our nation's literacy legacy
Enhances Public Speaking Skills
Builds self-confidence
Presented by:
The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, in partnership with the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Huntington Theatre Company.
POETRY OUT LOUD encourages students in grades 9-12 to memorize and perform real poems and to explore the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken work, and theatre in their English and Drama classes.
Congratulations to the 2010 Massachusetts Poetry Out Loud State Champion, WILMENE HERCULE!
Wilmene Hercule at the National Poetry Out Loud competition in Washington, D.C. | "Poetry Out Loud allowed me to step outside myself, even for a little while, and in a way that made me more thoughtful about those around me and what they feel. For example, 'A Song in My Front Yard' made me wonder whether or not the quieter people I know are looking for the same kind of freedom Gwendolyn Brookes' speaker was looking for. I think that Poetry Out Loud has affected me because it has given me a deeper understanding of poets and their personalities. You never truly understand a poem or where the poet is coming from until you've analyzed it, defined it, and recited it for others as if you were the poet him or herself." — Wilmene Hercule, 2010 Massachusetts Poetry Out Loud State Champion |
In March 2009, students from more than 50 schools across the state participated in the 4th annual Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest. The Huntington's Department of Education facilitates the Massachusetts competition on behalf of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Semi-finals were held in Springfield, Boston, Framingham, and Yarmouth with Finals following at the historic Old South Meeting House in Boston in Marxg. The competition was a great success, and named Wilmene Hercule of Prospect Hill Academy in Cambridge State Champion.
HOLD A POETRY COMPETITION AT YOUR SCHOOL!
- Classroom competition: each student recites a poem from the Poetry Out Loud Anthology
- School-Wide Competition: classroom winners recite 2 poems each
- State Semi-Finals: for school-wide winners — March 5 and 6, 2011 (location TBD)
- State Finals: for semi-final winners — March 13, 2011 (location TBD)
- National Competition: held in Washington, D.C. (all expenses paid!)
- Prizes: cash prizes are awarded to winners and their schools at the state and national level.
For more information on Poetry Out Loud, check out the NEA's website at Poetryoutloud.org.
DEADLINES
Registration Deadline: Thursday, December 23, 2010
Winner Submission Deadline: Thursday, February 17, 2011
For more information please contact Donna Glick, Director of Education, at 617 273-1548 or email poetryoutloud@huntingtontheatre.bu.edu.