SLAM U 2010 Begins At Playhousesquare 2/19

Slam U, a series of performance poetry workshops presented by the Community Engagement & Education Department at PlayhouseSquare, is a unique opportunity for high school students to speak their minds, hone their poetry-writing and performance skills and compete for a place on Cleveland's National Youth Poetry Slam Team that will travel to Brave New Voices, the 13th Annual National Youth Poetry Slam Festival, in July. Philanthropic support received by PlayhouseSquare provides for the team's travel and expenses.

Poetry slam is the competitive art of performance poetry. Emphasis is on both writing and performance. At a poetry slam, poets perform their work and members of the audience serve as judges.

"Slam U is about giving teens a voice, building their writing and speaking skills and encouraging them to be self-confident," explained Colleen Porter, director of community engagement & education at PlayhouseSquare. "It's really amazing to see how they come to life on stage and to hear their powerful words."

A performance workshop will be held on Friday, February 19. At the workshop, teens will work with a teaching artist and peer coaches to develop their skills and prepare for the competition that will be held on April 16 and April 23 (semi-finals), and April 30 (finals). Four finalists and one alternate will be chosen to represent Cleveland at the National Youth Poetry Slam.

To complement Slam U, the Community Engagement & Education Department is offering after-school drop-in sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6 p.m. during February and March. Adult and peer coaches will be available, and students can write, practice performing, learn to use a microphone and share ideas. On Thursdays, student can practice beat making using Garageband software.

Slam U is open to Northeast Ohio students ages 14-19. All Slam U events are free, but reservations are recommended. Call 216-348-7909 or email artseducation@playhousesquare.org to reserve a spot.

Slam U Calendar at PlayhouseSquare

February 19, 2010
6:30 - 7:00 pm Free Pizza
7:00 - 9:00 pm Performance workshop

April 16, 2010
6:30 - 7:00 pm Free Pizza
7:00 - 9:00 pm Semi-Finals Part I

April 23, 2010
6:30 - 7:00 pm Free Pizza
7:00 - 9:00 pm Semi-Finals Part II

April 30, 2010
6:30 - 7:00 pm Free Pizza
7:00 - 9:00 pm FINALS
Hosted by Rafael Casal of Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam

PlayhouseSquare understands its vital role as an educator in our community, and is committed to providing arts learning opportunities of the highest quality to enrich the lives of students, families, teachers and adults. PlayhouseSquare's Community Engagement & Education Department is unique in the performing arts industry for the variety of programs it offers, the partnerships it initiates and the access it provides students, educators and aspiring artists to performing arts professionals. Since its inception in 1998, the Community Engagement & Education Department has offered thousands of events, workshops, classes and more, most with minimal or no fees, to people of all ages from all areas of Northeast Ohio. The generous support of individual and corporate donors and foundations makes it all possible.

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