For Immediate Release: 4/11/2024 12:07 pm
WORCESTER, Mass. – The City of Worcester Cultural Development Division, in partnership with Mass Poetry and The White Room, will host a Worcester Preliminary Teen Poetry Slam for youth ages 13-19 on April 25.
The Worcester Preliminary Teen Poetry Slam will be hosted by BrujaTheVillain at The White Room, 138 Green St. in Worcester, on April 25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Youth will have the opportunity to perform two original poems to be scored by distinguished local jurors including Boston Poet Laureate, Amanda Shea; Worcester Youth Poet Laureate emeritus, Adael Mejia; and Nikk “Nark” Lessard from the Dirty Gerund Poetry Show. The top four teen competitors will win a $50 cash prize and advance to the next round of the competition.
The second round of the competition will occur May 3-5 in Boston’s Seaport District during Mass Poetry’s statewide Teen Spoken Word Festival “Write Here | Write Now | Speak Loud!” The Teen Spoken Word Festival will feature teen slams, workshops, and open mics. Over a hundred teens from Boston, Lowell, and Worcester will have the chance to compete in these slams and prepare to advance to the final round of the competition at the Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Festival taking place July 17-20 in Washington, D.C.
The competition welcomes all perspectives, including seasoned teen slam poets, as well as youth who are trying performance poetry for the first time.
“Mass Poetry started in Worcester so it’s important to pay homage to Worcester’s creative scene and bridge the gap between Boston and Worcester creatives,” said Mass Poetry Director Crystal Valentine.
Participants are invited to register in advance to secure their spot in the Worcester Preliminary Teen Slam competition. To register and for more information visit Individual Teen Preliminary Poetry Slam: Worcester Edition. The event is open to the public.
