A slam is a competitive poetry reading. The element of competition is added to enliven the audience and push the poet-performers to their greatest potential. Poets must abide by slam rules, such as a 3 minute time limit on poems, only perform original work, and no props or costumes permitted. These rules are enforced in an attempt to ensure that the poet is judged on his or her writing and performance alone. Audiences are encouraged to encourage the slammers with hoots, hollers, and applause. Slams may have three rounds, or may be structured as a head-to-head challenge. At a Seattle Youth Speaks Slam, come prepared with 3 poems that are 3 minutes and under in length. At the least, you will read one poem. At the most, 3. In the rare case of a tie in the third round, a fourth poem or impromptu poem is sometimes necessary.
Judges are selected, either at random from the audience or previously selected (ensuring that judges do not have personal relationships with the contestants), and the poets are scored Olympic-style, from one to ten. However, the youth slam poetry movement, unlike the competitive world of adult slam, has been founded on the basis that no matter the configuration of the competition, all poets should be heard and respected.
YSS Slam History:
Since 2000, Seattle has sent a team of young poets to Brave New Voices, the National Youth Poetry Slam and Festival, held in a different US city each year. Since 2003, Youth Speaks Seattle has hosted a series of poetry slams at local venues in the first quarter of the year to select the team. In 2008, we will have preliminary slams in January, February, and March, a wildcard slam in April, and a final slam in May. This year's national competition will be in July 2008 in Washington D.C.
How YSS serves the community through slam:
With the recognition that young people's voices are some of our society's most marginalized, our organization's mission is to create and maintain avenues for youthful self-expression in the greater Seattle area and beyond via interconnected programs including: in-school writing and performance workshops, a weekly writing circle, monthly open microphones series, and the annual slam series. The venue of the youth slam is unique in that although it is a competition, the competitive nature of the event is not the central focus. The slam is recognized for what it is - a "gimmick" designed to pack the house. Instead, the focus remains on the poets and their poetry.
All year, YSS hosts writing and performance workshops for youth ages 13-20. These workshops focus on finding the best ways to express one's thoughts in writing as well as on developing stage presence and vocal production. Interested poets may then choose to compete in the slam series. Workshop participants have repeatedly said that poetry and the performance opportunities provided by slam have worked to substantially increase their sense of self-confidence, as well as their belief in their ability to achieve.
For the past two years, the slams have been sold-out, standing-room-only events. In addition, the number of youth poets who arrive to compete in the slam has almost always exceeded the maximum number of allowable participants. There is clearly a city-wide interest in this modern and interactive art form, evidenced by the steady stream each year of interested young poets and eager audience members.
YSS continues to host youth slams so that young poets from all backgrounds may have meaningful opportunities to share their work with an appreciative audience. It is our belief that a sense of value for art, and writing in particular, encourages young people to take careful notice of their world and the roles they play in it, and also, that sharing their writing with others in turn encourages the development of an empowering sense of self-worth. It is our hope that this self-worth will be a defining factor in helping today's young people take charge of their lives and especially, of their own educational processes.
