WORCESTER—Teen poets from across Worcester take to the mic later this month as the city hosts its third annual Worcester Teen Poetry Slam, a spoken-word competition aimed at amplifying youth voices and building a pathway to statewide competition.
The event, organized by the city’s Cultural Development Division in partnership with Mass Poetry and The White Room, is open to youth ages 13 to 19 and will be held Feb. 24 from 6-9 p.m. at The White Room, 138 Green St.
Hosted by BrujaTheVillain, the slam gives participants the opportunity to perform two original poems, which will be scored by a panel of local jurors including Worcester Poet Laureate Nicole “Nic” Jean Turner, Jafet Muzic, Noemi Saafyr Paz, Paul Willis, and Rita Mokerjee. The top six poets are then invited to join a teen slam group representing Worcester in the next round of competition.
“The Teen Poetry Slam is an incredible opportunity to perform and connect with other young poets,” Youth Poet Laureate Samara Tang-Rainwater said in the announcement. “Being surrounded by peers who are passionate about poetry makes me feel inspired, confident and eager to keep growing as an artist.”
Advance registration is encouraged, though day-of sign-ups are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, according to organizers. Participants are also encouraged to invite family members, friends, mentors and fellow teens to attend the event showcase.
The six poets selected at the Worcester slam will advance to Mass Poetry’s statewide Teen Spoken Word Festival, Write Here | Write Now | Speak Loud!, scheduled for March 28 and 29 at Emerson College. The festival brings together more than 100 teen poets from Worcester, Boston and Lowell for competitive slams and a range of non-competitive programming, including workshops, open mics and a multimedia art expo exploring creative disciplines such as dance, graffiti art, fashion, music and meditation.
“Participating in this Teen Poetry Slam is about more than competing,” Turner said in the announcement. “It’s about listening, encouraging, and creating pathways for young poets to experience their voices being valued and heard, while celebrating and honoring their stories.”
Organizers say the competition is open to both experienced slam poets and youth performing spoken word for the first time. This year’s theme, “The Odds Are in Our Favor,” encourages young artists to share personal truths and recognize community figures who inspire them.
“Each year, we see new talent emerge, new perspectives shared, and young people step into their power,” Mass Poetry Director Crystal Valentine said in the announcement. “Investing in youth voices strengthens our cultural landscape and ensures that the next generation of storytellers has room to grow.”
