The 2012 Poetry Out Loud Competition
Recitation and performance are major new trends in poetry. There has been a recent resurgence of poetry as an oral art form, as seen in the slam poetry movement and the immense popularity of hip-hop music among our youth. Poetry Out Loud builds on this momentum by inviting the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word, and theater into the English class. The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation have formed a partnership with state arts agencies to support the expansion of Poetry Out Loud, which encourages the nation’s youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance. This exciting program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about their literary heritage. Registration is open to all public, private, parochial and home school high schools in Maine.
2011-2012 Program Schedule
September 2011-January 2012Poetry Out Loud in the schools
November 18, 2011Final day to register your school for the 2011-2012 season
January 13, 2012Final day for school-wide competitions
January 18, 2012Final day to register school champions for State Regionals
February 8, 2012Southern Maine Regional at City Theater, Biddeford
(February 9, snow date)
February 15, 2012Northern Maine Regional at The Grand, Ellsworth
(February 16, snow date)
March 23, 2012State Finals at the Bates College - Olin Arts Center, Lewiston
(March 30 snow date)
May 13-15, 2012Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington, D.C.
Regional Finals
The Poetry Out Loud competition in Maine is moving into its final stages with the southern regional finals complete and the northern regional just around the corner at 4:00 pm at the Grand in Ellsworth on February 15. This event is free and open to the public.
In an astonishing competition at the southern regional five students were selected from among 24 to move onto the state finals of Poetry Out Loud. Avery Laderer, Boothbay Regional High School; Ellyn Touchette, Gorham High School; Kiana Sawyer, Portland High School; Monica Frempong, Morse High School; and Tyler O’Brien, Merriconeag Waldorf High School were the successful students.
Program Structure and Awards
Poetry Out Loud starts in the classroom. Participating teachers use the Poetry Out Loud teacher toolkit to facilitate lessons on poetry recitation and to run classroom competitions. Following a pyramid structure, classroom winners advance to a school-wide competition, then to a regional and/or state competition, and ultimately to the National Finals.
The Maine state champion will receive $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC, to compete at the National Finals. The state champion’s school will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. The first runner-up at the Maine State Finals will receive $100 and his or her school will receive $200 for the purchase of poetry books.
Click here to view the Poetry Out Loud Maine Finals 2011
At the Poetry Out Loud National Finals a total of $50,000 in awards and school stipends will be awarded, with a $20,000 award for the National Champion. The second-place winner will receive a $10,000 award; the third-place winner will receive $5,000; and the fourth- to ninth-place finalists will each receive $1,000. Their schools will receive $500 for the purchase of poetry books. There will be one runner-up in each semifinal competition. That student will not advance to the finals, but will receive a $1,000 cash award and $500 school stipend.
Program Materials
Poetry Out Loud curriculum materials include print and online poetry anthologies, a teacher's guide to help instructors teach recitation and performance, an audio CD featuring distinguished actors and writers, promotional and media guides, and a comprehensive website, www.poetryoutloud.org. Curriculum materials are available for download on the Poetry Out Loud website and can be used by schools, home school organizations and interested individuals not involved in the official contest. Poetry Out Loud classroom kits and teachers' guides will be sent to all participating teachers upon receipt of official school registration documents.
For more information or to register your school for the contest, contact Joshua Vink, MaineArtsContractor@maine.gov 207/592-2624 - 207/287-2725 Fax.