Stage a Poetry Slam: Creating Performance Poetry Events―Insider Tips, Backstage Advice, and Lots of Examples (A Poetry Speaks Experience)

How can I run my own slam? For groups large and small, from single events to recurring programs, Stage a Poetry Slam explains the easy way to make your slams a success. Stage a Poetry Slam is a comprehensive guide for both budding and seasoned Slammasters — people in charge of organizing and promoting poetry slams and spoken word events. Marc Kelly Smith, grand founder of the Slam movement and host of the original Uptown Poetry Slam, the one that started them all, takes you back stage to reveal the techniques and strategies he's crafted over his 20 years plus of developing world-class Slam shows. In Stage a Poetry Slam, Marc leads you through the process of shaping your own Slam from vision to opening night, as you discover how to... Fashion a crystal clear vision that drives the development of your first show Plan a detailed itinerary for a Slam extravaganza Scope out a venue that fits your vision Choose the right stage type for maximum impact Deal with the technical stuff — lights, mics, props, & drops Recruit and organize emcees, volunteers, and other support Discover talented performance poets and spoken word artists Publicize and promote your show to attract an eager audience Stage special shows for corporate and community events Take ownership of your show, so it doesn't get hijacked Negotiate fair compensation with club owners and other patrons of the arts Stage a Poetry Slam is packed with practical, world-tested advice on how to craft a compelling spoken word poetry event and promote in such a way to pack the seats and leave a line out to the streets. You'll also find a brief history of slam, the rules and regulations that govern official slam competitions, and a list of PSI (Poetry Slam, Inc.) Certified Slams, so you always have a place to visit to pick up ideas and talk shop with other Slammasters! Marc Kelly Smith—the father of the poetry slam himself—shares his experiences from thousands of shows to get readers started, covering everything, including finding a venue, lighting and sound, managing performers, even getting publicity. Stage a Poetry Slam is filled with insider tips, backstage advice, and examples that will wake up an audience and keep them coming back. You'll also be able to go online to the PoetrySpeaks.com community to listen to the samples, meet poets, and discover new inspirations. It's showtime! The ultimate guide for anyone who wants to run a slam or performance poetry show Title Page 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Introduction 16 A Note from the Publisher 20 Acknowledgments 22 Next Up! 24 Chapter 1: Digging the Roots of Spoken Word Poetry 26 Spoken Word Poetry’s Long Tradition 27 Who Inspired This Madness? and Why? 33 Slam Poetry Goes National 34 Slam Poetry Goes Global 35 Slam Poetry Here and Now 36 Next Up! 38 Chapter 2: Soaking the Spirit of Slam 40 The Big Definition of Slam 40 Sowing the Seeds of Slam 43 Who’s the Best and Who Cares 47 Behind the Slam Curtain 49 Next Up! 52 Chapter 3: Slam Competition - Rules, Regulations, and Other Formalities 54 It’s a Game, Stupid! 55 The Basic Rules of Slam Engagement 59 Make the Process Fun 61 Famous Slam Disclaimers 66 It’s Your Thing, Do What You Want to Do...To a Point 67 Next Up! 72 Chapter 4: Should I Become a Slammaster? 74 Do You Have the Itch? 74 Taking Inventory—Do You Have What It Takes? 75 Tallying Your Talents and Resources 82 Anticipating the Obstacles Ahead 84 Next Up! 88 Chapter 5: Sharpening Your Vision 90 Finding Form in Your Musings 90 Sampling the Many Flavors of Slam 92 Other Slam Spin-Offs—An Ever-Evolving Art 97 Heading for the Nationals—Serious Slammin’...Sort of 100 Next Up! 102 Chapter 6: Plotting Your Show: All Aboard Slampapi's Entertainment Express 104 The Entertainment Express—Scheduling Departure and Arrival Times 105 The Main Station Stops 108 Detailing Your Trip Tick 114 Final Considerations 120 Next Up! 124 Chapter 7: Scoping Out the Right Venue 126 Size Matters 127 Ambience Is Everything 129 Frame the Picture 135 Write All This Down 138 At the Sound of Ohhmmm, Begin the Search 140 Judgment Day 142 Closing the Deal 144 Hey! I Can’t Find a Venue! 148 Next Up! 150 Chapter 8: All the Slam's a Stage 152 Poet-in-a-Box: The Black Box 152 Above the Crowd on the Bandstand 154 The Spartan Stage: Cleared Space 156 The Great Hall 156 The Big-Time Stage: The Proscenium 157 The Outdoor Stage: Help! 158 The Rickety Rent-a-Stage 160 What? No Stage?! No Cleared Space?! 161 Worse Than Nothing: Bad Scenes 161 Next Up! 164 Chapter 9: Let's Get Technical 166 Tuning In Sound Systems—Can You Hear Me Now? 167 Light ’Em If They Got ’Em 170 Puttin’ Out the Glitz 173 Next Up! 180 Chapter 10: Choosing and Organizing Your Crew 182 Flying Solo 182 Partnerships, Committees, Co-ops, & Chaos 187 Help Wanted—Key Positions to Fill...If You Can 191 Next Up! 206 Chapter 11: Getting the Word Out: Publicizing Your Show 208 Know What You’re Promoting 209 Form Follows Function—Marketing Materials 211 Generating Feature Stories, Interviews, and Media Attention 214 More Methods for Getting the Word Out 219 Establishing a Web Presence 222 How Much Promoting...and to Whom? 232 Next Up! 238 Chapter 12: Expanding Your Market: Special Shows 240 Courting the Institutions 240 Shaping Your Show for the Expanded Market 245 Other Twists 249 From Nothing Something Slams 251 Your Overall Strategy 255 Next Up! 258 Chapter 13: Taking Ownership of Your Show 260 When All Is Said and Done...Do More 260 Setting a Stage, Not a Pedestal 262 Watch the Clock—Starting on Time 264 Fueling Audience Frenzy 265 Making the Most of a $lam $ituation 267 Absurd Ambitions and Other Worldly Temptations 273 Appendix A: Slammers: Performance Poetry 276 Poetry Collections 276 Audio & Video Recordings 277 Anthologies 278 Publishers of Slam Poetry 279 Agents 280 Appendix B: Books on Poetics & Performing 282 Appendix C: PSI-Certified Slams 284 Get On Stage and Perfect Your Performance 300 About the Authors 302 Back Cover 304 Stage a Poetry Slam is a comprehensive guide for both budding and seasoned Slammasters — people in charge of organizing and promoting poetry slams and spoken word events. Stage a Poetry Slam is a comprehensive guide for both budding and seasoned Slammasters — people in charge of organizing and promoting poetry slams and spoken word events. Marc Kelly Smith, grand founder of the Slam movement and host of the original Uptown Poetry Slam, the one that started them all, takes you back stage to reveal the techniques and strategies he's crafted over his 20 years plus of developing world-class Slam shows. In Stage a Poetry Slam, Marc leads you through the process of shaping your own Slam from vision to opening night, as you discover how to...Fashion a crystal clear vision that drives the development of your first showPlan a detailed itinerary for a Slam extravaganzaScope out a venue that fits your visionChoose the right stage type for maximum impactDeal with the technical stuff — lights, mics, props, & dropsRecruit and organize emcees, volunteers, and other supportDiscover talented performance poets and spoken word artistsPublicize and promote your show to attract an eager audienceStage special shows for corporate and community eventsTake ownership of your show, so it doesn't get hijackedNegotiate fair compensation with club owners and other patrons of the artsStage a Poetry Slam is packed with practical, world-tested advice on how to craft a compelling spoken word poetry event and promote in such a way to pack the seats and leave a line out to the streets.You'll also find a brief history of slam, the rules and regulations that govern official slam competitions, and a list of PSI (Poetry Slam, Inc.) Certified Slams, so you always have a place to visit to pick up ideas and talk shop with other Slammasters! How can I run my own slam? For groups large and small, from single events to recurring programs, Stage a Poetry Slam explains the easy way to make your slams a success. Stage a Poetry Slam is a comprehensive guide for both budding and seasoned Slammasters people in charge of organizing and promoting poetry slams and spoken word events. Marc Kelly Smith, grand founder of the Slam movement and host of the original Uptown Poetry Slam, the one that started them all, takes you back stage to reveal the techniques and strategies he's crafted over his 20 years plus of developing world-class Slam shows. In Stage a Poetry Slam , Marc leads you through the process of shaping your own Slam from vision to opening night, as you discover how to... Stage a Poetry Slam is packed with practical, world-tested advice on how to craft a compelling spoken word poetry event and promote in such a way to pack the seats and leave a line out to the streets. You'll also find a brief history of slam, the rules and regulations that govern official slam competitions, and a list of PSI (Poetry Slam, Inc.) Certified Slams, so you always have a place to visit to pick up ideas and talk shop with other Slammasters! Marc Kelly Smiththe father of the poetry slam himself shares his experiences from thousands of shows to get readers started, covering everything, including finding a venue, lighting and sound, managing performers, even getting publicity. Stage a Poetry Slam is filled with insider tips, backstage advice, and examples that will wake up an audience and keep them coming back. You'll also be able to go online to the PoetrySpeaks.com community to listen to the samples, meet poets, and discover new inspirations. It's showtime! The ultimate guide for anyone who wants to run a slam or performance poetry show