Embracing Performance Poetry with the Young Writers

We began with a discussion on the differences between poetry for performance and poetry that solely exists on the page.

Some of the defining factors included the focus of the work, and the way in which the speaker delivers it. Rhythm is a key aspect of performance poetry. So, we took the opportunity to use rhythm in a warmup game. Sarah clapped a rhythm, and we all followed suit.

Then we invited the participants to work in pairs to put words to a rhythm that they knew well.

I devised an exercise on everyday joys based on Brad Aaron Modlin’s poem What You Missed That Day You Were Absent in Fourth Grade. After hearing the poem from two different readers, I invited the writers to make a list of small everyday joys, which they then used to inspire a new poem. The work that emerged from this activity was beautiful, and there are many lines which will live with me for some time to come. We then gave our writers the chance to explore the revamped creative spaces and possibilities within The Writers’ Block. In every cabinet and on every wall, there is something that could spark a story or a poem. The only stipulation was that we wanted them to find something that provoked an emotional response, as the best performance poetry does. We then had the opportunity to share and listen to the work that emerged from this exercise. It was inspiring to watch the participants step over the threshold from confident writers to giving voice to their brand new work. One participant commented that they felt this workshop was a good way to end the year. I could not agree more – it is a great privilege to play a small part in people’s creative journeys. Our next event focused on young writers is the Showcase, where we will celebrate the achievements of the writers who participated in the mentoring programme with readings and songs by the Story Republic. We look forward to resuming the Young Writers workshops in the Autumn term.