Sounds like you’re ready for a challenge.
Poetry Out Loud (POL) brings the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word and theater into high school classrooms throughout Arizona. A program of the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, administered in Arizona by the Arizona Commission on the Arts in partnership with University of Arizona Poetry Center and Phonetic Spit, POL offers students a unique opportunity to master public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about their literary heritage.
But don’t just take our word for it.
Last spring, as a senior at Nogales High School, Zaskia Villa claimed the title of 2015 Arizona Poetry Out Loud State Champion and represented Arizona at the Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington D.C. With her magnetic, visceral performances of “Movement Song” by Audre Lorde, “It was not Death for I stood up (355)” by Emily Dickinson, and “Deliberate” by Amy Uyematsu, Zaskia made a strong showing in a field of 53 state and regional champions.
Recently, Zaskia took time out of her busy schedule to reflect on the experience and offer her first-hand perspective on POL.
What did you find to be the most rewarding aspect of your participation in Poetry Out Loud?
The feeling of doing something I loved and knowing that I was good enough to advance through the competitions was definitely the most rewarding. There’s something about being in front of a crowd with a microphone at your lips that gives you this sense of power and a beautiful ability to reach out to others with something so personal to you: your voice.
Poetry Out Loud is a program that has national reach. What do you think it offers to Arizona high school students in particular?
I feel that students from Arizona, just like any other state, should be able to experience and find a place in the amazing community of poets and performers from all over the country.
I feel the arts were seldom put in the spotlight at my own high school, and so being exposed to this new art world opened my eyes and motivated me to get more in touch with writing and poetry. Students that feel they are in the same position should get the chance to explore new areas beyond what they have known, to see that there is more of what they love beyond the high school doors.
What advice would you give students who may be unsure, nervous or completely frightened by the thought of performing poetry?
Find a poem that speaks to you. Find a poem that tugs at your soul and makes it easy for you to envision yourself reciting its words to an audience. Spend time choosing a poem that suits you and your interests. Meet the words, know the words, carry them with you and speak them with the intention of making others feel them. Once you find comfort in a poem that is no longer a stranger, it will be easier for you to recite it.
If you’re afraid of feeling nervous while you recite, remind yourself that it will be over before you know it. If you feel that your nerves will take over the recitation, practice breathing techniques before you go on stage. Take a deep breath in and hold it for three seconds, then slowly breathe out. This will relax you. Be determined, and be confident. There is no feeling like performing, so own it and take in the atmosphere. You are on stage and you have the power over the audience. Don’t think about winning or the prize. Do it because you love it. Speak with your heart!
Can you describe what happens to you when you read poetry?
I recite poetry in my head as I read it. I usually try to pretend that the words I’m reading are my own. I like making them personal because then I feel the poem is a lot more powerful and I’m able to establish a better connection. If it happens to be a poem that I can connect with, the feeling I get is wonderful. Knowing that there is a mind out there with thoughts like mine, or thoughts that make sense of the confusions I’ve had, almost makes me want to cry. I can’t really explain it. It’s like a surge of energy overtakes my heart.
What are your goals right now? In what ways has your involvement with Poetry Out Loud helped you to begin realizing them?
My goals right now are to find a path to a career that involves public speaking. I was always interested in the performing arts, singing, dancing and acting, but I had never realized my love for speaking until my involvement with Poetry Out Loud. It was somewhere between the voice dynamics and the silent, listening eyes during practice recitations that I fell in love with sharing my voice with others and being able to make a connection with them, at the same time. I feel so lucky to have been a part of Poetry Out Loud. Although the experience is over, I will keep the memory alive in my heart forever.
Registration is now open for 2016 Arizona Poetry Out Loud. Teachers who would like to participate, register themselves for the program. Participating teachers receive free multimedia curriculum materials–a poetry anthology, audio guide, teachers’ guide, posters and comprehensive website (www.poetryoutloud.org) all aligned to national standards–augmenting their regular poetry curriculum with poetry recitation and a classroom-level competition. Click here to register.
To learn more about the program, visit our Poetry Out Loud page or www.poetryoutloud.org.
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