Local “Poetry Out Loud” Competition and Workshops to Take Place at the Public Library
Starting in December, Keene Public Library will be the local hot spot for teens wishing to enter the competition: Poetry Out Loud. Poetry Out Loud is a national competition for teens described on their website as “a dynamic poetry recitation competition that is designed to improve their public speaking skills, help build confidence, and teach them about literary history and contemporary life.” Competition begins locally, with winners advancing to regional or state level, and, eventually, the national finals. Eleanor Green, the Teen Librarian at Keene Public Library, identified a need for an area organization to host this event, brought in fellow librarian Parker Goodreau, and together they got to work planning workshops for local teens hoping to participate.
The library will host three workshops between December 17th and January 25th, the date of the local competition. Though only teens in grades 9-12 are eligible to compete, younger students are welcome to participate in the process and perform with their peers. Students who are interested can stop by the Ruth Huntress Auditorium on Tuesday December 17th between 5:30 and 6:30pm to get started. Brian Evans-Jones, a poet, educator, and former Poet Laureate of Hampshire, UK, will be in attendance to help inspire and guide the prospective competitors. Green, Goodreau, and Evans-Jones will help teens select their poems, the first big decision in the competition. The next step will be learning the poems, which will be the focus of the second workshop on January 7th.
The final workshop, held on January 21st, will feature guest speaker Alice B. Fogel. Fogel was New Hampshire’s Poet Laureate from 2014-2019 and is also an educator who has taught at both Keene State and Landmark College. Goodreau and Green are excited to host a renowned poet to help students practice their presentations and offer advice in the final days before the competition, and hope that working with a New Hampshire poet will inspire participants.
Drop-in hours will also be available between workshops for anyone looking for some extra help or practice. Competition day will be January 25th at 1pm in Cohen Hall, where the students will have the opportunity to perform their chosen poems for a panel of community judges, as well as any of those who enjoy a dynamic group of performers. This event is open to the public, and the library encourages you to come out and support the students.
Brian Evans-Jones’ website: https://brianevansjones.com/author/admin/
Alice B Fogel’s website: https://www.alicebfogel.com/
Poetry Out Loud: https://www.poetryoutloud.org/
KPL calendar page: https://keenenh.libcal.com/event/13563479