Are you still looking for more opportunities to perform before audiences? If so, you might consider participating in open mic events held in countless coffee shops, bars, restaurants, classrooms, libraries or even stadiums across the country.
Whether you’re performing poetry slams or other styles of the spoken word, here’s how you can improve your performances with this expressive art form.
What is Slam Poetry?
According to Brittnica, slam poetry is a form of performance poetry that combines elements of performance, writing, competition and audience participation. Spoken word poetry is similar but relies more on the poetic text versus the performing and competitive elements of poetry slam.
In the age of the internet, this can be done anywhere. Outside of social media or YouTube channels, you will often see poetry slams or spoken word performed in coffee shops and bars or restaurants hosting open mics. This is where performers of all levels get together to showcase their latest material or put a twist on existing work.
Performing at spoken word events or poetry slam competitions can benefit actors in several ways. By stepping up to the mic for about two to three minutes, whether performing your own work or another person’s written word, it can be worthwhile for the following reasons.
Grow as an Artist and Boost Your Memorization Skills With Slam Poetry
Although some people choose to read from a poetry book or sheet of paper, those who wish to enhance their connection with the audience through eye contact, posture, gestures or even dance will want to memorize the passage. Actors can keep their minds sharp with their habit of memorizing paragraphs, if not pages, and can experiment with memorization strategies that work most efficiently for them. By combining poetic writing and movement, they can explore innovative forms of communication with an audience.
Whether in the theater or on screen, actors portray characters and an ensemble of talented individuals share the space, interacting with one another. But when you step up to an open mic, typically, it’s just you. Your interaction is with the audience, and you stand before them, all lit up with stage lights, with just a microphone in hand.
How Poetry Enhances Your Writing Skills
When delivering a spoken word performance, there’s a level of intimacy and a sense of vulnerability that some performers find challenging even before opening their mouths. For this reason, you might want to start out performing another person’s written words before graduating to share your poetic texts as they relate to events, people or things in your life, your imagination, personal feelings and points of view.
Aside from being a great source for creative expression, poetry slams will also help boost your writing skills and increase your understanding of the human language.
Without the use of a set, props or a costume, you can grow as an artist by bravely sharing your poem, punctuating it with your tone of voice, pacing and body language. You may choose to attend improv classes or even spoken word workshops to help each of your performances feel fresh and unique.
Inspire, Get Inspired and Network at Spoken Word and Poetry Events
Open mics and poetry slam competitions aren’t just platforms for creative expression. Many open mic-ers and poetry event attendees have experience in the theater. Spoken word and poetry slam events are a great place to see what other creative types are up to, and sometimes talent agents and casting directors visit these venues in search of new standout performers. You’ll also develop mutual respect and camaraderie with your fellow performers.
Practice Recovering From Your Mistakes
Outside of being a platform for poets, open mics are weekly events where regulars take advantage of the safe space to iron out their performance kinks. Whether it’s forgetting a line or mispronouncing a word, people make mistakes during performances.
You might receive feedback that you need to project your voice or adjust your mic technique. Regardless, audiences appreciate the risks you take, and they’re on your side. As you learn to be more comfortable improvising and moving along within the art form, you’re sure to become more graceful and confident onstage.
Examples of Successful Slam Poets and the Impact of the Spoken Word Poetry Movement
Some spoken word artists have used their momentum to move forward in their acting careers or as stand-up comics, poets or political pundits.
Rudy Francisco is one of the most recognizable spoken word poets on earth. He’s won several poetry slams and is the founder and current coach of the San Diego PoetrySLAM team, which won the 2017 National Poetry Slam Championship.
Francisco has written four poetry books and pushes his art to the world regularly on social media platforms. This has enabled him to pursue a career as a full-time poet. He even performed his poem “Complainers” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Black Flag singer Henry Rollins has immersed himself in spoken word events for years, even winning a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Recording back in 1994.
Rollins has toured all over the world serving up his unique brand of spoken word, borderlining stand-up comedy as he recounts personal experiences while giving commentaries about society. Rollins is also an outspoken human rights activist as well as an award-winning voice actor.
Whether you’re a professional poet or someone who wants to practice the art form, if you’re interested in the performance of poetry or enjoy competitive events, poetry slams might be right up your alley. If these benefits of slam poetry or spoken word have you intrigued, find an open mic near you and give it a try. It might just be the extra boost to take your acting performances to the next level.
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