We are pleased to announce the return of the Poetry Out Loud program for the
2009-2010 school year! In 2008-2009, almost 1,000 Rhode Island high school
students from 11 schools, public and private, from Burrillville to Portsmouth, participated in the second year of this national enrichment program. Beginning in the fall of 2009, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation will again present Poetry Out Loud, in partnership with the RI State Council on the Arts and VSA arts of RI.

This educational project allows high school teachers of English, Life Skills, Theatre Arts, Public Speaking and other specialties to work under the guidance of professional teaching artists to give students the benefits of a nationally approved program in the recitation and performance of poetry. Teaching artists will begin visiting registered schools as early as October, leading up to each school’s competition. Students participating in the program have the opportunity to advance to a statewide competition in late February or early March. One winning RI student will be sent to the National Finals in Washington, D.C., April 25-27, 2010 to compete against winners from the rest of the nation for awards totaling $50,000 in scholarships and school prizes.

REGISTRATION

Interested teachers are asked to submit a registration form by October 30 , 2009 in order to be considered for participation – click here for a pdf.

Please note that should we experience a high volume of interest, first preference will be given to classrooms serving a) junior and senior students; and b) classrooms which are inclusive of students with disabilities. However, all interested educators are strongly encouraged to apply.

STATE FINAL INFORMATION:

The State Final will be held February 27, 2010 at 10am, to be held in Bishop Hendricken High School’s theater: 2615 Warwick Avenue, Warwick, RI. Finalists, please arrive by 9:15 pm. This contest is in preparation for the National Finals being held in Washington, D.C., April 25-27, 2010.  Schools should hold their own competitions no later than February 19.

RULES FOR PARTICIPANTS:

POEMS: Finalists will begin each recitation with the title of the poem and the name of the poet. Poem must be recited from memory. Of the three poems prepared, 1 must be from pre-20 th century, and 1 must be less than 25 lines. The same poem may fulfill both requirements. All poems must come from the Poetry Out Loud Anthology, either the online or printed version. There is no requirement regarding the time period for your choice of poems; however, please remember that one of the categories you are being judged on is Level of Difficulty. Recitations should include epigraphs if included in the Poetry Out Loud anthology, but a student’s own editorial comments before or after the poem are not allowed. Author’s dedications and footnoted translations included with the original poem are optional, and their inclusion or exclusion should not weigh in the score. No props may be used.

ATTIRE: Finalists should dress neatly. Dressing formally (ties, dresses) is acceptable but not required. No hats, jeans or sneakers, please. Avoid any items with slogans, messages, or pictures. No costumes. Please find a way to keep hair from obscuring your face.

PROMPTING: A prompter will be in the audience reading along, right in front of center stage. If you need a prompt, simply say “line” or “prompt” and the prompter will read a few words. Note that your score will be deducted 3 points for each use of the prompter. Eight points will be added to your score for a perfect recitation. You may find that simply taking a deep breath will sometimes serve you better than calling for a prompt.

SCHEDULE: Finalists will be told their order of recitation upon arrival. This order will be the same for all rounds. Right now the program is planned as follows (changes possible):

• Welcome and remarks by Master of Ceremonies.
• Remarks and poetry reading by Guest Speaker.
• Round One: All Finalists will recite a poem of under 25 lines from the Anthology.
• Round Two: All Finalists will recite another poem of their choice from the Anthology.
• Intermission. Scores being tallied. Lunch provided for Finalists (pizza).
• Musical Interlude.
• Announcement of six Finalists with highest scores from Rounds 1 and 2. These six will move on to Round 3.
• Round 3: Six Finalists will recite their third poem from the Anthology. After a brief pause for score tallying, winners will be announced.
• Musical interlude #2 while final scores are tallied.
• Announcement of winners and prizes.

PRIZES: As long as your school and district allow students to receive cash prizes, each winner at the state level will receive $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC, to compete in the National Finals. The state winner's school will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. The state runner-up will receive $100, with $200 for his or her school library. In the event that the state winner can not attend the National Finals, the runner-up will represent Rhode Island.

ATTENDANCE: There is no charge to attend the state contest. Please urge your students, faculty and administrators to attend and support your school’s winner. Give them your support!

QUESTIONS?

Contact Brian Platt, Rhode Island State Coordinator for Poetry Out Loud:
poetryoutloud.ri.bp@cox.net

Phone: (401)725-0247 (office hours 4pm – 6pm every Wednesday, or leave a message)