Their Words Take Flight: Valley High School Students Take the Stage in Spoken Word Competition

Photo Courtesy of East Valley Tribune photographer Tim Hacker

Raw, vulnerable, exposed, emotional. These are a few of the adjectives one could use to describe youth poetry. While public speaking is a feat that does not come easy, for high school students working with spoken word organization Phonetic Spit, their moment on stage can’t come soon enough.

After weeks of preparation, and developing work through workshops and residencies, numerous high school students will convene at Mesa Arts Center for their chance to “speak their truth,” says Education Outreach Coordinator, Mandy Buscas.

East Valley Tribune reporter Eric Mungenast observed teaching artist Aran Kelly in action at Mesa Mountain View High School. He said of the experience, “…students were applying their own imaginative spins on a weeks-long poetry project, with a few preparing for a moment onstage that will come this Friday night and alongside numerous students from across the Valley.” Eric’s article went on, “The assistance came in a few forms, like tips on what to do to prepare for the slam — read the poem over and over again “until you’re comfortable with it,” he said — and definitions for concepts like metaphors, similes and hyperbole.” See Eric’s full article, here.

Be there when it all goes down, when these students bring their original written work to life through gesture and movement. For an unforgettable, emotionally-charged evening, find yourself in the Piper Theatre in the Mesa Arts Center campus on Friday night at 7 p.m.

Find details about the All-City Poetry Slam Championship, here.