Performance & Poetry

This class will listen and view poetry in performance—audio, film, and live. The Twin Cities is a hotbed for this type of poetry, and we will take advantage of this opportunity.

Performance poetry takes many forms: highly dramatic reading, spoken word, hip hop, even types of singing. All will be explored.

We will discuss and, perhaps, critique the performances. We will also bring in performance poets to help us better understand their art and the art form in general.

Finally, we will do our own writing and performing. Nobody will be asked to do something they don't feel comfortable with, but some sharing will be encouraged. If desired, class members may receive critique from me or their classmates either in a public discussion or privately.

**Specially scheduled class: on March 26 Minnesota Book Award Winner for poetry, Lightsey Darst, will visit the class and discuss some of her multimedia projects.