Poets Out Loud Youth Slam 2024
Find out more!
Got something to say?
Entry is now open for the 2024 Poets Out Loud Youth Slam. If you’re aged 12-18 and live in the Northern Rivers, we want to hear from you!
Poets Out Loud Youth Slam is a live spoken-word competition with epic prizes. You get 3 minutes on stage to share YOUR voice and YOUR story. The winner takes home $400 cash and kick-starts their writing career with help from Byron Writers Festival.
If selected to perform, you can join mentoring sessions with other young writers, facilitated by prize-winning poet Sarah Temporal. Have fun and learn new skills as you hone your words for a live audience.
This year, we are offering a series of free workshops around the Northern Rivers to help you try your hand at Slam Poetry. You can attend these even if you don’t want to go in the Slam.
Entry is open to young people aged 12-18 years who live in the Northern Rivers region.
Sign up now to guarantee your place in a workshop AND apply to perform in the Slam. Performers are selected through workshop participation or by a sample of work.
Sign-up form below or click here. Registration closes June 30.
“It’s really powerful and I’d encourage anyone to do it. All the nerves go away as soon as you’re up there. Just feeling other people connect with the poem was so special.” – Inde Henderson, Runner-up 2021 Poets Out Loud Youth Slam
Key dates:
- March-July: Free community workshops in Kyogle, Lismore, Nimbin, and Murwillumbah
- Friday 30 June, midnight: SIGN-UP CLOSES.
- July 7: Performers selected. Performance mentoring begins.
- 9-11 August: PERFORMANCE! Poets Out Loud Youth Slam at the Regent, Murwillumbah.
Watch our Youth Slam poets here >>
More for Youth and Schools here >>
I’m interested… tell me more!
Conditions of participation in Poets Out Loud Youth Slam
First prize winner receives $400 cash + an appearance at a feature event at Byron Writers Festival, Bangalow Showgrounds, date TBC
Poems performed at the Youth Slam must be original work under 3 minutes long, without props, costumes, or backing music. The winners are judged on writing, performance, and audience impact.
Performers will be selected by July 7. Applicants need to either attend the free workshop, or send a sample of writing, to help with selection. This does not need to be the poem you intend to perform if selected.
The cost to confirm a performer is $75, payable on acceptance. Poets Out Loud supports 3 scholarship places for those with financial difficulties to participate at no cost.
Performers will have access to 4 mentoring sessions to create and develop their slam poem.
Travel and supervision for the performance must be arranged by families.
Performances may be recorded and photographed. All rights remain with the author.
