Students get a feel of spoken word poetry
KUCHING: English Literature students at Lodge International School experienced something a little different from their regular schedule last Friday when a team of local spoken word poets dropped by to run a workshop.
The four- member team from Wordsmiths of Kuching ( WoK) came bearing writing challenges and tips for both writing poetry and reading it for an audience.
They were invited to Lodge because their brand of poetry and spoken word have moved many people, said English Literature teacher Poh Sze-Lyn, who wanted her students explore their creative writing chops together with Kuching poets.
“Literature has the ability to express one’s innermost feelings and perspectives. In class, we read the works of many noteworthy writers, but the syllabus does not require the students to produce their own creative writing pieces,” she told The Borneo Post.
Poh said that the spoken word workshop was meant to be an enrichment programme, encouraging these adolescents to express themselves in healthy, creative ways.
“We invited WoK because their brand of poetry and spoken word have moved many people. More importantly, they are fellow Kuching residents, which then inspires the students that they too, can write.”
She thanked the team for their willingness to take time off work to spend time with her students.
One of the 17 participants, Bianca Than, 15, said that the workshop was a refreshing change from their regular classes.
“I really enjoyed the opportunity to write my own poems, and I do look forward to more creative ways of expressing myself.”
WoK spokesperson Maclean Patrick said that their outreach programme to Lodge was a success, although as their first outing, it was still scary because they were trying out a new idea that may or may not function well.
“The training/workshop method worked, as did the coordinated approach by both WoK and Lodge. It helps WoK fine-tune our instructional ideas so that the art of spoken word can be ‘ taught’ or explained to youngsters in a way that generates interest, and is fun.”
With WoK organising shows on a regular basis and a growing number of volunteers to help where they can, the founders and core members of the group have moved on to look at talent development to fill those events.
Starting at the grassroots level is the best place, Maclean pointed out.
“By interacting with schools, we instill early on that the art of spoken word is not something in the realm of fantasy but something realistic that anyone can do, with much encouragement and support by people who are already involve in it.”
It offers a chance for established performers to give back and inspire more people to get involve.
“The ultimate aim is to build more interest, more artists and create bigger events for spoken word in Kuching,” he said.
The group have been around since 2014, where the original idea was to create a platform for aspiring writers and poets to perform their original pieces to an audience.
“We believe that creating a platform is all good, but the people that go onto the platform is equally important and central for creating interest in the art of spoken word in Kuching.”
Maclean, who hosted the shows and performed in them, was accompanied to Lodge by other key members and performers – Bethany Balan, Georgette Tan and Chloe Ling - who also shared their experience and guided students in their writing activities.
Wordsmiths of Kuching ( WoK) is a community of storytellers, performance poets and spoken word artistes.
They organise two key events – First Reading and Word of Mouth KCH.
First Reading is a gathering of poets and writers who are interested in honing their work, getting feedback, and optionally bringing it to the stage.
Word of Mouth KCH, which is a platform for local poets and spoken word artistes come together and display their ability to employ and manipulate words and language into poetry verses, prose and story-telling.