High-schoolers ready for slam poetry competition on Nov. 21
Eighteen students from six Houston high schools “will bare their souls” at a “slam” poetry competition at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Alley Theatre, said Reagan High School creative writing teacher Natalie Martinez.
“Topics range from body issues, depression, physical and verbal abuse, love, death, utopia, philosophy, race, life, friendship, betrayal, societal issues, surviving teenage years, coming of age and the humorous side of all of the above,” said Martinez.
“A slam is poetry performance times 100,” said Anthony Flores Jr., 17, a Reagan High senior who hopes to advance as a “sacrificial lamb” in the weekend’s free main event, the fifth annual Bayou City Slam Competition.
It’s a national face-off for slam poets from across the country, with two “sacrificial lambs” representing Houston as they vie for cash prizes and the title of Bayou City Poetry Slam Champion.
Tickets to Bayou City Slam, which will begin at 7 p.m. at the Alley’s Neuhaus Theatre, are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
Prior to Slam Poets @ Alley Theatre at 3:30 p.m., the theater will host two Slam workshops that are free and open to the public. Participants will be encouraged to write poetry with an eye toward sharing their work and performing it onstage.
First, a teen workshop will be held noon-1 p.m. taught by Jasminne Mendez, a performance poet, actress and teacher whose multi-genre memoir, “Island of Dreams,” was published in 2013.
From 2-3 p.m., a workshop for adults will be taught by Ed Mabrey, the only three-time Individual World Poetry Slam Champion (2007, 2012 and 2013).
Those interested can register for a workshop at www.alleytheatre.org/slampoets. Slam Poets @ Alley Theatre is the culmination of a program in which Alley actors have led eight sessions at each of this semester’s participating schools, including Reagan, Carnegie Vanguard and the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Montrose, Sharpstown, Waltrip and Academy of Choice in Spring Branch ISD.
“There is an acting element to it, so it is not just standing and reciting a poem,” said Shane Ross, a language arts teacher at Academy of Choice. “The students learn techniques for communicating the emotions behind their words, so they emote sadness, anger and joy, whatever they are feeling.”
For example, in Ross’s English 3 class of 45 students, Alley actor/educator Luis Galindo said emotions can be expressed from three zones of the body: the head, the heart and the core, which includes physical movement.
“Ducking your head shows that you’re shy. Stepping forward shows dominance, while moving back with your hips expresses fear,” said Ross.
Eric Bueso, 17, a senior at Reagan High, also performed in last year’s Slam Poets @ Alley Theatre, when it was held at HSPVA due to major remodeling at the Alley.
“I watched my first Slam when I was a sophomore and I was really inspired,” said the son of Maria Bueso and Hector Palacios. “I wanted to get my work out there. I get nervous before going up there, but then I feel powerful, and I hope that others can relate to what I’m feeling.”
Flores Jr., whose parents are Anthony and Jo Ann Flores, said he hopes to perform a poem about a eating disorder.
“It’s called ‘Mild,’ because I suffered a ‘mild’ case of bulimia. Talking about it makes me feel really, really vulnerable, and it takes its toll, but slam poetry isn’t just about the author: you are writing for the masses and hoping that it will do some good.”