2008 Woodie Awards
Freshman hopes to give rise to poetic outlet on campus
Kerry Bergin
Issue date: 10/5/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Move over, Walt Whitman. A PC freshman has stepped up to create a poetry slam tradition at Providence College with the Department of English.
"I'm not starting a club, though it does have the potential to become that," said Kaly Thayer, '10. Thayer has had her share of experience in poetry slamming, having competed and attended slams. She has started a group in her hometown of Albuquerque, N.M. Thayer said she hopes to get students interested in poetry slams so that they can compete with each other.
"Slam is for writers who want to connect with their work, instead of just trying to get it published. A slam is a competition," said Thayer. She said she believes that slam poetry is "poetry the way it's supposed to be done." While spoken word poetry is simply a poetry reading, slam poetry is a performance, complete with the intended emotion behind the author's original words.
Thayer said her goal is to schedule two slams at Providence College this year. She said she plans to contact the Board of Programers (BOP) and use the stage in McPhail's for performances.
Dr. Bruce E. Graver, professor English and chair of the department, said he supports Thayer's efforts. Although he has never been involved in a poetry slam, he encourages this form of art.
"The more you can bring literature out of the classroom and into, well, the bars," Graver said with a laugh, thinking about McPhail's, "the better off literature is." Graver said the growing popularity of poetry slamming helps to counteract the decline of performed art in the 20th century.
"Literature was taken out of the mouths of human beings and put into textbooks," said Graver. "This does not help the discipline as a cultural force."
Graver said he believes that the English department should sponsor the group of poetry slammers in their initial stages. He puts his trust, however, in the leadership of Thayer, and is confident the event or club will take on a life of its own.
Interested participants do not need previous training or experience. Once she has an interested group of students, Thayer plans to schedule an introductory slam lesson, where she will explain how to slam and give demonstrations. She is also considering a trip to a local poetry slam, "so people can see what it's really like," she said.
Throughout the year, Thayer plans to organize group editing sessions and causal jam sessions in addition to competitions.
"I'm not starting a club, though it does have the potential to become that," said Kaly Thayer, '10. Thayer has had her share of experience in poetry slamming, having competed and attended slams. She has started a group in her hometown of Albuquerque, N.M. Thayer said she hopes to get students interested in poetry slams so that they can compete with each other.
"Slam is for writers who want to connect with their work, instead of just trying to get it published. A slam is a competition," said Thayer. She said she believes that slam poetry is "poetry the way it's supposed to be done." While spoken word poetry is simply a poetry reading, slam poetry is a performance, complete with the intended emotion behind the author's original words.
Thayer said her goal is to schedule two slams at Providence College this year. She said she plans to contact the Board of Programers (BOP) and use the stage in McPhail's for performances.
Dr. Bruce E. Graver, professor English and chair of the department, said he supports Thayer's efforts. Although he has never been involved in a poetry slam, he encourages this form of art.
"The more you can bring literature out of the classroom and into, well, the bars," Graver said with a laugh, thinking about McPhail's, "the better off literature is." Graver said the growing popularity of poetry slamming helps to counteract the decline of performed art in the 20th century.
"Literature was taken out of the mouths of human beings and put into textbooks," said Graver. "This does not help the discipline as a cultural force."
Graver said he believes that the English department should sponsor the group of poetry slammers in their initial stages. He puts his trust, however, in the leadership of Thayer, and is confident the event or club will take on a life of its own.
Interested participants do not need previous training or experience. Once she has an interested group of students, Thayer plans to schedule an introductory slam lesson, where she will explain how to slam and give demonstrations. She is also considering a trip to a local poetry slam, "so people can see what it's really like," she said.
Throughout the year, Thayer plans to organize group editing sessions and causal jam sessions in addition to competitions.