The 2022 Colorado Poetry Out Loud competition will be held March 2, 2022
DENVER, February 24, 2022—Poetry Out Loud, a national program promoting poetry and performance, with teens competing onstage to go to the national competition, where more than $50,000 in scholarship funds await them. Finalists from high schools around Colorado will take the stage at the Lakewood Cultural Center on Wednesday, March 2, 2:00 PM MST and the winner will compete in the virtual National Poetry Out Loud Virtual Competition in April and May.
A program of the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, Poetry Out Loud encourages high school students to learn about poetry through memorization, performance, and competition. The aim is to help students master public speaking skills, build self confidence, and learn about their literary heritage. In Colorado, Poetry Out Loud is sponsored and managed by Lighthouse Writers Workshop and Colorado Creative Industries. State finals are free and open to the public. The first round of competition will start at 2:00 PM, with the final round starting at 4:45 PM. Lakewood Cultural Center is located at 470 S. Allison Pkwy. in Lakewood. For more information about Poetry Out Loud in Colorado, click here.
Aidyn Reid, 2021’s state champion, won with her performances of “The Days Gone By” by James Whitcomb Riley and “Tomorrow” by Dennis O’Driscoll. Some of Aidyn’s earliest memories are of being read poetry by her mother, including “Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein. Her love of poetry is inspiring, and she was profiled here.
Key dates in the Poetry Out Loud program:
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March 2, 2022 — Colorado State Championship at Lakewood Cultural Center
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April 27, 2022 — One-hour special, Words by Heart: A Showcase of the 2022 Colorado Poetry Out Loud State Finals
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May 1, 2022 — Virtual Poetry Out Loud National Semifinals
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June 5, 2022 — Virtual Poetry Out Loud National Finals
Registration is open for the Colorado Poetry Out Loud State Championship, which is free to the public. To attend this event, visit here to register.
To learn more about the Colorado Poetry Out Loud contest, contact Roxanne Malia Banks via email at [email protected] or visit here.
About Poetry Out Loud
Poetry Out Loud is a nationwide program that encourages high school students to learn about poetry through memorization, performance, and competition. The program, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, aims to help students master public speaking skills, build self confidence, and learn about their literary heritage. The Colorado chapter of Poetry Out Loud is presented by Colorado Creative Industries in partnership with Lighthouse Writers Workshop, collaboratively curating free curriculum and creating events and competitions throughout the state.
About Lighthouse Writers Workshop
Lighthouse Writers Workshop is Colorado’s nonprofit literary arts center. Our mission is to ensure literature maintains its proper prominence in culture and individuals achieve their fullest potential as artists and human beings. For over 20 years, we’ve offered award-winning writing workshops, author events, and community engagement programs to people of all ages and backgrounds in Denver and beyond. For more information, visit lighthousewriters.org.
About Colorado Creative Industries
Colorado Creative Industries is a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Established to capitalize on the immense potential for our creative sector to enhance economic growth in Colorado, the mission of Colorado Creative Industries is to promote, support and expand the creative industries to drive Colorado’s economy, grow jobs and enhance our quality of life. For more information, visit coloradocreativeindustries.org.
