SLAM U Teen Competition Enters Final Rounds 3/27, 4/3

The competition portion of Slam U begins with the semi-final rounds on Friday, March 27 and Friday, April 3 at 7 p.m. in the Idea Center at PlayhouseSquare. Slam U is the annual series of poetry workshops and slams for teens held by PlayhouseSquare's Arts Education Department.

The final round of competition is set for Friday, April 17 at 7 p.m. in the Ohio Theatre at PlayhouseSquare. PlayhouseSquare will select a team of four local teens and one alternate to compete at Brave New Voices, the 12th Annual National Youth Poetry Slam Festival, taking place in Chicago in July. The generous support of The Cleveland Foundation, The Human Fund and The Michael Pender Memorial Fund of The Cleveland Foundation makes Slam U possible and provides for the team's travel and expenses.

Shihan the Poet will serve as master of ceremonies and perform at the final round on Friday, April 17. Shihan was the National Adult Poetry Slam Champion in 2004 and has appeared on HBO's Def Poetry and numerous other television programs. In addition, Shihan has independently released two CDs, The Poet and Music Is the New Cotton, which have both received critical praise for their honesty and creativity.

All rounds of competition are open to the public with no charge for admission. Tickets for the semi-final rounds are not required. Tickets for the final round on April 17 can be requested free of charge beginning Monday, March 23 online at playhousesquare.org/artseducation or in person at the PlayhouseSquare Ticket Office (1519 Euclid Ave.).

Teens (ages 14-19) wishing to compete must register for one of the two semi-final rounds in advance. Registrations are taken by email to artseducation@playhousesquare.org or by phone to 216-348-7909.

Poetry slam is the competitive art of performance poetry. Emphasis is on both writing and performance. At a poetry slam, poets perform their work and members of the audience serve as judges.

PlayhouseSquare places incredibly strong emphasis on arts education and believes that it is essential to improving the quality of life in our community. Through a variety of workshops and classes designed for people of all ages, the PlayhouseSquare Arts Education Department offers avenues to discovery, appreciation and development in and through the performing arts, connecting participants with national and international artists in unique and meaningful ways. PlayhouseSquare initiates collaboration among educators, artists and other community organizations, and actively forms mutually beneficial partnerships with local arts organizations to create and present arts education experiences of the highest quality. Always striving to fulfill its role as an asset to the Northeast Ohio community, PlayhouseSquare is an active leader in advocating arts education both locally and within the performing arts industry.

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