First off, let’s note that performing poetry is not for everyone. Sometimes a poet’s heart is simply in the written work, or the idea of the stage is too daunting to attempt. Other times a poet desires to incorporate another facet of poetry into their work such as performing it.
When it comes to reading poetry in front of an audience it is very different than other types of public speaking or theater. It can be a truly rewarding experience to share your thoughts and emotions with an audience.
So let’s talk about 10 helpful tips to performance poetry and how to better enrich your experience as a performance poet.
These tips can provide you with a framework to spoken word poetry as well as encouragement to be creative!
Every writer has a voice and spoken word poetry is another way to use yours. Let’s get started!
1. Speak up! It’s important to note that any piece you read in front of an audience you have selected for people to hear…so make sure they hear it!
2. Don’t hide behind your paper or microphone. At most places where you will be performing your work, there is a microphone. Try not to hide behind it or behind your paper. It is okay to walk around the area with the microphone in one hand or lean away from the microphone to emphasize a word. Don’t think you are confined to the small square right behind the microphone.
3. Find a friendly face. Nerves are inevitable but one thing that can alleviate some of the nervous feeling is finding a friendly face in the audience. A friend, a family member, or even a teacher could be a perfect face to look to during the beginning of your poem to make you comfortable.
4. Don’t oversell it. Try to avoid being extravagantly animated or over the top in your performance. Don’t try to force the audience to be entertained. Try to keep it natural and comfortable for both you and the audience.
5. Use a piece you like. When deciding on what to perform, pick a piece you enjoy reading. Pick a piece you are familiar with and have completed. Pick a piece you are confident in and proud to share.
6. Don’t think of it as a formal speech. You don’t have to treat it as a formal speech. You can dress casually and treat it more like a party with friends. Think of it as a comfortable atmosphere.
7. Know your audience. If you are in a pub with fellow adults your age, you might read a poem about your last heartbreak and use some unapologetic words to describe that partner, but, if you are in a coffee shop that may have children around, it’s probably best to avoid such things as profanity. This is when it’s important to know your audience. Be respectful to who may be listening to your poem and make sure that your topic fits the event.
8. Don’t edit as you perform. It is not required to have your poem memorized to perform it; it is actually more likely that you will have it printed out on paper. If so, try to refrain from editing your work as you read it. If there is a word misspelled try not to tell the audience there’s a typo. If you don’t like a line as you are reading it, don’t stop in the middle to correct yourself. Make sure your work is as completed as possible before you perform it so you won’t be tempted to edit it.
9. Focus on delivery; make the audience see the words. Since performance poetry is something that the audience listens to instead of reads, make sure the audience can experience what you’re saying. You’re telling them the story behind your poetry. Use different and interesting speaking tactics to make it entertaining and keep their attention. For example use articulation, inflections, tone, facial expressions, and hand motions.
10. Don’t forget to practice. Practice helps you to know what you are saying so that you don’t trip over your words. Practice helps you to feel confident in your work and to own it. Practice makes perfect!
Best wishes,
Amanda Finsel