Individual Slam
On Sunday, March 16th, we will be hosting our Individual Slam Finals. In order to compete, you must first compete in one of three Preliminary Bouts, happening in different locations across Massachusetts during the months of January, February, and March. Our Individual Slam Competition is a qualifying slam for a spot on the Mass Poetry Youth Slam team that will be engaging in writing, performance, and slam competition over the summer. We also hope to send the team to Brave New Voices (BNV), an international youth poetry slam festival, this summer, with efforts underway to secure the necessary funding.
In order to compete in any level of the Individual Slam, we ask that you understand the extent of this commitment. After the Individual Slam Finals on March 16th, the top five poets are expected to join our Mass Poetry Youth slam team. There are hybrid options available if you live outside of Boston, but we are hoping to meet in person after the team is formed.
Individual Teen Poetry Slam Breakdown Rules
- To compete in this competition, you must be a teen! (ages 13-19)
- Register and compete in one of three Preliminary Bouts
- Lowell, MA: January 2025
- Boston, MA : February 26th, 2025
- Worcester, MA: March 2025
- The top 4 poets from each Preliminary Bout will go on to compete in the Individual Slam Finals on March 16th, during the Festival
- We will have a Last Chance Slam in the morning of, March 16th, during the Festival, and the winner will advance to the Individual Slam Finals
- During the Individual Slam Finals, 13 poets (the top 4 of each Prelim and the Last Chance Slam winner) will compete in two rounds of slam and the top 5 poets will form the Mass Poetry Brave New Voices Team
- The Mass Poetry team will meet weekly leading up to the Brave New Voices Festival and the team will have an all expense paid trip to Brave New Voices, host city and festival dates TBA.
For more details about the Individual Slam Rules and Requirements, check out the Individual Slam Rules Page. You can also reach Mass Poetry Director of Programming, Crystal Valentine, at crystal@masspoetry.org.
Individual Teen Poetry Slam: Lowell Edition
More information coming soon!
Individual Teen Poetry Slam: Boston Edition
More information coming soon!
Individual Teen Poetry Slam: Worcester Edition
More information coming soon!
Team Slam
On Saturday, March 15th, we will be hosting a full day Team Slam Competition, with several Preliminary Bouts happening in the morning and afternoon, and Finals in the evening. Our Team Slam is a one-off event: there are no qualifying rounds leading up to the Festival and there are no next steps. After Finals on Saturday evening, we will announce our winning team and that will be that!
Team Slam Registration
Registration is first come first serve, and there is a registration fee of $100. If this fee is a barrier for your team to compete, please let us know and we can offer a reduced fee, or waive the registration fee if needed. Teams that are choosing to stay at the offered hotel with the discounted rates will have the $100 registration fee waived. The deadline to register a Slam Team is Friday, February 14th. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Mass Poetry Director of Programming, Crystal Valentine, at crystal@masspoetry.org.
Team Slam Rules
To compete as a team, you just need 4-6 poets and 6 poems, including one group piece. That’s it! For more information and details on how our Team Slam is going to work and what you’re going to need, check out our Team Slam Rules.
First Breath: Team Slam Lead-Up Event
Although there are no team competitions leading up to the festival, we will be hosting “First Breath,” a day of non-competitive activities, workshops, and performance. Just like the importance of pausing to breathe before performing a poem, we want to emphasize the importance of taking time to connect with each other before engaging in competition. First Breath will take place on Saturday, February 8th from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM at Mass Poetry’s GrubStreet Location (50 Liberty Drive, Boston MA 02210).