Our second Catalyst Creativity Workshop, on 6 February 2019, was on spoken word poetry, gathering poets and writers alike. The workshop was led by David Silverberg of Toronto Poetry Slam, and involved a lot of participatory and engaging exercises. The group consisted of students and staff with a range of previous experience in terms of poetry-writing, from none to some, but very little experience in actually performing poetry.
Participants watched YouTube videos of spoken word performers, for inspiration; engaged in writing exercises; and even got up to take part in an improv exercise. Participants were also able to listen to some of David’s own spoken word poetry.
Overall, it was an engaging and fun experience where participants were left with a new appreciation of the art form.