On Wednesday, the Russell House Ballroom will be full of students, silenced and captivated by the words of their peers — those who attend will be encouraged to think outside the box and beyond their normal comfort zones in this intimate and thought-provoking setting.
“Regardless of whether or not you write poetry or even thought you liked poetry, being a witness to other students expressing themselves in the platform of spoken word is a blast,” Caroline Westberg, fourth-year international studies student, said.
The Poetry Slam, organized by Carolina Productions, will begin at 8 p.m. hosted by professional poet Katie Wirsing, who placed 13th at the Women of the World Poetry Slam. Throughout the night, Wirsing will be introducing each of the poets, as well as performing some spoken-word poems of her own.
University students and staff will judge the 13 student performers who were selected through an audition process. To enter the competition, poets were analyzed on criteria such as audience appeal, creativity and first impressions. This selective process should guarantee a worthwhile show that digs deeper into the human mind, relevant societal problems and humanity as a whole.
“A poetry night with such high-caliber participants is guaranteed to make you re-evaluate and reaffirm what you value individually,” Luke Jennings, second-year international business and accounting student, said.
A night of poetry is not what it is often stereotyped to be — an overly romanticized and inappropriate use of flourished language. Rather, the poems in this showcase will delve into current issues and other moral questions with a unique platform.
“I think what inspires me most is observation. I just naturally pay attention to people and things,” Autumn Smith, first-year journalism student and poet, said. “It’s allowed me to see the best and worst of human nature”.
Westberg uses the spoken word to invite the audience to try to make sense of the world along with her.
“I see performing poetry as a way to get others thinking and to make better sense of issues or ideas that I find perplexing," Westberg said. Regardless of the poem’s subject, I think performing with passion and energy can inspire others to think about something they may not have thought about before and perhaps even get them to care about the subject."
Jennings uses his religion and craft to bring solace to people in times of trouble and to focus on issues that he wants to bring to the public's attention. In light of recent world events, this consolation may be exactly what members of the USC community need.
“Everything I write is written through the lens of the gospel and out of a love for people. Tomorrow’s poem, specifically, was inspired by the current state of our nation’s public education system and the need for reform,” Jennings said. “I want to give hope in the midst of dark circumstances."
Smith finds solace of her own in presenting her poems to minds outside her own.
“I feel like when I get to perform, my words actually mean something," Smith said. "Others are able to listen to the thoughts in my head, and for me that’s comforting."
Poetry Slam allows attendees to think about both worldly and mundane experiences on a deeper level, regardless of religious, moral or social views, while gaining insight from the perspectives of a diverse group of talented poets and peers.
"Poetry is all about being transparent, so it is the one evening a year devoted to tearing down the walls, being authentic and empathizing with the humanity in each of us," Jennings said.