What is performance poetry?
Performance poetry is specifically composed for performance rather than print distribution.

What is the history of performance poetry?
Performance was the original way poetry was circulated. Once the book was invented, writing became the primary means of distributing poetry and performance poetry fell out of favour until the 1950’s when the Beat poets in North America began to reintroduce it. Then in the 1980’s, the live performance poetry competition known as the Poetry Slam was created by Marc Smith in Chicago.

What’s the difference between performance and written poetry?
Performance poetry needs to engage its audience in a different way because it is heard rather than read. Therefore, the delivery of the poem becomes very important, and performance poets often use sounds and changes of rhythm to make the recital exciting.
In live performance, stage presence is also an important factor to consider, and the best stage poets are not only good writers but excellent entertainers and incorporate movements into their performance.

It – The Remedy by March Smith

Saint Catherine of Siena to Mary-Kate Olsen by Marty McConnell

high street, kew east by Komninos Zervos

Romeo and Juliet Act 5, Scene 1 by William Shakespeare

Underdog by Marc Smith