Classes

Poets With Class

Poets With Class is Chicago Slam Work's education program. Our instructors have more than 50 years experience bringing the power of Slam Poetry into the classroom. Check out our Workshop and Assembly offerings below and feel free to contact us any time at 847-556-8679 x9 or mikes@chicagoslamworks.com with questions or to book an event.

Road Not Taken Workshop

We'll instill confidence in your students and show them the joy writing and performing can bring! Acclaimed CSW poets come for a day of performance poetry and facilitating workshops in 3 - 5 classes. We teach the fundamentals of performing poetry and use writing exercises to teach the close relationship between text and performance. ($500 - $700)*

Howl Colloquium

We'll knock your socks off with a performance of CSW poets to your entire school to kick off a week of slam poetry workshops and performances. During the week CSW poets visit classes teaching performance poetry fundamentals, persona, point-of-view, and ensemble work. The week ends with a bang - a slam competition for the entire school! ($1,500 - $3,500)*

Leaves of Grass Symposium

This is truly ground breaking! First we teach the teachers. Slam Poetry Founder Marc Smith, CSW Educational Director George Miller, and other CSW educators present two intensive poetry performance workshops to the faculty. We'll teach you a collection of dynamic writing and performance exercises that will empower you to guide your students to their full potential. Then we open a week of student workshops with an awesome assembly performance by CSW poets for your entire school. These poets will then work with your students throughout the week to produce a fantastic slam competition for your entire school emceed by Marc Smith or another slam great. ($2,500 - $5,000)*

Customized Workshops

We will gladly customize a workshop to fit the needs of your school. Feel free to contact us any time at 847-556-8679 x3 or mikes@chicagoslamworks.com to discuss your ideas.

Assembly Programming

Dead or Alive!

Your students are invited to judge the "Dead or Alive Battle Royale for Slam Poetry Supremacy for All Eternity!!!" The great poets of history are coming back to life to take Chicago's finest poets down in a slam to end all slams!! ($1,500 - $2,500) *

Two Sides

Pair the best storytellers in Chicago with the city's finest poets to tell their true stories and your students will see an unpredictable and unforgettable performance of hilariyy and heartbreak. Is it prose? Is it poetry? Is it something altogether new? We'll all find out together. ($1,500 - $2,500) *