University of Oregon’s own Poetry Slam Team aims to compete at this year’s College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational (CUPSI) in March. This is the top national competition for college slam poets. Additionally, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4, the UO Poetry Slam Team is showcasing a free public performance at Oregon’s Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. Donations are accepted to help the team fundraise for its trip to nationals this year.
The team was first established by co-captains Alex Dang and Hannah Golden through their shared goal of recreating Poetry Slam at the college level having been inspired by the Eugene Poetry Slam. And they’ve done just that. Not only does the team frequently perform at a number of events as a way to support the community, but members host open mic sessions and writing workshops for students who want to find their voice, edit something they’ve written or try creative writing for the first time.
Both team coach Dr. Corbett Upton and co-captain Golden emphasize that these events are open to all UO students and faculty. The team offers workshops and open mics as platforms for individuals to express themselves, try something new and grow as writers and speakers.
“What we do is come up with prompts or help with ideas that people come in with in a collaborative effort; it’s a really productive process,” said Golden.
These events are an outlet for anyone who is simply looking to improve, or for those more serious about slam poetry it is a way to refine their skills in time for team try-outs in the fall term of each year. The workshops aim to allow writers to “articulate the voice they are trying to get out” in a supportive environment. Updates about all Poetry Slam related events can be found on the team’s Facebook page.
To that end, Coach Upton said that the team “work(s) a lot to foster the community and on their own craft.” Just this month, as the team prepares for national competition, two different poets have placed first in the Eugene Poetry Slam and the Portland Poetry Slam. Not only does the team open its arms to the community as a platform for expression, but it instills the same mentality among team members.
“No one’s voice is stronger than another; there is no such thing as titles on the team…part of our philosophy involves the expectation of every member to read and edit each other’s work, but it’s understood that we are all on equal footing,” said Golden.
The team that will compete at CUPSI consists of Golden (co-captain), Dante Douglas, Sarah Hovet, and Sarah Menard.
The upcoming showcase event at the JSMA includes a performance by special guest Doc Luben, a two-time national competitor from Portland’s poetry slam team. The showcase will essentially be a presentation of what the UO Poetry Slam Team will be performing in Virginia, and this group of hard-working students hopes to find the support at the showcase to fundraise its way there.
More information about the UO Poetry Slam Team and its calendar of events can be found on the English Department’s website.
 
A previous version of this story erroneously listed UO Poetry Slam Team members who are not participating at the CUPSI competition.