After being inspired by his Poetry Writing Workshop from the previous spring semester, Tim Moore, a junior English major, feels that the students on this campus would be interested in reviving an old, poetic tradition that was popular in the ‘90s called Slam.

Moore describes the art of Slam as “performance poetry that’s kinda like dialogues in plays because the way you deliver it to the audience helps them understand the meaning of the poem. It’s basically acting out your poem.”

Dr. Leslie LaChance, who has experience in the art of Slamming, describes this poetic movement as “performance poetry that reflects the early traditions of the very first poems on the planet, which were ritualistic, orally composed, committed to memory and recited at special events.”

For anyone not aware of what a Slam is, there is a documentary movie in the library entitled “Slam Nation” that demonstrates the art and performance behind the Slam poetic movement. In a brief synopsis, imagine a poet performing poetry to an audience that feeds off the words and feels the emotion behind the words much like a person would whenever attending plays or music concerts. Basically, a theatric interpretation of a poem is what a Slam is all about.

“Dr. LaChance came up with the idea during Poetry Workshop. She mentioned it to me and a few other people. It sounded like a good idea and I never thought I would be the person taking over it,” said Moore.

For anyone who has ever known Moore, this should come as a bit of a shock because he sometimes refers to himself as “shy and soft spoken.” Moore is not the normal archetype for a Slam artist because those performers are just that: performance specialists who just happen to be reciting their own poetic works instead of the famous poets like Shakespeare or Milton.

Dr. LaChance has offered her services to be the chauffeur, help with travel plans if she is out of town and be a coach for the group. Her main focus for the group as a whole is for it to be an event that the students have authority over because she says that “it is really good for the students to form a community.”

If you are interested in learning more about Slam, Dr. LaChance suggests watching the “Slam Nation” video because it sheds light into the poets as well as the competition aspect of Slamming. Also, PoetrySlam.com is a useful website that answers many questions on the topic of Slam and offers agendas for Slams in areas around the country. Any student who wants to be a part of a collegiate Slam team is advised to send an e-mail to beanswitch@utm.edu with SLAM in the subject line.