Protest with Poetry on the Page & Stage: A Spoken Word Workshop

As writers, we are asked to be aware—to observe, analyze, empathize—but perhaps the most important action we can take is to use our knowledge to create change. For decades spoken word artists have tackled this task with fervor, finding themselves on the front lines of protests and even the front steps of the White House. In times like these, we are in need of even more writers who will take the brave step into the world of spoken word. 

This workshop, intended for novice and experienced poets, will focus on crafting one new poem that can live on the page and the stage. In the first session, we will generate ideas by drawing inspiration from poets like Anthony McPherson, RJ Walker, Sienna Burnett, Myles Taylor and others. In the second session, we will engage in constructive critique. In the third session, we will learn performance techniques that will help us prepare our poems for the stage. In the fourth and final session, we will perform our polished work in community and celebration.

Instructor

Caleb “The Negro Artist” Rainey is an author, performer, and event producer. His debut book, Look, Black Boy, was awarded first prize in the North Street Book Prize, and his second book, Heart Notes was published in 2019. He released two spoken word albums and produced his first short film, Willing to Grow, as a part of the Brucemore Artistan in Studio program. In 2024 Caleb was the recipient of the Iowa Author Award for Poetry. Within the same year, Nik Heftman and The Seven Times production company created a documentary about Caleb titled, The Negro Artist. Caleb is the winner of several slams across the United States, and competed in the 2023 UNESCO Slam-0-Vision global poetry slam where he ranked 7th worldwide. Videos of his performances can be found on his youtube channel, Write About Now, and Button Poetry.

When he is not writing and performing he is actively curating a community of spoken word poets in Iowa City through his high school program, IC Speaks, and producing events like the Mic Check Poetry Fest.