Page to Performance: Poetry for People
Have something to say?
Learn how to express yourself with the spoken word. Lift your poetry off the page and bring it alive for performance.
Everything is invitational, as you put poetic pen to paper and then perform your final pieces. Daily sessions will be heavy on getting stuck into writing and performing, with a smattering of theory. Start from scratch, or bring bits and pieces along- all kinds of poets and poems are welcome!
Jason will offer a few ways to write poetry, but feel free to bring pieces you’re already working on. You’ll be welcome to stay within your comfort zone, or he can help you push yourself out of it.
Students will take home a few finished poems, fragments of others, and if they like, the memory of the thrill of performing them in front of others- the class and perhaps random passers-by.
AGE: Suitable for ages 15 to adult (possible mature themes)
SKILL LEVEL: Everyone - Suitable for a range of experience and skill. Tutors understand that there will be varying skill levels and will adapt to the needs and interests of all students.
SCHEDULE: Half Days - Monday 13 to Friday 17 January 2025 - 9:00 am to 12:00 pm - Optional private exercises will be provided for those who want to do them through the afternoon. People who would like to stay and chat over byo lunch together are welcome to do so (12pm-1pm).
VENUE: Bellingen Youth Hub
Check out the courses below that could be paired with this half-day course…
Have something to say?
Learn how to express yourself with the spoken word. Lift your poetry off the page and bring it alive for performance.
Everything is invitational, as you put poetic pen to paper and then perform your final pieces. Daily sessions will be heavy on getting stuck into writing and performing, with a smattering of theory. Start from scratch, or bring bits and pieces along- all kinds of poets and poems are welcome!
Jason will offer a few ways to write poetry, but feel free to bring pieces you’re already working on. You’ll be welcome to stay within your comfort zone, or he can help you push yourself out of it.
Students will take home a few finished poems, fragments of others, and if they like, the memory of the thrill of performing them in front of others- the class and perhaps random passers-by.
AGE: Suitable for ages 15 to adult (possible mature themes)
SKILL LEVEL: Everyone - Suitable for a range of experience and skill. Tutors understand that there will be varying skill levels and will adapt to the needs and interests of all students.
SCHEDULE: Half Days - Monday 13 to Friday 17 January 2025 - 9:00 am to 12:00 pm - Optional private exercises will be provided for those who want to do them through the afternoon. People who would like to stay and chat over byo lunch together are welcome to do so (12pm-1pm).
VENUE: Bellingen Youth Hub
Check out the courses below that could be paired with this half-day course…
Have something to say?
Learn how to express yourself with the spoken word. Lift your poetry off the page and bring it alive for performance.
Everything is invitational, as you put poetic pen to paper and then perform your final pieces. Daily sessions will be heavy on getting stuck into writing and performing, with a smattering of theory. Start from scratch, or bring bits and pieces along- all kinds of poets and poems are welcome!
Jason will offer a few ways to write poetry, but feel free to bring pieces you’re already working on. You’ll be welcome to stay within your comfort zone, or he can help you push yourself out of it.
Students will take home a few finished poems, fragments of others, and if they like, the memory of the thrill of performing them in front of others- the class and perhaps random passers-by.
AGE: Suitable for ages 15 to adult (possible mature themes)
SKILL LEVEL: Everyone - Suitable for a range of experience and skill. Tutors understand that there will be varying skill levels and will adapt to the needs and interests of all students.
SCHEDULE: Half Days - Monday 13 to Friday 17 January 2025 - 9:00 am to 12:00 pm - Optional private exercises will be provided for those who want to do them through the afternoon. People who would like to stay and chat over byo lunch together are welcome to do so (12pm-1pm).
VENUE: Bellingen Youth Hub
Check out the courses below that could be paired with this half-day course…
course info
Please read all course information below before purchasing tickets for this event.
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If you are more a reader than a performer, that’s totally fine, and if all you want to do is write and not share any of your work with anyone, that’s fine too.
Everything will be an invitation, the only obligation is to support and encourage those who do want to share.
DAY ONE
We will spend most of the first day writing, using one of several prompts if need be, and then sharing our works in progress.
DAY TWO
We will look at another entry point, and start to focus in on one or two poems for more work.
DAY THREE to FOUR
We get into more detailed feedback, and vocal exercises, preparing us for more performing on day four.
DAY FIVE
We will be performing to each other, and perhaps busking on the street.
Some of us might like to perform at the Camp Creative finale, and perhaps aim for all that prize money at the Bello Poetry Slam in June!
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Please bring the following on your first day of class:
Paper
Pens
Laptop or phone, if you prefer creating on them
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The workshop is aimed at absolute beginners, but the great thing about poetry is that even if you’ve written or performed a lot, taking time out to write and perform more always yields fruit, and you can help inspire the others!
“Jason created such a safe and encouraging environment, with plenty of mic practice. My anxieties really melted, enabling me to feel more confident to perform than ever before.”
YOUR COURSE TUTOR
Jason John
Jason’s melding of Dr Seuss and Pam Ayres with politics, sex and religion saw him win the 2019 Bellingen Poetry Slam and place third at the Australian Poetry Slam final the same year.
Recently he has brought his extensive experience leading workshops of all kinds to poetry – running workshops for Bellingen Arts Week in 2021, Bellingen Poetry Slam Poets 2020-2023 and Camp Creative in 2023.
He loves the opportunity to help people turn a blank page or screen into writing, then scribbles, then more writing, and the writing into words spoken on stage.
You can read and watch some of his work at ecofaith.org - or the links below.
