Poetry Out Loud

What is Poetry Out Loud?

Presented by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country.

The program:

• Introduces students to classic and contemporary poetry
• Encourages students to learn about literary history and contemporary life
• Helps students master public speaking skills and build self-confidence

Georgia Schools: How to Get Involved

The Alliance Theatre is thrilled to administer Poetry Out Loud for the State of Georgia in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and Georgia Council for the Arts. Registration for the 2024-2025 program closed on Friday, January 17, 2025 (11:59 PM EST). Schools, community organizations, and students who are interested in the program are encouraged to attend a Poetry Out Loud contest to learn more and begin making plans for participation next school year. The schedule is posted below, and all Poetry Out Loud contests are free and open to the public.

Virtual Office Hours

• View Office Hours Information

2024-2025 Schedule

Please return to this webpage for additional updates and details as plans are confirmed. 

• Friday, January 17, 2025 (11:59 PM EST): Online registration for the 2024-2025 school year will close
• Wednesday, January 29, 2025 (11:59 PM EST): Participating schools and organizations must hold a local contest and report a champion
• Saturday, January 25, 2025 (2:30 PM - 4:30 PM EST): Virtual Student Workshop to prepare for Regional Contests
• REGIONAL CONTESTS
  • METRO ATLANTA SOUTH (Fayetteville, GA): Saturday, February 1, 2025 (2 PM EST) at Trilith Studios - Production Center
  • METRO ATLANTA CENTRAL (Atlanta, GA): Saturday, February 8, 2025 (11 AM) at Alliance Theatre - Rehearsal Hall A
  • METRO ATLANTA NORTH (Atlanta, GA): Saturday, February 8, 2025 (3 PM) at Alliance Theatre - Rehearsal Hall A
  • VIRTUAL (via Zoom): Wednesday, February 12, 2025 (5 PM EST)
• Saturday, February 22, 2025 (2:30 PM - 4:30 PM EST): Virtual Student Workshop to prepare for the State Final
• STATE FINAL (Atlanta, GA): Saturday, March 8, 2025 (3 PM EST) at Alliance Theatre - Rehearsal Hall A (in-person only)
• NATIONAL FINALS (Washington, DC): Monday, May 5 - Wednesday, May 7, 2025 (details to be announced)

STATE FINAL
Poetry Out Loud contests in Georgia are free and open to the public. Generally, the audience at contests includes parents/caregivers, family members, educators, and community members. Tickets are not required to attend the Poetry Out Loud - Georgia State Final on Saturday, March 8, 2025. Additional details to support guest attendance is provided below.

Event: Poetry Out Loud - Georgia State Final
Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025
Location: Alliance Theatre (located on the Woodruff Arts Center Campus)
Address: 1280 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Room: Rehearsal Hall A (3rd Floor, Memorial Arts Building)
Doors Open to Audience: 2:45 PM
Contest Start Time: 3 PM
Contest End Time: 5 PM (estimated)

Please be advised that, due to registration and contest participation projections, the following changes have been made to the Poetry Out Loud schedule (effective 12/19/2024):

Effective 12/19/2024

• Canceled: WEST (Columbus, GA): Saturday, February 1, 2025 (4 PM EST) at Columbus State University - Bo Bartlett Center
• Added: METRO Atlanta SOUTH (Fayetteville, GA): Saturday, February 1, 2025 (2 PM EST) at Trilith Studios - Production Center

Effective 1/30/2025

• Canceled: EAST (Savannah, GA): Saturday, February 1, 2025 (2 PM EST) at Georgia Southern University - Armstrong Campus

In the News

• Atlanta student named state champion of Poetry Out Loud competition (RoughDraft atlanta, 2024)
• Georgia Council for the Arts Announces 2024 Poetry Out Loud State Champion (The City Menus, 2024)
• Georgia sophomore wins 2024 Poetry Out Loud state championship (Valdosta Today, 2024)
• "The Alliance Theatre Becomes New Home for Georgia's Poetry Out Loud Competition" (Alliance Theatre Press Release, 2023)
• "Alliance Theatre, Georgia Council for the Arts announce Poetry Out Loud State Champion" (Decaturish, 2023)
• "Local Student to Represent Georgia in Poetry Recitation Competition" (The Champion Newspaper, 2023)

Quick Links

• Find poems, audio and video clips, lesson plans, contest resources, and more at: poetryoutloud.org
• The Poetry Out Loud YouTube channel also features examples and techniques

Questions?

Contact poetryoutloud@alliancetheatre.org

Acknowledgements

Poetry Out Loud is a partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and the State and Jurisdictional Arts Agencies of the United States.