First Citizens Poetry Slam auditions begin June 11

Auditions will begin for the 2022 edition of the First Citizens National Poetry Slam (FCNPS) competition on June 11.

This year, the highly-anticipated, national competition celebrates a decade of providing the largest stage for spoken word talent in the region, with the theme A Season of Change, a media release said.

The slam season will see five auditions making up the first round. All auditions will take the form of virtual open-mic shows.

This is the first time the auditions will be accessible for public viewing since going fully virtual in 2020, with televised semi-finals and finals. The auditions were previously held in closed virtual sessions before a panel of live judges. It is also the first time that all levels of the competition will be open to viewers for free, the release said.

Each audition will be hosted by a well-known personality or event organiser n the following dates:

June 11 – One Mic, Kyle “Skeeto” Amos

June 12 – East Yard Studio, Dominique Roy

June 18 – Bohemia Room, Tevin Gill

June 19 – True Talk No Lie, Yvan Mendoza

June 25 – Tobago Writers Guild, Juray Greene

All audition times are 12.30-2.30 pm.

A free virtual workshop on writing and performance will also be hosted before the auditions, on June 9, from 5.30 to 7.30 pm. Writer, teacher, and performer Elisha Bartels and spoken word artist and arts educator, Arielle John, will host the workshop.

This year’s competition promises to be dynamic and engaging as the theme follows the concept of the recently-concluded Bocas Lit Fest's Four Days to Change the World, which was streamed online from April 28 to May 1.

The call for auditions, which was announced on the Slam’s social media on June 2, has already drawn the attention of newbies and veterans alike.

Winner of the 2021 FCPNS, Derron Sandy, will automatically advance to the final round with the hopes of holding on to his title.

Sandy said in the release, “This is the apex of our artform. So, when you audition, you assume a very particular responsibility of elevating spoken word poetry.”

On defending his title, he said, “I am going to do everything in my power to repeat my win as a display of creativity and intellectual prowess.”

Hoping to become a Slam finalist, first-time entrant Petal Thompson said in the release, “For years, I’ve enjoyed listening to amazing spoken word pieces. I thought that I would give my pen an opportunity this year, just to be among such great talents.”

Twenty competitors will advance to the semi-finals in August.

The first round of the 2022 competition will be judged by Jayron DJ Rawkus Remy, Avion Crooks, Nicholas Sosa, Arielle John, and Kwame Weekes.

For more info click HERE.